River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1877-07-26
The Truant.

"Ycs," said Cecil, but papa don't like
me TO have anything TO do with fire
arms"
'.Oh, your granny CONTEMPORARY re-
torted Harry Percy. Just like the old
codger, that said his son must never 90
near the water until he had learned to
swim! How are you ever going TO learn
TO fire off pistol if you never take one
| into your handr
papa thinks it isn't safe,n said Cecil.
That's all nonsense :" retorted Willie
why, I've had pistol ever since was
six wears old. And father often lends me
his fowling-riec Oh, come along It'll
be such fun Six of us boys and big
| lunch basket. with cold chicken and
boiled eggs and gingerbeer in it! And
all day in the woods, shooting squirrels,
and birds; and woodchucks, and thingsl
4 regular hunting party, don't you sect
Just ike Trapper Dave IN the dime
novels"
Cecil listened l0Egingly- Although
he felt convinced in his heart that his
father would not give consent to any such
delightful expedition, he yet imagined
how pleasant it would be. And Willie
Beam had offered to lend him a real little
-barreled pistol, and ii was so like be-
ing grown-up-folks2"
"Ill make try for it, at all events"
said Cecil.
So when his father came home he ran
out to the gate to meet him.
"Well, my son, what is itln said Mr..
Harrington, kindly.
Papa said Cecil, there is six OF
our fellows going out into the woods to
spend Wednesday shooting birds and
squirrels. And Willie Beam says he'll
lend me his little pistol And it's my
birthday, so thought, perhaps"
But Mr. Harrington shook his head
at once.
NO" said he, certainly not
But why not, papas"
"How old are you, Cecil.'
"Nine, sir"
"Well," said Mr.. Harrington, "when
you are sixteen l will buy you as nice
gun as can be purchased in this city, and
teach YOU how TO use it. Until then |
have expressly forbidden you to NEEDLE
with any sort of firearms. Nor 30 /
think it advisable for you to go wander
ing through the woods with half dozen
giddy- pated boys a whole day"
Cecil's brow grew gloomy, and his
lips pouted out; he turned sullenly a way.
But his father took no notice Of hi i'll
humof.
ats too bad y thought the lad TO him
self Papa treats me exactly like a
child And I'm as big rs Will Beam,
anyhow. And it's d great pity if 3 fellow
can't have little amusement on his cvi
birthday"
All through tea time Cecil looked as
black as thunder cloud, and he could
scarcely be induced to answer a civil
question when any one spoke to him.
Little boys do so like to have their own
way,
His schoolmates learned of Mr.. Har-
rington's decision with noisy displeasure.
''He wants to make a regular milk
sop of yoti; Cecil, my boy" said Will
lie Beam, who faheied himself almost q
man.
Every boy of any spirit has his
own gun or pistol nowadays said Per
cy.
Now, look here, said George Nc
/ D1rmott, lowering his voice to a whis-
per. don't you be treated like baby"
But how can / help it." argued poor
Cecil.
Easy enough" said George. Make
/ believe you're going to school just as
usual, with your strap of books over your
| shoulder, and instead cut for the woods.
No one will ever know. And | really
| think YOU are justified in asserting your
own independence little, after the way
your father treats you"
Cecil hesitated an instauts and then set
his lips firmly together.
III do itr' said he.
So upon Wednesday morning, when he
reached the little by-path that led on the
right hand to the school-house, and on
the left TO the woods, he took the latter
route. and leaving his books hidden away
| under a stone wall, ran as fast as he could
toward party of boys who were linger-
ing on the edge Of the woods.
Willie Beam was there With the extra
pistol and little tin box of ammunition,
and Cecil was uproariously welcomed by
the others, but somehow he didn't feel
half as happy as he expected TO.
The day crept by. Either there were no
birds and squirrels in those woods, or else
they were unusually shy. At all events,
our young sportsmen got no game. And
while they were sitting at their lunch
under the shadow of great walnut tree,
two or three rough-looking boys came up
and Joined themselves, unlimited, to the
party. And while they were quarreling
over who should have the first shot from
Harry Percy's gun, the weapon itself
went of, lodging its contents in the fieshy
part of the thigh of one of them.
The boy fell fainting to the ground and
Cecil, nearly terrified out of his wits,
never stopped to see the end of the mat
ter, but took to his heels as fast as he
could, not knowing whether he, as one of
the party, would not be liable to arrest
| and punishment for what had happened.
And unluckily, he selected as his near
est way home the short cut through old
Mr.. Melton's apple orchard.
Now, it happened that Mr.. Melton had
been very much annoyed by tramps and
vagabonds entering his grounds, and
helping themselves unceremoniously to
his half ripe fruit So upon that very day
he had unclaimed Leo. his savage bull
dog, and placed him on guard in the
orchard.
4I1l see if / can't catch some of them
ere young rips said old Mr.. Melton.
Consequently, when he heard the
/ erowls and roars of Leo, and the cries of
a boys voice he did not feel very sorry
for the culprit.
Hold on tight, Leo. good Leom said
he, as he made his way slowly up from
the barnyard. Nov, young chap. Ill
trouble you to tell me what business
yo-,'ve got on my premises. Why with
a long whistle, ats Mr. Harringtolii boy
Loose him. Leo, loose him. How came
you here. Master Ceeill"
And while, WIZ, one hand he held the
collar of the saval animal, who wal still
licking his lips, and eyeing his late cap
tive with red, swollen eyes, the old man
stared at the boy
Poor Cecil who was terribly frightened
AMI had his trousers legs nearly torn of
from him. managed 10 explain that he
was in great hurry 70 get home, and
that he supposed il was the shortest way