Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1877-09-19
MischieyOus Willie.

I'm certain you never came across
such mischievous little fellow as Willie
Walters. Not a day passed but he was
up to some trick or other
Sally" said he to the servant one
Saturday afternoon | want you to do
me favor. VIII you?"
Av course | will darlint; sure now,
what is it," returned she
Well, only this, Sally, you know"
went on our hero, roguish look COM
ing into his eye d" | want you toto
give me some -four out Of the cupboard,
there"
"Flour did ye say?' queried the
.housemaid, not sure that she had heard
Alright.
(" Yes, Sally" replied our hero. q
want, you know, to make some paste
for my kite. Do give me some"
Well, the end of it was, Willie got the
flour, and no sooner had he secured it,
than, with a triumphant little laugh, he
ran out of the kitchen and upstairs to
his bedroom
Sure, now, it's some mischief he's
afther, the young rogue" muttered the
housemaid, as ne disappeared :: 1t is
not paste for his kites he'll be making
at ALL at alln'
Half an hour aherward, when our
hero heard Mr. Dodgers go cut he
sneaked down into that gentleman
room, opened his clothes drawer, and
carefully sprinkled the flour all over it,
then made his way to the adjacent
crlcket-field as if nothing had occurred,
though every now and again he could
not bel p chuckling over the smart trick
he had played.
However, it was on this occasion that
Willie was served out"
1t SO happened that Mr.. Dodgers had
not got half mile away, before he met
an actor friend, who gave him an order
for the theatre; whereupon Mr.. B.,
highly delighted, returned to his lodg-
ings to don his best black suit.
Imagine his rage and surprise when
he opened his drawer. There were the
clothes which he wore only on highdays
and holidays covered with flour!
"Who's done this? who's done this?'
cried the poor gentleman, ringing the
bell so violently that he almost broke
the wire. "Who's done this? My best
suit is spoiled"
CdIi} appear GU W tl1c SuilIuOlI5.
"What's the matter, sir?'' asked she
Natter" shouted the Infatuated
clerk, pointing to the open drawer.
:" Look there, and see for yourself Ny
black suit is ruinedi'
Sally did look, and on the spur Of the
moment threw up her hands, exclain-
ing.
Sure, Mr.. Dodgers, it's meself that
knows the culprit It's Willie He's
gone to the cricket-feld."
BIZ. Bodgerss eyes lighted up. [ may
tell you that he was a very determined
man; and, unlike Willie's parents, had
firm belief in corporal punishment
What does he do, therefore, but march
straight to the cricket-feld, heavy
cane in his hand.
Catching sight of him, Willie instantly
took to his heels, for it>did not require
two glances to assure him that his
fathers first-foor ledger meant mischief
Stop him! Stop the young ruffian!"
yelled that gentleman, giving chase,
and brandishing the cane ominously.
"Stop him, say!"
No one attempted to do So however,
and at first it looked as if our mischiev-
GUS IlIGIG nero NOlHu 1Ildko LIS CoCdpt,
but fate ordered it differently.
Though past the middle age, Mr..
Dodgers was remarkably nimble, and,
what with his long legs and arms, seem
ed to fly over the ground like a huge
grasshopper.
The consequence was that he gained
upon Willie fast, and in fey seconds
was onl y a dozen yards or SO in the rear.
Willie's heart sank within him. He
felt that unless he did something des-
perate he was in for it. Suddenly,
therefore, swerving to the right, he
made direct for thick cluster Of tall
water-reeds, and dived IN amongst them.
hoping thus to elude pursuit.
Alas he reckoned without his host.
The irate ledger was not to be done in
this way Dashing after him, he caused
Willie to retreat further back and, in
the excitement Of the moment, to tum-
bic headlong into the muddy brook.
Help! help!" cried he, chokingly
struggling frantically in the midst Of the
thick, liquid mass. Help! help!'
Mr.. Dodgers anger was in q moment
appeased, and he was now as anxious to
save the boy from drowning as a few
seconds before he had been to chastise
him.
STOPPING down, therefore, he caught
him by the collar and dragged him forth.
A pretty object he looked He was
actually covered from head to heel with
the Shiny mud. In short, has best clothes
were completely spoiled, while, by dint
of shaking and brushing, Mr.. Bodgers's
were made to look something like them
selves again, though they never were as
bright.
So, after all, Willie was the main suf-
ferer, especially as his parents did not
buy him another new suit till fully six
months afterward, but made him do
penance in the spoiled ones.
The Oldest Man in the World.