Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1878-06-19
Che family Cirtle.
When [ Was a Bow.

to see if the race OF boys has changed
much in the last thirty or forty years.
What do you think about itp Do you have
the same sort of boys for mates that YOU
father and uncle used to have?
Down by the sea, last summer, watch
ed two little chaps - brothers they were
one twelve and the other eight or nine.
The older ones name was Dick and the
younger's name Tom. Dick used. to take
his book or his playthings into the sum-
mer-house, and pretty soon Tommy would
come running out. And this is what
would hear:
Tom, you run into the house and bring
me my ball. and in minute more,
Tom, go and ask mamma if we can
wade" or "Tom, stop your noise and
keep away from here-I came here first
and you can just clear out" And so Dick
would 90 on, at all times of day, ordering
Tom around, sending him to fetch and
carry, and treating his little brother as if
he were his servant or his dog.
noticed, 100, that when other boys
came round, master Dick wasn't near 81
lordly. He never spoke sharply to them
nor ordered them about, nor tried any of
his "bossing games" as they called it,.
When he was with them he waited on
himself, and asked pleasantly for what he
wanted, and generally kept civil
tongue in his head,' For Dick knew well
enough that he would get ducked in the
surf, or tumbled in the sand, if he tried to
play master with his mates. And so he
took it out in bullying his younger brother
If had asked him about it, presume he
would have said that he loved Tommy :
and know that he couldn't bear to have
him gone, or sick. But don't you think il
a queer way to show how much you think
of II brother-to treat him worse than you
do any other boy on the street?
Now, let me tell you the kind of a big,
ger brother had, and what he did for me-
His name was Phil. He was four years
older than |, Il big, strong active lad-the
best skater and swimmer the champion
wrestler and ball player, and the leader Of
the sports among all the boys. He was So
generous and jolly, as well MS brave and
strong, that they all liked him, He nevel
would eat an apple alone if there was n
boy who wanted half, and he always had
Il pleasant word and helping hand for the
little Chaps. As for the girls, you would
think he was brother to the whole lot
They were not big enough at the time I'm
telling you Of when he was sixteen, to
care so much about his handsome face his
keen but kind brown eyes. his red checks
aud fair high forehead, his straight and
shapely form. But his merry face and the
frank, honest ways he had, and n heart so
pure that he never let his tongue speak "A
word that his sisters might not hear, made
them all like him. And lad that all the
girls like because he is generous, brave
and clean all through, is pretty sure to
make Il good kind of n man to have for IA
a husband or father.
WE'LL in the school where we went there
was one boy that we called Bully
Brown He was the kind of chap thai
thinks it is sport to abuse dogs and cuts,
and TO kill birds but his favoria fun was
TO pick on " boys about half his size
And us | was one of those, and was :,
rather frlil and delicate little fellow, from
being sick SO much, he liked to torment
me.
One day, at recess, he met me in the
narrow hall and not having broken any
chickens leg, or killed any bird, or wor-
led any dog that day, | suppose he was
hungry for some " fun" And 50 he crab |
oed me by the hair, jammed my head
against the wall two or three times, trim. |
ped me up, and kicked my hat out into
he dirt.
l was too spunky TO cry, but never did
want to be big and strong so much before
knew it was wrong to fight; but should
laVn tu kan t.h.nnac b,,i g.
1 had been able to whip that bully.
Some of the boys, who SAW it told broth
II Phil, who was in the higher depart
nent; and at noon-time, when all the BOYS
we're on the playground, he came walking
,ut very swiftly, with light in his eve
hat had never seen there before, and
hat almost scared me, much rs | loved
lin. He walked straight up to Bully
5rown, who was staggering around tile
game of ball, took off his hat and sail
ii 1t on the ground, and clapped Bully on
he shoulder. Phil. was so pale and bis
yes shone so, that the boys knew some
hing was up; and so they all stopped
her play and gathered round.
SO you are the chap that bulles little
oys, and picks on fellows half your size,
re youe said Phil, Well here's one
bout as biz rs you are, and he comes to
&c how you like it!'-and Phil. hit the
ully smart box on his eur and SQUARED
himself up in front of him.
IL was the bully S turn to look pale now;
ut he knew he had been mean and there
'as something in Phil s face that looked
angerous to him. !
You are coward rs well as q bullv!n
lid Phil. and | propose to give you
ogue's March for the benefit of this I
,hool. If you stop, or open your mouth,
shall thrash you, or you will have to
hip me. Backward, malch!"
The bully was completely cowed, and
, began to back off, rs Phil. advanced
oking him steadily in the eye, and keep c
g SO close to him, face to face, that he t
'uld grapple him if he turned. In this
ay Phil. backed him clear around the
hool house, with all the boys surround.
9 or following them. hootlng ut the +
lily and cheering Phil.,-for when h
lily is down he finds that he has no +
lends. Phil, gave him plenty of good q
vice on the way around told him how 4
can hn had hnpn and oaEad hs,,,