Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1878-08-30
BiII andIBraJ,


We are indebted toa lady correspondent in La
molle county, for the following little tale for the
times. I'D. ri
Once on a time there were two boys
named Bill and Brad They lived, with
many other boys. with fine old gentleman
familiarly known as Uncle Sam Now, in
one of his gardens among the mountains
was a tree which in September OF every
other year bore beautiful golden plum,
which. Of course. many boy would like
for himself Who should have it was de
cided by vote, and sometimes the lucky boy
who had the most votes was so generous as
to let those who had helped him most suck
a little of the juice.
Gne year the contest lay between Bill and
Brad. and when the vote was taken, 10
Bill was chosen, Brad was sadly cut up at
this, but at first he behaved like man
about it. They all saw how pale he looked,
and knew he was sadly disappointed
but, for all that, he walked up and
shook hands with Bill. 81 congratu-
late you, Bill" be said you've
made a square fight and won, and you're
entitled to the plum. guarantee that my
friends will make you no more trouble.
"All right, replied Bill. 81 am glad to
take your hand; but you've made me
great deal of trouble
never mlnu. Olu le!lOW, snhn mhke
you any more"
Il move that we make the vote unani-
NOUS" said one of Brad's best friends.
The move was carried. three cheers were
given for Bill, and tho crowd dispersed to
await the day when he should gather the
golden plum. with never thought Of any
further contest
Every body said that Brad had, acted like
little man. But pretty soon Brad began
to feel differently, when he came to think it
over, and realized that it WAS great dis
appointment to give up all chance of get
ting that beautiful plum. And there were
al the boys who had worked for his inter
est, expecting taste of the juice, Just as
disappointed as he
Lets get up bolt" suggested some of
the thirs,icst
but won't that be mean? What
excuse can We make for it. after We all
agreed to abide by the vote. and all went
in and made it unanimous ?'' asked one eau
tious boy.
"Lcr's say that Bill gained the vote un-
fairly"
"That our side has been abused and mis-
represented"
That Bills organ has played terribly
insulting tunes to Us" This boy iidn' /
pause to consider that Brad's many organs
had made the most abusive music they were
capable of
That they would have bolted if Brad
had been chosen"
That's easy enough to say, who knows
but they would"
My heart is FULL" said Brad. wipng
away tear with his coat-sleeyo Pm in
the hands of my friends
But, asked the cautious boy, what
good will bolting do Voting over again
won't change matters, unless We can get
some of those fellows on tho other side to
vote for us
"We can't buy many OF 'em, know"
said Brad, "ior I've tried all tho doubtful
ones"
Lets trap en-" suggested ehrewd
one, Il haye it We'll make a big trap,
and bait it with something good. and when
lot of 'em get fairly to eating, we'll have
EN- counted Tor us"
Turtle soup :" cried one, that's the
ticket Green turtle has Just come iato
the market, and some OF those fellows are
dreadful fond of it"
That's the plan The bolt for our
fellows and the Greonback soup to trap
enough of the others to make u- win"
So the bolt was declared and Brad's boys
were instructed to jump up and down,
and holler that Brad had been
abused and he was not going to
stick to his promise to make Bill no more
trouble, unless ho chose to. Meanwhile a
big trap was quietly built. a nice soup OF
Greenback turtle made ready. and on the
day Of the boiling vote the trap was thrown
open.
Over came some of Bills friends, tempted
by the smell of the soup.
Walk right in and help yourselves,
said the boilers, politely; TITS all a free
treat.-Only be good enough to turn your
coats the other side out, Just as token that
you appreciate our kindness, you know"
That's easy enough done," said the
boys. Their coats were quickly turned ,
and into the trap they aocked.
The boys enjoyed the soup, and ate on