The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1878-03-14

NeN N4AA @AAAe tNAAN7 WIZ kAhSfs
log NJ raw material 10 ihs shspe Of has
soeks aud sofA pillows, TO be used ~
bauering-rAms aud canuon balls, uuiled
in making hs strong as possible The re.
doubt built Of arm chairs aud sohoolroom
benches, that The Russians we're 10 take -
u they conld Miss March was Gassie's
last love with SOME other girl; bat ibis
lime Il was a real yoang lady, bright,
pretty, aud very good nAiured, who wore
bright ribbons, high heels to her boots,
very Tong trains, aud great many rat.
tling and ringing things on Der brseelets.
Gnssie was twelve, aud Twelve was quite
old enough, she was sure, TO give up
playing with boys, aud be almost young
lady. so she gave herself a good many
airs, tried 10 bold her hands, and say Oh,
my as Miss March did; aud that was
really more than the boys-her fve broth
ers and three cousins could stand. For
Cassie, when she tcds Gussie, and not
trying TO do some one else, was capital
company the best shot 10 pillow fight,
The surest catch 10 game Of ball. aud
splendid band at making believe 10 any
gsme
Aud now, while the boys are collecting
their pillows, aud GOssie is getting down
stairs, ] ought, in justice 10 the Russians
encamped in the Davenport hail that day
TO tell you something about Maria MAtil-
da. couldn't tell you all about her,
possibly, for the young person in ques-
tlon is good deal older than am; bat
In spite OF age, as Dick says, Maria Ma.
liIda's bumps are no fun. She is large
doll, who used to belong in The very be-
ginning to Mrs. Dayenporl's mother; a
doll with cloth bony, so well made that
In spite OF the three generations of chill.
dren and many battles she bad lived
through, she is almost rs good as new,
with only one leg aud one arm and Gu.
riously ptped out expression on her
wooden face. Nowadays she is used as
cannon bail, and very hard thumps she
can give, as the boys well know; so that
when she was won in the drawing by the
Russians, Dick, who WAS Pasha of the
Turkish troops, and obliged TO stand In
The arm chair TO direct his troops and
watch the enemy, made fez Of an old
red comforter TO protect his head. 1t was
The rules Of the game that when Maria
Iell inside the enemy's lines she was TO
be haDded-not lhrown--bsck TO her
rightful owners for use again.
All ready? shouted Dick. There was
4 sound of scrambling about on the other
side of the closed door, as the Russians
gathered in the ball, aud Dick hastily dc.
ivered his last instructions.
Got all your ammunition? looking
over the piles of pillows and hassocks
gathered behind the redoubrs walls. Ar
chic, you aim for Bob with the big sofa
pillow; and Gus, you take Harold in the
egs If you can with a hassock, when be |
sn't looking; and III aim for the colors. |
Now watch the doors!
For there had come cry of Readyl |
rom the hall, and after deep silence
not even the sound of footstep could be
leard. There were two doors, through
ither of which the enemy might fall up
L.
N the besieged-the door that opened
rom the hall into the schoolroom, or the
me by way of the dining room--so to-
lay, as usual, there was the anxiety Of
aud wondering through which
Ioor they would come.
oh, thought Gussie 10 herself, as she
ook her place behind the wall and pre-
ared hassock for action, how stupid
nd rough this is. wish | was Miss
iarch, then wouldn't have to play With
be boys; but did think I'd try, aad |
pW. And Gussic bobbed up to take a
ood aim at the enemy's legs, and then
obbed out OF sight again. For the Rus
ians, with rush, a scamble, aud a shout
bat did credit TO four pairs Of strong
ings, had made rush through the din.
~ room door, aud ran toward the re.
onbt. Maria Matilda flew thick and
ast. IL took one Turk nearly the whole
me TO pick her up and hand her back
gain. Dick made he color bearers life
burden TO him, while Archie extin.
uished Bob under the great sofa pillow
iussie threw her selfish thoughts and re-
inings with the hassocks at the enemy.
IL was bard struggle. Again and
gain there was truce, while the breath. ,
'ss soldiers gathered up ammunition and
'paired damages, before the Russians |
'ere victorious. Twice well-directed {
low from Maria Matilda sent Dick from
is chair TO the floor; but each time be ,
-ss up again, winking very hard, TO be |
are, TO keep back the tears, but keeping 1
iem back and defending bis fort TO the ;
'st, even when one Turkish soldier after
mother was dragged over The ramparts
prisoner, snd Gussie and The Pasha
ere the last men left Then how braye- I
be fought for her when The Russians
ere trying 10 capture Gussie, lodged !
Iaris, waFded of pillows, and gen orally {
ehsved as brave man should, until he |
as overpowered. (
l. 81. = =.
iught of her enemy the enemy IN her Z
reAst mean-that wanted her TO turn {
her nose al the boys and their fun. So
10 ba'lle ended 10 a victory for The Rus. c
ans, all owing, no doubt, to their hay. I
u 90 superior & weapon. And then
Ime war dance by the whole military G
rec Of both armies, 10 the hall; tiil even
ANNA, who was used TO noises II Suy