The anti-monopolist. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1874-1878, 1878-02-14
The Raid Of the COmanches.

The Raid Of the C0manches.
FIRED Hart. who was the eldest son OF
country clergyman, and preparing for
college at Whitford Boys Academy, wa
known at that classical institution as
"dig" because he ''dug" into his books
and studied hard. His room innate, Neal
Howe. an orphan, dependent upon his
own exertions, was styled ''digger;' and
as both lads were both dark, 1t was out
a step for those UPPER story boys to call
them "Digger Indians"'
This term was gradually extended to
include all the boys in the second story,
for they were all hard students. The
2Digcers' retaliated mildly by styling
their upper-story neighbers, 'Ca nanches."
The Camanches perpetrated all sorts OF /
schoo,.bo atrocities on the Diggers, but,
above all things else, they burned for q
pillow-fght. In vain they challenged
the Diggers to combat Those law-abid-
ing savages declined. though aware OF
thereby falling into contempt on charge
of cowardice.
Unmistakable indications we're so IN ap- J
parent that the Camanches meditated an
attack.
The north wing was intended to be fire.
proof, ana each story was separated from
the main building by iron doors which
usually were fastened back by staples.
The Camanches reasoned that these doors
might be as effectualiy used in shutting OFT
teachers as fire; and the staples in both
the second and third stories were one day
ALc<
easily closed.
Scouting parties reported that the Ca
manches were getting ready the war paint
d, e., the burnt rk,-and one teroclous
savage had intimated that they should
space neither age nor sex.
A council was Immediately held in
Fred Harris room, and Fred unanimous
" chosen chief.
"If they're determined on a pillow-fght
they shall have it." resolutely remarked
that warrior.
The Diggers proposed using their own
pillows as reserve arms only, and the next
day any number of this tribe might have
been seen securing the village in efforts
to buy up old pillows.
"All's fair on the defensive" said Chief
Fred and each Digger ripped open one
end of his pillow, poured little mucil-
age, and then basted it up, in accordance
with the liberal views boys always enter
tain concerning basting." :.
At little after nine o'clock, when the
lights had been extinguished, and teach
or made the nightly rounds, a Camanche
scout quietly closed and bolted the iron
doors and relighted the hall lamps. Then,
with air-starting war-whoops, the savagcs
began dropping down through the trap
door, which opened from one hall to
another in the capacity of firc-escapes
The Diggers, peacefully studying IN
their rooms, were summarily ordered into
the hall to battle Every man protested
hut the Camanches refused to parley
Then, seizing their weapons, the assailco
marched forth to the field of carnage.
Thwack. went the blows of the Cam
anches.
Thwack! the Diggers.
Tnwack! the Camanchcs.
Thwack! the Diggers.
A stir among the Camanches and thel
Wild ARRAY.
Crack crack! go the Digger's hastings
Crack feathere tiy over the heads ant
into the eyes OF the Camanches, and Their
many of them stick. The Camanche
realize the disadvantages of unprovoke'
assault with no rules of warfare agrees
upon beforehand.
Here and there Camanchc drops hi
arms and flies to the farther end of tn
hall, only to tumble unavailingly at tn
fastenipgs Of the iron door, while q vic
FERROUS Digger belabors him with tn
weapon he has just cast aside.
All at once there is deserted in tn
dim light Of the hall the books and never
to-be-mistaken striped pantaloons OF CAY
tain Hale swinging through the traI
door.
Captain Hale is drill sergeant and pr
f,ssor of gymnastics. He has seen yea
Of army service. and is thoroughly Undue
with the military spirit. The boys WEI
more afraid of him than Of the presidel
and entire board Of trustees, -as afraid ,
they would be Of old Nick, himself,
boots and striped pantaloons.
In flash every Digger had disappea1e
into his own room and locked the do
after him, and the Camanches are 10
alone, gasping among their feathers, u
captain in their midst.
There Is moment OF OcWltQeImel
followed by q wild stampede toward q
iron door, but the Captain has cut of 4
retreat.
Young gentlemen, you will remain a,
clear up the hall Williams, 60 to Z
cosl-ceilar and bring up the two-bush
basket"
Williams is .snobbiestr of third-sto
bows, bravest Of Camanche warriors, b
Williams doesn't dare refuse to go
that basket. During his absence his +
iow-savages express strong coubts as
his ever re-appeariag upon the battle fe
bu, he does return. like Regulus to
barrel Of spikes.
Tue Captain has borrowed a number
hrcons and dust-pa from the Digg
who. to . man. had retired and been 81
ing sweetly-
aNow. gentlemen, clear up these fea
ers." orders the Captain, as If he was
ing. Forward, march,
Clearing up those feathers was tedi'
and trying process. Any one who
ever chased worn out but still liv
feather up and down long hall can
arine the scene with HUNDREDS OF "a
flying about,
- L. 49, - tnA1u