New Ulm weekly review., 1878-04-24
THE EEON BOY.
Amusing Incident On an English Rail-

Amusing Incident On an English Rail-
So long as boys are permitted to go
about loose, one is liable to meet with
them, and l met with specimen only
last week which shall not easily forget.
l was starting for the Waterloo station
by an afternoon train for Hampshire.
and meeting with four military friends
who were going to Farnboro station
(for Aldershot), got into their carriage.
Beside us five, there was an Elton boy.
There is no mstaking that description of
the race; they are always dressed in
the height Of fashion in the vacations
although at school they delight in a hat
with half its brim of, and, moreover, they
all wear stiff little white ties, which give
them the appearance of duodecimo min
listers and some juvenile religious sect.
The little wretches are as naughty and
reserved as North American Indians; and
the individual Of fourteen years of age or
so, whom we had On this occasion for our
fellow traveller, looked as though the
entire railway station, plant, and valuable
house property adjacent belonged en-
tirely to himself My soldier friends,
however, class which has generally
proper contempt for boys-paid no sort
OF attention to him, and as for me, I was
delighted to ignore his presence.
"Now, Jack,' said my friends, two of
whom were my college chums, and all Of
them intimates, ''you will let us smoke,
we know, although not fond Of it your
self.'
"Well," replied I, sit will probably
make me ill: but otherwise I have no
objection"
AS soon as the train began to move they
accordingly lit their cigars; they had not,
however, taken three putfs before the child
in the white cravat (whose wishes nobody
had thought Of consnlting) requested, in
that half-hoarse, alf-squeaking voice
peculiar to his period of life, that they
should put their cigars out, because smok
ing was offensive to him, and contrary to
the bylaws.
The officers stared as though the car
riage-lamp had uttered an observation,
and then all four burst out into roar Of
laughter.
s'You will find it no laughing matter,
gentlemen, when you get to Farnboro',"
said the Etonian; ''or, at all events, the
joke will cost you two pounds apiece.
You have been warned, as the Act directs;
object to your smoking in this carriage" !"
'Tben get into another, you little brute, .
observed Pepperpot, of the 10th; ''in-
deed, have a great mind to drop you
out of the window as we go along"
g: l will thank you for your name and
address, returned the phenomenon, stiff
ly; here is my card at your service. Be
oc 4o frin
"Smith, of London" replied Pepper
pot. "Only give me time to write to my
wife and family. What bloodthirsty
young creature it isv'
"He is very plucky," remarked Nor
man. of the kits, approvingly; 6 | will
say that for him; but what cheek! what
cheekE
81 am obliged to you for your good
opinion" returned the little wonder,
drawing out gold repeater; ssbut if
within one minute your cigars are not all
extinguished, I will appear against you
as sure as am living man. M = time is Of
no consequence, and would as soon get
cut at Farnboro as anywhere else; SO you
may be sure you will not escape me. i
feel it my duty to prosecute upon publ e
grounds"
Once more did Pepperpot glance at the
window and even stretched his hand to-
ward this human gaddy, as though he
would have nipped him up between fin
ger and thumb; but with rueful look al
his companions, he presently cast his be-
loved weed out Of the carriage, instead ol
the boy. The other three followed his
example; for was it worth while to pay