The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1880-10-20
Ghildren's Column.
For the Central Presbyterian
MECHANICS.

mean?" asked Nat with puzzled look.
" L did not see any of the animals my
self, but l heard the boys calling out,
Here SpiderP Here Bulll' Come Baby
Elephantl' Go there, Monkey, ETC."
Nat threw himself into chair, shak-
ing with laughter AS soon as he could
speak, he said:
o father we were only calling the
boys by their nick-names."
Humph," answered Mr.. Boyd, when
you are selecting nick-names, why not
choose decent as well as suitable ones?"
" If you only knew some of the boys,
father, you would think the names suited
them to T. Now Henry Watson has
very long legs, and we call him Spider ."
Why not call him 'Longshanks, after
one of England's greatest kings?" in
CURED mamma.
"Ohl know who that is, said Bessie,
delighted at being able to Join in the con-
versation, eve had it in our history les
son to-day-Edward l."
" Hurrah for Bess," said Nat, but let
me go over some of the other names.
There's Horace Horton, he is huge in size,
and we call him Baby Elephant. He
is so good natured he does not care bit.
And Bob Tyler certainly deserves the
name of Monkey, as he initiates every
thing and everybody. Walter Pulliam is
as fierce as Bull, and little Alfred Say
age is SO very tiny we call him Mouse"
Your paymates," said Mr.. Boyd,
smiling, "have very different character
istics both of mind and person"
1--WE have lots of others" continued
Nat. Sheep Hog Crane, Mosquito,
"stopl" cried Mr.. Boyd, quite enough.
m glad [ am not boy. wish you to
select about ten boys in the school, ones
having the most conspicuous names, and
invite them here to tea Friday night"
Are you going to give us one of your
talks p asked Nat delighted
Perhaps, was the smiling answer,
but be sure to ask Dick Morton, as he
Is one of my greatest favorites. sup
pose he has nickname also?"
go yes he has grand name, Rich
ard the LionHearted, and he deserves
the name, too, he is as brave as lion,
never does anything in a sneaking way,
and he is never afraid to say No. am
glad you like him, father, but because he
IS so poor and wears patched clothes,
some of the boys call him Patches. But
he doesn't seem to mind it much"
The appointed evening came, and with
1T ten boys. After having paid their re-
spects to very liberal supper, they adj
journed, with one consent, to the parlor,
where Mr.. Boyd was ready to receive
them
"Glad to see you Spider Good morn
ing Baby Elep hant,F ;" said that gentle
man, recognizing each one by the descrip-
ton before given. Hope you are well,
Monkey but where's Mouse p" he
added, saying all this in the gravest
manner.
The boys were covered with confusion,
and it begins to strike them how very
ridiculous their names must appear in
the sight of others. Mr. Boyd, after a
little talk, said:
sent for you this evening, boys, not
only for the purpose of enjoyment, but to
try to teach each one of you lesson.
My text tonight is, Nick Names Nat
has doubtless told you of my remarks
about the menagerie Now I know
boys will have their fun, and there is no
objection to healthy fun in the way of
nick-names provided they do not touch
the character. How many historical
names Of that sort have descended to us
Besides Longshanks and the two Rich
ards-the Crookback and the Lion
Hearted, we have Bloody Mary, name
which will be forever execrated. Still
later we find the Little Corporal and
the Father of his Country In our own
times the beloved name of Stonewall
Jackson fills every heart. Such nick
names as the two last are richly worth
having, and why not try my boys to be
deserving and try to win similar names
for yourself, for physical as we'll as moral
courage, for high standard of character
and Christian piety. A nickname some
times clings to one through life. I once
knew boy, fine character in many re-
spects. In moment of temptation he
yielded and stole q use the plain word
you see boys,) handsome saddle from
the stable of friend of his fathers
That boy repented in dust and ashes, and
was never known, up to the day of his
death, to take even the smallest thing
Yet the name of Rogue chung to him
through all his childhood. In spite of
his entreaties and good behavior his
school companions persisted in calling