The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1880-12-16
AUNT AMANDA AND THE VELOCI.
PEDE,
AThaaksgiving Story.

''Clarkson, | want you to wash your
face and hands and start right away to
meet your Aunt Amanda"
Garrison was lad about nine wears
old, and at this time was busily engaged
securing the runners of his sled, and
didn't appear TO hear. This was
Thanksgiving morning, and to the boy S
great delight there was suspicion OF
snow in the air.
"Clarkson Day, do you hear me?'
said the mother in a louder tone, leav-
ing the plum-pudding she was making
to step to the door of the shed. ssIf
you don't hurry" she continued, s'the
train will be in, and your Aunt Amanda
will think that we have forgotten all
about her."
II want to finish these runners,
mamma" snarled the boy, land 1 don't
want TO meet Aunt Amanda, either.
She always has forty bundles for a
fellow to carry, and l don't like to tote
bundles"
Il take notice that Aunt Amanda
generally brings you something" said
his mother, in a coaxing tone. 81 won
der who gave you your rubber boots and
gave you your watch last Christmas. 1
think you had better go to the train as
quickly as you can"
1.-The boys all laugh at me, mamma,
when 1 60 to meet Aunt Amanda" said
Clarkson. applying himself vigorously
to a rusty spot on the steel, "and I
guess you wouldn't like to be poked
fun at. AL jerks said the last time
met Aunt Amanda that 1 looked like a
dry-goods store on wheels, and Frank
Davis said he thought twas a tin
peddler coming along"
"What do you care what the boys
say?" mamma coaxed again.
"Well, amt agoing. so now!'' the
naughty boy replied; and at this crisis
in affairs the lad who was ashamed to
be seen carrying bundles was not
ashamed to break into a babyish cry,
which, strangely enough, had the de-
sired effect of excusing him from the
performance of this disagreeable duty.
just here a boy about Clarkson's age,
with pleasant, intelligent face, walked
into the shed with basket of eggs for
Mrs. Day. His name was Robert Cliff
ton, and he was the son of near
neighbor. Roberts father was not as
well off as Mr.. Day, and so it happened
that Robert, as compared with other
boys in the neighborhood, had very few
pleasures. However, he didn't seem
to mind it, and was always ready to
lend helping little hand to any one
who needed it. Robert had heard the
last part of the conversation, and said
Ivy ~ L.
you like, Mrs. Day"
"Oh, do! that's good boy" said the
lady, at her wits end; "and do hurry,
for am afraid Amanda has started be-
fore this"
The boy was off like flash, and then
Clarkson proceeded to wash his face
and hands, and put up his sled. Two
minutes later Mrs. Day turned round to
admonish her disobliging son, and he
was nowhere to be seen. The fact was.
he had hurried, as fast as his swift feet
would carry him, to drum together the
boys, in order to .sput up job,'' as he
called it, on Bob Clifton, who had been
so officious in offering his services for
the work he had declined. Away fitted
Bob, taking the shortest cut across the
i.Ao"uoWo, "hu oOAiho min, hccpluS TO
the main road, which Clarkson knew
his aunt would take on her way to the
house, were five bows, with Clarkson at
their head. Robert, by scamperino
very fast, was just in time; and the bows
saw Bob shoulder several bundles in
shawl-straps, and load his arms well up
with boxes and parcels, with roars of
laughter.
1t was agreed that Clarkson should
not be seen, but that the other lads
from different standpoints should imi-
tate the yells of the North American
Indians, and throw stones at Bob.
There was something on the platform
which the boys couldn't quite make out,
and which Aunt Amanda and her COM
panion seemed to have considerable
trouble with. At last the thing, what
ever it was, was lifted to the ground.
and dragged slowly along by Bob.
Then there was another stop, and more
conversation apparently, and then, aft
er moment of anxiety to Clarkson,
Aunt Amanda took some of the parcels
from her companion, and now Bob was
astride OF something, and bowling along
in first-class style.
"Oh!' screamed Clarkson, ssthat is
my velocipede. I didn't know that
Aunt Amanda was going to bring it this
time. Come on, boys, and see the
fun!' and with this the Il Is started on
a run for the travellers.