Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1881-05-05
Little Brecches.

'Yes, they used to have queer timei
around here, said the ancient citizen, 81
he stirred himself around on the upturneC
soap box, while the proprietor shook down
the ashes in the stove.
The reporter perched himself on the END
OF flour barrel and patiently awaited the
outpouring of language that he knew was
sure TO follow.
Yes said the ancient citizen. MY
father came here before the triIobites were
donu drying. He saw some rough times,
the old man
Right where the Court house stands.
continued the ancient citizen, 'was the old
block-house, and here were gathered a
mixed crowd of refugees just after the
| Pigeon Roost massacre. Old man Booth
had his log tavern just outside, and ct it
was always a motley gathering of back
woodsmen.
Among these, and the ancient citizen
twisted his quid across his tongue turn
Or two, was character who made fln of
old Booth and said he was coward. Booth
hated him cordially for the insinuatioa, yet,
could never prove the contrary, and the
old trapper made up his nind to test his
courage. The plan was successful.
My father and two friends owned q
cabin just the other side OF Booths and
one ef these, a small man, had $500 coin,
in a sack, when Bill tried his experiment
on Booth.
They had retired for the night and laid
their buckskIn pants o1 the hoor at the
bedside. Have you ever seen any genuine
buckskini' was suddenly asked the re-
porter by the ancient oi tizen.
4 have
fWhere1'
'On the buck
well, then you know 1t its skintiaht,
and that's Just the wsy these breeohes did.
About midnight Bill stole up between
the blCck-house and cabins and raised the
war. whoop. My Gee, what a stir there
was. An attack from the Indians had
been momentarly expected, and the whole
garrison spran9 to arms. Women crept
with their childen into the safest corners
OF the fort, while the men prepared for the
expected skirmish. La the llttle cluster of
cabins outside OF the block house the COM
ing savages were awaited with dread. The
frIghtful whoop continued, chilling the
blood of all.
My fathers friends hastily struggled on
with their breeches, and the shall one got
on my fathers and had room enough in
them ut the top 10 get in q bag Of coin
My ia. her pulled at the vacant pair OF
pants, but il was Ike pulling his legs into
coat sleeves Hold On, there!' he cried,
as his friends were hastily leaving, you
have got my breechesl'
Hold on, - answered his friend,
this Is no time to change breeches,' and
disappeared in the darkness.
'My father had no mind TO be left, SO he
ran, naked as he was, in pursuit of his
friend The nettIes were Is high as your
head, and before he had gone ten feet he
was fuller than New Years pincushion,
but that horriG yell kept HIM going, and
he didn't sop until shelter was reached.
Bill showed Us how old Booth was a
coward, but he lid not loaf around there
the next day. The settlers wanted TO see
him, but he didn't want to see them, so ne
skipped.
DuG my father was always called Little
Breeches from that day ON, though he
never got too biz for his breeches, as some
people know and the ancient citizen
smiled contemptuouslY us young man in a
sealskin cap came into the grocery and
asked for q 'dahk cigah, ii you please.
The minutes were then amended, and,
as amended, approved.