The National tribune., 1881-09-03
For THE NATIONAL TRIBUNE.
DICK.
NOrdh Perry.

DICK
Dick is a boy If he lives to grow up he will
make his mark in the word-On something or
somebody. OF fths there can be no possible doubt.
He is now five years Old but living at the rate of
about one hundred and sixty minutes to the hour
fyou don't believe this assertion, just follow him
for a 6ay-you cannot keep up with him-and be
convinced.
The amount of mischief that boy Dick can
accomplish in any given time is perfectly Won
derful. Last week, as matter of curiosity, we
resolved to keep an accurate account of his doings
and miSdoings for a single day. We chose Thurs
dav. because that is generally his average good
day for behavior. Dick subsequently expressed
himself that that particular Thursday was decid-
edIy an unlucly one; that he was not a bit salts
fed with the way things had gone with him. and,
in fact he had good reason for feeling rather put
out at the showing made For a person so small
he had experienced perfect avalanche of trouble.
Before daylight he had fallen out Of bed twice.
Next he had been late at breakfast. During the
forenoon he had tumbled down three flights of
stairs on three several occasions, (which was one
more tumble than he usually bargained for so
early in the day. and the last time had hurt
himself quite severely which was the worst part
of it.
As the clock was striking twelve he had tied
one end OF his mothers sewing cotton to Bowsers
tail, and just at that moment BOwser, dog like,
took it into his head to form the acquaintance of
a neighbors cat about to cross the street In less
time than one could think two hundred yards of
spool thread were following the dog with light
ming rapdity-and the cat escaped after all Dick
pussy; but as he did 50 his feet bee lme entangled
in skein of yarn which his mother had been
winding into a ball, and as his little legs played
back and forth the ball unwOund something less
than a thousand yards but finally got caught in
the work-basket where it had been put. Then
the needles, thimbles, buttons, pins, and other
things fairly flew. Basket and contents were
dragged out into the yard. and distributed around
like ballots in a general election.
Dick never knew why his mother shut him Up
in the pantry. He thought BOwser ought TO have
gone there instead OF himself for carrying off the
thread
At one o'clock Dick, yet in the pantry, was play
ing "climb the mountain" He mounted shelf
after shelf until he could reach the topmost one
where the preserves were kept. Just then his
convulsively at something and brought down
with himself a jar of raspberry JAM basin of
milk, a bottle of olive oil, and bowl of flour
together with any quantity of other stuff OF
course he got thoroughly drenched and besides
things were so mixed that his appetite did him no
good.
His mother had gone out, but the housekeeper
heard the racket, and upon investigation dscov-
cred the cause as he was endeavoring to comb the
dough ont Of his hair with fork, and locked him
up in the cellar. 1t was very dark in the cellar.
especially after Dick got some coal dust in his
eyes. After bowling until he was hoarse he sat
down upon the floor and began to feel around
Bv accident his hand came in contact with the
spigot of the mOlasseS caSk. He gave it tug
not knowing what would be the result and pres
emily groped his way to another part of his prison
where a dim ray of light struggled in through
small window Underneath the window stood
another barrel with nice brass faucet in one end
Dick began experimenting with it and presently
a stream of vinegar was Oh its way to unite with
the molasses At two o'clock Dicks mother re-
turned and released him from confinement He
was certainly sight to behold.
There are certain incidents in the lives of most
great men which ought never to be submitted to
the pubhc criticism Dicks affecting interview
with his mother is therefore omitted 1t may,
perhaps, be imagined.
1t VIII not be improper to observe, however,
that when Dick came down stairs there was a
subdued LOOK IN his eyes seldom seen there. But
whatever the subject of discussion had been it
failed to suppress his inclination to bad luck At
four o'clock he had fallen over the baby and