The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1881-02-11
Little Breaches.

Eyes, they used to have queer times
around here" said the ancient citizen,
as he stirred himself around on the up
turned soap box, while the proprietor
shook down the ashes in the stove.
The reporter perched himself on the
end of -four barrel and patiently awaited
the outpouring of language that he
knew was sure to follow.
eyes" said the ancient citizen. "My
father came here before the trilobites
were done drying. He saw some rough
times, the old man."
"Rightwhere the Courthouse stands, 4"
continued the ancient citizen, twas 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 at it
was always motley gathering OF back
woodsmen."
"Among these" and the ancient citi-
zeen twisted his quid across his tongue a
turn or two, twas character who made
fun of old Booth and said he was q
coward. Booth hated him cordially for
the insinuation, yet could never prove
the contrary, and the old trapper made
up his mind to test his courage. The
plan was successful.
"My father and two friends owned a
cabin just the other side of Booths,
and one of these, small man, had $500,
coin, In u sack, when Bill tried his ex-
pertinent on Booth.
"They had retired for the night and
laid their buckskin pants on the floor at
the bedside. Have you ever seen any
genuine buckslxin p was suddenly asked
the reporter by the ancisnt citizen.
II have"
"Where?"
"On the buck"
"Well, then you know it fits skin
tight, and that's just the way these
breeches did.
"About midnight Bill stole up between
the block-house and cabins and raised
the war-whoop. Ny Gee, what stir
there was. An attack from the Indians
had been momentarily expected, and the
whole garrison sprang to arms. Women
crept with their children into the safest
corners of the fort, while the men pre-
pared for the expected skirmish. In the
little cluster of cabins outside of the
block-house the coming savages were
awaited with dread. The frightful
whoops continued, chilling the blood
of ALL
my fathers friends hastily struggled
on with their brooches, and the small
one got Oh my fathers and had room
enough i'll them Mt the top to get in q
bag of coin. My father pulled at the
vacant pair of pants, bat it was like put
ting his legs into coat sleeves. Hold on,
therep he cried, as his friends were
hastily leaving, you have got my
breeches {!
"'Hold on, Ill 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
mis- friend The nettles were as high rs
your head, and before he had gone ten
feet he was fuller than New Years PIN
cushion, but that horrid yell kept him
going, and he didn't stop until shelter
was reached.
"Bill showed us how old Booth was n
coward. but he did not loaf around there
the next day The settlers wanted to
see him, but he didn't want to see them,
SO he skipped.
''But my father was always called
Little Brooches from that day on,
though he never got too big for his
breaches, as some people / know" and
the ancient citizen smiled contemptuous-
ly as young man in sealskin cap
came into the grocery and asked for a
"'dahk cigah, if you please"
The minutes were then amended. and,
as amended, approved. (Iad.
Sfnr