The National tribune., 1881-10-08
JACK
.-r, In Youth and Pleasure

J. E. RI, In Youth and Pleasure.
All! Jack was in a dilemma, there was no doubt
of that First of all, it was dark and nothing is
as easy in the dark as it is in the light. Then,
he was awfully cramped which was not much
wonder, considering his quarters; and, above
all, there was not any immediate prospect of his
release from them, for jack was not up, but in, a
tree!
Most people would find it as difficult to get
into tree as Jack did to get out; but TO him it
had been painfully easy. And now he found
himself uncomfortaby packed in the hollow of a
trunk
The fact was that, like a good many other peO-
pie one knows, Jack had immense confidence in
himself When he climbed a tree, it never Oc-
CURED to him to look out as he came down. He
would have laughed if any one had seen him
going up, and called out
" | say Jack, look out how you come down"
He would have felt very indignant and have
answered.
"Do you think can't take care of MYSELF"
However, accidents Will happen with the best
regulated boys; and here was Jack fixture.
The tree was SO tight fit that the unfortunate
boy could not turn around. Worse even than
that, he couldn't stretch out his hand or kick out
his foot. He reflected that his limbs were really
useless; and Jack was rather proud of his limbs
as a rule. His muscles were as good as any other
fellows, and good deal better than some but
what in the world was the use of muscle now :?
He was tremendous fellow at football, but the
strength of his legs perfectly valueless in his
present quarters in fact, they were rather in the
way than not.
One thing however, did remain Jack had
voice. 1t was tremendous voice,-a voice which,
when he chose, filled his home, from attic to Gel
lar, which in his school was equal to the largest
telephone that ever was invented.
Jacks voice was the admiration of his friends
the terror of his foes He used it now He
shouted till the very tree vibrated, and the I'M
fortunate birds, who had lived in it all their
lives, and had the record of generations to es-
tablish their confidence in its solidity fled with
dismay.
The owls in the neighboring trees awoke with
dismay The iackdaw, half mile off was so
utterly COMPOUNDED that his impudence deserted
him. But, alas! beyond these results, and the
tremendous reaction in Jacks artculatOry muscle
nothing came Of it.
Yes, one thing more. A heap Of insects, blown
into the air by the conclusion, fell helplessly
when it ceased, and invaded his still open mouth.
Things were getting serious. Jack took to re-
fection-the best thing he could do, considering
that it was the only occupation left for him.
Now, everybody knows that there is nothing
like reflection, if you not in the habit of in
dulging in it too often It's perfectly surprising
to find how very useful it is No one can reflect
long without finding out either that it is pleasant
or unpleasant In Jacks case it was unpleasant,
for by it he learned three things
First, that he was in fix. Secondly, that there
was only one way out Of it. Thirdly, that that
way was almost an impossible way for it con-
sisted in shouting until somebody heard him. and
pulled him out by his head.
There is nothing like courage to keep the heart
up. We all know that, and Jacks courage was
nearly equal to his voice; but even it could
scarcely keep him from despair.
He waited a little while long enough to him,
no doubt, and then he shouted again
This time, he leaned his head back as far as
the small space admitted, and gave his whole
mind to the operation of sending the sound up
wards.
1t really was terrific howl when it left his
throat; but, by the time it reached the top, it