The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1881-02-10
Little breechcs.

Yes, 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.
Tho reporter perched himself on the
end Of -four 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 trilobites
were done driving. He saw some rough
times, the old man"
Right where the Court house stands.
continued the ancient citizen, twas the
old block-honse; and here were gathered
Q mixed crowd Of refugees Just after the
Pigeon-R Boost massacre. Old man Booth
had his log tavern just outside, and at il
was alwaysa motley gathering Of back
woodsmen."
among these" and the ancient citi.
zeen twisted his quid across his tongue
turn or two, twas a character who made
fun Of old Booth md said he was o
coward Booth hated him cordially for
the insinuation, yet could never prove
the contrary, and the old trapper made
mp lis mind to test his courage. The
plan was successful.
MY father and two friends owned o
cabin just the other side Of Booths,
and ono of these, small man, had $500,
coin, in sack, when Bill tried his en-
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 buckskin ?" was suddenly asked
the reporter by the ancisnt citizen.
II have"
"Where?"
ION the buck"
well, then you know It Ats skim
tight, and that's just the way these
breaches did.
about midnight Bill stole up between
the block-honse and cabins and raised
the war-whoop. My 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 flightful
whoops continued. chilling the blood
Of ALL
MY fathers friends hastily struggled
on with their breeches, and the small
one got on my fathers and had room
enough in them ut the top TO get in .
bag Of coin. Ny father pulled at the
vacant pair of pants, bat il was like put
ting his legs into cont sleeves. Hold on,
there. he cried, Us his friends were
hastily leaving, Won have got my
breeches
"'Hold on, HI answered his friend,
this is no time to change breeches,'
and disappeared in the darkness.
MY father had no mind to be left, so
Le ran, naked rs he was, in pursuit Of
his friend. The ncttles were As high as
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 ms how old Booth was a
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.
80 he skipped.
but my father was always called
Little Brooches from that day on.
though he never got too big for his
breeches, as some people l know" and
the ancient citizen smiled contemptuous-
~ as young man in a sealskin cap
came into the grocery and asked for u
"'dnhk cigah, il you please"
The minutes We're then amended, and,
as amended, approved. Madison Ind.
Star.