The Magnolia gazette. [volume] (Magnolia, Miss.) 1872-current, 1881-03-04
Little Breeches.

.Yes, they used to have queer times
aronnd here" said the ancient citizen,
&c 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 flour barrel and patiently awaited
the outpouring Of language that he
knew was cure TO follow.
"Yes," said the ancient citizen. "My
father came here before the trilobites
we're done drying. He saw some rough
times, the old man. "
"Rightwhere the Courthouse stands,
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 a motley gathering Of back
woodsmen.
among these" and the ancient citi-
zeen twisted his quid across his tongue
turn OF two, ''was character who made
fun Of old Booth and said he was
coward Booth hated him cordially for
tile 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 5000,
coin, in a 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 buckskin ?" was suddenly asked
the reporter by the aneisnt citizen.
Il have"
t'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. 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 frightful
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 at the top to get in a
bag Of coin. My father pulled at the
vacant pair Of pants, bnt 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 I
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
he ran, naked as he was, in pursuit Of
his friend. The nettles 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 us how old Booth was
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,
50 he skipped
But my father was always called
'Llttle Breeches' from that day on,
though he never got too big for his
n,reeches, as some people know, and
the ancient citizen smiled contemptuous-
" as young man in sealskin cap
came into the grocery and asked for
"'dahk cigah, if You please.
The minutes were then amended, and,
as amended, approved. Madison lind. J