The Brookhaven leader., 1884-02-28
SIR PERCIYAL.

fingers over an endless seam in shirt
which Tom intended to honor her by
wearing Jehoshaphat, adorned with.a
long beard manufactured from the con-
tents of his mothers cottonwood bag,
and spectacles coniiscated from his
grandfather's pockets, was lecturing to
an array of the dining-room chairs, in
emulation of the wandering patriot who
addressed a crowded meeting in the Mu
sic Hall last week.
Il was an old, well-thumbcd book that
Tom was reading. 1t was filled with
stories most wonderful TO hear, of the
golden days of chivalry, when every
body was knight, and every knight
fell to fighting with every other knight;
when beautiful young ladies were very
often lost in the woods, and every
knight that happened to come along and
find them was instantly seized with n
desire to knock half q dozen other
knights on the head; when there were
enchantments and spells of fairies upon
earth; when the human race consisted
entirely of gentlemen and ladies; and
when disagreeable people, who will
have coarse hands and ragged clothes,
were never heard Of. Altogether it was
a most charming book.
"DO pull up that curtain, Sue! |
haven't got but half a streak of light in
this corner" remarked Tom. He con-
sidered employment good for his sister s
health. and used kindly to prescribe for
her. even when her business was most
pressing. That Susy, rising in haste to
obey his orders, should lose herthmble,
break her needle and tip over her work
basket did not in the least ruflle his
composure. Great minds are never dis
turbed by TRIES.
All! but they were pleasant reading
these stories. There were the wonder
full adventures of Sir launcelot-
Launcelot the brave and bright, fairy
guarded, iron-armed, deadly in stroke
and gracious in pardon; he who was the
pride of the good King Arthur, and the
knights of his Table Round who for
many long year loved the Queen,
Guinevcre the Beautiful, as never
Queen was loved before; who fought
with the ficrcest and strongest of
knights that trod the shores of "Merrie
England" and led warriors into battle
and conquered Kingdoms who faced all
enemies, all hardships, all danger; who
would have yielded life itself for her
sweet sake.
Swords and daggersn' exclaimed
Tom at last. ''What n stupid age we
do live in. No chance for a chap to be
anything or do anything. The fair sex
are not appreciated; they are not prop
erlv defended. | will be their cham
pion-I will fight for them-l will die
for thcmn
ooh, Tom! please do look out; you We
got your feet on my sewing!' cried
Susy.
'Make those button holes smaller
than the last" said Tom, tripping ont
of labyrinth of cotton and putting on
his cap.
Dear as the sisters at our firesides."
shouted Jchoshaphat, bringing down
both fists on his desk with force that
knocked of his spectacles. where re
are you going, Tom9"
where are you going?" asked Susy,
LAYING down her work. Tom looked
impatient 1t was impossible, you
know, to make girl understand his
great schemes of adventure.
ooh, won't you take me out skat-
ing?" pleaded Susy. i've got my new
skates, and | can't learn because | can t
go alone. All the other girls brothers
90 with them; did want ="
Couldn't possibly" interrupted
Tom, sporting his fathers cane. 'I'vc
got so much business on hand to-day;
it's out of the question-out of the
question"
"Sue," said Jehoshaphat, meditative-
ly, 'what are you?'
"What am /? A girl, SUPPOSE"
"Will they fight and die and bleed
for them?" began Jehoshaphat again,
gesturing frantically at his audience,
while he set them up against the wall.
Tom started out for Il walk, shoulder
ing his cane like musket; then he re-
fected that knights did not have mus
kets, and tried TO carry it like a sword;
but it rot between his feet and nearly
trippcd him up. However, this was but
a Slight drawback in the career of glO-
ny upon which he had entered. He
would find all the fair maidens who
were plunged in distress; he would be
their delivercr; they would smile upon
him, and be would wear their favors
He would revive the old dead days of
chivalry; he would be dubbed Sir Per-
cival, q new hero of romance, before
whom even Launcelot's fame should
pale.
"Have you found any of 'em yet?"
called q voice behind him. And there
was Jehoshaphat. He had followed,
unseen, all the way, and was now walk
ing demurely in his brothers footsteps,
those unutterable spectacles across his
nose, AMI huge umbrella shouldered
after the manner Tom carried his cane.
3D." said the indignant Sir Percival,
ego home to the nursery"
"When's it going to be time to fight
and dep persisted Jehoshaphat, walk
ing on. ..--4.
.Jehoshaphat," said Tom, fsternly,
ST should ike to give you q good shak-
ing"
Ill rather think you are," said Je-
hoshaphat, struggling to free himself
from his brothers hold. 81 thought
big boys never pitched into little ones"
Tom let go his unknightly grasp
and walked on. He would not waste
another breath on that child-not he.
Jehoshaphat put his spectacles into
place, smoothed the folds of his UNI
brella, and trudged along a comical
shadow of Sir Percival. Presently they
met an old woman with basket of po-
tatoes. She was very old woman,
and she walked with lettering step on
the ice. Just as they got up to her,
she slipped and fell, dropping her
\ 4 f..