Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1885-01-15
j ohnny's Adventure.

AT least, this Is WnaC the boys sald
when they wanted to tease him. The
truth was, that Johnny, although nine
years old, was no larger than seven
year -old-boy, and for an ambitious
little chap like John James Jimmer-
son, it really was Notifying to be pat
ted on the back by grown friends of
the family and told not to be discour-
aged, he would be as big as any of
them by, and-by." But when the boys
leased him, and said he was only half
as long as his name, oh, then was the
time to see those chubby fists of his
double up into a bail behind his velvet
jacket, and to read as plainly as words
themselves, the terrible threat express
ed in the scowl which gathered be-
tween the two brown eyes.
am almost ashamed to say that the
threat, literally translated, meant
"When I'm bigger I'll punch their
heads for EN-, 80 now'
1t was one afternoon about four
o'clock, in the month of November,
when Johnny, who had just been hay
ing a regular time" with one Of those
boy-teasers he dreaded 80 to meet
turned Indignantly from the group of
playmates, gathered as usual on the
sidewalk before their parents houses
(for they were all near neighbours and
putting his hands, still doubled up, in
his pockets, started for his own home,
a few doors distant only.
"Ho! John James Jimmerson's mad,
he is f! We know the signs on his phlz
-phiz-phiz-phiz!' sang the boys
after him. They were only in fun, to
be sure and. if Johnny hadn't always
flown in such rage when they leased
him, which, somehow, made one thing
of an angry little bantam rooster, the
boys would soon have tired of that kind
of fun, and would have enjoyed play
ing with them.
But as it was, our poor little nine
ar-old, understood boy, was often
very miserable, and, on this occasion,
his misery really seemed too deep for
words, so he made no reply to the
haunting rhyme flung after him, but
lifted his head just as high as he posi-.
bly, could, and walked on.
Just at the foot of his steps he met
his fathers clerk, who had been sent
from the office with Il message to Mr..
Jimmerson's house and was now re-
turning.
Hello, Johnny" he said, walking
rapidly on, while Johnny ran alongside
Of him, asking ''if he was going to pa
pas office.
Yes, straight as a bee line, was the
reply, and the little boy decided it
would be fun to go, too.
But will your mother allow you to
90 80 far from the house, John?" asked
the clerk.
Pooh, yes indeed" answered John
ny, somewhat scornfully, and then re-
memberjng that mamma was averse to
his going anywhere without her knowl
edge, he added "At least, she would
MT care now, because, you see, l can
come home with papa; and, beside, she
amt home yet from shopping, cause
I'd have seen her coming along from
the street"
Gall right, then, youngster, come
along, but mind you don't get lost"
Now Mr.. Jimmerson Office was 10
Gated downtown, near the wl1arves, for
he was a shipping merchant, and
Johnny had only been in that neigh
borhool twice before. So he kept
pretty close at the clerks side, his
brown eyes taking in everything
around him, and his active little tongue
keeping up continual wag, wag, wag
till at last the clerk began to wish
Johnny had not such an inquiring
mind, and one so given to knowing the
why's and wherefores of everything.
Presently they paused before the
door of high building, and the clerk
sail to his little companion: Now, |
have an errand up stairs here. Will
you go up, or would you rather wait
here at the door and watch that organ
grinder and his monkey? You're such
"a monkey yourself, l s,,fese you'd pre-
fer watching him, wouldn't ou?'
ooh, Id hundred times rather stay
here" cried the boy, gladly, land I'll
wait right at this door, you know, till
you come down
Gall right, mind you don't forget
that s,id the clerk, as he ran up the
stairs two steps at time, and soon be-
came SO busy talking business with the
man he stopped to Lee that all remem