The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1888-01-14
HOW WILLIAM HENRY BE-
CAME A HERO.

liam Henry had already begun to give
evidences of ability and talent far beyond
the average. Perhaps it was on this ac-
count that he was Away called evil
liam Henry" while other boys we're nick.
named Dick, Bill, or Hank, as the case
might be.
These unusual talents did not manifest
themselves at school; for year after year
went by and found him still in the lower
grade, although his teacher, with per-
sistency that arose from an instinct OF
self preservation, did her best to prepare
him for promotion to another teachers
department. Neither did he ever win a
reward at Sunday school for learning or
good behavior. No, it was far outside of
these well-beaten paths to distinction
that William Henry manifested his pre-
cocity.
In the first place, no boy of his age,
nor far beyond it, could rival him in
jumping, and his sturdy legs, tanned to
rich brown by the sun and wind, were
justly objects of admiration to his COM
psnions.
In pitching quoits, no other boy had
as accurate an eye and as steady hand
as William Henry; and, in the juvenile
baseball nine, his projections as "pitch-
er" and catcher were SO equal that it
was hard to decide which he should be.
1t was no wonder that William Henry,
conscious of his superiority, was the &C.
knowledged leader of the small boys of
the town.
He had two special objects in life One
was to see the river steamer land at the
wharf each morning and evening, and
discharge and load her cargoee; and the
remainder of his time he devoted to over
seeing the affairs of the town generally.
It was close sultry morning early in
September; and, as William Henry open
ed his eyes and saw how high the sun
had assembled while he was enjoying his
morning nap, he sprang up with a sud-
den consciousness of forgotten duty, and
hurriedly made his toilet.
It was not lengthy operations
ragged shirt, and pair of gayiy patched
pants, that, owing to their too great
length, were tucked up at the bottom
and came we'll up under his arms at the
top.
Hell grow to them, said William
Henry's mother, who was not disposed
to lavish unnecessary labor upon him.
He tied an extra knot in his suspenders
that morning, and hitched his pants up
we'll out of the way; then, putting his
brimless hat on, he was ready for the day.
1t was "stock day." and there was gen.
orally some excitement in the shape OF
unruly cattle that particularly required
his attendance.
He quickened his steps, as he saw
crowd of boys surrounding a large black
and white bull which was securely tied
to large post.
William Henry's experienced eye fore
saw trouble when the animal should be
united, and his face lighted up with pleas
urable anticipation. Poor old Monarch
was was thoroughly irritated; and now
and then he shook his head apgrily, as
he tried to free himself, and snorted i'm
patiently.
He was not vicious animal; but he
had always roamed at will in large pas
ture, the king of the herd, and no indig.
nifty had ever been offered him before. 1t
was no wonder that he was amazed when
strong rope was fastened around his
horns and tied behind wagon, and he
was led into town as ignominiously as
any COW. He had not resisted, but had
been quite tractsble, even when he
was tied to the post so closely that he
could scarcely move his head at ALL He
was thirsty; and the hot sun only increas-
ed his desire to go down to the bank of
the river, which Tapped and FLASHED
about the wharf. The flies troubled him;
and far worse than the flies were the
group of small boys, who tormented him
almost past endurance in little ways
which only boyish ingenuity could de
wise.
AT last, the steamer swept up to the
wharf; and, after the passengers had gone
on board, and the baskets of fruits and