Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-04-13
BRIGGS, JUNIOR.
CHAPTER ].
ssWhacki whackI whacki wbaol,r,

body; a most unorthodox sound with which to
usher in Christmas morning; then exit from
! the study of the Rev. Donald McStnger-pre-
ceptor and principal of the Tusculum house
academy for young gentlemen, situate at the
village of Barncombe. in Observation-Disclosures
Samuel Briggs, very red-faced, his mouth COM
pressed so that the lips were perfectly white,
his little fists clenched until their knuckles
were Of the same color, but with never a tear
in his eye, and. considering the nature of the
punishment he had undergone walking with
tolerable erectness and straightness.
That will cure We. ma fine young fellow, a
think" remarked the gentle preceptor of
youth, fery-headed, pimpIy-fdced little
Scotsman. standing five foot nothing land
that IL teach We no. to SO tumbling into ponds
where we've no call to be-
Poor little Samuel Briggs, 4 fortnight pre-
Vlousiy he had seen his shouting laughing. joy
! maddened school-fellOws whirl away in post
chalses for the Christmas holidays his own
cousin, Nautilus Briggs, ST., among them; and
| had been left alone III the desoate. dripping.
fog-laden playground with the prospect of
spending five long weeks at Tusculum House.
This was in the year 1870. Briggs juniors
father Capt. Julius Cesar Briggs. had. few
months before. fallen gallantly at the head of
his crew on board the French scventy-foCr
Sclell, and the little fellow had been left to the
mercies of the captains brother, Nautilus
Briggs. a wealthy Bristol merchant. who lived
IN grand state in big house. and who was n
type OF the overbcarinS. purse-proud. success
tul trader. Young Nautilus Briggs, son and
heir of the great merchant, was. as has been
said. also pupil at Tuscuium House. He was
pastry faced. jowlv boy OF gluttOnous and
usurious disposition. vino hated and buiiied his
little cousin as an interlopcr and II starycling.
and had in no small degree helped his father to
decide that Briggs, juniC-, should remain at
school during the Christmas holidays.
Briggs, junior, went out OF the study and
| INTO the great bleak schOol-room. carefully
shut the door after him. sat down at his own
desk. and, unable to control his feelings any
longer, buried his face in his hands ard let the
pont-up cry come out-bUrtsinS. bubbing,
streaming forth in an irresistible torrent till it
secured the iRk-staiHed desk, and of course.
his cuffs and poor little red-chapped hands.
There now there now. Briggs. junior,
there's a little lover, don't, Don't cry now =,
He's u nasty, ill-tempered. reCi-haired little
savage, he is, and Il like 20 claw his ugly face,
that | WOuld.' said gentle voice in his ear
while pair of gentle hands disengaged his
own from his face.
Briggs, Junior. jumped up pretty. fresh
faced servant girl was standing by him, and the
| tears were III her eyes too
! ''Im-Im not CRYING. Susan It's all right
its all right. he gasped. and manfully tried to
give the lie TO his tear-stained cheeks and the
sopping ball of his pocAet-handkerchief
NO; OF course not" said Susan. You're a
clothes are nearly dry. and I've something so
nice to give Won i'll the kitchen"
And with almost maternal tenderness she led
HIM away into the domestic regions of fused
| lum House.
The kitchen was decked with holly and mis-
! tletoe and cvergrecns. although as Susan
| SAID. master said as how IL was all uonsense
making mess and litter just because it was
! Christmas time, and told us not TO do it. which
me and cook and the others said we'd give
notice if We wasn't allowed 20 enjoy ourselves
! one day i'll the year" There was a mighty
frizzing and steaming in the neighborhood of
the fire place. and the stalwart Devonshire cook
| was bustling about and three or four other
maids were busting about, all with red and
SHINING faces, so that 1t palpabie that at
any rate, the domestics of Tusculum House
were not going to be deprived of their Christ
mas fun.
''Lor, Master Briggs. junior" said the jolly
COOK, wlpinS the perspiration from her face
WIN her apron. Has he been at 'un again?
! It's shame says l, ISIS, It's a shame. But now
SIT ee down, Master Briggs, junior, and eat
| thlcky mince pies. and never let Inc hear your
| voice until they be both eat"
And what made ee go tumbling into the
Back pond Master Briggs, junior?" asked
Susan, who was seated by Briggs.
Well" said the youngster as we'll as he
could with a mouth full of mince pie. lit was
IKE TINS There was frost last night, and
thought the Black pond night be strong enough
to pear little chap like me sliding. So l went
! to have look, and got there. and was getting
over the fence when | saw little girl on the
ice. She didn't see me. and 1 was glad be-
! cause l thought she might belong TO the hall
and Squire Adams is very strict about trespass-
ing III the park. Well and she was dresse d in
furs, and had a red hood on. and a red dress.
and she had black eyes and curIs: and she got
on the middle all safe. when all of a sudden
! she tumbled down and the ice broke. and /
couldn't see her. So-Iran on and | got in
and pulled her ont. but thought we were
both going to be drowned. for she chung so
tight to me; but got her out and laid her on
the grass, and her eyes were shut and she was
! as white as snow. Then rubbed her hands
and she opened her eyes, and presently she got
up-at least, lifted her up, but she said She
was all right, and she said. Thank You. little
boy but was as big as she was, and she gave
me penny which / didn't want to take and
then she ran off, her clothes were wet
| through, and-and that's ALL
| And old Ginger thrashed you for it. did
he!" said Susan. ''Ihat'I be little Miss Doris
from the Hall, that's who it will be- Just let
him tumble into the Black Pond. l wouldn't
pull him out.'
Nor mer' said the cook
Nor me-" echoed each of the other serv-
But he doesn't know where tumbled in"
said Briggs, land nobody mustn't know. not for
anything, for Squire Adams is very particular,
and says he'll put all boys in prison who tres
pass on his grounds"
! FURTHER discussion of the topic was inter-
rupted by the loud ringing of bell.
| The front-door bell" said Susan, and hur
] ried away to answer it.
| Presently she reappeared.
| Master Briggs, junior, there's a gentleman
! come to see the master, and will Won please 90
mp into the drawing-room? But wait-wipe
| them crumbs away, and let me straighten your
| hair a bit; '
Thus prepared, Briggs, junior, assembled TO
| the stately drawing-room. wherein were seated
his master, and large replica of Briggs. senior,
IN the shape OF corpulent gentleman with an
| unhealthy face and brown wig attired in a
| fur-llned coat thrown open so as to displav a
walstcoat OF marvellous pattern. beneath which
swung large bunch OF gold seals. This was
] OF course, the great Bristol merchant Mr.. NAL
| thus Briggs.
Samuel" said his uncle Il came here with
the Intention OF bringing you away to share
IN tine festivities OF the season at Jamaica
| Lodge"
Strange to say. Briggs juniors face did not
| hight mp IN the smallest degree at the prospect
thus dang led before him.
| well, said the great man; 'have YOU moth
| ing to say?''
As Briggs, jr., had nothing to say, he said
nothing, but stood motionless, with his ewes
liked upon the carpet pattern.
| mo. Wen. as you do not seem disposed to
express delight or thankfulness. am relieved
OF disagreeable duty. Your beloved preceptor
here gives me very unfavorabie account of
your conduct, and has limited that little
| wholesome solitude might bring You round To a
proper frame of mind. 1t grieyes me as
much as know it grieves him, but our patb
I M 10 nj ain Nnp Nol.L