The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1889-07-05
A SCARED COCKNEY.
a RATTLlNG WAGON. STONY ROAD
RECKLESS BOYS AND-DYNAMlTE
An English Clubman Wants to See Hfa
Transatlantic Cousins at Home and
Observe Their Peculiarities-
He Observed.
["Halston'' in New York Times.

! t''Halston'' in New York Timesl
| He was an English clubman, ani he came
to this country with the best of intentions to
see his transatlantic cousin at home and OBJ.
serve their peculiarities. He was here lust
one week; then he sailed back straight for
England. He had seen enough of America
1t wasn't his fault that he CHANGED to do
young American a substantial favor one
night in London q month or two ago: it
wasn't his fault that he happened to meat
the same young gentlem an on the deck of
his steamer on his passage out 1t was fate
The American was grateful for past services
and urged his English frien1 to visit him at
mis- home up in a little Connecticut town
The clubman was not backward in accepting
the invitation, which PROMISED him full on.
portunities to see the Yankees around their
own hearths A day or two spent in New
York after the steamer reached this side.
and the Englishman WIS speeding along in
a hot, dusty railroad train which left him
! finally at the station of the Village where
was his friends home. Here more fate
came in The American wa, laid up with a
sprained ankle, and the ia k of entertaining
John Bull fell TO the rest Of the family, in.
Guiding younger brother
Bright and early one morning this bow
proposed swim in a lake a mile or so dis.
tant His proposition was accepted |. ami in
half an hour man of the world and two
small boys were riding over a stony coun-
try road In wagon built chiefly to with
stand hard usage and furnished with springs
that did everything but spring. The strange
boy had something in his pocket and on his
mind. He carefully drew from under his
coat what looked like a big fire-cracken
covered with yellow oilel silk. AMI fur
niShei with yard of rubber tube dangling
! from one hand. Over the rough road along
went the wagon pitching rockies Iy, and tho
Engli Inn IN for long time ignored the fire.
cracker, having tina TO pay attention to lit.
tie else than the gymna stic Of that wagon
ricocheting here and there all over the road.
way, and threatening momsntarily to dump
its whole cargo on the rocks and brambles
over the highway fences; but pretty soon
he did give an ear to the conversation of
those two high-spirlted companions of his.
How much is in it?' a,ked III, friends
brother, addressing the other small boy AMI
tenderly caressins the yellow sick packet,
while that youth with evident pride. an.
swered "About half pound"
"Sure it W IL go off,"
"'Corse; there's half an inch of fulminate
in the cap
FulminaSe! Somehow that had an nm.
plea an ly familiar souni "Ah, what's
illuminate fore" asked .he queens loyal sub.
ject. ITO kill fl hi came from the twain
i'll one breath. That was reas ,uring, some
what. Yankees were so ingenious. he had
hearl, and this was probably some novel
sort of a reel "But how does it works" be
persisted. "Ea y enough" was the response"
just light this flu and chuck it in where
the waters deep"
Light the fuse! Who, what is in ita"
"Dl namite," calmly chorused the young.
sterS Then there was fun-for the small
boys. Out OF that wagon went their distin-
gulshed guest pell-mel Half a pound of
dynamite! A rafting wagon, stony road,
and pair OF reckless boy! What fateI
And he howled and he ran But those small
boys were not to be at upon in that way.
They called for him t. come back: he didnt
come; then out the little scallawags startet
in close pursuit, threatening that If he d
not halt they woull throw the whole Car.
fridge fair and square for his heal The
was no h2pe but in surrender, and he sur.
rem Tered; then these wicked Yankee lads
put that frecracker shaped affair into his
own hanis, coaxed him up into their wagon
again, and with persuasive tones such
as the youth of certain age is best
master Of they ratified on toward their dex.
tination. Toey had no fear. Yes, it was
real dynamite they assured him; dynamite
and enough too to blow up country or ,we
if it were given half chance.
1t was perhaps because he was new to she
climate that the gentle man from over the
water perspred freely, while the youngsters
kept quite comfortably cool till the Journey
ended as moi journeys do, an the good
man was given a little exhibition IT, "a
boys hal not been fooling him; that fu e
was lighted, and over into the water il
went with a little splash that developed "a
minute or two to what sounded like an ex
ploding parliament house, as safe behind
big tree he wa ted and trembled and list,
ened. A big stream of water had shot up
into the air, and fish dead or stunned
SO that they could rea lily be picked up lay
over a wide surface of the lake. Then tho
lads-having done what hosts of Sports
men" all over New England do daily --went
swimming; but they went alone, for the man
behind the tree had been quite content tc
hurry back over that road altogether salts
fed to bear himself company, and it was the
very next train to New York that brought
him from Connecticut
dts all very we'll, of course, he explained.
"when you are used to it, but l haven't been
brought up on dynamite at home, you know
and I'd rather a blarsted sight take my
chances with the Fenans than any of your
fool youngsters who try to be funny" This
is a true story. That gentle cckney was
fairly prostratel He had seen quite enough
of the states And away he sailed.
Running into a Turtle Roost.