Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-10-19
SMALL BOYS AND CHESTNUTS.
Stolen Pleasures Sought by City Lads
in the Country.

The early frosts have played havoc with the
chestnut trees and the burrs are dropping their
contents on the grounds among the leaves. The
email boys from the city and squirrels in the
country run race in their efforts to capture
the fallen fruit. The hickory nut and walnut
trees are also shedding before the arrival Of
the cold wintry winds. Folks are now gathering
the beautifully tinted autumn leaves for house
ornaments. Sunday is the day when most peo-
pie go to the country, and should the weather
prove fine tomorrow hundreds of people will
wend their way over the hills and through the
valleys of the adjacent country. The valley
along Rock creek is the place selected by most
persons for such rambles. because of the beau
titul scenery all along the creek north of the
P-street bridge. Then further up the creek
many will go tomorrow because the street cars
run to Brightwood and Mount Pleasant, and
from the latter place the creek Is only a short
distance.
THE SMALL BOYS EXPEDITION
This is the time of the year when the small
boy makes an early start from home with the
chances of receiving fiogging upon his return.
The minute he finishes his breakfast he starts
for the woods. He arranges the trip the day
before and has bag OF some sort in which to
bring home some chestnuts, hickory, or wal
nuts, and that, he thinks, may soften his
parents wrath. Secreting the bag in the house
the night before, he puts it in the bosom of his
jacket in the morning to avoid suspicion. If
he happens to have big sister who is good
natured enough to fix him up lunch he is all
right, and if he has not, why, he will take his
chances. Well, he makes a start and travels
sometimes several miles before he sees nut
tree OF any sort. Should the tree be near
farmers house he is as badly off az when he
started, for confronting him he reads:
"BEwARE OF THE DOG"
''If could only get up the tree before the
dog sees me-" he says to himself, 81 wouldn' t
care, but, well. I'll try it anyhow"
He scales the fence and reaches the tree in
safety, but the trunk of the tree is too large
for him to climb, and after his feet have
scraped along the bark several times there APP
pears bull dog.
..Say, mister, come here" shouts the boy.
but that does not brighten the dog nor does the
'"Towser' has done considerable injury to
Young America's' trousers.
HAPPY TURN.
Now he is sure to get whipping, 90 he
thinks because his trousers are in such q dilapi-
dated condition that he cannot go home until
after dark He is rescued from the jaws of the
vicious canine and the owner Of the chestnut
tree pities him SO much that he invites him in
to dinner.
II is also dinner time in the city and his fail
ure to appear at the home table causes a feel
ing of uneasiness. The mother is worried, but
the father has enough confidence in the boy to
think he will take care of himself; but when
evening comes and the lad does not appear the
neighbors are questioned and search is insti-
tuted.
SINKING HOME.
All this time the little fellow, although
bothered about his trousers, is having good
time, and when the sun is sinking out of sight
he starts home and passes through the city
under cover of darkness. 1t is 8 o'clock when
he reaches the corner grocery. Then he hes-
tates because he is sure of fogging.
If / could only steal into the house and 60
to bed" he says, 'they would forget it in the
morning when they saw the chestnuts."
After some hesitation he braves the storm and
goes home. Instead of being received with a
strap or cowhide his mother is so glad he has
met with no mishaps and is all right that she
receives him with tears and kisses He roasts
his chestnuts and goes to bed tired, but happy
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