Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1890-02-23
@Er-William, have you-er-ever been-er-
hronpad into tlot Il

dropped into that-er-shaft? v
lSeeds had a habit of eructating super
iluous wind from his stomach result of
imperfect digestion, with which he seemed
to be unusually annoyed just about this
time, having recently partaken freely of
lunch consisting mainly of bread, lasses,
bacon and dried peaches
mo, sir" said William, in an apologize,
half scared manner; 1--WE only wanted to
play joke on you, Mr.. Seeds; we have
been dropping one another down it right
along, haven't we, Jack ~ added he, refer
ring to the next largest boy.
But you have-ergh never been dropped
er-rgh into it yourself-er-r-rgh have you,
William ?"
mo, sir" said William sheepishly.
"Jack," continued Seeds, "have you-er-
ever been-er-r dropped into that er-r-gh I
shaft ergh, er-rgh, er-r-rghp
mo, sir" said Jack fearfully; "but
joke is joke, Mr.. Seeds, amt ii? ?"
Old Seeds was bent on mischief, how
ever, and refused to be pacifed. After
questioning US all in like manner, he
found out that four of the largest and
strongest boys had really never been
dropped into the shaft; the reader will I'M
derstand why, of course.
"Well-ergh William" went on Seeds
quietly, "take off-er-rgh your hat-ergh.
er-rgh, er-r-rgh! and point toward the
shaft with it"
William, having a new stiff-brimmed
hat, which was the envy of all the boys in
school, because it had a steel wire around
in the border of the brim, half impudently
snatched it off his head and held it out to-
ward the shaft, answering boldly as he did
so: "There you are, uncler' thinking, per-
haps, that by making some such Slight
concession he would settle the matter at
once.
But what was Williams terror to see
Old Seeds whip out from some hidden re-
cess under his coat big twelve-inch Colts
patent revolver, and fire bullet through
his new hat SO quickly, that he did not
have time to let go of it
The little boys now all gave way about
the knees, and began to cry and scream at
terrible rate; but the big boys managed
to maintain their upright positions, though
two or them shook off their hats by vio-
lent trembling.
Now, erghl William" said Old Seeds
- 81 80 'Juhi in'o
tnat snait-ergh Land stay there-ergh, er-
egh, err-rght-until tell you to come out.
JACK, ergh- George foilow-errgh-in turn.
lou other hoys-ergh-ail go and-er.rgh-
stano near the top-er-r-gh-of the shaft
ergh-er-rgh.
we would now have welcomed almost
any opportunity, OF expiatins our sins,
short of being burnt at the stake, and ac-
cordlngiy lost no time IN getting. over to
the shait, while old Seeds settled himself
conilorlaoly on a log at respectful dis
lance 10 ENJOY the performance.
ana TAX about your variety shows
VIVA. performance 1t was. Down went
W liilam ana up came the yellow jackets
In . swarllis s., nv :, nv NV :,
av. COW y, cow 1eow J! 1eow !!
cow screamed one after another OF
lhe brigade at .ne Top Oh the shaft, VINO
were using lhelr siouch mats right and
lel. 70 keep on tne merry little lnsects,wniie
iiilan' aown IN inc smart, cuTSing,
swearing, moving ana hghting all at
once, was engaging .nem al close quarters
IN naiiu-lo-nano encounter, now below
ing IKE an angry DULL now barking IKE
coyote. now screaming IKE an eagle, now
snrieklng IKE memo. now roaring IKE a
hon, Dut never ceasing 10 De on the alert