The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-08-02
OLD BUFFERS REVENGE.

w;tb blacksmith shop and family store on
the hank of the river whose name u bears
was once a Virginia school OF the Old regime.
There were sent the sons OF the quanty
wealthy, cultivated country gentlemen, nav
ing LOST nothing Of the Old-World valuation
If the blue blood in their veins that made
them in their own consciousness. arace apart.
Year after year the boys assembled there
showed lack OF the spirit of submission 10
authority, which gradually gave the schooi
the reputation of having within its walls the
most unmAnageable set of boys 10 be found
throughout the country They were law
INTO themselves, keeping strictly with
in their own unwrltten code, whle
violating, without conjunction. any school
regulations that did not seem TO them de-
srable.
Tbey were chivalrous lads, and very true to
their ideas of honor, inisguiding as those
ideas were Foremost among them one term
that was notorious for the frequency and
boldness of its violation OF the Academy ruleS'
was Jack Taylor. type OF his class. -,
Day after day, in council with some OF tne
twelve. who formed his set" he laid plans
for frolic and depreciation. TO be carried out
nnder cover Of night No orchard nor garden
for a wide circuit around the Academy was
safe. and.many.were the midnight feasts mace
from some helpless neighbours tavorlte peach
tree or melon patch.
In vain the faculty tried TO stem the torrent
of these depredatiOns. No amount Of watch
ING or investigation ever made them certain
enough Of the chief offender to Justify them
in making public example OF him by expul-
sion Ii was point OF honor, even among
the few who refused share III THESE haafauu-
inc frOlics not to confess any knowledge or
the participants. The refusal Of the whole
school TO answer was sure protection for the
quiltv Any nishment, % be efectuai,
1,usf involve the whole school, since the boys
magnanimty would not allow them TO let the
innocent bear the sins Of the guilty, ana the
probable consequence would have been con-
fession from the culprits. But such punish
ment the principal, with all his natural good
sense and diplomacy. had lot yet been able
to devise.
The favorite instrument of annoyance to
"Old Butler" whom the boys delighted to
olt-wit. was the Academy hen-roost. which
was regarded as their proper prey even by
students whose consciences forbade them the
noultrv-vards and orchards of the neighbor-
Ing farms. Their enjoyment was, highest
when. having stolen fat hen or turkey from
the rOost. thew carried 1t IN secrecy ana 9ark,
ness TO Aunt Racheps cabin TO be roasted and
deyoured.
Aunt Rachel was the Academy cook, but she
had gone over to the enemy under the spell
OF the boys lavish generosity and afectionate
pleading for her help
She 'knowed them chin was hungry bless
thev hearts and she "warn't a-gwine TO have
'nough 10 eat -" she would mutter TO herself as
she picked a chicken for an unlawful feast.
hilarious and hungry crowd always collected
in her tidy little cabin 10 watch and hasten
preparations.
emv stv. upon which Jack Taylor and his COM
rades had set their heart. Two of the most
EXPERT were appointed TO rob the sty and take
the booty 10 the cabin, where they would have
glorious roast. with gravy and potatoes. A
dark night was chosen, and their plans were
laid with uncommon care. The pig was q
treat too rare TO be lightly risked
To get possession of the victim was task
accomplished with a dexterity born of long
practice and assurance OF success. The ten
who were TO follow crept from the house as
the clock struck III. They crossed the court
ward paved inclOsure Of colonial date and,
protected by the shadow of its somber walls,
stole by twos and tbrees along the hedge and
under shrubbery until they reached the corn
field. Across this field, which was thickiy set
with tall corn the cabin lay. quarter OF a
mile away They dared not take the beaten
path, and the darkness was so intense that 1t
was almost impossible to keep IN the right
direction. Every awkward movement and
accidental stumble drew forth unanimous
growl of indignant alarm. In the still black
ness it seemed to them that even their excited
breathing must reach "Old Buffers" drowsy
ears.
The field crossed at last. they entered the
clearing where stood Aun' Racheps cabin
Even then they dared not speak until then
cautious old confederate had received them
locked her hOspitable door and hung two
ancient bed-quilts over her windows, that nc
ray from the huge fire on her wide stone
hearth might penetrate the darkness.
Jack Taylor, who always took the hardest
part and IL the within seized him, the best OF
the spois also, stationed himself outside as a
picket and paced up and down until the feast
was ready.
And then the fun. the uproarious unqual-
flied fun that went ON indoors, Aun' Rachel
solemnly watching her browning roast all the
while The boys had grouped themselves in
various positions on the floor but all where
they could see the pig. with the spit thrust
through its luscious body, slowly turning in
that delectable Old-time utensil the tin
kitchen" The boy who had constituted him.
self turnspit was himself known in the school
as Piggy His original name was forgot
ten word, 80 appropriate did his size and the
well-known normal state OF his appetite make
bis new title.
The smell of the dripping juices made their
mouths water, and the heap OF bursting pota-
toes. obtained in the same way as the dish i,
accompanied, gladdened the eyes of as hun
cry set of boys rs ever honored Virginia
kitchen.
II was afraid might not have a big enough
appetite" began Piggy: so l thought
wouldn't eat any supper"
A burst of derisive incredulity greeted this
confidential remark
But did though" proceeded the turn
spit, land now / am glad, for / know
couldn't he much hungrier than am now
and didn't lose my supper either"
At last il was done. A repressed whoop Of
delight and expectant hunger arose. Aunt
Rachel had laid the brown, tender shoat in a
huge meat dish. and was heaping high around
IL the plump potatoes soaked with gravy, when
the picket gave the signal of alarm The door
was opened and he burst into the room, ex-
claiming franticaly, "0ld Butler -
Outside the form of man could be distin.
gushed by dark lantern which he carried.
He was creeping stealthily through the corn
field. keeping TO the fence. Instantly every
boy had fled. Some through the door the
principal was approaching, some into an adj
Joining ON and out the window.
Jacks eyes caught sight of the royal dish
untouched, and his keen appetite. whetted by
The night air of his long vigil. protested
against such a sacrifice. Just behind him
"Old Butler pantedup.
There Is no time TO lose. He rushed forward
and seized Ia his arms the huge roast pig, po-
tatoes, gravy and all, crushed against the
breast OF his uniform.
He passed the bewildered Professor at the
door and left him behind. But his advan.
tage was brief. The Professor saw the daring
deed, and it melted him 10 effort such as he
had not made since he was Jacks own age
On he ran, close on the heels of Jack, who
nao not dared the treacherous cornfeld