The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1891-12-31


his own child could not be outvied in
delicate humor.
In ending this chapter, 1 will say that
while am by no means satisfied with
these successes, they nevertheless
brought me to higher and more varied
activities.
CHAPTER ILL.,
Until the age of two years, ut which
had now arrived, my acquaintance
had been limited to . class of people
consisting of my parents and the nurse.
will not claim that l had always
the penetration to regard these people
with disfavor, but my now advancing
mental strength made this q natural
step. l therefore, rs occasion pre-
sented itself, distracted myself from
their company, and sought the society
of the learned. My first experience Of
. wider life was afforded by trips that
took to su bterranean cavern beneath
the house.
There existed q marvellous being
(whom now have occasion to suppose
was our cook), and basked in the
rays Of her Aspasian converse. It was
from her that obtained much of my
information concerning "boogy" men.
l also became acq tainted in the true
pronunciation of the Irish language,
and we'll versed in tho arts of cookery.
Further (for had ever a practical
turn), learned how to take cookies,
cake and bread off the table without de-
lection, while things more indigestible
than these the cook would herself
choose out, with wonderful skill, and
present to me.
Among the unique and desirable pos
sessions of the cook was a cat; and a
little computation that have made
shows that chased this cat more than
two thousand miles. She fed over q
regular route, which she came to know
SO we'll that she was always able to
e1ude me, but which came to know so
we'll that never for more than an in
slant could she remain in one place.
From under the table she went under
the stove, thence behind = basket
thence she jumped into a window seat
She always made a peculiar sharp
sound, when dislodged her from this
retreat: and while I stood somewhat
terrified, she took advantage to jump
under the table again. But l knew
that this position offered no harm, and
the pursuit was recommended.
When the cat and had encored each
others parts long enough to set the
cook into fit, she would open the door
and drive the cat out 1t was in the
language of the soft north of Ireland
that she ordered the cat to leave, and
by fortune it was through this circum-
stance that came more into favor with
my father, who was always anxious
for my linguistic advancement; for,
though still rendered very i'll each
word that he gave me to pronounce, he
was obliged to own to my mother,
when by chance he heard me say
"Ash-go-roo" to the cat, that could
initiate the Irish as well as he could
himself-if not better.
I have since heard him tell Irish dia-
lect stories-which he generally tells in
Dutch or Hebrew-and I can bear this
statement out
During this period my mind was
growing apace. At the age of two and
one-haf became aware one day that
Ihiccoughed Previously had had no
idea who hiccoughed. At first I tried
to run away from it. but finding this
effort vain. 1 raped smartly on nv
breast, and commanded: TOP itv'
CHAPTER Nv.
Having now arrived at the age of
three, was allowed to venture out of
doors to join the children of our neigh
bors, whom with wonder I had seen
disporting in strange but interesting
games before our windows
For long time after 1 had Joined
them. these little people were a mys-
terry to me, and many heart-ache
experienced at my lack of success in
fraternizing with them.
In order to make myself q welcome
addition to their party, took out with
me (by stealth) my best toys. Where
upon they played express with my
wagon without asking or allowing me
to participate; they rode my velocipede,
while I, all in good faith, made q laugh
ing-stock Of myself. by running breath
less at their side; they whipped my top
and answered my expostulations by
threats of whipping me. When they
desired it I traded my toys for theirs,
and in these cases l had the unhappi-
ness of my own dissatisfaction coupled
with the modification of being consid-
cred ninny by my parents, who sup
posed that made the trades on my
Judgment When the children grew
tired of my toys and my complaisance,
they would 20 apart and play by them
selves, ostentatiously affecting that,
while they found my society distaste-
full, they were fairly intoxicated with
the company of one another. And
when they were ready to quit sport for
the day, they would start a game of
hide-and-seek, and, without question
pitching upon me to blind, would leave
mo to look vaiuly for them after they
had scattered giggling TO their homes.
As time advanced, becoming IN equal
party In the ventures of the children
upon the street, entered into their
pursuits with all my natural industry:
We ran our wagons hundreds of miles,
learned architecture in the. sandpiles,
instituted systems Of money and organ
lied forces Of police to cope with bands
of robberA With ono exception all
went well with me.
There was . desperate of six who
terrorized our neighborhood and of.
fered constant men ace to our peace, so
that in the end my father felt obliged
to report him to his parents, and this
was 20 wise = step that for week 1
hardly burst set foot outside our door.
This enemy WAS at last overthrown
In q singular way. While making free
and rough use ono day of my wagon he
broke the box of and bent the axle.
He kne]t down to examine the latter,
and coming up with the box and stag