Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-09-17
THEIR FIRST FIGHT.
The Awakening in . Toy shop Caused by the
G. A. x. Encampment.

A"e AWaAeutng IN q Toy >nop Unused oy tne
G. A. Il. Encampment.
nD you EVER HEAR OF CAPT. HAIR
~ mon? No? Well. here he is. climbing up
with rapid strides from box 10 box. aud We Il
hear what he has TO say for himself.
rattle and jump and finally q chick OF
little heels together, and there stands as dainty
Bit Of infantry as one could desire-a minia-
ture captain. with hand up TO visor. giving the
well-known salute:
Attention.
At this there is a great noise and rattling.
and behold, twenty weil-equipped little soldiers
suddenly present themselves in two lines, ready
for duty.
Yes, they were lead soldiers. will have to
admit, but none the less gallant and brave. aud
always ready TO obey their captain
There seems 10 be a general vommotion: lids
are pushed of boxes and out tumble dolls OF
every description. Here and there a Jack-in-a
box pops up with tremendous energy consid-
erinS 1t Is IL O'Clock at night and no tiny fin
gers around TO loosen the hook on the cover
and then scream with wild delight at sight Of
Jacks merry face But everybody wants 10
know what is happening and that is why old
Moses little toy shop fairly dances with visions
OF fairyland on every shelf
Here and there bright dashes of color are
x. n
or stray doll from distant corner hastens 20
join the CAV throng.
Ihe gas jet left burning all night as a pro-
lection now b!inks down on a brilliant scene.
there stand the company of soldiers very stiff
ana erect. while everywhere are seen curious
TOYS IN the shape of goblins fairies aitting here
and there. dolls of all sizes and ages and ami
mails with a remarkable smell OF fresh paint
ABOUT them considering they came out of the
ark-al intent on the little company before
them.
Attention." once more rings ont and all
gaze on the captain with nm expectant air. lie
glances around on the motley throng, then
clears his throat and in shrill little voice be-
gins:
Il wish to call attention to the fact that we
are next week TO meet IN this city soldiers from
all over The country who fought in the war.
And here we stand fresh and new, never having
so much as fired a salute, TO say nothing of
smelling powder. / call il disgrace some
thing must be done-we must distinguish our
selves in some way. Peace has reigned too long
in this shop
Fight it out called out a little Jockey stand
ing on box of marbles. lie waved a flag
as he said 1t and STAMPED his tiny foot vigor-
ously.
Yes. fight it out." came from all sides. and
everybody began talking at once. The captain
succeeded at last in restoring order and laid
down plans for organizing a company to match
his own.
The jockey had worked his way to the front
by this lime and was appointed captain of the
new company. Names were NOW enrolled and
at least twenty were chosen TO battle with the
soldiers of lead.
Sdch an appearance as these newly enlisted
presented. First there was ;all sailor Coll al
the head of the line. Beside him stood
monkey grinniny from ear to ear. He had
twisted his tail around and held it up against
him like a gun. Then ,here were dolls in even
l,lls a n N.
in a very life-like manner. These last were
placed in the front line to lead of
10 be sure. there was some difficulty in train
ing this newly organized company. The
monkey would insist on marching in "A circle TO
waltz time.and the sailor boy spent himself in a
hornpipe. bat then You couldn't expect much
on such short notice And taking them all in
all they did very well.
A. last they were arranged in two lines oppo-
site The little soldiers. who fairly glistened in
their shining uniforms. When all was ready
the captain gave The command and the Jockey
cracked his whip and yelled. Got And go
they did. N.Y. how things flew around, There
was a general scattering to make room for the
fighters. The monkey wrapped his tail around
a soldier and was about to finish him when
snap! went his tai-it was only wood Won
hroT-and he went spinning round and round
faster than lie ever went to music Tin swords
were flashing in all directions much to the
terror Of the stuffed dolls. who were droppinc
everywhere with hemorihages Of sawdust, till
the battle ground looked like a circus ring. and
the little jockey, fired with the enthusiasm Of
days gone b.. mounts a little canron that had
been wheeled into the ring and cracks mis- whip
again and again. while the monkey goes tearing
around the circle at "a break-neck speed his
little stump of a tail sticking straight out be-
hind tim.
Wei, was about to forget the battle but it
was terrible slaughter. the only two survivors
being our circus pair, and when they had CEASED
their mad frolic they gazed at the unfortunates
lying around. The monkey went OYER 10
PROSTATE soldier, unwourd his tail from around
HIM and solennly proceeded TO fasten il to the
stump, but he gave it up. as il made HIM dizzy
turning around often TO see where it be-
lorSed. SO he threw il away.
Well, said the jockey. as he picked fiy off
soldiers cap with his whip. 'wba; good has 1t
done? | don't see that this fight has dis
tinSui he'd the captains ,aen very much" A
KEY was just then pat into the latch of the front
door and all hands climed to their boxes in
hurry.
Old Moses put on his glasses as he surveyed
the scene and exclaimed. Wall, by gum, if
them rats amt been at it again. Beats all hol-
low. I'll have to set my traps for EN-"