The Caucasian. (Clinton, N.C.) 188?-1913, 1893-10-26
CHILDREN'S CORNER.
THE LITTLE HOUSE N THE
GARDEN.
IT. BOYS
CONTINUED FROM LAST ISSUE
III. Boys

him. 80 that's another reason why We
ought 10 take him in and stand 10y
him. Let's give him good Trial,
and if hes brave we'll have him.
$50 We will, Let's do it now: he's
over there waiting to be asked,
cried Billy.
A whistle brought Bobby, with u
beaming face, for he burned to join
the fun, but held back because he
was not Il gentleman's son. A stur-
ldy. honest little soul was Bobby,
true as steel, brave as lion, and 10y
al as an old-time vassal to his young
lord, kind Billy, who always told
him all the plans, explained the mys-
teries, and shared the goodies when
feasts were spread.
Now he stood leaning against one
of the posts of the little house Will
Their the boys had adjourned, and
listened bashfully while Harry told
him what he must do to Join the he
rOes of the Round Table. He did
not understand half of 1t, but was
ready for any trial, and took the
comical oath administered to him
with the utmost solemnity.
"1 GU must STAY locked in here for
some hours, and watch your armor.
That's the vigil young knights had
to keep before they could fight. You
must Mt be scared at any noises you
hear, or anything you see, nor sing
out for help, even if you stay here
till dark. You'll be coward if you
do, and never have a sword"
81 promise truly; hope | die if |
DON'T" answered Bobby, fixing his
blye eyes on the speaker, and holding
head erect with the air of one ready
to face any peril; for the desire of
his soul was to own a sword like Bill
ly's, and clash it on warlike occa-
sions.
Then suit of armor was piled up
on the red box, which was by turns
altar, table, tomb, and executioner'
block. Banners were hung over it,
the place darkened, two candles
lighted, and after certain rites, which
cannot be divulged, the little knight
was left to his vigil, and the door
was locked.
The boys howled outside, smote on
the roof, fired cannon, and tainted
the prisoner with derisive epithets
to stir him to wrath. But no cry
answered them, no hint of WEAKNESS,
fear, or anger betrayed him, and aft
er half hour of this sort Of fun,
they left him to the greater trial of
silence, solitude, and uncertainty.
The short afternoon was soon
gone, and the tea-bell rang before
the vigil had lasted long enough to
suit the young heroes.
"He wont know what time it is;
let's leave him till after supper, and
then march out with torches and
bring him in to good meal. Moth
er wont mind, and Hetty likes to see
boys eat" proposed Harry, and all
being hungry, the first part of the
plan was carried out at once.
But before tea was over the unusu-
al clang Of the ire-bells drove all
thought of Bobby out of the boys
minds, as the three Morton lads raced
away to the exciting scene, to take
their share in the shouting, running,
and tumhling about in every ones
way.
A fine large house not far away
was burning, and till midnight the
town was in an uproar. No lives
were lost, but much property was
burned, nothing but the fire was
thought of till dawn. A heavy
shower did good service, and about
one o'clock people began to go home
tired out. Mrs. Morton and other
ladies were too busy giving shelter to
the family from the burning house,
and making coffee for the fremen,
to send their boys to bed. In fact. |
they could not catch them; for the
youngsters were wild with excite
ment, and pervaded the place like
will-o'-the-wisps, running errands,
Juggling furniture. splashing about
with water, and shouting till they
were as hoarse as crows.
At last the furry was over, and |
our three lads, very dirty, wet, and
tired, went to bed and to sleep, and
never once thought of poor Bobby,
till next morning. Then Harry sud-
denly rose with an exclamation that
effectually reused both his brothers:
"Boys. Boys! We've left Bobby
at his vigil all night"
ale wouldn't be such a fool as to
stay; he could break that old lock
easily enough said Ned, looking
troubled, in spite of his words.
eyes, he would! He promised.
and he'll keep his word like a true
|