The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1894-08-22
A Little Rebel in Red.

When the British held possession of
Philadelphia in the winter of 1777-7S
they carried everything with high
hand.
Fetes of all kinds were the order of
the day, and they were taken part in
by the officers of the kings army, from
the commander to the lowest subaltern.
Jugglers and montebanks piled their
calling, aud shows and theaters were
the nightly attraction.
This was most distasteful to the pa
triots, but for the most part they were
not permitted to show their loyalty for
the cause OF freedom, though some of
them did not hesitate to do so.
One afternoon boy of fifteen years,
with every one on the street where he
lived, was sitting on the old-fashioned
stoop of house, when a gentleman ap-
preached. The man bowed politely as
he drew up in front of the way. He
was dapper little person of fifty, with
pair of keen eyes that sparkled and a
moustache that was waxed daintily.
What is your name, monsieur?"
asked the man, with foreign accent.
Jarvis Scolly," was the reply of the
boy, fixing his eye on the gilt buttons
of the mans coat.
"Would you like to help me, Mon
sieur Sc olly?"
"Help your" queried the boy. "What
can do?"
81 will dress you up like a little
prince, and you shall see all the great
men of the kings army. We will have
famous times together, and you shall
have a shilling a night for your
trouble"
But don't know you-and you for
get, sir, that am an American boy"
eyes, yes, my little monsieur" was
the interruption. But just think of
it. A shilling night, and a chance to
see Monsieur Plrbleau show all his
marvellous tricks on the stage"
care you Monsieur Parbleau, the
magicianP"
The little man bowed and laid his
hand on his bosom.
He then proceeded to tell little JAR
Wis that he was the celebrated French
he was giving exhibitions in magic
nightly at certain house for the en-
tertainment of the kings officers and
| Lu6lT WIVES anu SWeeJutdTlS.
Monsieur had promised to give a
show on a certain night, but the boy
who had been helping him had gone
away, and he was now in need of an
assistant, without which he could not
get along very well. He seemed 50
clever and captivating, with his French
ways, that the boy concluded to take up
with the offer, and forthwith the bar
gain was made.
During the next few days he went
through many strange performances
with Monsieur Parbleau, and for the
first time saw the wonderful tricks in
magic which had delighted Sir Henry
Clinton and Lord Howe.
One of the men who was very fond
of the magician was handsome young
Office whom the Frenchman called
Nj ,jor Andre. arvis noticed that he
always applauded the best tricks.
S metmes he seemed to be watching
the boy in the red suit more than the
juggler.
Tomorrow night we will give one
grand entertainment" said Monsieur
P,rbleau one day to his little assistant
We shall have all the kings generals
in the house, and we must please them
as they have never been pleased be-
fore"
"What shall we do, monsieur"
Con-" said the man, "we shall per
form some Of our old tricks, such az
breaking up the handsome young ma
jor's watch and then restoring it to hin
whole. Then we will delight the la
dies. And, finally, we shall fire thu
kings portrait from pistol-that viii
conclude the entertainment"
81 don't like this royal business,
said the boy to himself, when he wen
to bed that night. 81 think it woult
be a neat thing to spring little sur
prise on both Monsieur Parbleau an,
; his audience, just to show them that al
the people who attend his show are no
for King George. l wish l could sur
prise them with something. TIL
} young ma. or would laugh, am sure
for last night he sent up to the stage t
inquire the name of the young gentle
man. who assists monsieur; and tn
gold guinea that came to me in lette
this morning must have come from hi
purse"
The next day Jarvis and the magician
ing. They went the hall in the al
ternoon, and monsieur showed the DO
how he had hung portrait of the kin
over the stage, but IN place. where
!. could not be seen by .ne audience; AM
}. how, at the report of the pistol, whic
he was to fire at a star, it was to sud
t denly appear where the star had been
An this was very simple when it ha
been explained to the boy. The smok
of the pistol would hide the star for
moment, during which time Jarvis
}, secreted behind the scenes, was to pu
. a cord which would let the portrait c
>, the king drop into its place.
l. After the rehearsal Jarvis was give
d several hours, and the project for Sui
prising both Monsieur Parbleau an
his audience came back to his min
with added force.
Tn his aunt,s hedroon, huno a M,