Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1894-07-05

been sailor on the American vessel,
and the story Uncle Ben loved to lis
ten to rs a child, he loved to tell to
'Phrastus.
But 'Phrastus had determined that
those ships should meet again on Mr..
Turner's pond with Il very different
result.
He began his preparations, The five,
cent flag rendered the Chesapeake ten
heavy; so he stuck it into the bank Des
hind her. Truth coinpels me to cont,
fess that 'Phrastus showed very little)
generosity toward his imaginary foes.
The Chesapeake was a full-fledged
schooner, at least eighteen inches long,
with two rows of fire cracker guns on
either side. The English ship was only
a third as large-a block Of wood whit
tied roughly into the semblance of q
boat, with one crooked, wobbling mast.
Her complement of guns was u meager
half-dozen-three on side.
For you're bound to be bowed
skyer-highcr anyway, you old British
En-" said Phrastus.
The two big fire crackers were placed
in position at the Chcsapeake's bon
and stern, and the commodore. joyful
~ striking a match, stopped down to
fire his guns.
Whack! 'Phrastus shot out into the
pond turning somersault and scat
tering matches as he went. His line
of motion was directly across the Chesa
peake. Both her stately masts snapped
and the stately vessel careened till her
whole armament slid off into the water.
'Phrastus's first thought as he emerg-
ed putting and suffering, was that the
heat haN exploded the fire crackers all
at once. But when he got the water
out Of his eyes, he saw that the British
had received unexpected reinforce
ments.
King George XII, arriving upper
ceived from the rear, had disposed of
|. the American commodore and now
turned his attention to the stars and
stripes, which he damned into the
bank with repeated blows of his wool
ly head.
The patriotic blood Of 'Phrastus boil
ed.
Cit out of that. you old British ram!
Lee my flag alone! I'll hit you with a
rock, I will!'
He dug vainly about with his fingers
in the muddy bed Of the pond, but
found nothing larger than a small peb-
BILE. Meantime King Georges pointed
feet were tramping his ammunition
deep into the soil. 'Phrastus lifted
his voice in reproach and lamcntation.
You're the meanest, mcanest old
sheep that ever was! We did beat you,
we did, we did! Oh my -boo-m'fr'
crackers-hoo-he's slim every last
one! I wish they'd bust and turn him
wrong-side ou-ou-out.''
The howl drew King Georges atten.
ton to the pond. He stood Il moment
with lowered horns, and then plunged
threateningly forward, drawing back
however, as his feet touched the water
At the forward movement 'Phrastus
turned and ran. He reached the shore
as King George came galloping around
| the curve.
Up the nearest tree scrambled the
small American. 1t was not a very
large one, and received blow from
King Georges head that almost shook
| the climber loose before he reached Q
place of safety in the crotch.
| For some time-'Phrastus afterward
no condition to judge-King George but
ted the tree bringing down upon him
self fresh explosions of fearful wrath
and all the breakable branches 'Phras
tus could reach. Afterward he nibbleC
about in the vicinity returning at inter
walls to renew the assault and never
| going far enough away to permit the
escape of the prisoner.
al 1.,3c 1ofn
Uncle Ben went to the parade; but II
was an exceptionally good one, and
there was q puffy turnover at 'Phras
tus's place. Aunt 'Scilla rang the little
bell, and Uncle Ben rang the big bell
without bringing any small nephew fol
ward to eat it.
After all I've said," declared Aunt
Priscilla her lips growing ominously
thin and tight, that boys been and
gone to the p'rade!"
faint agin nature if he has, said
Uncle Ben. when you stretch string
too tight, it'll snap"
"Something'll snap" said Aunt 'Scilla
Her eyes did. 1--WE got to train uI
that boy in the way he should go. and
I mean to do it. Don't you dast say
a word, Benjamin Arbuckle! If he don't
learn to go straight now, he'll go crook.
ed all his life.'
After dinner she cut two long lilac
sprouts and trimmed them With osten'
| tatious care. While she was washing
dishes in the kitchen, Uncle Ben clyly
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