The Charleston advocate. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1894-189?, 1894-07-01

'Phrastus actually grinned.
"Ah, hs Go ahead that wasn't all. Wha
put on the Flushing touch?"
~ s'pose twas the new wash-b'iler." sale
'Phrastus, frowning. eve TUX it out behind
the barn to light bunch in My, didn't they
pop! Then we forgot it teetotal, and come wash
day nobody knowed where the b'iler was"
"And when they found it?"
"Suthin' had step on it % muttered 'Phrastus
"But don't think folks ought to hold things
hull year."
Harvey threw his head back, and laughed 81
heartily that 'Phrsstus stopped frowning ane
giggled.
"Now look here, said Harvey, when he hae
had bis laugh out 81 haven't forgotten how you
found Frowsy for me last summer, and II you'll
promise not to use them around the house or tht
barn, or anywhere where they'll disturb Aun
'Soilla, I'll put half dozen packs under the big
stone behind the barn for you Fourth of July
morning"
cts awful good of you!" 'Phrastus'.
cheeks grew shining red "There sha'n't no
body hear 'em cept me; I'll take em down tt
the woods. Aud say, II hunt your dog every
time he gets lost-don't you give any other fel
Ter the job. What they got in that wsgon?"
"It must be the English ram Mr. Turner'S
been buying" said Harvey. as he turned tc
look. "Gsve two hundred dollars for him.
guess I'll walk down and see him when they take
him out"
l>Ilo for chn ~
'Phrsstus hoped over the fence and trotted
along by his friends side "What pile Of
money for one sheep Say, Harvey, ID you jest
as lief put in box Of matches and fl cent flag
stead of two o. them bunches?"
"Just exactly"
The wagon turned into Mr.. Turner'S barn
yard, and the boys followed it.
81 bet I'd never pay them old British two
hundred dollars for sheep" said 'Phrastus
thrusting his hands deep into his pockets as hi
watched the men carefully lower the CotswolG
ram, "Kipg George XII" to the ground.
"Wbat d. you know about the British, Bub? p
asked one of the men.
81 know we whipped 'em twct-Fourth o.
July" said Phrsstus.
"Well, it seems they can beat us on sheep,
laughed the man
"I 'spect If Mr.. Turner had looked roune
he'd got jest as good one in 'Meriker for ter
dollars !" cried 'Phrastus. "They can't beat III
on anythingv'
Having reached the ground safely, King
George stamped his royal foot, and shook hi
NJ pfaro hk
yard by side gate, the ram dashed forward
with unexpected quickness, knocked his new
owners feet from under him, and laid him fla
on his back.
"He's got good smart temper" remarked
one of the assis ants, as King George appeared
ready to charge the entire force.
"Serves Mr.. Turner right for spending Sc
UGH money on an old British sheep" 'Phrastul
Whispered to Harvey.
Aunt Priscilla noticed with surprise tina
| 'Phrastus neither whined nor pleaded when sh'
reannounced her Fourth of July edict. She re
peated the command in order to keep her owl
resolution firm, for she dearly loved the mother
less boy, misohievous as he was
"You haint been giving him money for fire
crackers or dossying him up, have ye, Ben p
she IL quired of her husband.
"No, aint," responded Uncle Ben. "Bu
lest think ont, Percilla The heft of boy'I
livin' is rumpus and to choke him off on thu
Fourth It's-well, it's plaguy cruel! Hell
bust"
"No, he won't You jest let him alone, Ben
isnin Arbuckle. It's time he learned that cat
and wash bilers and other folks had some ght
on the Fourth of July IS well 8 boys"
"Where you going, 'Phrastus9" she de
manded, when the Fourth at last arrived, 81
quiet in their immediate vicinity as if it bat