The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1894-01-24
On Playing at Soldiers.

On PIayins at Soldiers.
Twas once playing with about fifty
little boys in the snow, when was
more than two feet deep all over the
ward. We plunged into the snoWdrilts
some of which were five feet high we
rolled up great balls, and made houses
and steeples, and all sort OF Things
ont of SLOW. At last it was proposed
that we should play at War. am
opposed to children's playing at war.
would rather see them play at some-
thing that is right and useful, ana
that will incline them to be kind ana
loving toward each other. Playing Mt
War tends to excite angry and re,
yengeful feelings. However they did
begin their game. Dividing the
ward into countries, by running a line
tbrough the middle, they called one
aide England and the other America.
They then divided into TWO parties.
one party called the English, the other,
the American nation. After tney
were thus separated, each party chose
a leader. They put me into the Eng
lish nation, and that nation mace me
their king, to lead out their army, an9
fight their battles. Alter they na9
arranged all these things, 1 called
them all together, to deliberate on the
course to be pursued. The first thing
TO be done was to put the nation into a
posture of defence. made speeh TO
Them. to stir them up to this work.
"Here," said I, lis the American ma
notion lying close beside US. They are
. covatons ambitious, blood-thirsty
nation. They will trespass on our
rights. invade our territory, and Insult
our flag 1--WE had tied red silk hand
kerchief to a pole, and hoisted 1t up
for q banner); they will take away our
liberty, destroy our institutions, ~
yade our firesides, stain our neaitn-
stones with the blood OF our wives
and children, unless they see US pre-
pared for them. would propose
that the nation be put into posture OF
defence, and that all our revenue that
can be spared, be appropriated 10 'n'S
sat on q high throne made of snow,
clean and white, and my devoted happy
Subjects were around me, sitting or
Standing in the snow. They all voted
20 put the nation into posture OF de,
fence. so that we might be prepared
to meet our neighbors' the Americans;
when they should attack US. "How,"
said I, "shall we 60 to work, in order 10
put our nation into posture OF de-
fence. 80 that our enemies over the
wav will not dare to attack US ?"
.Arthur, who was an lntelligent, actI
i've, daring little boy, and whom !
had made my prime minister, arose
and said,"I propose that we oullu
forts all along the frontier, where our
country borders on America" Henry,
who was full Of decision and activity,
said, "Let, us employ workmen, some
to make swords, guns, and cannons'
and some to make powder and oall {;
and let US establish arsenals in dlHer.
ent places all over the kingdom"
William arose and said, II propose we
form artillery, rifle, cavalry, ana IN
iantry companies, and establish mill
tary academy"
All except one boy agreed that these
things must be done. He was blue
eyed, mild looking, gentle hearted,
intelligent and active boy, and he was
a general favorite, dearly beloved oy
all his companions. His name was
Frank and he had been with me, ana
had heard me speak a great deal OF
Peace and War. Frank said, II think
the best way to put ourselves INTO a
posture of defence is, to take all our
money and buy food and clothes; so
that If our if our enemies are hungry,
we may feed them and if they are
naked and cold, we may clothe them"
NV merry subjects set up shout,
and laugh at Franks proposition.
"How will that defend US against our
enemies, if they attack us?" asked
Arthur my prime minister. .
"They will never attack u.s." said
Frank, "when they see us armed with
nothing but food and clothes, to be
given them in time of need"
"How will that keep of such set
of cruel enemies ?" asked Henry.
"When they see US coming out to
meet them with such good things,
they will see we love them, and do
not mean to hurt them, even if they
hurt US, replied Frank.
After they had discussed the subject
for q long time, and become much in.
terested in il, they asked me what l
thought about it. I said I thought
Frank was right.
The boys looked surprised, for but
few of them had ever heard me speak
on the subject of Peace.
II thought you would agree with
MS" said Arthur.
I do not agree with you," I answered;
"on the contrary, agree entirely with
Frank, that we should be in better
posture of defence against our enemies
by being provided with food, with
which to feed them if they are hungry,
thanwe should be if we were to get
swords and guns to kill them."
II do not see how that can be-" said
Arthur.
So the king and his prime minister
were opposed to each other, as to the
best way of putting the kingdom into
a posture of defence.
tsI can prove it to you," said to
the boys so that every one of you will
agree with me-"
''I doubt whether we shall agree
with you," said Arthur, ''for Wash
ington said in time of Peace prepare
for War"
k"That," said L, "is precisely what I
wish to do; but how to do it is the
question"
"There is but one way to prepare for
war; said Arthur, "and that is to
get swords and guns to kill our ene-
mics when they attack u.s."
"Do you suppose our enemies would
ever attack u.s." I asked, "if they knew
we loved them, and meant never to
injure them ?"
''They never could be our enemies,
if they knew that" said Arthur.
HJust sou said I; in such case we