The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-06-11

tered my service as gardener, surely
had right TO presume you would obey
my commands without argument"
Gubbins reclined on his spade.
whats the good of being man
II I bain't to argey?" he inquired.
vWhen you says, 'Rear-rank man dress
up,' / bain't ago;ng TO dress up. My
working clothes is good enough for me
any weekday"
Overcome by such Grass ignorance,
Capt. Doubleday became purple with
spoplectic rage, but the sight of Miss
priscilla's curls at the door of the semi
detached cottage calmed him at once.
He bowed gallantly in her direction
md turned towards Gubbins and the
boy.
Attention! Stand at ease! Break
I'D, and NOW the lawn" he shouted.
Gubbins interpreted the command
literally, and began to break up the
avn until somewhat roughly restrained
vsy the captain, when he grumblingly
vent away to his tool-shed breathing
threats of sanguinary vengeance on
-Old Nasty Particular"
Thus left triumphant on the battle
ield, the captain, lightly carrying his
ane, proceeded to demolish a dande-
ion which had had the impertinence
o poke itself up through the lawn.
Chen he watched his prim rows of
Giants with an air of delight which VAN
shed as soon as he perceived a weed i'm
die path. He removed the weed, ground
lown the gravel with his boot, brought
small roller, and carefully rolled the
path.
Anyone gazing into sold Marty Par
Hcular's" garden would have imagined
hat he was playing game of chess
with the plants. OF else conducting a
Ieries of military maneuvers with sun
lowers for serNries and hollyhocks for
!orces. All the snapdragons were SCI
sntifcally reduced to an exact height,
md every stately lily and sunfower
Imported by long stick painted green,
which was driven in at the same level,
ind at exactly the same distance from
precisely similar one. The borders
3f this little garden were regulated
With prim precision. Ii had no pleasant
nxuriancc of blossom, but each plant
was permitted to put forth flowers of
, certain number, and any criminal
prodigality on its part sternly cut short
Sy the eyer-vigilant captain. His foes
in the village said that "Old Nasty Par
ticular" would have fixed the visiting
hours for the bees and butterflies, and
gut up a notice-board forbidding them
to enter the garden at unauthorized
times had such proceeding been feas-
ible.
He de.ested cats and dogs in the gar
den. His only familiar was fat, bloat-
81 old toad which hoped out from n
hole In the bank and waited with wide
ly-opened mouth until needless flies and
bluebottles hurriedly blundered in.
Gubbins gravely declared that the
captain was accustomed TO time the
toad's morning meal, and drive him
back into his hole when he had pro-
visioned himself for the day. "Old
TASTY Particulars" movements were
fafeguarded in the same style. He
seemed to be under the impression that
surprise parties of sanguinary foes
we're reconnoitreing i'm force. and that
Unless he exercised perpetual vigil
lnnce he would be pursued, taken pris-
oner and rushed Oft 10 some under
ground dungeon. there TO pine in vain
dor ransom. lie had been but month
IN the village before he managed to
move IL 10 internecinc quarrels, owing
20 liis desire 10 reorganize everything
and everybody on really military
hnsis. The village boys became up
roarous with delight when in n rash mo-
rent the vicar permitted the captain
10 drill them. The captains address
10 the boys was brief. "Now boys"
he beloved, England Is great coun-
try. and has 10 fght 10 maintain her.
self by force; ifyou don't learn to fight,
yah find your country go 10 the dogs.
Ill teach you the rudiments. and then
-cr, rprrt lcoi after Yourselves. Who
srv fights his cosHtry's foes is credit
10 that country"
Heljghted with this addroGa thn