Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1896-10-24

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My name is Billy Butternut, ard
l am a Green Mountain boy, and
green | was once upon time when
lad of six years of age. How this
was, and what lessons may be drawn
from it, l will not essay to state.
My parents, though strict in their
family discipline, were nevertheless
kind to me, and allowed me many
innocent amusements, regarding that
preferable to associating with ques-
tionable young company, mindful of
the fact that EVIL communications
corrupt good manners" We lived
in the country several miles from the
town of B, in the state OF Ver-
mont. At the time / am speaking
Of, some sixty years ago, it was still
customary, in some towns at least,
to hold annual fairs, more for pleas
ure and practical amusement than
practical benefit and usefulness.
Willing to give me some pleasure.
my parents took me along to the
fair that was going on in our town.
They gave me q few small coins,
called at that time "six-pence" by
some, and "fib and bit" by 9TH
ers, with the permission to spend the
money for such toys or trinkets as
might strike my fancy. This was
grand thing for me, and l ratified
the money in my pocket, and fairly
danced with youthful delight. ]
was elated in anticipation of de-
lightful time.
When we arrived at the place
where the fair was held, l ran at
once to the counter where a variety
of toys were on exhibition and for
sale, eager to invest the contents of
my pocket by purchasing something
that would satisfy Envy craving de-
sire. I noticed, among other desir-
able toys, a number of very pretty
drums, and unhesitatingly proceed
ed to select the best-looking one in
the lot. So eager and infatuated
was l, and of course, ignorant, too,
that, without even asking the price,
foolishly gave the man all the mon
ey | had. could scarcely refrain
from at once Selling the drum sticks
and beating away. But, as I was in
the midst of crowd of strangers, I
had sense enough TO know that that
would be improper and would sub
ject me to ridicule or censure. /
was country boy and not bold and
courageous enough to disregard or
DEFY the crowd around me. Hence,
was very anxious to return home
as soon as possible TO try my skill
as drummer boz.
When we arrived at home, | slung
the strap across my neck, grasped
the sticks and beat for dear lie,
marching up and down the walk, i'm
agining company of soldiers follow
ing me. Jerusalem how / enjoyed
it
But, alas my pleasure was of
short duration. In my enthusiasm
and excitement missed the walk,
fell over q stone, on my drum and
dashed big hole into its head, and
in the fall struck my head against
another stone, causing a painful
wound which bled profusely.
My terrible cutlery brought my
parents TO the spot. They were,
naturally, very much frightened,
raising ne up and examining my
wound found that it was by no means
serious, and that l was less hurt
than frightened.
When I was somewhat pacifed,
and they were made acquainted with
the price I paid for my drum, they
only laughed at me for my foolish
purchase ! had made, assuring me
that had paid twice the value of
the article. Now, / only began to
realize how foolish I was, and what
other more beautiful Toys / might
have bought with the money / had
oVerpsid for The drum. No wonder
| was in the dumps all day long.
In truth my modification was more
painful to me than the wound receiv-
ed through my earelessness.
MORAL.
Insig nificant as this occurrence
was in itself, it nevertheless made
deep and abiding impression upon
my mind and taught me lifelong
lesson, the observance of which has
been of vast advantage to me. When
| grew up to the years of maturity,
when youthful blood courses thro'
the veins,-when the eyes sparkle
with animation, when the cheeks
glow with the bewitchiDg bloom Of