Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-02-13

hight were some splendid achievement In
mighty war. when leaden missiles new
over the field. instead Of stones from
wcll-directod hands. How many an or
chsrd has suffered at the hands of this
Same little band. until the irats owner
lay In hiding for the young robbers. and
swooped down upon them unawares, cap
turing one Of their number. while with
loud shouts many lad dropped out OF
tree without regard to his bones, and
scampered across the fields.
Happy go-lucky Jack, the moving spirit
In every boyish prank. must surely have
had some guardian angel watching over
him, for Il was certainly due TO no pains
taken by him that he emerged without
scratch from these venturesome exploits.
No bruised shin did he ever nurse, and
no cracked head ever prevented his IN
ventive brain from concocting new
schemes to be put In execution. when tho
excitement attending his last effort had
subsidized. And t0-day-poor old Jack
BIG. FRECKLED-FACED DICK.
And there was Dick--big, awkward,
freckled-faced, red-headed Dick-slow of
thought, and slower still In action, but
the most logical one OF all, ever predict
ing the result of the qulckly-planned
schemes of his comrades, but always as
tcohy 40 Any " tHHdSt III tHtHi, not
giving his advice with the expectation
that 1t would be accepted, or wishing II,
but merely as a matter Of course, a duty
which he considered he was. bound to
perform, and once over with, troubled
him no longer.
And like as not, no was the ono to
prove the correctness OF his predictions,
and his right to be accepted as prophet,
for his was generally the head that got |
In the way Of some flying stone; it was |
he, with his numbering, awkward gait, |
who fell In the ditch. or broke the rotten |
limb on some tree. and plunged headlong |
to tho ground, where his progress was |
checked with an awful bump, that made
him see stars, and added his head more
than ever.
The hard knocks and bumps that fell |
to his share were received by him in the
most philosophical manner, and he would
slowly pick himself up, and in the gravest |,
manner possible. take an inventory of his
Injuries, without ever a whimper at his
fate. He was not a boy TO complain.
He never undertook to reason out why
he, Of all his comrades, should happen to
sit on that rotten limb, when every other
boy was perched on strong bough. which
bore his weight.
FAMILIAR FACES CALLED TO MIND.
Such reveries, called forth in an idle
our, when in the solitude Of your own
DOM, with no sound to disturb your
thoughts save the ticking of the clock
nd the occasional falling of the embers
IS they sift through the CRATE. are
leasant to dwell on, causing a realization
the wisdom since gained. and also the
nowledge that in this maturer life the
,ys and sorrows have been very evenly
L., al.
nee in favor of the latter. These dreams
ave brought to mind the face of many
lad as he appeared in those glad, r
Apply days OF school-life, before those
tier years came on, bringing with them {
} many changes that, as you go over the
'il-call, causing yourself pang of pain l.
the mention of some familiar name,
GU compare your old comrades as they
)peared on the playground with what
icy are to-day.
Some Of them still remain in the neigh
'Thood OF the old school-house, having
own TO manhood I'm sight Of its walls.
ID are now pursuing their avocations
life near the familiar haunts Of their @
unger days. Others have removed to
slant parts Of the land, some having
en- left their native shores, and, thou
nds of miles away from the spot which d
CO knew tnem so WELL are taxing lnelr
sition in the great world Of which each A
iyidual forms part. And some have
lg since been laid away beneath the
d. and will never more answer to their
mes until the last great roll-call shall
made. Jc
iome have risen to positions above the 81
binary level of life, while others plod
in obscure paths; some have riches
d are surrounded with luxuries, wSile
lers strive on in poverty, showing its -
Sens all too plainly; the names Of some vi
sounded In praise throughout tho ~
ID, the names of others are breathed
In a sense of shame, and connected CIR
IN dishonOr.
tut every one OF that old-time class -.
It sported together so often in other ~
IS is travelling, or has already made
journey, over that road, oftentimes Fl
,sen by himself or compelled to take DE
force of circumstances, and though
Sc paths may have crossed those OF De
or comrades but few times, or. per- Re
Ds. never yet as the wayfarers pro-
d. and tho last milestone is approach Inc
their paths all turn in one direction, tr
the end Of the journey is the same
all.
p. BRUCE CHESTERMAN. Jr.