Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1902-12-25

? anu InTOnVcu WIFI uonS anu
dishes and engines and trains and
skates and sleds, and hobbyhorscs
that galoped. and cows that mooed
and mice that ran, and-and every
thing, absolutely everything. that ever
enters the most rapturous Christmas
dream.
In the n"titcr of the large show win
dows, fronting upon the gay street,
stood two soldiers. They were by all
odds the finest soldiers in the store,
much superior to the personnel CON
posing the different troops and regi-
mcnts and companies stationed here
and there along the aisles. The pair
were made of tin. to be sure: but they
were of heroic stature, eight inches
tall, richly uniformed in black and
yellow, and could be wound UP so that
they would present arms several times
In succession.
The other soldiers, poor things. were
compelled to remain the whole time at
q carry" or right shoulder" with
out relief
Naturally these two soldiers were
proud and of aspirations reaching be.
yond their present narrow quarters.
They pined for Il wider sphere. AS
they stood and stared with stern, fixed
gaze through the plate glass into the
gay street they talked together in toy
language. and none. not even the most
versatile linguists among the people
passing and repassing, knew that they
talked.
ooh, TO get away from this eternal
guard mount over lot of frippery."
sighed the one.
with all my heart" agreed the
other. The monotony is frightful.'
I'D give half my solder to receive
| orders to report to some little boy
continued the first. "Oh. for change"
But the majority Of little boys are
so rough and careless" responded the
second. II understand they scratch
you and bend you and otherwise NAL
treat you without cause, and soon
you're done for. l prefer duty Of a
more quiet. instructive nature, where
l may teach by means Of my deport-
ment rather than by violent action
"Well, I should enjoy a hard drill
and tussle, believe" asserted the
first
Our organism is too fine for such
active service, my lad" indulgently
corrected the second. Manifestations
and dents? No, no. Give me post of
more elegance, where my uniform will
be treated as it deserves"
Christmas day had been over and
gone month when after their separa
ton the two soldiers again encounter
ed one another, but this time in a great
heap of rubbish at the city dump
where the dump man had unwttingly
thrown them out.
"Hurrah Hello. old chap" excla i'm
ed the first soldier delightedly
Hello" returned the second, with
rather more reserve. Goodness, Been
through the Seven Years war"
Well might he put this query. The
other soldier was a perfect wreck. He
| had lost an arm and a foot his head
was sharply inclined forward upon his
chest, he had only one eye, his body
was twisted askew, his gun was bro
ken, his cap was missing. his features
were battered and distorted. and as for
his uniform Of black and yellow-there
was hardly a spot Of paint on him.
live been having my tussle," an
nounced the first, with cracked laugh.
But yOu-why, you evidently found
just what you were looking for"
Yes" explained the second. Il fell
into an excellent post. 1t was the
hands of little boy, sure enough. but
he wasn't allowed to hurt me, See, l
haven't mark on me- And he ex-
hibted himself proudly.
True. he was still in dress parade
condition.
Thunder and Mars" chuckled the
first. And look at me. DO you mean
to say that you never were stepped
on?"
"Oh, no." replied the second. ri
didn't lie around on the floor. | was
put away just as soon as he was done
playing with me. His mother had
made him n very orderly little boy"
$50 you never stayed out all night
in the hall or in the middle of the sit
ting room?'
Never" said the spick and span sol
dier.
And did he shoot at you with his
rubber gun everf"
Never" said the spick and span sol
dier.
"And he didn't bite you to see how
soft you were?'
Never" said the spick and span sol
der.
"Or drag you about among the chairs
with string?"
Never" said the spick and span sol
der.
"Or sick the terrier on your
"Ncver."
"Or take you to bed with him and
roll on your
Never | was always placed on the
shelf in the closet"
"Or kick you or whack you or throw
your
Never. Watch-I can present arms
as well as ever"
"Or kiss you and hug you with all
his might and cry for you when he
was sick through eating too much
candy"
Never. He used to forget me en-
tirely for days and days. Did your
| hoy roolly do all that IN you?"