The Washington times., 1902-04-06

room of my fathers store one afternoon
| when l had played hockey from school
| with my crowd. 1t was after the civil
| war, and the town was full OF old
| soldiers. There was one old fellow by the
name of Motter who was swept in by the
wave of returning soldiers, and continued
! to make his home in Georgetown. He
| boasted that he didn't have a single rela-
| tive In the world, and no place in par
| ticular to call home. The old fellow
| hung about the store so much that my
father finally took him into his employ.
But Motter's failing was his exuberant
| love for liquor. He was a really clever
workman while he was sober. but he con-
| trived to fill himself with red eye almost
| to the collar button twice a week with
unfailing regularity. His antics while in
| this state of bliss won him quite an ex-
tensive local reputation.
"One bright, warm day the crowd de-
cided that we could not endure school.
We knew that il we went we would be
certain to commit some depreda tion that
would result in an unmerciful hogging
for each of us at the hands of Mr.. Craig.
So we played hockey and roamed about
the town. l knew that my father had
gone over into Virginia that day. so we
were perfectly safe in going around to the
store. ] took the gang into the back room
of the place. where we would not be mo-
Tested. A hard lot they we're then, but
they all turned out well. and those who
are still living are some of the best
known and liked business men in George
town today.
We'll, instead of having the room all
to ourselves, we found old Motter
stretched out or pile of lumber, sleeping
off the effects OF. bis latest semi-waekly
spree. 1t was not an unfamiliar sight in
the least, for that was his usual resting
place; but we were in high spirits. and
felt like playing some trick on the old
man.
Finally thought struck me. and, tell
ing the boys to wait, l ran across the
street to carriage factory. / borrowed
several small cans OF bright paint that
they used for Painting carriages and
wagons. 1t was oil paint. but, then, l
didn't care. One of the fellows in the
crowd who could paint a bit bent over
Motter and proceeded to convert the old
soldiers countenance into the painted face
OF FULL -fledged Indian. l never shall for
get how old man Motter looked lying
there With those bright colors on his |
face. There actually wasn't square inch |
Of his countenance that was not coated
with paint.
We'll. that evening Motter woke up, !
and the first thing he did was TO go down |
=
the boys were standing on the other side |
Of the street watching the old fellew. i !
don't know what happened in the saloon, |
but presently Motter came running out, |
with a crowd of loafers at his heels. |
shouting at him. Everywhere the cid SOL |
der went people stared at him and then
burst out laughing. Finally Motter be-
came enraged and went back to the store.
He walked up to looking glass and be-
gan to gaze at himself. When he caugh.
a glimpse of his face, streaked and slbed
with those farng colors-well-we nd
journed to a safer locality.
The old fellow never did get over that
prank" concluded the gentleman who
claimed the distinction of having bean
the worst boy in Georgetown" 'Of
course, we knew nothing of the matter,
but | think Motter always FULLY believed
We had painted his face. Anyway. he
swore he would kill the person VINO did il
if he ever found out his lam" ."