ENFANTS TERRIBLE.

Evening Post, Volume XXX, Issue 10, 11 July 1885, Page 2 (Supplement)

ENFANTS TERRIBLE.

Candour is an attribute of extreme youth. As the world and this commendable virtue do not get on as well together as desired, it is hardly surprising that the childish trait is unappreciated, and the " enfant terrible" slapped^and sent to bed. A little hard on "ingenuus puer," but undoubtedly excusable on the part of his elders. It is the minuteness of Master Tommy's truthfulness that rendois him so truly fearful. No physical infirmity, made to appear as though it were not, escapes him. Uncle Fi'ed's premature baldness, so skilfully concealed by a wisp of hair, costnetiqued over the shining surface ; Aunt Annie's fading charms, touched up with just a "soupgon of rouge, and quite a soup ladle of pearl powder are what they are and nothing more to Master Tommy. jßCnmbug-; and he informs his uncle and aunt of the fact without the slightest compunction. In a Very short time, however, Master Tommy discovers that* his natural inclipation to truthfulness does not pay. AsSing Uncle Fred why his bald head is like heaven eutails an answer to the riddle" in the shape of a box on the ear. Holding his tongue admits of levying black mail in the'shape of shillings dispensed with a smiling face and a hand itching to thrash the infernal little brute, who if tho advent of the shilling be tardy, menaces the unfortunate wisp with malignant eye. " You mustn't let Mr. Smith kiss ' you, Aunt Annie, or your colour will come off," involves ultimately bed for having sent poor Aunt Annie into hysterics. "How pretty you look, Aunt Annie," is a certain draw of butterscotch, especially if said when Mr. Smith is present. Small wonder is it if, with increasing years, Master Tommy ceases to scare the world with his home truths, and learns tho expediency of living and letting live.