OUR BOYS & GIRLS.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 662, 31 October 1884, Page 4

OUR BOYS & GIRLS.

THE LITTLE HOUSE IN THE GARDEN.

By Louisa M. Alcoxt.

II. —Boys. (Continued.) ‘So we will ! Let’s do it now ; he’s over there waiting to be asked,’ cried Billy. _ A whistle brought Bobby, with a beaming face for he burned to join the fun, but held back because he was not a gentleman’s son. A sturdy, honest little soul was Bobby, true as steel," brave as a lioD, and loyal as an oldtimo vassal to his young lord, kind Billy, who always told him all the plans, explained the mysteries, and shared the goodies when feasts were spread. How he stood leaning against one ot the posts of the little house whither the boys had adjourned, and listened bashfully while Harry told him what he must do to join the heroes of the Hound Table. He did noo understand half of it, but was ready for any trial, and took the comical oath administered to him with the utmost solemnity. < You must stay locked in here for some hours, and watch your armor. That’s the vigil young knights had to keep before they i could fi"ht. You musu’t be scared at any noises you hear, or anything you see, nor sing out for help, even if you stay here till dark. You’ll be a coward if you do, and never have a sword.’ T a »». > ‘ I promise truly ; hope t die if I don t, answered Bobby, fixing his blue eyes on the speaker, and holding his curly head erect with the air of one ready to face any peril ; -for the desire of his soul was to own a sword like Billy’s, and clash it on warlike occasions. Then a suit of armor was piled up on the red box, which was by turns altar, table, tomb, and executioner’s block. Banners were hung over it, the place darkened, two candles fighted, and after certain rites, which cannot be divulged, the little knight was left to his vigil, and the door was locked. The boys howled outside, smote on the roof, fired a cannon, and taunted the prisoner with derisive epithets to stir him to wrath. But no cry answered them, no hint of weariness, lear, or anger betrayed him, and after a half-hour of this sort of fun, they left him to the greater trial of silence, solitude, and uncertainty. The short afternoon was soon gone, and the tea-bell rang before the vigil had lasted long enough to suit the young heroes. ‘ He wont know what time it is ; let’s leave him till after supper, and then march out with torches and bring him in to a r'ood meal. Mother wont mind, and Hetty likes to see boys eat,’ proposed Harry, and all being hungry, the first part of the plan was carried out at once. But before tea was over the unusual clang of the fire bells drove all thought of Bobby out of the boys’ minds, as the three Morton lads raced away to the exciting scene, to take their share in the shouting, running, and tumbling about in every one’s way. A fine large house not far away was burning, and till midnight the town was in an uproar. No lives were lost, but much property was burned, nothing but the fire was thought of till dawn. A heavy shower did good service, and about one o’clock people began to go home tired out. Airs Morton and other ladies were too busy givine- shelter to the family from the burning liotise, and making coffee for the firemen, to send their boys to bed. In fact, they could not catch them ; for the youngsters were wild with excitement, and pervaded the place like will-o’-the-wisps, running errands, lugging furniture, splashing about with water, and shouting till they were as li nn vcp o cj PTOWS. At last the flurry was over, and our three lads, very dirty, wet, and tired, went to bed and to sleep, and never once thought of poor Bobby, till next morning. Then Harry suddenly rose with an exclamation that effectually roused both his brothers : _ * Boys ! Boys ! We’re left Bobby at his vigil all night, ‘He wouldn’t be such a fool as to stay ; he could break that old lock easily enough,’ said Ned looking troubled in spite of his ‘Yes he would ! He promised, and hell keep his word like a true knight. It rained and was cold, and everybody ivas excited about the fire, and no one knew where he ■was. I never once thought of him all night long. Oh, dear, I hope he isn t dead, cried Billy, tumbling out of bed and into Ins clothes as fast as he could. The others laughed, but dressed with unusual speed, and flew to the garden-house, to find the lock unbroken, and all as still inside as when they left it. Looking very anxious, Harry opened the door, and they all peeped in. There, at lus post before the altar, lay the little knight, fast asleep. Ram had soaked his clothes, the chilly night air had made his lips and hands purple with cold, and the trials of those long hours had left the. round cheeks somewhat pale. But he still guarded his arms, and at the first sound was awake and ready to defend them, though somewhat shaky with sleep and stin> ne The penitent boys poured forth apologies, in which fire, remorse, and breakfast were oddlv mixed. Bobby forgave them like a gentleman, only saying, with a faughand a shiver, ‘ Guess I’d better go home, for ma 11 be worried about me. If I d kn «'™ bmn out all night and getting wet was of the business, I’d ’a’ left word and brought a blanket. Am I a Round Table now - |hall I have a sword and train with the rest . I didn’t holler once, and 1 wasn t much scared for all the bells, and the dark, and the la ‘You’ve won your spurs and we’Jl knight you just as soon as we get time. You re a brave fellow, and I’m proud to ha J , . of my men. Please don’t say much about this ; we’ll make it all right, and awfully sorry,’ answered Harry, w l hlle , , = a nut his own jacket over Bobby s sbouldets, and Billy beamed at him, feeling that his friend’s exploit outdid any of his own. Bobby marched away as proudly as it he already saw the banners waving ' over amr, and felt the accolade tliaffmade him aj k true

kni"ht. But that happy moment was delayed for some time, because the cold which he had caught iu that shower threatened a fit of sickness ; and the boy s play looked as if it might end in sad earnest. Harry and his brothers confessed all to mamma, listened with humility to her lecture on true knighthood, and did penance by serving Bobby like real brothers-in-arms, while he was ill. As soon as the hardy boy was all right again, they took solemn counsel together how they should rewar him, and atone for their carelessness. Many plans were discussed, but none seemed nne enough for this occasion till Billy had a Bob some hens. He wants some dreadfully, and we ought to do something grand after treating him so badly, ana nearly killing him.’ ‘ Who’s got any money ? I haven t ; but it’s a good idea,’ responded Ned, vainly groping in all his pockets for a dime to head the subscription with, ‘ Mamma would lend us some, and we could work to pay for it,’ began Billy. ‘ No, I have a better plan,’ interrupted Harry,'with authority. ‘We ought to make a sacrifice and suffer for our sin 3. We will have an auction and sell our arms. The boys want them and will pay well. My lords and gentlemen, what say ye ?’ * We will ! ’ responded the loyal subjects of King Henry. , ‘ Winter is coming, and we can’t use them, said Billy, innocently. ‘ And by next spring we shall be too old for such games,’ added Ned. ‘ ’Tis well! Ho ! call hither my men. Bring out the suits of mail; sound the trumpets, and set oil !’ Harry striking an attitude, and issuing his commands with royal brevity. _ A funny scene ensued ; for while Billy ran to collect the boys, Ned dismantled the armory, and Hal disposed of the weapons in the most effective manner, on trees, fences, and grass, where the bidders could examine and choose at their ease. Their mates had always admired and coveted these warlike treasures, for some were real, and others ingenious imitations ; so they gladly came at sound of the hunter’s horn, which was blown when Robin Hood wanted his merry Harry was the auctioneer, and rattled off the most amazing medley of nonsense in praise of the articles, which he rapidly knocked down to the highest bidder. The competition was lively, for the boys laughed so much they hardly knew what they were doing, and made the rashest offers ; but they all knew what the money was to be used for, so they paid their bills handsomely, and marched off with cross-bows, old guns, rusty swords, and tin armor, quite contented with their bargains.

[To he concluded in our next.']