He sat on the curb-stone one pleasant day, Placidly passing the hours away; His hands in the _holes_ which for pockets were meant, His thoughts on the clouds overhead were intent; When down the street suddenly, marching along, Came soldiers and horses, and such a great throng Of boys and of men, as they crowded the street, With a "Hip, hip, hurrah!" the lad sprang to his feet,
And joined the procession, his face in a grin, For here was a good time that "_dis chile_ is in!" How he stretched out his legs to the beat of the drum, Thinking surely at last 'twas the _jubilee_ come! Then suddenly wondering what 'twas about-- The soldiers, the music, and all--with a shout He hailed a small comrade, "Hi, Cæsar, _you_ know What all dis purcession's a marchin' fur so?"
"Go 'long, you George Washington," Cæsar replied, "In dis yere great kentry _you_ ain't got no pride! Dis is Washington's Birfday; you oughter know dat, Wid yer head growed so big, burst de brim off yer hat." For a moment George Washington stood in surprise, While plainer to view grew the whites of his eyes; Then swift to the front of the ranks scampered he, This mite of a chap hardly high as your knee.
The soldiers looked stern, and an officer said, As he rapped with his sword on the black woolly head, "Come, boy, clear the road; what a figure you are!" Came the ready reply, "_I'se George Washington_, sah! But I didn't know nuffin about my birfday 'Till a feller jist tole me. Oh, golly! it's gay!"
Just then a policeman--of course it was mean-- Removed young George Washington far from the scene.
I have been gathering a cabinet of curiosities since I was nine years old (I am now fourteen), and I have stones and shells and pieces of wood from a great many of the States, from the arctic regions, from South America, Oceanica, and Europe--more than two hundred in all. Among the rest is a Proteus (_Menobranchus maculatus_) taken from the Winooski River by Thompson, once State Geologist of Vermont. I would like to know if any other of your correspondents has got a Proteus, and also if any has a cabinet.
I found some willow "pussies" yesterday. I hope I have found them first.
Yes, you have found them first. It is very remarkable to find them at all in January in the locality where you live, but as the buds set in the autumn, the singularly mild weather of January has made them swell and burst thus early in the season. Thank you for so promptly reporting these first signs that spring is near. Now let us see when the "pussies" will appear in other sections of the country.