The Boy Soldier; Or, Garibaldi's Young Captain — page 322: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

ing fellow, who had too mtich’to'say, lost “his best beaver, and was unmercifully ‘joked,’ laughed» at, and jeered by dozens’ of rollicking ‘boys’ and ap- prentices, ‘who were’ sucking oranges; ob rag penny pickwicks, and the like “Vy don’t yer’ take off yer (tile, Sheil un an asked one in a bantering tone. ‘He can show his false curls, How}? said another. ““ What'a fine ’ead’o’’air he’s got.” su “Like bristles,” another grunted, »! a4 ‘©He’s quite the ‘dandy, oh ! dandy, oh!” sung out another, ' After a pleasant run down the river, thie: over- burdened vessel, puffing“and groaning with: its human freight, stopped at’ the pier, and great was the rush of all on board’ to: get’ on shore aoe hurry to the fair. As Gale, full of fan, approached the scene of the fair, he’soon became convinced that’ “ three shies a penny ” was one’of-the chief amusements ‘of all. Within ‘half-a:mile from the fair; Gale’ eoatted no less than forty of these “Old Aunt Sallys’;’? and every one of them’ appeared to be'up to’ their ‘eyes in business, and a very profitable business it seemed to be, for Gale never saw but oné man at the forty stands who managed to nasele down a cocoa: am or doll. Gale, as he was on Wasines, as wellas pigieitre took care to have his eyes wide open, on ‘the look out for Hautwig, Bandy Bob; or Alf Green: He ‘therefore sauntered' about the forty ‘three shies a penny,” or “‘ old’ Aunt Sallys’,’as they are now called, but he did) not'see either one of ‘the persons he was 10 search of. “Can J try at any o’ the sticks’ I likes ” ore & tall countryman, of a proprietor’ of one of the: Ae Aunt Sallys’. ” “Tn course you ¢can,”’said ‘a ‘rough, hairy-eapped fellow. ~“ Any on ’em’ ‘you likes, squire..'' Give us your brown, and here’s the three sticks!’ “May I throw at the middle one; Wwith'the cocoa- nut on it?” asked the countryman. | ‘ ‘Jest w’ichever you pleases, young man.” “ Well, then, I'll have’a go.” ‘Here’s’ the penny; and give us the sticks. Get out 0° the: way, there,” said the countryman, tucking’ up his sleeves; and spitting on the palm of ‘his hand; as if ae were about to slay a young ox!” 99" : The young countryman “ took aenaty aim, 80 to speak, at the cocoa- pune, and knocked the stick from under it, ‘“‘ Tt’s in the hole, upon my soul ” said the rough- looking proprietor, ‘Come, let’s have none 0’ that ’ere,” said ‘the countryman, '' I have Knocked it! down, and it's mine fairly'enough.” ©’ “Well, ’'m blamed |” said the proprietor, “ you 1s green, ‘atid no mistake.” “ Whoever heard o’ such a thing ?” said another, The countryman could not for a long time’ see why he should not'have'the cocoa- nut, and scratched his head for an idea, ‘Try again, sir ; better luck next time; sir,” The yokel tried again, ‘and’ threw ‘the remaining two sticks with such fotcé through’ the” air; that the proprietor of the “ Aunt Sally got rather frightened. The countryman missed, of course; aha was in a great rage thereat, and swore most lustily, “Try another penn’orth, squire,” said hairy-eap ; “better luck next time.” ‘You can’t expect to win always, you know, squire,’”’ said another ; “ try again.” The countryman bought three pennyworth § of sticks, and began to throw them with great force, He's quite tHe and without the slightest! judgment, at the pin- cushions, cocoa-nuts, andthe! |like,- to the: great amusement of thebystanders, But with all his vi desTonE. he did not: ‘win a farthing’s: worth, (619% “Try agin, sir, try agin ; there’ 8 nothing | like pluck, my young squire,’ rage! “ He couldn’t ie wierd at think °a said hairy- cap; laughing. « “ Couldn't I though?” thought sates cotontmy iia who had overheard the last remark, ‘‘ Couldn’t I though ; Ill let-yow allisee.” sac ° ion st Mr. Hairy- -cap “began to bob. up and down, gathering the «sticks, and laughing ‘at. the “:yokel, 2 when ‘the countryman gaye one more penny, Tre= ceived three sticks, and at the first shy split a cocoa-nut into a hundred pieces, most of which flew in the face of hairy-cap, and before any ‘one could saya word, he threw ia second time, and) therstick came into suchica violent collision:with meee le Ss. ribs, that it made him howl again. « 4: “Give me my cocoa-nut,? said the countryman. ‘Tl give-yowa punch in the head,” said nel cap, “ if you you ain’t off.” * Will syou;, ‘though 2” said the:countryman.’ “ I don’t thiuk you will. You arevall«a paneels of cheats.” \Atothis, Hairy-capo‘ put up: his) hand,” ancl} set aboutithrashing the countryman, audoa regular fight ensued among the bystanders, most,of oom took the countryman’s part, 4g fOr But in less than fiverminutes the’: sioomiiceriitial gave*therbully sucha Spams thet = pe to get out of the row, bh. diy “7 think I have seen ‘that: aunty ea before,” said rarars ie «$' His face: looks Spee to mre)? * oct 1.3 17k } In less dice ree muikhntent after Gales ied left the — sie the countryman overtook him. “« Ain’ t-your name Bagshaw??? asked eae “ Yes)” said theother, He was-a detective.» ‘/ What made you take notiee of that airy-capped fellow for?” ©ou: - $6 Oh) forfun, that’s alll ul eestal Bagehaw, grinning, 4 Fan, eh? 1 :Idon’t think there is much fun‘in fighting such'a ruffianias he appeared to be.’? ‘© Perhaps not ;“ but yow don’t: know’ himias well asI do. Last year, he’and/ two: others were® very near cheating a gentleman outvof £100 «at thimble rigging ; but because I puta isudden: stop to ‘their pretty little game, they got: two> bullies I did not know; to waylay me, which they! = and foil killed me into the bargaim.’5!i10 © rome} “And that’s how you takeyour revenge.” | pit “ Yes, and a very:good way,'too, Ithink.’2 “Didn't he know you again?” ¥ “No, not a bit. I am’ too well disguised, You didn’t know me at first, I think,’ « Edid not You take the chetavtet of a eda countryman to perfection,” © Bagshaw laughed as he saidy |: *T came down to-day thinking: that the Hedy’ capped gertleman would be: up to his: old game of thimble rig ; but I am disappointed. I’ve got it for him if ever I vet a chance,” ‘Has he got any pals ?” ‘““ Yes, he has'three or four, Barney, a half-bred fighting man, used to work with’ him, besides a bandy- legged cové.they call Bandy Bob, and scidther whose name is Alf Green,’ Gale did not make any remark, We must not be seen together,” said Bagshaw. ‘No, quite right, Are there many of our men down here?” Gomicbook