THE BOLD SOLDIER-BOYS.
ORWARD, my brave boys!" shouted Colonel Bob, rising in his stirrups, and waving his sword. "You see the enemy before you. Charge!"
There stood the enemy in stern defiance,—four chairs, one table, and a sofa,—there they stood, with a plastered wall in their rear, and calmly awaited the attack.
The fiery steed of Colonel Bob reared and plunged, as if eager to dash upon the foe. The roll of the drum made a fearful sound. The standard-bearer waved his flag. The army came rushing on. Snap the dog barked furiously. But above all the din was heard the shout of Colonel Bob, "Forward, my brave boys!"
Not a picture started from its frame. Not a chair moved. But all of a sudden the door opened, and a face looked in. It was Colonel Bob's papa.
"What's all this noise about, Robert?" said he. "This is not the place for such games. Go out of doors if you want to play soldier. I can't have such a drumming and shouting in the house."
This was rather a damper on Colonel Bob's military zeal; but what came next was still worse.
"Do any of you boys know where to-day's 'Advertiser' is?" asked papa.
Colonel Bob came down from his high horse, threw aside his plume, took off his chapeau, and handed it to his papa.
There was the "Advertiser" of that very day, folded up as a soldier-cap.
"Well, that's pretty business," said his papa, laughing. "Please give me a chance to read the papers before you use them in this way." And he went out and shut the door.
Colonel Bob stood leaning on his horse as if in deep thought. At last he said, "Boys, this movement has failed. We must change our base. Follow me." And he led the army out into the back garden.
UNCLE SAM.
