The magistrates in a body honored the farmer with a visit, where they thanked his daughters for the act of patriotism which saved the town. They afterward indemnified him fully for the loss he sustained from the inundation, and the most distinguished young citizens vied with each other who should be honored with the hands of the milkmaids. Then, as the years went by, the fountain was erected, and the story commemorated in stone.
[MAX RANDER'S YOUNG NOBLEMEN.]
BY MATTHEW WHITE, JUN.
It was only a day or so after my bicycle ride that I received a letter from father, telling me that he and mother were detained in London, and asking if Thad and I could do without them for a week longer.
So in view of our "to-be-continued" lonely condition, the landlady kindly offered to introduce us to "three young gentlemen" who were attending school in the town, and who boarded with her sister.
They all came of noble families, she informed me, adding that it would be a great honor for me to know them.
Thus my expectations were raised to the highest pitch, and the morning of the day they were to call I spent in polishing my watch chain to its brightest, and deciding whether a blue or a red bow would be most appropriate to wear.
I know now that I must have seen scores of little dukes and lords walking about the streets of London just like other boys, but I didn't know it then, and always had an idea that they all wore red velvet cloaks and cream-colored tights, carried swords dangling at their sides, and never went out except in a gilded chariot, preceded by two men on horseback blowing brass horns to clear the way.
Therefore I was considerably astonished when I saw three boys of about my own age turn in at the gate, all dressed in short black coats and tall black hats, exactly like any common English school-boy.