Robert and Henry Graham were handsome, rich little fellows; but very
fast and fond of imitating. Indeed, they were more like little men than
young boys. And as their parents gave them plenty of pocket-money, they
did many things that otherwise they would not have done. Added to this,
they were spoiled by their father. You see, it's generally 'mother' who
does this; so for a wonder we'll have a change.
Well, one day the two boys went to the family tailor, and Robert said,
very big, "Haw! measure us for two suits of military clothes, officers'
ones, haw! and see that you send home with them at the same time--swords,
muskets, canes, sentry box, tents, and all, haw! necessarythings for
playing at soldiers!"
Now, don't let it slip out of your mind that a bit before this, the
boys' rich uncle had bought them some beautiful sets of boxes of
soldiers.
When the clothes and other things came home, these young fellows,
followed by the dog, which they called their army, dressed themselves,
cleverly set up their tents, and went to work in good earnest. Billy,
the dog, sniffed at the butt of the musket to make quite sure that it
was not loaded. Robert put his glass to his right eye, and having posted
Henry as a sentry, began to officer over, him, commanding him rather
more than his brother liked.
It's not a nice thing to see a soldier cry; but if you look at Harry,
you will find that he feels hurt very much.
"Haw! hem! sir!" roared Robert, "with, haw! the help of my glass I see,
haw! a speck of rust on one of your buttons, haw! as big as the tip of a
fly's eyelash!"
The dog at this set up a howl. The howl called their mother's attention
to the garden, and then she saw them. With a funny smile she took all
their toy soldiers and walked to her children.
"Haw! Pre-sent, Fire!" cried Bob.
"Certainly," said his mother; and almost before they knew what she was
about, all the soldiers were set out, just like two armies, and Mrs.
Graham called the gardener to lay a train of gunpowder, and
called--mimicking Robert--"Present, Fire!" and set fire to it, and there
was heard a tremendous "pop," followed by a "puff," and then; no! there
wasn't a bit of one of all those soldiers and horses left large enough
to make a match of.
The boys began to cry.
"Now," said their mother, "others, you see, can play at soldiers. What
right had you to go to the tailor and order clothes of him! neither I
nor your father gave you permission; I have a great mind to make you go
to school in those soldiers' suits; and nice fun your play fellows would
make of you!"