Randy of the River; Or, The Adventures of a Young Deckhand

apparently very intent on a perusal of the Farmer's Alma

f stockings she was mending. "If he ain't twisting up thet Almanac as if 'twas

urth o' July,"

it is? I'm su

great doings down to S

oy themselves. But it ain't

," said Sammy, mustering up his courage to

ulated his mother. "Is the boy crazy? Ain't it the Fo

ngfield, an' I want to go. They've got a lot o'

ination of you; you'd git shot, or something wuss. You

Sammy, defiantly. "An' didn't Dick Slade, who is only thirteen, g

t got no expe

ugh to go to

better give u

on't say that!"

do sa

ea an' be a sailor, or sumthin'!" burst out Sammy,

eadful way, Sammy!" said

ask paw to

t do no

ask him, won't yo

e to her husband about it during the d

's sheer foolis

id the wife. "He has his heart set on going." Sammy was o

he gave in, although he added grimly that he tho

to sneak back afore a

the city he was wild with delight, and rushed do

' time," he said. "Just you wait u

od time," answered our h

happen to me," answer

tood at the door of the farmhouse arrayed in his

't ye be wasteful o' your money

l the Commandments," added his m

stage passed that ran to the railroad station. His walk took him

lled Sammy, w

y, pleasantly. "Don't g

off," remarked Mr. Thompson, who sat on the p

et him go to the city alone," put

he stage to appear. He got a seat by the driver, and in less than an hour reached the

xtra celebration of some sort going on and great crowds flocked on every side. Poor

g I ever see!" he ejaculated. "Where in th

attracted the attention of two stree

et a hat!" said one of th

no mistake," answer

a little fun

ow

d you'll see

and, with a pin, attached it to the tail of Sammy's coat. T

Crack

ie by explosion after explosion in his immediate rear.

gasped. "Is thet

go off, and poor Sammy lea

p?" he asked of a man

you," answe

ll and started off on a run, knocking down several people who h

king such a disturbance

ploding! Don't you hear

crackers," and the pol

do!" pleaded Sammy. "I'll gi

xtra loud bang. "You are safe. Go along with you." And he waved his stick. Sammy lost no time

him, yet he followed the procession to a grove, where there was more music and also speechmaking. He listened to the orations wi

ered. "Who threw

, presently halting before a temporary stand filled with thin

oin' to have something to eat if it breaks me." He had brough

and and looked the s

o' them bananas,

cents

ake two you'll let me h

dn't

way? It's only four c

my looked for his change. But he onl

at?" he asked, hol

iece and a lot of small change. With his bananas in one hand and his money in ano

in tatters watched him eagerly. No

me some money to buy bread with?

th?" asked Sammy

se-I'm awf

ad nuthin' t

a mou

aroused and he began

ied the tattered boy, l

es went up the boy in rags grabbed the money in his ha

e surprise so great, that for the

ciently to shout the single

stab

r?" asked a polic

f! Ro

is the

ran

n what di

t know," sta

did he

all my

w m

It ain't all-I've g

f I'll arrest him," said the policem

the boy in rags c

r good!" groaned Sammy, and he was right. For

ning and see the fire-works, but now hi

nor nuthin! It's lucky I've got a train ticket back. But I'll have to w

sently brought him to a spot where there was a pond of water, in which some gold-fish wer

run. One boy shoved another and he fell up against Sammy. As a consequence

spluttered.

and arising, Sammy did as directed. He was covered with m

elt half like crying. "I ain't going to st