Democratic Sentinel, Volume 20, Number 15, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 17 April 1896 — WHIPPED THE WRONG BOY. [ARTICLE]

WHIPPED THE WRONG BOY.

Bait |the Old Gentleman Earned the Applause of the Ladies. He was one of the oldest commercial travelers in Texas, and resides in Houston. He was out taking In Children’s Day and the boat races. Late in the -evening he boarded a car to go to town. There were twenty-one passengers and.one small boy in that car. As it turned into Washington Street a ■oo-ujple of ladies 'filed in, and one by one the passengers rose and gave up their seats. By the time the car reached the Grand Central Depot there were twenty-two ladies, one large old gentleman and the small boy seated, while a new of able-bodied Houstonians developed their muscles'by hanging from tbe ends of straps. The old commercial traveler seemed to be watching the boy, but the small boy was not watching the oommereiabtraveler. At tbe market square -two more ladies boarded tihe car and reached for straps. The old traveler instantly rose, and with a courtly bow -surrendered his seat. Then he looked around for a seat for tbe ether ilafiy, and his eyes fell on tbe small boy, still seated and whistling to himself. A pained expression spread over the old man’s face, and a startled gaze .quickened on the boy’s features as a large, firm hand reaches his arm and a pained voice said: “John, get up at once and give your seat to the lady! Great goodness! That I should live to see a 'boy .of mine sitting and whistling while a ilady is standing! What will your mother say when I tell her this? John, I’m going to teach you right here to never disgrace my name again I” The small boy listened, open-mouthed, trying to wriggle out of the old man’s firm grasp, but found himself suddenly elevated, face downward, over a broad knee. He had just time to say, “I ain’t your boy!” when there ensued what is described as one of the grandest, most symmetrical whackings ever administered in this or any other age. During the performance the boy repeated his original statement several times, in several different keys, and then he was stood upon the floor of the car. “He shouldn’t lick the boy so if he’s no relation of his,” remarked the conductor. “I never seen him before,” whined the boy. “What? what?” said the commercial traveler, “does the young rascal deny his own father?” Then the old man put on his gold specs, and his expression of astonishment was beautiful to see. “Why, bless me,” he exclaimed, “why, I thought it was my youngest boy, John. Dear me! I* hope I have not inconvenienced you, young man. You’ll excuse me, won’t you?” But just then the car had reached Main street, and the boy got off, saying something that sounded like “police.” When the old man looked about the car he found everybody smiling, and six ladies arose and quarreled with each other for the privilege of giving him a seat.