In the winter of 1901-02, while rummaging an old closet in the shed-chamber of my father's house, I unearthed a salt-box which had been equipped with leather hinges at the expense of considerable ingenuity, and at a very remote period. In addition to this, a hasp of the same material, firmly fastened by carpet-tacks and a catch of bent wire, bade defiance to burglars, midnight marauders, and safe-breakers.
In the winter of 1901-02, while rummaging an old closet in the shed-chamber of my father's house, I unearthed a salt-box which had been equipped with leather hinges at the expense of considerable ingenuity, and at a very remote period. In addition to this, a hasp of the same material, firmly fastened by carpet-tacks and a catch of bent wire, bade defiance to burglars, midnight marauders, and safe-breakers.
With the aid of a tack-hammer the combination was readily solved, and an
eager examination of the contents of the box disclosed:â
1. Fish-line of braided shoemaker's thread, with perch hook, to
which adhered the mummied remains of a worm that lived and
flourished many, many years ago.
2. Popgun of pith elder and hoop-skirt wire.
3. Horse-chestnut bolas, calculated to revolve in opposite
directions with great velocity, by an up-and-down motion of the
holder's wrist; also extensively used for the adornment of
telegraph-wires,âthere were no telephones in those days,âand
the cause of great profanity amongst linemen.
4. More fish-hooks of the ring variety, now obsolete.
5. One blood alley, two chinees, a parti-colored glass agate,
three pewees, and unnumbered drab-colored marbles.
6. Small bow of whalebone, with two arrows.
7. Six-inch bean-blower, for school useâa weapon of considerable
range and great precision when used with judgment behind a
Guyot's Common School Geography.
8. Unexpended ammunition for same, consisting of putty pellets.
9. Frog's hind leg, extra dry.
10. Wing of bluejay, very ditto.
11. Letter from "Beany," postmarked "Biddeford, Me." and expressing
great indignation because "Pewt" "hasent wrote."
12. Copy-book inscribed "Diry."
The examination of this copy-book lasted the rest of the day, and it was
read with the peculiar pleasure one experiences in reviewing some of the
events of a happy boyhood.
With the earnest hope that others may experience a little of the
pleasure I gained from the reading, I submit the "Diry" to the public.
HENRY A. SHUTE.
EXETER, N. H. Sept. 23, 1902.
1 year ago: In 1992 I was a Marine stationed on Okinawa, Japan for 12 months at my first duty station. My roomy, Mathew was a white kid from Fremont, Ohio and I was a black kid from Bronx, NY (by way of Trinidad). He would play country music and watch NASCAR every chance he got. I was going crazy. Garth Brooks was his favorite. Then he started listening to Reggae and R&B (just a little). My son was born while I was overseas, Mathew is the one who told me I had a boy because my leg was broken and I couldn't get to the Duty phone on the 4th deck (floor) of our barracks. Mathew was also at my side during the funeral service for my son 29 years later. Music.
