Beamish Boys

By Leif Baumann

There is a strange and fearsome creature terrorizing the forest near the village and young Albert heads out to kill the Jabberwock and perhaps win the adoration of his father. The adventure finds him overcoming several obstacles before he finally confronts the beast. Has he really enough courage to stand against the unknown even with such a vorpal sword in his hands?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Martian Publishing
• Release date: Jun 11, 2012
• ISBN: 9781476314013

Book preview

BEAMISH BOYS

By Leif Baumann

MARTIAN PUBLISHING

Copyright 2012 by Martian Publishing Company

Smashwords Edition

All rights reserved.

No portion of this volume may

be reproduced in any format

without the express written

permission of the copyright holder.

This is a work of fiction.

Any resemblance to persons or

organizations, living or extinct,

is entirely coincidental.

Front Cover:

a colorized version of the Jabberwock by John Tenniel,

from Alice Through the Looking Glass, by Lewis Carroll, 1871.

JABBERWOCKY

Lewis Carroll

(from Through the Looking-Glass

and What Alice Found There, 1872)

`Twas brillig, and the slithy toves

Did gyre and gimble in the wabe:

All mimsy were the borogoves,

And the mome raths outgrabe.

"Beware the Jabberwock, my son!

The jaws that bite, the claws that catch!

Beware the Jubjub bird, and shun

The frumious Bandersnatch!"

He took his vorpal sword in hand:

Long time the manxome foe he sought --

So rested he by the Tumtum tree,

And stood awhile in thought.

And, as in uffish thought he stood,

The Jabberwock, with eyes of flame,

Came whiffling through the tulgey wood,

And burbled as it came!

One, two! One, two! And through and through

The vorpal blade went snicker-snack!

He left it dead, and with its head

He went galumphing back.

"And, has thou slain the Jabberwock?

Come to my arms, my beamish boy!

O frabjous day! Callooh! Callay!'

He chortled in his joy.

`Twas brillig, and the slithy toves

Did gyre and gimble in the wabe;

All mimsy were the borogoves,

And the mome raths outgrabe.

~~~~

'TWAS BRILLIG

Good morning, Mister Kranstedder. And this must be Albert!

The boy nodded awkwardly.

The father set a hand on his son's shoulder. Yes, this is Albert.

A fine strapping lad and he looks quite bright.

Well, thank you for saying so, Burgher Wainstimple. He looked down at his son. I am very proud of him. Quite a good student, you know.

So you've said. He chuckled and turned to continue his rounds. Have a good day.

They watched him walk away. The father turned to his son. Burgher Wainstimple has offered you an apprenticeship in his print shop when you have finished your schooling.

The lad nodded. Yes, Father. I am pleased to meet him at last. You've spoken very highly of him.

Yes, indeed. He should be able to get you firmly established in the trade. A broad smile shone down. Then you can help make all those lovely books you love so much to read. He started down the street, his son keeping pace beside him.

The town was festooned in its finery, celebrating the Founders' Feast day. The event may have been a single day in times past but was a week long in this day and age.

Albert, look! Father had stopped and was pointing to the market square just ahead of them, swarming with hundreds of shoppers. There's the sweets booth. And I know you want to grab a couple of candies. He reached into his pocket.

Albert nodded and watched the hand fishing in the pocket. A moment later, the hand reappeared with a pair of copper coins between the fingers. His eyes had grown rather large with anticipation.

There you go. He held out the coins and waited until his son held out his cupped hands, then dropped them one after the other. Clank! The sound was like music to his ears. The hands closed tightly over the coins to prevent either one escaping his grasp.

Thank you, Father.

Mister Kranstedder waved the boy along and laughed as he raced ahead to the sweets vendor. He continued strolling toward the market, arriving about the time his son had finished making his purchases.

Find what you wanted? Albert nodded, his mouth full, chewing happily. Come along then. They continued their stroll, through the Market Square, up the Broad Street, and along with the gathering throng heading to the Magistrate's Hall.

Albert licked his fingers, wishing that he had perhaps eaten the sweets a little slower so that he could have enjoyed it a bit more. Still, the memory was pleasant and would have to hold him.

Where are we going, Father? He glanced at the wooden buildings lining the streets as the street rose and fell, veered to the left and then curved right, the throngs of people dressed in their finery moving along with them.

The Magistrate will announce the beginning of the festivities with the awarding of a few prizes. He saw his son's eyes widen.

And you think that maybe I…?

He nodded. Yes, Son, you have excelled so very much in your studies that I am certain the prize for that will be given to you.

Albert smiled and was soon lost in his thoughts, barely noticing any further the buildings or the people they passed along the journey. And soon they were packed into the courtyard before the Magistrate's Hall, waiting with the rest of the people for the announcements of the week's festivities.

Very soon, the Magistrate himself stepped into view on the small balcony over the large oaken doors of the Hall. A cheer went up from those below and the man raised his arms to signal for quiet. Turning this way then that, his robe blowing gently in the breeze, he convinced the noise to subside.

"Greetings one and all! The blessings of