[Jasmin: Barber by Samuel Smiles]@TWC D-Link bookJasmin: Barber CHAPTER I 12/20
There were climbings of rocks, and daring leaps, with many perils and escapades, according to the nature of boys at play.
At length, after becoming tired, there was the return home an hour before nightfall.
And now the little fellows tripped along; thirty fagot bundles were carried on thirty heads; and the thirty sang, as on setting out, the same carol, with the same refrain. Jasmin proceeds, in his Souvenirs, to describe with great zest and a wonderful richness of local colour, the impromptu fetes in which he bore a part; his raids upon the cherry and plum orchards--for the neighbourhood of Agen is rich in plum-trees, and prunes are one of the principal articles of commerce in the district.
Playing at soldiers was one of Jasmin's favourite amusements; and he was usually elected Captain. "I should need," he says, "a hundred trumpets to celebrate all my victories." Then he describes the dancing round the bonfires, and the fantastic ceremonies connected with the celebration of St.John's Eve. Agen is celebrated for its fairs.
In the month of June, one of the most important fairs in the South of France is held on the extensive promenade in front of the Gravier.
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