Richmond Press, Inc.                          Richmond, VA                          1938

The Pollywogs

Reverting to the Lulu Gang for a moment, George Burton told me of a very small and ephemeral gang, made up of wee fledglings who lived on Cary Street just above Third.

They wanted to make up a gang, and chose a name that very well became them, for they were scarcely more mature than tadpoles. Their numbers were but few.

Full of pride and yearning for glory, they organized a military expedition. First came George (who told me the history in quaintly humorous style), with a sword of lath, marching with great steps, as commanding general. Then four tiny trumpeters, their trumps made of pasteboard rolled up--homemade megaphones, in fact.

Then came one bearing the banner. It was hung from a cross piece that was fixed on a pole; and two other soldiers marched at the sides holding strings that were tied to the lower corners,so as to keep it spread out foursquare. It was emblazoned with a bold legend:

POLLYWOG GANG

DEATH TO THE ENEMY

The army proper--three duck-legged soldiers just out of skirts--followed bravely on.

Westward along the middle of Cary Street they marched against the enemy--the hated Lulus--with blaring trumpets and waving banner, until they neared Jefferson Street, one short square from the stamping ground of the Lulu Gang.

These latter warriors--hardened veterans--began to hear the martial sound of the trumpets and at last decried the flaunting banner.

"Come on, boys!" cried one.

Each gathered a handful of rocks; and showering a volley, charged headlong against the advancing column.

The Pollywogs did not await the onset, but seized with sudden panic, threw away swords, trumpets and banner, broke ranks and fled with a clerity and disorder equalled only by that of the Federal Army at Bull Run.

Such was the glorious beginning and ignominious ending of the Pollywog Gang.