Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1849-08-27
Can't we get ln?' said Bill.

can't we get ln!H said Bill.
'We ought to-, remarked Joe, brighten
ing up; 'and we must. Now, how is it to
done! have it, by jingop and the lad
suddenly sprung to his feet.
'How? how?' we all eagerly inquired.
'Hold on a minute, and III give you a
FEAST replied Joe, slipping off his shoes
and taking up the light. With q motion
of the hand for US 10 keep back, and his
finger on his lip for silence,Jo glided from
the room. He was gone ten minutes, and
then returned with about half q peck of
apples tied up in handkerchief.
Did mt tell you so, boys?' exclaimed,
the delighted hero Of is.saecessful exploit
Look herep and he held up this prize, and
danced around the room in an ecstacy Of
good humor.
From that time we had the freedom Of
the pantry, though it was some weeks be-
fore Joe would tell US how he was able to
effect an entrance. We then learned that
he had thought Of the small window over
the door Of the pantry, by which light and
sometimes air were admitted. The win
dow swung open on a hinge, and was fast
ened outside by button. By mounting
on the back of a chair, Joe could open this
window and freely inspect the premises
within. After seeing how The land lay on
the first occasion, he placed his lamp upon
a shelf, and then tried if he could not
creep in through the opening. This was
no difficult matter. He was soon inside
The adventurer hastily tied up as many
apples as he thought it prudent to take, and
retired, closing the window and turning the
button as he had found it.
Very few ights passed after'this without
our having little feast in the garret,
somewhere between the hours of twelve
and one o'clock, to which we usually added
a good mug of beer. To prevent detec-
tion from the fumes of beer in our room,
we boughta half-gallon pitcher and halt a
dozen mugs, which we rinsed out after
using them, and locked up in our trunks
or boxes. must own that, after this, it
was rather more difficult to get US out of
bed in the morning than it was before.
One day, after this thing had been going
ON for some time, and frequent remarks
were made in our presence about the
strange rapidity with which every thing
went, our good lad spent an afternoon in
baking cakes and pies, which, at supper
time, were temptingly displayed upon the
sdeboard when we went in to supper. A
moderate-sized plate Of cakes was upon our
fab.e. :.
sWe shall have frst-rate times tonight
we remarked to each other as we returned
to the shop after supper.
Nov, Joe,' said Bill Henderson, rub
bing his hands, as we entered our bed.
chamber about eleven O'Clock, now for the
pies and cakes ...
But Joe, for the first time, demurred.
'Let somebody else co. he replied; Il
think Ive done my share in this business.
Why don't you go, BillP
sPm too Stout can't get in said Bill.
You can get in just as we'll as can
1t isn't fair to put II all on to me-
Never mind, Joe; you go this time,'
was urged, 'and we'll arrange to take
turns afterwards
But Joe held back, and positively de.
clined. ..-- .....
Here was dilemma. Our right hand
man had failed US. Bat the cakes and
pies mus, be had, and if Joe would not
get them, some one else must.
'Why don't you 60, Pringle? asked
Joe.
But shook my head.
Cast lots, then,' suggested Grimes,
sAgreed!' ran round the circle Of wor.
thies.
Joe broke six pieces Of straw out of an
old broom, and after cutting them into un-
equal lengths. held them in his fingers, and
said Draw
One after another drew. The shortest
piece was to be the lot, and that fell to me.
sPringle's got it! Hurrah for Pringle! Go
it Pringlep were the whispered congratula4
tons | received upon my accession to the
office of purveyor for the night. I must
own that did not feel very much fattered
by the distinction, but as l had consented
to the lot, could not hold back. So, with
as good grace as possible, [ took up the
h LIGHT about twelve o'clock, when all had
been for sometime still in the house, and
silently went down stairs. l felt little
queer; could not help it. But there was
no going back; the propelling force behind
was stronger than the repelling force in
front.
On gaining the pantry, and looking up
at the small opening above, L felt thatI had
rather difficult task to perform, and tho't
of being locked inside Of the narrow pan
try, and of the possibility Of being discov-
cred there, with no very comfortable sensa-
tions. But there was no time for hesitation
| brought chair from the dining-room and
mounting upon its back, opened the window
and put my lamp upon one of the highest
shelves, amongijars Of preserved fruit. Then
drawing myself up, I managed-not, how
ever, without some difficulty-to insert my
body into the small opening, and drop down
upon the floor of the pantry. The light be,
ing upon the top shelf, left those below in
deep shadow. I could not see distinctly
what was on them. But l soug hit to make
up by feeling what was lacking in sight
and 50 ran my hands hurriedly around up
on the shelves for the object of my search
All at once there was a sharp click from
something touched, and in the next IN
slant my hand was seized with vice-likt
grip, causing me great pain as well as
t larm. Thrown off my guard, l uttered
! cry, and in starting back from the shelf
knocked over something that was on tn
tioor, which in falling made loud noise
E Satisfied, bV the instant moyino over head