The independent. [volume] (Oskaloosa, Kan.) 1860-1874, 1863-09-05
for the gittls folk.
CAPITAL FUN"

=
ted on the young grass, under the
trees that shaded the Academy play
grounds. A little later, and they
would be scattered in every direction
at their play; but first they must at
tend to the contents Of the well-fill-
ed pals and baskets where their din.
ners were stored away.
IL should like to know said How
ard Colby, "why Joe Green never
comes Out here to eat his dinner with
the rest of us, but always sneaks off
somewhere till we get through"
"Gue ss he brings so many goodies
he is afraid we shall rob him." said
another.
"Pooh " said Will Brown, throw
ing himself back upon the grass
"more likely he dosen't bring any
thing at all. heard my father say
the family must be badly pinched
since Mr.. Green was killed; and mo-
Their said she didn't pity them, for
folks had no business to be poor and
proud
"Well,' said Sam Merrill, Il know
Mary Green asked my mother to lei
her have plain sewing TO do; bu,
then folks do that sometimes that
aren't poor
"And joe is wearing his winter
l.l.. Ill ,h;e ,,,cr,r ,,,acsbar ou1
his pants are patched behind; saw
Them said Howard Colby. with a
very complacent look at his new
spring suit o.! light gray.
IL tell you what, boys said Will
Brown, .let's look Tomorrow, and
see what the old fellow does bring,
any way. You know he is always
in his seat BY the time the first bell
rings, and We can get peep into his
basket, and then be in season for the
roll CALI
The boys agreed to this, all but
Ned Collins, who had sat quietly eat
ing his dinner, and taken no part in
the conversation. Now be simply
remarked, as he brushed the crumbs
from his lips, 81 can't see what fun
there will be in that, and it looks re-
al mean and sneaking to me. I'm
sure IFS none Of our business wha,
Joe brings for dinner, or wherh he
goes 10 eat it, Good for Ned1
"You're always such granny
Ned Collins said Will Brown, cen
temptuously. You've got every on,
Of your old aun. Sally's notions
Ned'could not bear to be laughed
at, and it made him little angry I,
hear his kind old aunt sneered at
but his eyes only flashed for mo
ment. and then he sprang up. shout
ing, "Hurrah, boys, for football
and ia five minutes the whole play
grouad was in an uproar of fun an
frckc.
Next morning, at the first strok
Of the hell, a half dozen roguish ia
ces peeped into the school room, an
sure enough, there was Joe Green
busily plying his pencilover the prot
lens OF the algebra lesson. II wa
but the work Of an instant TO hurr
into the little clothes room, and 500
the whole group were pressing al
ound Will Brown, as he held I'll
mysterious basket in his hand. A
mong them, in spite of the remon.
trance Of yesterday. was Ned Co
3ins, with his fine face crimson wit
shame, or something else; we sha
see.
''It's big enough to hold a day
rations for a regiment said Harr
CoIby,as Will pulled out nice whit
napkin. Next came a whole new.
paper, a large one, too; and then
the basket was one poor little col
potato! That was all. Will held
up with comical grilnace. and tn
boys laughed and cheered as loud
as they dared in the school house.
See here" said Howard. "le;
throw it away, and gil the baske
with coal and things; it will be sue
fun 10 see him open it."
The boys agreed. and the baske
was soon filed, and the napkin pIac
ed carefully on the top, and sool
they were on the way down stair:
Ned Collins was the last one I
leave the room, and no sooner di
the last head disappear, than quic
as fash, he emPtied the coal int
the box again, replaced the paper
and half filled the basket, large as
was, with the contents Of uhe brigh
tin pail that aunt Sally delighted (
store with dainties for her darling
dinner. Ned was in his seat almOs
rs soon as the rest, and all throug
the forenoon lie looked and felt q
guilty as tho others, as he saw III
sly looks and winks that were es
changed among them. Noon came
and there was the usual rush to tn
clothes room for the dinner basket.
but instead Of going out to the yard