North Branch democrat. [volume] (Tunkhannock, Pa.) 1854-1867, 1867-05-22
gelett gt0ry.
By MRS. EMILY HUNTINGTON MILLET.

the academy Fairgrounds. A little later
and they would be scattered in every di-
; rection at their play but first they must
attend to the ontents of the well filled
pals and baskets, where their dinners are
slowed away.
81 should like to KNOW" said Howard
Colby, "why Joe Green never comes out
here to eat his dinner with the rest of us,
but always sneaks off somewhere till we all
get through"
Guess he brings so many goodies he is
afraid we shall rob him." said another.
"Pooh !" said Will Brown, throwing
himself back on the grass, more likely he
dos'nt bring anything at all. heard my
father say the family must be badly pinch
ed since Mr.. Green was killed; aid moth
er said she didn't pity them, for folks had
no business to be poor and ploud,'
"WelI," said Sam Merrill, II know Mary
Green asked my mother to let her have
plain sewing to do, but then folks do that
sometimes when they aren't very poor.
And Joe is wearing his winter clothes
all this warm weather, and his pants were
patched behind ; l saw them," said How
ard Colby, with very complacent look
at his new spring suit of light gray.
81 tell you what said Will Brown, "let's
look to morrow and see what the old fellow
does bring, any way. 1ou know he is al
WAYS in his seat by the time the first bell
rings, and we can get peep in bis basket
and then be in season for the roll call"
The boys agreed to this, all bat Ned Col
lins. who had sat quietly eating bis dinner
and had taken no part in the conversation.
Now he simply remarked, as he brushed
the crumbs from his lap, 81 can't see what
fun there will be in that, and it looks mean
and sneaking to me. am sure its none
of your business what Joe brings to eat, or
where he gets it -
you're always such granny, Ned Col
lins," said Will Brown contemptuously.-
you've got every one Of your old aunt
SaIly's notions.
Ned could not bear to be laughed at and
it made him a little angry to hear his kind
old aurt snecred at,but his eyes only flash
ed for moment and then he sprang up
shouting, "Hurrah boys for football !
and IN five minutes the whole playground
was in an uproar of fun and frolic.
The next morning at the first stroke Of
the bell, half-dozen roguish faces peeped
into the school-room, and, sure enough,
there was Joe Green plying his pencil oyer
the problems Of the algebra lesson, 1t was
but the work of an instant TO hurry up in
to the little clothes room, and soon the
Whole group were pressing around Win
1 L III 4 ba h.S bot
his hand Among them, in spite of the
remonstrancc of yesterday, ives Ned Col
| lins, with his face fairly crimson with
shame or something else; we shall see.
"It's big enough TO hold days rations
for regiment" said Howard Collins, as
Will pulled out nice white napkin. Next
came whole newspaper large one, too,
and then in the bottom of the basket was
one Door little cotd potato. That was ALL
VIII held it up with a glimace, and the
bows laughed and cheered as loud as they
dare in the school room,
"See here" said Howard, "let US throw
| it awav, and fill the basket with coal and
things; it will be such fun to see him open
| it,"
soon filled, and the napkin spread carefully
on the top, and before the bell commenced
tolling they were on their way down stairs
Ned Collins was last to leave the room,
and no sooner did the last head disappear,
than, quick as fash he emptied the coal in (.
| to the box again, replaced the paper, and
half filled the basket, large as it was, with
the contents of the bright tin pail that aunt
Sally delighted to store with dalnties for
her darlings diuner. Ned was in his seat
almost as soon as the as the rest, and all
through the forenoon he looked and felt as
guilty as the others, as he saw the sly looks
and wnks that were exchanged among them
Noon came and there was the usual rush
for dinner baskets, but instead of going out
to the yard, the boys fingered about the
door and hall. Straight by them marched
Ned Collins, with his tin pail on his arm.
"Hullo, Ned said Sam Merrill, "where
are you going nowP
Home" said Ned, laughing. IL saw
aunt Sally making a chicken pie this
morning, and they can't cheat me out of
my share"
"Ask me to 90, too." shouted Howard
Colby. But just at that moment they spied
Joe Green carrying his basket into the
school rooms .r
81 should think he would suspect some
thing" whispered Will Brown, 'that coal
must be awful heavy"
Joe disappeared into the school room
and the curious eyes peeped through the
crack IN the door were soon rewarded by
seeing him open his basket. slope his
dinner won't lie hard on his stomach" I"
whispered Howard Colby. But apparent
ly be only wished to get bis paper TO read
for he took it by the corner and pulled, but
it was fast. He looked at it in surprise,and
then in sort of bewildered way took out
couple ofaunt Sally's great crisp doug h
nuts, then one of the delicious round pies he