Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1870-01-14
"Capital Fun.o

IT was little past twelve o'clock, and
merry group of boys were seated on the
young grass, under the trees that shaded
the Academy play grounds. A little later,
and they would be scattered in every di.
rection at their play; but first they must
attend to the contents Of well.filled pals
and baskets where their dinners were
stored away.
al 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 of somewhere till we
all get through9"
"Guess he brings 81 many goodies, he is
afraid we shall rob him" said another.
"Phoi" said Win Brown throwing
himself back on the grass, "more likely
he doesn't have anything at all. heard
my father say that the family must be
badly pinched since Mr.. Green was killed
and mother said she didn't pity them, for
folks had no business to be poor and
proud"
swell" said Sam Merrill, "I know
Mary Green asked my mother TO have
plain sewing to do; but then folks do that
sometimes that aren't very poor"
"And Joe is wearing his winter clothes
all this warm weather, and his pants are
| phIChcu Dcniuu-l saw tucul, bdiu HOW
ard Colby, with q very complacent look
at his new spring suit of light gray.
"Itell you what, boys" said Will Brown,
"let's look to morrow, and see what the
old fellow does bring anyway. 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 roll
call"
The boys agreed to this, but Ned Col
Inns, who had sat quietly eating his din
ner, and taking no part in the converse.
ton. Now ne simply remarked, as he
brushed the crumbs from his lap, 81 cant
see what fun there will be in that, and il
looks real mean and sneaking to me. I'm
sure 1t is none of our business what Joe
brings for dinner, or where he goes to
eat it."
"You're always such a granny, Ned
Collins" said VIII Brown, contemptuous.
ly. you've got every one of your old
aunt Sally's notions"
Ned could not bear to be laughed at, and
it made him little angry to hear his kind
old aunt sneered at, but his eyes only
flashed for minute, and then he spranp
up, shouting, "Hurrab, boys, for foot
ball !" and in five minutes the whole
play ground was in an uproar of fun and
frolic.
The next morning, at the first stroke o.
the bell, a half dozen roguish faces peeped
into the school-room, and, sure-enough
there was Joe Green, busy plying his pen.
Gil over the problems of the algebra les.
son. 1t was but the work of an instent 3
hurry into the little clothes room, an
soon the whole group was pressing around
Will Brown, as he held the mysterious
basket in his hand. Among them, IL
spite of the remoDstIance of yesterday
was Ned Collins. with his fine face fairly
crimson with shame, or something else
we shall see.
at is big enough to hold days rationi
for regiment" said Henry Colby, as vii
pulled out a nice white napkin. Mex
came a whole newspaper, a large one, too
and then, in the bottom of the basket, wal
ONE LITTLE COLD POTATO; that was all
Win held it up with a comical grimsce
and the boys laughed and cheered as loud
ly as they dared In the school house.
"See here" said Howard, "let's throw
II away and I'LL the basket with coal anC
things; il will be such fun 10 see hin
open It,"
The boys agreed, and the basket wa
soon filed, and the napkin placed care
fully on the top, and before the bell com
, menced tolling they were on their wa.
down stairs.
Ned Collins was the last to leave tn
room, and no sooner did the last disappea
] than, quick as fash, he emptied the Goa
into the box again, replaced the paper
and half. filed the basket large as It was
with the contents of the bright tin pal
that aunt Sally delighted to store will
dainties for her daFling's dinner. Me-
! was In his seat almost as soon as the rest
i and all through the forenoon he locke
! and felt as guilty as the others, as he say
the sly looks and winks that were ex
changed among them. Noon came, an
there was the usual rush TO the clothes
! room for dinner baskets; but instead {
! going out to the yard, the boys lingere
|, about the door and hall. Straight by ther
marched Ned Collins, with his pail ON hi
arm.
"Hello, Ned" said Sam Merrill "wher
are you going nowf"
"Home," said Ned, laughing, 4" say
aunt Sally making q chicken pie this morn
ing and am going home to get some"
' ASK me TO go, too" shouted Howar
. Colby but just at that moment they say
Joe Green carrying his basket into tn
2 school-room.
at should think he'd suspect something
whispered win Brown; that coal mui
De awful neaVy.
|. Joe disappeared in the school room, an
s the curious eyes that peered through III
) crack of the door were soon rewarded b
J seeing him open his basket.
Hope his dinner won't lie heavy on h
stomach" whispered Howard Colby,
: But apparently Joe only wished TO &c
8 his paper 70 read, for he took II by tn
corner and pulled, but Il was fast III
0 looked in surprise, and then In q sort Q
3 bewildered way, took out couple Of aun
6ally's great crispy doughnuts, then on
r of the delicious round pies he had ofte
c seen in Ned's hands, bread and butter, an
!. such honey as ncbOdy's bees but her eve
: made, and the plump white breast Of
D chicken. II was dinner fit for q king
5 30 poer Joe thought and 20 the boy
} thought, as they peeped wonderingl
from their hidlng,plaoe. But Joe did &c
, offer 10 taste il; he only sat there, an
looked at II with 4 pale face, over Whic
the team began presently to dow very fasi