The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1870-03-08
&C A PI A L F U NJ

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 INST attend to the contents OF we'll
filed pals and baskets, where their din
ners are stored away.
81 should like to know" said Howard
Colby, "whv 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!'' p
"Guess he brings so many goodies, he
is afraid we shall rob him." said another
"Phop' said Will Brown, throwing
himself back on the grass, ssmore likely
he doesn't bring anything at all. Iheard
my father say that the family must be
badly pinched since Mr.. Green was kill
ed; and mother said she didn't pity
them, for folks had no business to be
poor and proud"
"Well," said Merrill, 81 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
patched behind-I saw them" said How
ard Colby, with very complacent look
at his new spring suit of light gray.
II tell you what boys" said Will
Brown, sslet's look tomorrow, 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 sat quietly eating his dinner,
and taking 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 real mean and sneaking to me
I'm sure it 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 Will Brown, contemptu-
ously. You've got every one of poor
old Aunt Sally's notions"
Ned could not bear to be laughed at,
and it made him a little angry to hear
his kind old amt sneered at, but his eyes
only flashed for minute, and then he
sprang up, shouting, "Hurrah, boys, for
foot ball !"and in five minutes the whole
playground was in an uproar of fun
and frollc.
The next morning, at the first stroke
of the bell, a half-dozen roguish faces
peeped into the school-room, and, sure
enough, there was Joe Green, busy ply
ing his pencil over the problems of the
algebra lesson. 1t was but the work OF
an instant to hurry into the little clothes
room, and soon the whole group was
pressing around Will Brown, as he held
the mysterious basket in his hand -
Among them, in spite Of the remon-
STRANGE of yesterday, was Ned Collins,
with his fine face crimson with shame, OF
something else; we shall see.
"It is big enough to hold days ra-
tions for a regiment" said Henry Colby.
as Will pulled out nice white napkin.
Next come whole newspaper, a large
one, too: and then at the bottom Of the
basket was ONE LITTLE COLD POTATO !; that
was all. Will held itup with a comical
grimace, and the boys laughed, and
cheered as loudly as they dared in the
school house.
"See here, said Howard, s'lct's throw
it away aud fill the basket with coal ard
things; it will be such fun to see him
open it."
The boys agreed, and the basket was
soon filed, and the napkin placed care
fully on the top,and before the bell com
menced tolling, they were on their way
down stairs.
Ned Collins was the last to leave the
room, and no sooner did the last disap-
pear, than, quick as flash. he emptied
the coal into 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 dainties for her darling's dinner
Ned was in his seat almost as soon as
the rest, and all through the forenoon he
looked and felt as guilty as the Others, ,as
he saw the sly looks and winks that were
exchanged among them. Noon came
and there was the usual rush to the
clothes room for dinner baskets, but in
stead of going out to the yard, the boys
fingered about the door and hail.
Straight by them marched Ned Collins,
with his pail on his arm.
"Hello, Ned" said Sam Merrill, where
are you going now ?" II.
"Home,n said Ned, laughing, II saw
aunt Sally making chicken pie this
morning, and am going home to get
fsome.n
"Ask me to go, too," shouted Howard
Colby; but just at that moment they saw
Joe Green carrying his basket into the
school room. - ~ q ii
II Should think he'd suspect some
thing whispered Will Brown; @that
coal must be awful heavy"
Joe disappeared in the school.room,
and the curious eyes that peered through
the crack of the door were soon reward
ed by seeing him open his basket.
"Hope his dinner won't be heavy on
his stomach" whispered Howard Colby.
But apparently Joe only wished to get
his paper to read, for he took it by the
corner and pulled, but it was fast. He
looked in surprise, and thenin sort Of
bewildered way, took out couple of
aunt Sally's great crispy doughnuts, then
one of the delicious round pies he had
often seen in Ned's hands, bread and
butter, and such honey as nobodv's bees
but hers ever made,and the plump white
breast of chicken. It was dinner fit
for king; so poor Joe thought, and so
,he boys thought, as they peeped won
leringly from their hiding place. But
Toe did not offer to taste it he only sat
here and looked at itwith pale face,
,yer which the tears began presently to
low very fast. Then he leaned his head
On his deskgand Freddie Wilson, one OF
The smallest boys, whispered, 81 guess