Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1874-07-01
" Capital Fun"

stoHN FoR HoYs AND GirLs
1t was a little past twelve o'clock, and a
merry group Of boys we're seated on the
grass, under the trees that shaded the
Academy playground. A little later, and
they would be scattered in every direction
at their play but first they must attend to
the contents Of certain wel-fled baskets
and pals, where their dinners we're slowed
away.
" should like to know" said Howard
Colby. q" 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"
Guess he brings some goodies he is
afraid we shall rob, said another.
Pooh said VIII Brown, throwing
himself back on the grass. More likely
he doesn't bring anything at all. | heard
my father say 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"
II tell you what, boys" said Will Brown,
"let's look tomorrow, and see what the old
fellow does bring any way, You know be
is always in his seat by the time the first
bell rings, aud we can get a peep into bis
basket and then be in season for the roll
call"
The boys agreed to do this, all but Ned
Collins, who sat quietly eating his dinner,
and taking no part in the conversation.
Now, he simply remarked, as he pushed the
crumbs from his lap, " can't see what fun
there will be in that, and it looks real mean
and sneaking to me. I'm sure it's 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, contcmptuously.
You've got every one of your old Aunt
Sallies notions"
The next morning, at the first stroke OF
tho bell, half dozen roguish faces peeped
into the school-room, and sure enough there
was Joe Green, busily plying 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 his remonstrance the
day before, was Ned Collins, with his face
fairly crimson with shame, or something
else; we shall see
It's big enough to hold days ratons
for a regiment" said Howard Colby as
Will pulled out nice white napkin. Next
came whole newspaper, large one, too
and then, in the bottom Of the basket was
one poor, little, cold potato. That was all.
Will held it up with a comical grimace, and
the boys laughed and cheered as loudly a.
they dared in the school.room.
See here" said Howard, =" let's throw
it away and fill the basket with coal and
things it will be such fun to sec him oper
it,"
The boys agreed, the basket was soor
filled, the napkin placed carefully on tn,
top, and before the bell commenced tolinl
they were on their way down stairs.
Ned Collins was the last one to leave tn,
room, and no sooner did the last one dis
appear than, quick as a fash, he emptie,
the coal into the box again, replaced th
paper, and half.flled the basket, large as i
was, with the contents OF the bright iii
pail that Aunt Sallie delighted to stor
with dainties for her darlings dinner. Moo
came, and there was the usual rush to tn
cothes.room for dinner baskets; but nstea,
Of going out to the yard, the boys LINGERIE,
about the door and hall Straight by then
marched Ned Collins, with his pail on hi
arm.
Hello, Ned" said Sam Merrill, wher
are you going now?"
"Home." said Ned, laughing; al saw
Aunt Sally making chicken pie this morn
ing, and she can't beat me out of my share
"Ask me TO 60, too" shouted Howar,
Colby but just at that moment they es
pied Joe Green carrying his basket into tn
school-room.
Joe disappeared into the school-room
and the curious eyes that peeped through
the crack of the door were soon rewarde,
by seeing him open his basket.
=" | hope his dinner won't be heavy on BIZ
stomach, whispered Howard Colby.
But apparently Joe only wished TO &c
his paper to read, for he took it by the cor
ner and pulled but it was fast. fIe looked
In with surprise, and then, in a sort Of be
widered way, took out couple Of Aun
Sally's great, crispy doughnuts, then one o
the delicious round pies he had often seen il
Ned's hands, bread and butter, and sucl
honey as nobody's bees but hers ever made
and the plump white breast of chicken
But Joe did not offer to taste it he onl,
sat there aud looked at it with pale face
over which the tears began presently to foy
very fast. Then he leaned his head on hi
desk, and George Wilson, one of tn
smallest boys, whispered, IL guess he
praying;" and so they all stole away +
the playground, without speaking anothe
word.
That's some of Ned Collins work
said Will Brown, after a while. at
just like him."
"l'm glad Of it, anyway" said San
Merrill. "pye felt as mean all the morn
ing as if | had been robbing hen.roost
The Greens are not TO blame for only hay
ing cold potatoes to eat, and | don't won
der that Joe didn't want all us fellows l.
know it,"
Father says Mr.. Green was the braves
man in the company" said Sam Merrill
"and that he would not have been killed
only he thought of every one else befor
himself"
9" tell you what" said good-naturet
Tom Granger, 81 move and second tina
we are all ashamed Of ourselves; all in ia
vor Of this motion will signify it by givin,
three cheers for Ned Colins---therc b,
comes this minute, brim full Of chicken pie.
The boys sprang to their feet. an,
swinging their caps in the air, gave tire
hearty cheers for Ned Collins, aud evel
Will Brown joined in the chorus with a
loud a hurrab as any of them.