Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1877-04-18

"Well, foresters," said Robin, grandly,
1--WE of course all think this wild life splendid
fun, and wouldn't return TO the haunts of
men using an expression he had seen in
his reader and waving his hand in the di-
rection of Sykes tavern" for anything in
the world but we must have something to
eat"
" That's So" responded the boys, heartily.
am as hungry as a bear, and I'd give
more for something to eat than for all the
bows and arrers ever saw" added Friar
Tuck, vigorously; "and say, let's one of
us go to old Sykes and buy up enough to
last week."
"Where's the money coming from ?" asked
Little John, at which the other boys looked
aghast, and began fumbling in their pockets.
Between them all they could raise but four
cents, and they knew that Sykes never kept
any oaves under five. To be sure, Tommy
Wiles had another penny but refused to give
it up for it had a hole IN it, and he liked to
wear it round his neck now and then.
"Well, boys" said Robin, " ! guess Friar
Tuck will have to take this, holding toward
him the small sum they had raised "and
90 down to old Sykes and beg off cent"
Then turning to his messenger, he said :;
Take anything he'll give, Tuck, and hurry
| back, as you value your life"
Come, boys, to work" said Robin, after
his Friar had disappeared in the woods, and
they remained lying around on the grass,
evidently with no intention of exerting
themselves
"No, no." was the reply swat till Tuck
comes back and we get something to eat"
GAN right" answered Robin, "let's take
a nap" So they all stretched themselves
out on the grass and were soon fast asleep.
1t was nearly dark when Friar Tuck re-
turned. He had succeeded in getting a
stale loaf of bread for the sum he took with
him, but it was very queer looking loaf by
the time he reached his companions, for it
had been nibbled all around and about half
of it was gone.
The poor Friar had intend, to do right
but hunger got the better of him, and so he
took bite after bite, till all of a sudden it
occurred to him that he had not invested
one cent in the loaf, and that under the cir
cumstances a meeting with five hungry
boys might be too much for him.
The bread did taste wonderfully good
He thought he had never eaten anything SC
delicious in his life, but he put the tempta
ton behind him, literally holding the re
mainder of the loaf out of his sight, and
joined the others.
He found them all sound asleep, and a:
shouting did not seem to disturb them il
the least, he shook them until they wer,
thoroughly aroused.
Then, with the thought of the mutiatet
loaf in his mind, he set before them as elo
quently as possible the advantages of HON,
and apple pie and bread and butter. "Iu
going for one, boys. | can't stand it any
longer" he shouted. "This bread shows
could not" and throwing the ragged loa
into the midst of them, he retreated as fas
as possible, and the darkness soon hid hin
from view.
The bread was seized and devoured, even
selfish Tommy getting a good share of it
but the taste of food and the electric Wort
"apple pie" together with Tuck's suddel
departure, seemed to inspire them all will
the idea that home with plenty to eat wa
far more desirable than life in the wood
with empty stomachs.
"Come, fellers," said Robin, desperately
lets go home. This roaming around vii
do to read about, but it amt fun whel
you're hungry
That's So" shouted the boys, and the
all scampered, one of them Juggling Tomm,
Wles along in his scant supply of clothing
forgetting all about tn, rest of his garment
Oh the chestnut boughs.
The wanderers had several miles to walk
but just after the good people of the villag
mad retired at their usual early hour, 81!
lirty fists knocked at six bolted doors whicl
were opened by sensible parents who we
coined the runaways home again, and set be
iore them as much bread and milk as the
could manage, wisely reserving the appl
pie and a nice little lecture for the next day