Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1879-03-19
YOUTHS COLUMN.

Ruthie's Strotasem.-The sch0ol-bell
rang out warningly, and on the chill
dren hurried, fearing they would De
late. All save Dick who Jagged behind,
bent on declaration of independence,
for that day at least.
81 don't care," he said, slipping
down path that led to the river, II
won't 20 a step into that school; I'm
just goin' to skate the whole day longF'
and Dick drew forth the runners that
he had so slyly tucked under his over
coat.
But suddenly he paused; shadow
crossed his face.
"It won't last long," he added dole
fully CLOCKS sort of risky, now. III
try it. I guess" and, dropping the
skates, Dick stepped carefully out on
the ice.
Just at this juncture little girl rush.
ed breathlessly down the path, seized
the skates, and ran of again with all
her might
This was Dicks cousin Ruthie, who
had seen his movements, and turned
back after him in real distress.
''Dickey's sure going to play tru-
ant" she thought, and from behind a
big tree she watched him with tears in
her pretty eyes. But when he started
to ties. the ice her face frightened up !;
there burst upon her = plan to save
Dickey, and she hurried to carry it
out.
"He's sure to come, now," she said,
running on with the captured skates.
"He'n be mad, / suppose. and I'll get
tardy mark, too; but I'd rather any
thing than to see Dickey punished;"
and little Ruth laughed aloud for joy.
Meanwhile Dick. first cautiously
walking, then dancing, and finally
kicking vigorously at the ice, returned
with glowing face.
"It's strong enough to bear thou
sand," he exclaimed, hurrying to get
his skates.
A more astonished boy you cannot
imagine.
"Where in the world are they?" he
murmured amazedly. Il surely put
them here;" and poor bewildered Dick
ey ran up and down the river bank
seeking them, in vain.
"Well," he exclaimed finally, "they
are gone, any how, and might as well
90 to school. l wouldn't mind being
kept in tomorrow If I'D had my skates
to-day; but nOlc it's different!" and
Dick went on his way.
''Three tardy marks for Richard
Holme," spoke the teacher, as he reach
ed his desk. Bot think Dick scarcely
heard; he had lifted the lid and within
saw-his skates.
Now Dick mad been so startled by the
disappearance of the skates that he was
inclined to believed in the fairies of
which he had read. But, when he found
them in the desk, his thoughts took a
more practical shape. He faucied he
saw a CLEAN in Rob Buffers eye.
''If he's done it, I'il fix him ~ he
said, with an angry look. Little Ruth
saw this.
"Oh, DEAR" she thought, "there'll be
trouble now; perhaps before l can
tell J" and she was half sorry she took
the skates.
But something occurred which re-
stored Dicks good humor and made him
less anxious to settle with Rob. Just
before recess, the teacher said:
1.-The certificate for best general
record, for February, Is due to Richard
Holme. He may come and receive IL
now"
"How fortunate"" thought Dick, as
he went up to the teachers desk. He
had entirely forgotten it was the first of
the month. If he had succeeded in
playing truant this day, he would have
had no chance for the neat certificate
and so have lost the prize.
Little Ruth was quite beside herself
with joy. When the bell rang she ran
after Dick with sparkling eyes.
"Oh, Dlckey," she said, 81 took the
skates-and amt you awful glad?
never thought of the certificate, only
that you'd be kept in. But, oh, Dickey,
amt you glad?"
Dick was glad, and thankful for
Ruthie's stratagem, and he didn't play
truant again.