The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1879-02-14
Ruthie's Stratagem.

The school-bell rang out warningly,
and on the children hurried, fearing
they would be late. All save Dick who
Jagged behind, bent on a declaration of
independence, for that day at least.
Il don't care" he said, slipping down
path that led to the river, L won't go
step into that school; I'm just goin' to
skate the whole day long!' and Dick
drew forth the runners he had slyly
tucked under his coat.
But suddenly he paused; a shadow
crossed his face.
1t won't last long," he added dole
fully: looks sort of risky, now. I'll
try it, l guess; and, dropping the
skates, Dick stepped carefully out on
the ice.
Just at this juncture little girl
rushed breathlessly down the path,
seized the skates, and ran off 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 goin' to play truant,"
she thought, and from behind big tree
she watched him with tears in her
pretty eyes. But when he started to
test the ice her face frightened; 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'll 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 walk
ing, then dancing, and finally kicking
vigorously at the ice, returned with
glowing face.
Its 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. 81 surely put
them here" and poor bewildered Dickey
ran up and down the river bank seeking
them, in vain.
"Well," he exclaimed finally, they're
gone, anyhow, and L might as well go to
school. / wouldn't mind bein' kept in
tomorrow if I'd had my skates to-day (;
but noU it's different" and Dick went
on his way.
Three tardy marks for Richard
Holme," spoke the teacher, as ne
reached his desk. But think Dick
scarcely heard; he had lifted the lid
and within saw--his skates.
Now Dick had been so startled by the
disappearance that he was inclined to
believe in the fairies of which he had
read. But, when he found them in the
desk, his thoughts took more practi-
cal shape. He fancied he saw O CLEAN
in Rob Buffers eye.
IF he's done it. I'll fix him" he
said, with an angry look. Little Ruth
saw this.
"Oh, DEAR" she thought, "thereYl be
trouble now; perhaps before I can tell F"
and che was half sorry Ahe 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:
The certificate for best general
record, for February, is due to Richard
Holme. He may come and receive it
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. gch 81
Little Ruth was quite beside herself
with Joy. When the bell rang she ran
after Dick with sparkling eyes.
"Oh, Dickey," she said, II 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
trusnt again.
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