The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1880-05-08

dressed in uncouth garments of all sizes
and colors. Hats, brimless, or with
brims very much turned up or yerv
much turned down, two flaming rcd
turbans, and round, handleless basket
through the open wicker-work Of
which the hair of the wearer struggled
in the most outlandish and porcupiDisS
manner, constituted their head.gear
The leader carried gun. The Others
were armed with hatchets, knives and
clubs. All their faces were hidden hu
paper masks painted in various colors
''This is the house," said one of them
in voice that seemed to come out NJ
the ground beneath his feet, as thew
ranged themselves on the front porch
and he raped sharply on the door with
the stick he carried. 1t opened, and
there stood Lady Harriet, gazing ont
with horror-stricken eyes upon the
motley gang. "Your money or your
lifern demanded he of the gun, at the
same time pointing the weapon at the
trembling boy. !.
Lady Harriet turned pale, and shrapk
back. 81 have no money" he said, in
faltering voice.
"Then we must have your life," was
the gruff reply, "unless you consent to
become one of us. Seize him and search
himr'
"Do 90 away, and leave me alone"
implored the boy, falling upon his knees
and clasping his hands. ''There is no
use-making me-join your gang" he
continued, with chattering teeth. 81
couldn't be a-a-what you are-to save
my life." "a
But the young desperadoes paid no
attention to his entreaties, and while
two of their number rihed his pockets
the others, lighting couple of lanterns
they had brought with them, followed
their leader on tramp through the
house with much noise and deep growl-
ing. On the return of the latter, the
professionalism presented the Captain
with half a stick of peppermint candy,
penknife, dime, small book ("The
Language of Flowers'), and some vio-
lets wrapped in handkerchief.
Prisoner" said the Captain, stern
ly--that is as sternly as the pebble he
had under his tongue would allow-"if
you make an attempt to escape, the
consequences be on your own head
Right about face! Marchr' 4
And away they went, dragging poor
Lady Harriet, begging and i'm ploring
to be set free, with them.
Ibid you ever see any fellow so
scared IN all your life?" whispered
Charley Bennett to Hen Rowe, az their
victim began to cry and scream.
"Never," said Rowe. 81 begin to
feel sorry for him. But what a baby he
is! Why don't he break and run? He
can make good time with those long
legs wher he's mind to-"
"Haltn' cried the Captain, when
they reached the cedar woods. "This
has gone quite far enough. We want
no towards among us. Boy, you are
- And the mouths of his followers
simultaneously opened for tremend-
Gus shout, when
81 perfectly agree with you," inter-
rupted the prisoner, quickly, wrestling
himself at the same time with dex-
ferrous movement from the grasp Of the
two boys who had held him; and then
he went on in his usual soft voice and
slow way: 81 mean this jokes gone
quite far enough. You came half an
hour or so before I expected you, but
think we've all acted our parts first
rate. Good-evening, Captain Morning
star. Good evening, desperadoes:
Farewell, April-fools." And he turned
and walked leisurely toward his home
again.
"Jiminyr' exclaimed Ned Morning
star, snatching off his mask and pulling
long face. Somebody has"
Blundered," said Hen Rowe.
''Fools to the right of me,
Fools to the left of me,
Fools ev'ry side of me
Oh, how they wondered!
But what's the use of being GUM about
it. I've an idea it serves us right.
Three cheers for Lady Harriet. He's
not such fool as he looks"
GAS we look, l think" said Roy
Wheeler
And then, like the Jolly boys they
really were, they gave the cheers with
will, and followed them up with
roar of laughter that wakened all the
echoes for miles around. = Margaret
Eytinge, IN Hdrper's Young People.