Sharp County record., 1880-12-02

to look at them. The road runs quite
near the tree, and the boys always find
this ward very attractive. But it was
no use to loiter, for just beyond the
tree was the great low house with It's
drooDinc caves and broad verandas,
lust like a fat man in a slouch hat, and
there was any amount of doors and Win
dows, ready to tell of any raid trom'the
street. -.
But the average boy has ways of his
own that are dark and desperate; and,
strange to say, Nature seems for half
of the twenty-four hours to be in direct
league with him, in spite of scientific
inventions of harvest moons and even
inc stars. On the other hand there was
the dog-and here youthful Indignation
rose high.
"Too mean to keep a dog-has to SO
and borrow one when he has peaches
and such things" was Ben CopleyS
verdict.
81 say, boys, he's got Uncle Hiram S
Speed up there to tie under the tree
nights, and 1 believe can 60 anywhere
for all that dog, he knows me so well. "
The boys-his chum. Alf, and his
younger brother Charlie-were little
doubtful, but as he, being the largest
was expected to take the lead, they
concluded to be brave and follow
Night came. A scout sen y before
hand to take in the situatN had re-
ported the dog lying quietly under the
tree; and now for the venture. 1t was
quite dark, and Ben crept over the
picket fence and edged up toward the
tree with the fear in his heart crammed
down to its smallest compass. The
doc didn't stir, so he thought it best to
let well enough alone; gave up the idea
of making friends with him, and
turned his attention to the main buSl-
ness.
Several splendid specimens were Sc
cured, when one peach, not very ripe
maybe, came off with q smart snap
This was too much for the dog. lie
moved slightly, opened his eyes TIL
Ben could see them shine in the dark
ness, and next he sprang to his feet
and opened his mouth. And such
howl! Ben forgot his peaches, forgot
everything but that he was wanted on
the other side of the fence. Somehow
the dog seemed to think he was want
ed, too, and after tug OF two at his
fastening, proceeded to follow as fast
as the dangling chain would permit.
He reached the fence just in time to
secure a large mouthful OF Ben's trou-
sers as this hero was diving into the
darkness on the other side.
The other boys were now some dis
tance down the road, and Ben followed
despairingly, expecting another rear
attack at every step. But none came.
In Jumping the fence the dogs chain
had caught and held him, and his
howls soon brought some one from the
house. The boys after a little found
that no one was following; their pace
slackened, and after turning a corner
they stopped for a parley.
"Where is your hat, Ben" sad
Charlie.
THAT the worst of it," answered
Ben, dolefully, 'it'S under that tree
and they'll find it and take it home, and
then we'll catch it"
Fortunes of war;" pronounced ALT,
solemnly, and then he began towhistle.
1t was plain that he took more cheer
full view of the case, and as long as he
had no fear of discovery he couldn't be
expected to see the use in whimperlng,
"Guess I'll 90 home anyway" he
r,ecl.u.tGvl. qS'oe1 {, .E'udyo o,oA. o4s an ono
objected the deserter went his way.
Next morning nothing was said, but
on the table was the lost hat full OF
peaches.
Two very small boys, if feelings go
for anything, edged gingerly past this
silent accuser, and one went bare-head-
ed till he could snatch the hat unOb-
served. But he didn't take any peaches.
Days passed and still they were there,
till, growing desperate, he bundled
them up and tucked them down
through a hole in the barn floor. He
didn't 90 after any more, though. Both
boys, without saying much about it,
have concluded that they are getting
too big for nighthawking.-N y 4rt6
CroYys ond pirnonS in china