The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1880-12-17

"Nay, not so. my boy. We read that
all tongues we're confounded at the
Tower of Babel, but we have ever since
been studying to make them plain. Let
the old man see your book. CSceT0-ah,
yes; an old friend"
And, to the surprise of Fred, nouns,
verbs and adjectives were quickly mar
shaded into their places, with due re-
gard to plumber. person and declension,
and order was evolved from chaos.
Seeing this, other boys gathered
round. and Leo Kirk came running up
with his Greek Reader, crying, "Say,
can't you help me with my lesson.
too?"
DOUBTLESS; and also with that wind
mill I saw you whiting just now"
This raised shout of laughter at
Leo's expense, and the ragged philoso-
pher continued, "The lesson-6rst,
always put your work before your wind
mills, and you'll be sure to prosper. l
did not; hinc illy laclrymy."
"What does that mean?'' asked Leo.
."Literally, hence these tears; freely
translated. it means, hence Joseph Bill
lings is poor vagabond instead of a
useful cltlZen.
The academy at Dalton was one of
those institutions, sprinkled so plenti-
fully among New England towns,
where boys can be fitted for college
and at the same time receive all the
benefits OF country air and living.
Most of its students boarded in pri-
vate families, and many had homes in
Dalton. MIR. Rounce, the preceptor,
was staid family man. who sometimes
took the students under his own roof;
and, moreover. he had once studied for
the ministry, so that, on the whole, his
academy was thought to combine vari-
Gus and uncommon advantages. Yet
earth has no spot so secluded or so ia
vOred that evil and temptation may not
enter. and Dalton was no exception to
this rule, as you will presently see.
1t was toward twelve o'clock one
moonless night in early autumn that
Fred Loring crept out of the bulkhead
of his fathers cellar. and, making sure
that he was not observed, climbed a
fence and went through the fields to
the back of neighbours house. Then
he picked up pebble and threw it
against second-story window. The
window was raised and head thrust
out.
els it you, Fred?''
Eyes, be quick"
"All ready" whispered Ross, and
slipping through the window to the
shed beneath, he dropped to the ground
by aid of the water-spout. The two
went on to a by-lane, where they were
presently joined by two other boys
whom they greeted as Brinley and
Tubbs.
''Have you found out where he
sleeps?" asked Fred.
Eyes. on the second floor; but
there's a grape. vine trellis right under
it," answered Tubbs. 81 made an er-
rand to his room. and found out the lay
of the land. The spring is on the right
hand lower pane. Nothing is easier
than to break the glass and reach
through
"Do you suppose he'll resist?" asked
Ross.
mo doubt he will if we give him
chance" said Brinley, coolly, "How-
ever, if you're getting scared, you'd
better 90 home to your mother"
''rm not scaredr' said Ross, indig-
nantly; ''but it as well to be prepared,
and Lamar is no coward"
"That remains to be proved" said
Brinley. "See if he doesn't beg before
we get through with him"
"Have you brought the masks?"
asked Fred.
81 have them,' said Tubbs, "and the
cord, too." displaying the articles to his
companions.
And now you will wonder what deed
of darkness these four youths were con-
templating. that they should steal forth
at midnight with mask and cord. but
let me hasten to assure you that you are
not reading tale of rapine and murder,
but only of school-boy frolic; at least,
so they considered it.
Not to be behind certain higher insti-
buttons, they were about to haze a new
student, who had had the misfortune to
render himself unpopular. by keeping
aloof from his fellow-students, which
they chose to attribute to pride and
fancied superiority.
'They say he's a Spaniard," said
Brinley.
"He may be of Spanish descent, but
he halls from Georgia" said Fred.
"He's black enough to be of African
descent" said Tubbs.
'And ugly enough to be the missing
link" said Ross, at which there was
general laugh.
"Come, bows, this will never do"
said Brinley; lit will be morning be-
fore we know it. Now for the naodus
opcra,adi. Having got into the room
and tied him fast, what are we to do
with him?'
Look here. fellows, I've a plan."
said Fred. don't let's hurt him; but
let's set him up in the armchair. and
dress him for an old woma,, I,va