The New Bloomfield, Pa. times. (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1877-188?, 1881-11-15
The Jokers' Joke.

ments of the brisk, bustling city, when
the tall, good.looking cashier walked
down the store on the way to his desk.
ooh, isn't he handsome 7" whispered
Lucy Clark, as he passed the group. ~
declare I'm falling deeper In love with
him every day."
at won't do you any good, I've set
my cap for him, - laughed Hettie Norris
"I'm bound to get him, so you can just
give II up, Lu."
mo, won't. All's fair in love and
war, you know, and I've got as good
chance In the field as you, retorted Miss
Lucy. "Come, Anna, why don't you
say something ?" to the third one of the
group, brown haired little body with
face as fresh and sweet as a spring daisy.
~ haven't anything to say; and
there's somebody at the counter too"
So the little lady hastened away, but not
before the two who were left had noted
the quick, shy glance at the cashiers
desk, and the bright, rose blush which
swept over her face as she tripped up
stairs.
TT declare, 1 believe she does like
him ~ cried Hetty.
"Oh, I've known that this long time,
said Lucy. "She colors up worse than
that every time he passes her, and I've
seen her tremble when she had to go to
his desk and she's such shy, quiet
little piece, he hardly ever notices her,
either"
81 don't think he favors any one of us
with over and above much notice."
laughed Hetty. ooh, Lu, I've thought
of something so funnyl"
"Well tell it quick we mustn't stand
here talking much longer, if it is early
YETI
"You know next Tuesday is the first
of April-All Fools Day."
"Of course; what of itY"
"Let's play joke on these two 1t
will be such fun ~
'How do you mean ?"
"Let's write Ann Grigg love letter,
as if it came from our handsome cashier,
Fred Hunter, and get her to give the
answer to him."
"Agreed. That will be fun Won't
they feel cheap when they find out how
they're sold ?'
"Won't they, though ? But, I tell
you, we must work cute and keep dark
so no one will suspect u.s."
eyes; and when Miss Anna finds out
that his lordship don't want her, one of
us will step in and win him off hand.'
"Agreed to that, too but don't in
tend you shall get him, l warn you"
"We'll see about it. Wait for me at
noon, and we'll plan it all out as we walk
up to dinner"
Then these thoughtess girls went to
their work without reflection of how
poor little Annie Grigg's feelings would
suffer at finding herself victim of such
deception, or in what an unpleasant
position they were going to throw Mr..
Hunter.
But Satan helps his own, you know.
Their plans prospered famously BY
some little ingenious wire workings they
managed to get several specimens of
Fred Hunters chirography from his
desk, and after a little practice Miss
Hetty felt herself able to initiate his
handwriting tolerably well.
In order to carry out their joke nicely
they must have Anna to answer the let.
ter in such way that they might know
it, and as they stayed down stairs, while
Anna Grigg's place was in one of the
rtn IA ha
had to plan good many ways before
they arranged one to suit them.
The first of April came duly, and lit
tie Anna Grigg, never thinking what
day it was, came early to the store, to
finish some promised work.
| AS she passed the cashiers desk on
her way up stairs, Mr.. Hunter looked
up and wished her good morning, and
thought to himself what a sweet face
she had, and how neat and fresh she
always looked, but he was not conscious
of having any special fancy for her or
anybody else.
Fastening up stairs, Anna found she
was the first one to come in, and hastily
putting away her pretty hat and saque,
she sat down to her work.
Opening the box where she had left
her trimmings the night before, the first
thing she saw was a fresh, white enve-
lope, addressed with her own name in a
plain, bold hand
Wondering who had placed it there,
she took it up, unfolded the white sheet
within, and with bated breath and swift