The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1881-02-02

first, into tho other hive, upsetting it, and
splitting his grapes. The bees roared an
grily, and before he could get TO his fest
dozen of them had stung him about the
head.
He grabbed his basket and made dash
for the fence. The pain of the stiDgs was so
intense that he could scarcely tell what he
was doing or where he was going. He
caught mis- chin on the clothes-line, and was
jerked backward, feeling that his head and
body were on the point of coming apart.
Then he caught his feet in some potato-vines
and fell into a gooseberry bush, scratching
his hands terribly.
"Whal'll / do il the blessings make me
swell up2" groaned Johnny. "Of course
every body'll know it was me that under
took TO steal the grapes, and father'll
thrash me within an inch Of my life. Dear
mel I sm going to swell up, sure's the
world, for can just open my left eye, and
that's all. I've got my foot into it this
time"
Johnny Slyboots was right. He slept not
wink that night, on account of the pain,
and when morning came one eye was swol-
len shut, and his nose was about the size and
shape of pear, while his cheek looked as if
he might have good-sized potato inside it.
"For the lands sakeI" exclaimed his
mother, when he came down stairs for
breakfast. What on earth is the matter
with you, Johnny7'
"Got stung," answered Johnny grufiy.
Hornets nest in the barn.
why, when did it hsppen?" inquired his
mother. "Your face wasn't swelled last
night, and you haven't been out this morn
ing F"
II didn't go to bed till after you did,
answered Johnny, wishing she wouldn't ask
any questions.
About the middle of the forenoon his
father came back from the village, whittier
he had gone after breakfast.
"I'd like to see you at the barn for few
minutes" he said to Johnny.
Johnny began to shake in his boots, He
knew well enough what was coming. He
dared not disobey, SO he followed his father
out with the air of matyr about to be burnt
at the stake.
81 guess you found your hornets in Aunt
'Phrony LArrabee's garden, didn't your
asked Johnny's father.
"Y-e-esr admitted Johnny.
$50 you thought you'd steal her grapes,
eb?" questioned his tormentor.
"But didn't steal only what eat up
|
"Yes-because You couldn't get away
with 'em," said his father. "I'm ashamed
of you-more so than if you'd been robbine
hen-roosts. I've tried to do my duty by you
and now it's my duty to give you good
dressing down. Go out to the apple-tree in
the pasture and cut me good switch-s
good one, mind If it isn't, I'll cut two
myself. and you know what kind l getl"
So Johnny had to undergo the exquisite
torture OF cutting tough switch, knowing
it was to be used on himself He longed tC
select a poor one, but he didn't dare to.
"Stand up there, now," said his father.
And johnny "stoOd up" and took his
dressing down" with the best grace posi-
bic. He knew it wouldn't do to snake
fuss" for when he did that, his father Away,
switched him until he was quiet
"Now see if you'll steal anybody
grapes" said Mr.. Jones. "You won't ge
off so easy next time"
Easy Johnny rubbed his legs and won
dered what kind of an idea mis- father had o.
hard whipping if he called that an easy
one.
or course ali the boys were glad wher
they found out how Johnny Slyboots haC
been ''come up" with, and they were more
delighted than ever when they heard thai
his father made HIM carry all the money
he had saved for Christmas to Aunt So
phrony, to pay for the mischief he haC
done