The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1881-04-22

she hurriedly told the cook that Mr..
Budget would probably be coming
down town soon, with "April-fool y
chalked on his back.
Eye don't name it!' cried the in.
terested Bridget. "Oh. thin byes!
thin BY esp and she flew after the de-
parting milkman with the news, omit
ting, however. the word probably"
But to return to Mr.. Budget. Just
as he was putting on his coat, he heard
whispers Of, F17 s3lii'. -
..He' going. Karl. as sure as T m alive!'
And hasn't noticed it. Well. that's
too good"
Hes looking in the glass now"
"Sh--sh! don't make so much noise. :"
"He sees it, Pm sure, or he'd have
gone long ago."
"Sh-sh! can't YOUR
Mr.. Budget heard it all. 81 believe
Eve left my pocketbook. he said. hall
aloud. as he turned to 60 upstairs.
cts all up now" said Karl. vexedly.
"Maybe not. Keep dark
Couldn't very well do otherwise un-
der these coats. Why doesn't he go?
I'm SmOthcrlng."
This decided Mr.. Budget. Up he
went, and with Aunt Budgets hand
glass and the mirror took complete
survey. 49,
"Did you find it?'' called Aunt
Bulge, as he came down again.
EYES," from Uncle Bulge, who was
listening for more whispers.
"We'll open the window, and watch
him down the street."
"Sh-sh! How the Putnams win
starer' . bias
A suppressed giggle followed.
The shutting of the front door was a
signal for the boys to rush wildly out Of
the hall closet into the dining-room.
where Aunt Bulge was lowering over
the breakfast dishes.
"What is it?'' cried Aunt Bulge,
putting on her glasses. "Oh, what red
faces! Did YOU get shut imp
We're fooling Uncle Bulge" said
Rick, breathlessly. "He promised us
each gold piece if we could" and he
dashed upstairs after Karl
They raised the windows cautiously,
but not too quietly for Uncle Bulge.
He heard but did not look up, though
he began to feel a little i'll at ease; and
no less so when the milkman, who was
dashing away from the Putnams', refined
in his horses very noticeably, nudged
the small boy on the side OF the wagon,
and both looked curiously at him.
MIR. Budget walked a few steps, then
looked furtively behind him. Imagine
his feelings at discovering that the
milkman had stopped his horses, and
that the small boy was running quietly
after him. ,but stopped as he noticed
Mr.. Budget glance around.
"There certainly is something
wrong" decided Mr.. Budget; Though
didn't think those little rascals would
make spectacle of me. As I live,
their heads are out of the window yet.
And look at the Putnamsr' he ex-
claimed, aloud.
Well might he stop in surprise. There
was Mrs. Putnam standing in the libra
ry window, with Abby and Sarah on
tiptoe beside her; the two boys at the
large upper window poking each other
and giggling audibly; Mr.. Putnam at a
third, apparently consulting q Their
mometer, but looking across at Mr..
Budget as though he possessed far
more interest for him than any degree
on the indicator; and lastly, Jane and
Bridget on the side stoop, gazing as
though they were candidates for Bar
NUNS.
Uncle Bulge turned abruptly and
went home.
"Polly, what's the matter with meP''
he asked, walking into the dining-room,
where Aunt Bulge was drying her cof-
fee-cups. '.All Berkville is agog.'
''Berkville agogr' cried Aunt Bulge,
Mr.. Budget. critically.
'srm sure 1 don't know over what.
However, the boys are up to something,
for they said as much"
''Of course they are," agreed Uncle
Bulge; 'tbut can't you take it of, Polly?
It's on my back, / guess" /
Something aliver' screamed Aunt
Bulge. why don't you shake your
self, Jacob?'
Uncle Bulge laughed heartily.
1T would be as WE'LL" advised Aunt
Bulge, ito give 'em the gold at once,
for they'll play the trick, Jacob, what
eyer it is, on you till you do"
''Give them the gold'' exclaimed
Uncle Bulge. wonderingly. '.My dear
Polly, what do you meanP'
.'They say you promised 'em gold
piece last year if they'd come on and
fool you this"
81 did?' with still more surprise in
MS voice-''I did? Pom my word I'd
forgotten it. Well, well," producing
he purse that Polly had knitted for him
years ago. ''Where are the rascals?''
Then going to the stairs, ''Rick and
Karl, come down here,' he called,
With an affected sternness in his voice.
'The idea of your daring to make guy
If your old uncle! /
'.We haven't made guy of you"
aid the boys, rushing down; ..and it
sn't a mean fool at all, Uncle Bulge,
or it's really nothing
Nothing" echoed Aunt Bulge.
. Why is everybody staring, then?"
"Only the Putnams,'' they ex-
blamed. "We sent telegram to the
,oys-'' rI -
''Telling them what?'' interrupted
Uncle Bulge. '.Not all aboutit. lhope?'
(" No; merely to be on the lookout
or YOU" 1,