The Pickens sentinel. [volume] (Pickens, S.C.) 1871-1903, 1883-06-07
mother makes the best fig pudding in

fellow as if he had done something he
ought not to do.
After dinner Nate came over to build
| q fort, but l could not put my mind on
| IL somehow, L was so uncomfortable
about what I'd done.
II it had only been any one else that
/ had done it t0-any one but min
lister! And new minister! That was
what made it so dreadful.
So | kept thinkir~ about it all tn
afternoon while VIC were building the
fort. | wondered how the minister
would look when he opened the pack
age in his study, and saw the block of |
wood and the card with "Aprl Fool"
written on il.
l wondered if he would show it to
Miss Maria, and what awful things she
would say about me. / wondered if he
would tell father, and what father would
think was Il bad enough thing to do TO
a fellow who male an April Fool of the
minister
Father was over at Millbury that
aftcrnoop, and l was glad of it.
hoped his sick people would keep him
away till it was dark; till it was to"
late for the minister to come and tell
body else. / wished even was Nate,
whose mother didn't believe in lun-
chcons. / would have changed places
with Bob Talbot, whose father wouldn't
let him skate, or go in swimming. The
more | thought about it, the worse it
| seemed.
! About four o'clock father came home
from Millbury, and Just as he was driv-
! ing into the yard | saw the minister
cross the street and speak to him.
Then, of course, [ knew it was all
over with me, and | went up to the
fence, though ! felt much more like
running behind the barn; hut some
thing seemed to make me go right up
TO the minister.
They were not talking about me.
though, after all: they were talking
about some books that the minister was
goingto lend to Il sick man over in Mill
bury.
But | suppose the sight of me re-
minded the minister, for he laughed
just ;l> h" was going away. and said he:
90. Thrndo~. | WAS sorry | was out
This morning when You called on nc
! and left your card.
Well. OF course, after that knew Id
| got t" own up. for father isn't the kind
To let anything pass without knowing
all about il.
"T"d.' said father "what did he
mrnn?"
He has way of firing questions Of
| lik" that, short and sharp, like the
crack of Il whip. SO then had TO tell
him the whole story: for | don't lie.
whatever else | do. told him all
about it-abouL Cousin Babbrtt and
everything.
He put up his hand and pulled his
whlSkrrS minute.
$50 tell your mothcr.' said hr
Mother was setting out the dinner
she d been Keeping hot for father The
chicken was in the oven. and the flo
pudding was in a saucer on top Of the
tca-krttlr, covered over with another
saucer.
stood and watched mother till the
dinner was on the table. for wanted
t" see her alone. and not in the room
with Cousin Babhctt.
But told her all about il. SHE was
makinG'hiscuit to rise for'tra. and She
just put down her cutter and looked so
sorry and sort OF disappointed. She
said she was surprised.
hat the worst thing about mot her.
She doesn't Scold. but she i So quiet,
and She looks such - way. that = fcl-
low'd Il heap rather she'd box his ears.
n',' S"' S'l'' IL wis h;'u 10 D" ulNrc-
spectacle to amy Grown-up person. but
worst OF all {" minister; and must
Z" I" Miss Parker early the very next
morning, and tell him that WAS sorry.
knew | should haN" I" Il" it aS soon
as she sand SO, of course: but didn't |
hate to. And tn" more | thought about
II, the more | hated the idea: and ut
last | hated the minister and tNhsin
6aDD''i and Nat" and myself and April
f""l Day au IN a bunch.
But next morning. right away after
breakfast. oil | had to 90. Nate Wins
low was sitting on post 10y his front
gate ahd saw m" coming. and sang:
April Fools Days conc and past,
Ana you're the greatest fool ut last"
Nate is a fellow that doesn't mean any
harm. and there's nothing he isn't will
ing to do for YOU. but he seems to have
n knack Of saving lust She wronm lhinu
TO everybody.
Now, If he had thought a Whole YEAR.
he couldn't have thomght Of anvihin"