Northern tribune. [volume] (Cheboygan, Mich.) 1875-1885, 1883-09-01
THE SOURCES FUN.

Squire Doolttle was a farmer, fat
and Jolly, who liked fun, but always
preferred it at some one elsels ex-
pense. 20 ft{ (
If he could play trick upon one of
his sons, he enjoyed it hugely. AS a
consequence, the boys did not reverence
him very much, and were always try
ing some practical joke upon their
father. Sometimes they succeeded, but
not often. ....
.I'm too old a fish to be caught by
the pin-hooks of boys he would say,
when some plan of theirs had miscar-
ried and the joke was turned upon
themselves, much to his delight and
their chagrin. you've heard of
weasels, haven't youp Yes? Well,
weasels, especially old weasels, never
Sleep"
1--WE must get laugh against him in
some way" said Tom. Hes too pro-
voking! I'd give dollar to trick him
in such way that he wouldn't like to
hear about it,"
$50 would l." sad John.
''And I'd make it two," said Robert.
"But we're hardly sharp enough.
That's the trouble. :"
1t happened that the Squire was in
the haymow in the batn when this con-
versation took place, and the boys
were sitting on some boxes on the barn
floor.
He chuckled as he listened, and a mo-
ment later called out from his lofty
perch: " III tell you what I'll Go, BOYS.
When you get good joke on me, I'll
buy each one of you a hat"
The boys looked foolish. But finally,
because they had nothing else to say,
they accepted the challenge, and in q
half-hearted sort Of away set their wits
to work to earn the hats.
In the squirrels flock of sheep wasan
old ram called David The animal had
chronic spite against tliewhole human
family, and never lost an opportunity of
exhibiting it to any individual of the
family that crossed his path. If a
stranger entered the yard or pasture
where David was, the poor man was
fortunate if he was not Knocked down
as suddenly as if he had been struck by
lightning. The ramTalways attacked
from the rear. He would get behind
the object of his attack, curb his neck,
shut his eyes, and charge! AS may be
imagined, the great horns of the ami
NAL, backed up BY the momentum
gathered by This charge gave anything
but pleasant sensation when they
came in contact with the legs Of his I'm
suspecting victim. Generally board
was strapped to his horns, over his
woody face, TO obstruct his range of
vision and serve as a warning to strang-
9 ers of his warlike propensities.. But he
often contriyed to lear it from his head
and then alas for his unsiispecting
. victim. hii ut.
- The boys enjoyed many an hour OF
fun with David. >" The isheep-pasture
came up to the barn-yard on one side,
and a creekran along by both go Where
the pasture came to the creek there was
a very high bank, and this bank was
steep, The DoolHtle boys, used to get
upon a narrow rock that was Just under
the edge of the bank Here, when they
stood up, all of their bodies above the
waist could be seen above the level of the
pasture. Placing themselves in this posi-
ton they would attract the attention of
old David by calling and shaking. their
hats at him. He was always, ready for
battle With lowered shead,a curbed
neck and a snort of anger, he, would
rush at them with his eyes closed TAXI
! ing advantage of this peculiarly, the
boys would drop down behind the bank,
and David wouldgo overthem and into
the water with a plunge that would have
done credit TO a Newfoundland dog.
Then he could get back to the shore,
looking wrathfltl and sliecpish; but he
could not, be induced to renew the attack
.again,at that time. lA .gff' meii rs
Ellis memory, however, was poor, or
his pugpacity was too strong for his dis
ttAffagI =