St. Landry democrat., 1883-04-14

At least to keep starvation from the
door. The scholars were all ID thelr
nlaces when she entered Opening her
desk. she saw package in one corner
and-not observing the boys nudgingg
each other, and the girls gigglingg be-
hind their "readers '-supposed Auntle
Piper had kindly sent her a turnover,
as she occasionally did. Care1uily she
united the string, and unfolaed the
paper. Ben Mott stole up behind ana
neeped over her shoulder, While the
others watched eagerly. They were not
disappointed, for the girl uttered
startled "Oh!n sat down suddenly, and
covered her face with her hands; but
thew were surprised, when, in place OF
the repulsive rat, they beheld dainty
lunch, neatly packed in a box, and on
tn, . netted purse, through which might
be seen the CLEAN Of silver, while on
a slip of paper were written the two
words: s'April-Fool. ;,
"This is some of Nellie Lawson's
work. I knowr' exclaimed Ben,
anorilv: but none of the others echoed
his tone, as they caught a sight OF
Ruth's grateful face, and Nellie SAD,
softly: Yes, I know | have rather
turned the laugh against the school,
but / am sure you will enjoy my joke
more than the one that you planned,
even if you have all been April-fooled;"
and going to Ruth's side, pressed her
to taste the good things, for | know
by your looks you need them she
whispered.
uIet me take some home to the
Children begged the girl, and she ex-
planned, in few words, the sad con-
dition of her family.
The well-fed boys and girls instantly
scattered in every direction, each tried
to out-do the other in bringing from
their own lunch-baskets, sandwiches,
biscuits, pies, cake, ETC., to heap upon
Ruth's desk, until there was much
more than she could carry-and she
fairly sobbed from excitement. Miss
Allis, watching the proceedings. forgot
to ring the bell until long after time. .
That afternoon, as Mrs. Baker stood
by the window, she uttered a cry OF
despair at the sight of Farmer Motifs
wagon coming down the road, For"
she said to Peter, the oldest boy, she
has come to turn us out, and where we
shall 90, Heaven only knows!!
Sure enough, Mr.. Mott soon appeared
on the threshold. ''See heren' he
shouted. j" have you some money for
me9'
! .sN-n-no, sir!'' stammered the poor
| widow but
= Well, that's all right, for it's April
FOOLS day, you know; but what do you
mean by allowing any of my tenants to
freeze and starve? Here is a cord of
wood; don't you dare to bring me any
rent until that young manis old enough
to earn it.
| And with these words, the bluff farm.
err hurried off, leaving Mrs. Baker
speechless. She was reused by the en-
trance of Ruth, followed by a process
sion of boys and girls, bearing baskets
and pals, and who in twinkling set to
work, like band of good fairies, max
ing up roaring fire, spreading the ta-
BILE, with Ben Mott, the leader of them
all, while his face fairly beamed with
satisfaction. Fun and jollity prevailed
on all sides, and Nellie, hugging Ruth
rapturonsly, exclaimed: :Isn't it just
the loveliest April-fool that ever was
heard OPP
As the twilight shadows fell softly
over the countryside, and the happy
children leaving the Bakers sitting by
a cheerful fireside -wended their way to
their own comfortable homes, Ben Mott
whispered to Miss Allis; ssNellie Law
sons fooling' is worth twenty OF my
stupid rat tricks. Agnes Carr, IN
american 4g,aculturist.