The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1883-04-06
"THE LOvELrEsT APRIL.FOOL.v

OIdy CiOuuS uFlIUeu across Jle SKY,
and chill wind swept over the fields,
and whistled round the corner of the
old red school-house; but the group of
children, clustered about the doorstep,
noticed neither, so interested were they
in some object that they were examin-
ing.
1T will be the greatest fun, alivel'
exclaimed large boy, in muller.
Indeed it willr' assented rosy
checked girl, whom her companion
called Maggie.
And how she will iumpr' squeaked
little Tommy Green, who had cold in
his head.
"There comes Nellie Lawson, cried
two or three, as a sweet-faced maiden
emerged from the school-house; "let us
tell her about it,
"What are you all talking and laugh
ing about?" asked the newcomer;
"can't know the joker"
"Of course you can," said Maggie.
"Just see this rat, that Ben Mott has
caught = and the boy with the muller
swung gray rat round by the tail
Nellie gave half-suppressed scream,
and then, seeing that the animal was
dead, asked: What are you going to
do with it?''
"Why, tomorrow is the first of
April, ]" explained Ben, and we intend
to play a trick on that shabby Ruth
Baker.
"She is dreadfully afraid of rats and
MICE" continued Maggie, "almost goes
into fit, at the sight of one-so we are
going to do this fellow up in nice par
eel, and put it in her desk. She will
think it is something Auntie Piper has
sent her by Miss Allis, and it will be
fun to see her scared when she opens it
don't you think sop
"No, / don't! responded Nellie,
while her cheeks glowed, and her eyes
flashed; " and [ think it is mean to treat
poor girl like Ruth so. She is smart
er than any of us, if she does wear
patched clothes, and live in a tumble
down old shanty, and it might do her a
great deal of harm"
Nonsense !" shouted Ben angrily;
for he had a grudge against Ruth for
going above him in the spelling class.
You needn't preach to us, Nellie Law
son, and we shan't ask your consent to
the trick"
"No, indeed {" said most of the
group, who did not care to lose their
sport.
"And if you give Ruth hint before
hand, we will have nothing more to do
with you," added Maggie.
Elm no tell-tale, +" answered Nellie,
with some spirit, as she turned off down
the road, leaving the mischievous
youngsters to prepare this unkind sur
prise for their schoolmate.
That same afternoon, as Miss AlliS,
the school-teacher, was vending her way
toward her boarding-place, at Auntie
Piper's, she was oyertaken by her pet
pupil, Nellie Lawson, who, with her
scarlet hood falling back on her Shout
ders, and her fair hair streaming in the
wind, came running down side path to
meet her. "Oh, Miss Allis," she pant
ed, quite breathless, 81 was so afraid [
might miss you and l want to ask a
favor"
"What is it, NellieP" inquired the
teacher.
"Only to lend me the school-house
key until tomorrow morning, when l
will be sure and bring it very early"
s'But what can you want of ftp y
"It is a secret, Miss Allis; but, truly,
/ will do no harm"
The teacher smiled at the girls ear
nestness, as she drew the key from hel
pocket, saying: II think / can trust
you, Nellie; but don't fail to be on hand
in good season"
"Oh no. indeed! and thank you so
very much!'' and with kiss, and a
wise shake of her little head Nellie babe
her teacher goodbye" and started
towards home.
The Widow Bakers home was mis-
cradle place, the cold air pouring
through the wide cracks in the boards,
and laughing at the wee bit of fire on
the hearth, that seemed too timid, even
to crackle.
''This is a poor shelter" groaned
Mrs. Baker; 'but | fear we may even
have less, for not penny's rent have |
paid for three months, and farmer Mott
has threatened to turn us out.
So it was with sad heart that Ruth
started for school, trying to plan some
means by which she could earn money,
at least to keep starvation from the
door. The scholars were all in their
places when she entered. Opening her
desk, she saw a package in one corner,
and-not observing the boys nudging
each other, and the girls giggling be-
hind their readers supposed Auntie
Piper had kindly sent her a turnover,
as she occasionally did. Carefully she
united the string, and unfolded the
paper. Ben Mott stole up behind, and
peeped over her shoulder, while the
others watched eagerly. They were not
disappointed, for the girl uttered
startled 'tOhr' sat down suddenly, and
covered her face with her hands; but
they were surprised, when, in place of
the repulsive rat, they beheld a dainty
lunch, neatly packed in box, and on
top netted purse, through which might
be seen the CLEAN of silver, while on
a slip of paper were written the two
words: "April-Fool.
This is some of Nellie Lawson's
work, / knowr' exclaimed Ben,
angrily; but none of the others echoed
his tone, as they caught sight OF
Ruth's grateful face, and Nellie said,
softly: q Yes, / know / have rather
turned the laugh against the school,
but l am sure you viii 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 I know
by your looks you need Them she
whispered.
Let me take some home to the
children begged the girl, and she exr
planned, in a few words, the sad con-
dillon 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