St. Landry democrat., 1883-04-14
sTHE LOVELIEST APRM-FOOL.o

+
"THE LOVELIEST APRIL-FOOL."
Gray clouds drifted across the 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.
ssIt will be the greatest fun, alivep'
exclaimed large boy, in muller.
.sIndeed it will!'' assented rosy
checked girl, whom her companion
called Maggie.
"And how she will jump" squeaked
little Tommy Green, who had a cold IN
his head.
"There comes Nellie Lawson, = cried
two or three, as a sweet-faced maiden
emerged from the school-house; s'let US
tell her about it.
"What are you all talking and laugh
ing about?' asked the newcomer;
. can't know the joke?
s.Of course you cam said Maggie.
..Just see this rat, that Ben Mott has
caught, Z and the boy with the muller
swung gray rat round by the tail.
Nellie gave a half-suppressed scream.
and then, seeing that the animal was
dead, asked: "What are you going to
do with it?''
sWhy, tomorrow is the first OF
April, = explained Ben, g and we intend
to play q 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 so?''
ssNo, I don't!' responded Nellie,
| while her cheeks glowed, and her eyes
| flashed; land / think it is mean to treat
a 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 q
great deal of harm. =
Nonsense!n shouted Ben angrily;
for he had grudge against Ruth for
going above him in the spelling class.
8 on needn't preach to us, Nellie Law
/ son, and we shan't ask your consent to
the trick
aNo, 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 tvo,, ;, added Marpia
"I'm no tell-tale,' answered Nellie,
j 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,
Observation-Disclosures, was vending her way
toward her boarding place, at Auntie
Piper's, she was overtaken by her pet
pupil, Nellie Lawson, who, with hel
Scarlet hood falling back on her shoul
ders, and her fair hair streaming in the
wind, came running down a side path t.
meet her. .tOh, Miss Allis, y she pant
ed, quite breathless, Il was SO afraid ]
/ might miss you; and I want to ask s
favor -
What is it, Nellie?n inquired thu
teacher.
"Only to lend me the school-hous'
key until tomorrow morning, when
/ will be sure and bring it very early"
s.But what can you want of it?
sit is a secret, Miss Allis; but, truly
4 viii do no harm. :
s The teacher smiled ut the girls ear
| nestness, as she drew the key from he
Z. pocket, saying: 81 think [ can trus
you, Nellie; but don't fail to be on han'
In good season.
s7Oh no, indeed! and thank You s.
very much!n and with kiss, and
:. wise shake of her little head Nellie bad
her teacher s'good-bye,' and starte'
towards home.
The Widow Bakers home was mis-
cradle place, the cold air pourin.
through the wide cracks in the boards
, and laughing at the wee bit OF fire o.
, the hearth, that seemed too timid, eve
J so crackle.
s.This is poor shelter" groane
: Mrs. Baker; shut fear we may eve
have less, for not penny's rent have
, paid for three months; and farmer Mot
] has threatened to turn us out. .
So it was with sad heart that Rut
started for school, trying to plan som