The Wellington enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 1867-188?, 1884-07-16
HOW PHIL WIS CAUGHR as


of tie BOYS on moonlight summer nights,
whether for play or mischief. /
Low-branched elms and lindens stood
on each side, casting deep shadows
which contrasted with the white walls
and piazzas of the houses, and afforded
the youngsters q convenient retreat
from the observation Of persons upon
whom they ventured to play off mis-
chievous tricks. Sometimes. they would
tie strings across the pavement and trip
up some young spark escorting lady
home from concert; or cover a rocll
with tattered straw hat, and laugh to
see some, old gentleman try to kick it
out Of, his, way, and then hop around on
his bruised toes, growing angriy at
'those rascals of boys" andagain they
would hide behind the tree trunks and
throw tiny torpedoes at the feet of
timid old ladies coming home from
evening prayer-meeting.
1t was thus that they had been anus
ing themselves on one particular July
evening, when Phil Hampton, bright
looking boy of fourteen, suddenly ex-
claimed:
"There goes old Folger to roost:|
That's his light in the window over
there. He's an early bird; goes to bed
at half-past eight sharp, and gets up at
six in the morning"
That's the way he catches all the
worms" said another. "He's one of
the richest men in town, as well as the
meanest. Itwas he that threw my new
baseball into the river, just because it
happened to fall into his yard. l owe
him one for that"
Lets pay him off now. Let's ring
his door-bell."
This proposition was received with a
grin Of ofdelight, only VIII Hart remark
ing; NJ 5sse
"It's a risky business, meddling with
Mr.. Folger, He's as sharp as fox, and
always knows how to turn the tables
upon one."
Ya"Who's afraidpn said Phil defantly.
.'Tll ring the bell myself, ifnone Of you
will. Won't it be fur to see HIM poke
his head out Of the window, and halloo:
WHO'S thereP' or open the door and
search round the house in his dressing
gownP But l say, boys, mind you keep
quiet, and leave this tree-trunk for. me
when run back" E,-s.i &,...t, .-.
Crossing the street, he cautiously un.
latched Lawyer Folger's little front
garden gate, and, leaving it open tc
facilitate his retreat, assembled the steps
on tip-toe and gave q sharp ring at the
door-be1l, Then he dashed swiftly
back to the cover of the linden shade
where they all stood stiff and motion
less behind the trunks to observe Mr.
Folger's proceedings. 9
Some moments elapsed, but the dool
was not opened, nor even the window
raised.
"He didn't hear" said one of thu
boys. go back, Phil, and ring again
Give him rouser this time"
Phil retraced his steps, and, seizins
the bell-handle, gave loud, lresound
ing peal which rang through the hous
and could be heard across the street
And, then, in spirit of mischief h
rang again, still more startlin,
alarm, and instantly turned-to feel
firm grip on his shoulder and find him
self face to face with Mr.. Folger, VIII
had Just come in at the gate. The
had been mistaken in supposing til
Eight in the window to be his.s It wa
only 4 servant arranging the room 70
her master.
s'" So,"'.. said the old gentleman, turn
ing his prisoner round in the moor
light and peering into his face-'sc
I've caught you, have II" 80
Philwas cool in an emergency, an
generallysduick- witteda So,now,l afte
the first shock, an idea occurred to hir
of how he might get out Of this scrap!
Looking up into the face of his caE
tor, he said, 5crt f.GigOGts.3 9uy
: "Please, sir, does Doctor --Doctc
Smith live herepn fcUtl "G1
He had mentioned the first name ths
occurred to him. : bge i 5aa... T..
Mr.. Folger peered sharply into HI
face, with his keen, black eyes.
$50 you are looking for doctor
are youP Somebody sick-heyP"'.
"Y-yes, sir,'' answered the bo,
consoling himself with the thought thI
he was not telling an untruth after al
since he had heard his mother remar
at breakfast that she did not feel wei
"Let me see. l think I've see
you before, somewhere. What's yol
nameP" inquired Mr.. Folger, still fir
ly grasping his arm. 'f
Philip hesitated.
He was not by any means an untrut
full boy; but he felt very unwilling
have Mr.. Folger find out who he wa
So he again uttered the first name tn
occurred to him, and which happened
be one that he was accustomed to Is
on shoemakers sign around the &C
ner.
"Peter Grubbs.' -
"Ah Well, Peter, since you are
such hurry, and no doubt anxio
about this poor, sick person, / will mys,
show you to Doctor Smiths house.
is no great distance from here"
And, to the boys dismay, Mr., Folg
led him down the steps and up {
street, while, on the opposite side,
group of shadowy figures Stealth
kept pace with them, and once t
sound Of a suppressed giggle distinct
reached Philips ear. I'll 4
he began to feel very uneasy a
restye under that firm clutch, upon
arm, and was just thinking Of breakii
loose and running Of, when tn
stopped at the door Of Q house whe