The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1884-07-24

porch, smoking and Fcsilng Ais&t Tue ass
ous lsbors Of Tie day.
"Th.l's Goo naosn ss'rs having ne~,
said coo oi the yonng mea called fnak.
That's vhst II u. /" rsplisa hiA bfsshs
Cicero.
Too flse 70 stay in doors oil The eyes
ing. continued Frank.
What are you driving At, Frankf' 10
quired the big sir ieoter, answering 10 ths
name Of Jim. Frank made no reply, but
confined 10 puff away in silsnce.
He Is planning some mischief. war
rant. said I'd Squires. the other membs'
Of the group.
Come. Fnnk. don't keep US waiting
Tell us oil about itf" urged Cicero.
Lets 80 down TO old man BlaIchard's
ssd get some new cider" replied Frank,
risisg from Ais seat aud placing his pipe
in his ssst pocket
Agreed. (" exclaimed the rest. erchang'
ing glsnces. and laying their pipes aside.
Old msa Blanchard. as he was universally
called. lived about mile and q half down
the road from fMses Bsnton's place. lie
lad trio Of rosy checked daughters. who
we're exceedingly popular With the young
men living in their vicinity. Frank was
knows 70 cherish deaided admiration for
Nits. the eldest girl. and his proposal to
60 for the cider was easily understood.
They iouad the girls at home and passed
very enjoyable evening. Sitting around
the CHEEKY fire Of hickory logs, slipping
cider, eating apples, and cracking walnuts.
the honrs sped swiftly on, aud 1t was 10
o'clock before the ysung people had any
idea OF the fight Of time. Jumping up
aud making their excuses for staying 30
late. the four young men took their depart
uro. They walked along. laughing and
talking. after tho fashion ot young men
who have enjoyed q pleasant evening.
When they were about half way home,
Cicero. turning suddenly tsward aks broth
er, asked, What were you thinking about
when you were sitting on the porch. just
after supper, Frank
"What the old man said today" her
piled.
"What was it2 Tell us?" inquired the
others.
He said he'd wager the best horse on
tho farm that all the ghosts in Christen-
dom couldn't scare him. And lot more
stuff like that"
"Well, 60 on, Frank, cried Cicero es-
gerly as the former paused.
III could only think up some good
scheme to test the old mans sand, it would
be no end OF fun" resumed Frank.
That's what it would the sthsrs ex.
claimed.
As they walked along they discussed sev.
eral plans. but they could decide on moth
ing practicable. When they were within
. hundred yards Of the house. something
white. lyisg on the grass ahead Of them.
their attention.
"Hushl boys, have it now Keep
still, don't make sound. Listen, s..iie
tell you al about it, whispered Frank
Tuey gathered around him. while he uu-
folded his plan, and listened attentiveIy.
When he had finished, their smiling faces
showed how hugely they enjoyed the pro.
posed joke. A dark cloud now complete
~ obscured the moon. This was hailed
by the boys as . grand omen. They could
work to so much better advantage in the
dark. The white object on the grass was
! large. cosset sheep. The boys went up
70 it M still as mice. The animal knees
Lhsm and was not afraid. According to
Instructions Cicero aud Jim took the sheep
Ia their arms aud followed Frank toward
he house. Farmer Benton and his wife
slept down stairs, in large room opening
ont OF the kitchen. There was only one
window in the rsom. This was open
lew inches to admit fresh air. Frank went
ahead to ascertain il the coast was clear.
After few moments absence he returned
and reported everything favorable The
boys advanced cautiously till they were
within 10 feet Of the window. they halted.
Frank crept forward and placed his hands
pn the windows to raise il high enough to
enable them TO get the sheep through.
He listened intently. No sound was au'
ilble, save the stentorial breathing Of the
sorthy couple. He pressed on the win.
low. 1t went up about foot with q ter.
.ible squeak. Frank expected every that
he farmer would awake. He waited y
moment. undecided whether TO remain
nomest or beat retreat. The inmates OF
hs room slunbersd on peacefully. He
,ushed agsn. Up went tile sash the full
epeth, with fearful noise. Thinking
ursly this would rouse the sleepers be
urnsd and ran TO the spot where the toys
vers standing. behind . clump Of lilac
rses. They waited ia brsathless silence
OF lew momouta No n0uuuo Shho tfom
he window 10 indicate whether the occu.
,snts were awake or not. At last the boys
oula stand it no lesgsr.
Hold my half ef the sheep. Ell, and
r;il do little scouting" whispered Cic.
ro Ed accordingl, graspsd the fore legs
I ~ sheep aud Cicero disappeared noise
sssly in the direction Of the bedroom vim
90. just as be bad crawled directly be-
eaGh il. he heard ths loud bleat Of the
L~sv. He lay perfectly still, not daring
0 nsve. for fear he might receive the con.
srts cf Farmer Bsnion's shotgun. in case
10 sLssId be awake and ready 10 assume
b. deGeasivr. All he could hear Vas the
csol sf taa,y breathing. After listening
ses ssssats longer be concluded there
~ % Assger so be crept back 70 tue
doc .re-~ and reported the coast clear.