The Grenada gazette. (Grenada, Miss.) 1885-18??, 1886-10-23
n A BRIGADE.
The Very "Good Joke Which Wa
Played On Old Widow Martin ana the
One She Played on the Boys.

The Very "Good Joke" Which Was
Played on Old Widow Martin and the
One She Played on h Boys.
II tell you, boys, I'm going to have
some fun tonight said Lionel Ross,
overtaking four Or five other boys who
were walking leisurcly along the viii
lage street on their way home from
school.
1t was a warm, pleasant afternoon
in spring. All nature seemed fresh
and rejoicing. A slight spring shower
of a few moments duration had puri-
fed the air, frightened the green sward
and the twigs, and inspired the robbins
and thrushes with spirited songs. just
the right sort of day to put a party Of
tired school-boys in a good humor with
themselves and all the world.
''What are you going to do, LionelP'
asked one of the party.
II mean to playa good joke on some
one," replied Lionel, laughing in a
mysterious manner.
''Going to play it on a boy or grip"
one asked.
Neither" was the short reply.
MAN or a woman? Or are you 60
ing to tease Lima Sydney's new dog?'
questioned another.
..Neither the first mol the last"
''Then it must be a woman. Come,
Lionel, let us hear the plan; perhaps
We can help"
Every well, replied Lionel, II will
let you help; and l a promise that
every n of you will have a jolly time.
Nothing bad. however; but no one
shall ever find out who did it. ! shall
expect every m of you to meet me on
the school ground at eight o'clock
sharp and bring spades"
"But, see here, Lionel" spoke up
Fred Morse, 'I'd like to know what
the joke is first
"l'll tell at eight o'clock. Good
afternoon" and he turned towards
home.
At a quarter before eight six boys
were lying on the grass in the play
ground, six spades stuck in the turf
near by, while Il rake was seer hang
ing on the fence.
"Well, l guess we are all here. so
what is all this racket about?' drawled
Ed Wallace, rolling over to take a
look at the full moon, which was
flooding the country with a sea Of mel
low light.
at is this" spoke Lionel. "This
afternoon at recess 1 was walking
along the fence here, and ! saw old
Widow Martin out in the garden try
ing to dig up Il place to plant her
onions; and just then (you know how
she likes to talk to hcrsclD l saw her
lean on her spade to rest her back,
and heard her say: oh, how I wish
l had a dollar to hire a man to dig up
this hard groundH And then she went
at it again. She didn't see me watch.
ing her, but I was, and | felt Just as IL
I'd like to jump vel the garden wall
and do it for her; because she il SO old
and lame that it is impossible for ner
to do it. just then the bell rang and
VIC went to school, but Horned a plan
to give her a surprise tonight, or
rather tomorrow morning. So, shall
VIC commence?"
"Ycs!" came from ali quarters, and
In q moment they were climbing the
fence.
''Now, the first one that speaks
aloud or hits his spade against another
goes " the fence towards home!'
commanded Superintendent Lionel.
"And l want all the clods knocked
tine."
IAN right" and the spades were
stuck into the soil. Several me and
boys passed along the street, which
was quite . distance from the garden;
but. happily. no one saw them. An
hour and = half passed. and the garden
had been dug deeply and thoroughly;