Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1889-08-07
CAUGHT In HIS OWN TRAP.

himself.
Whats the matter with the carr
"Broken-don't you seer
Arthur pointed TO tho oar In Phils hand,
which looked, a. we all know an oar or stick
does, a. IL IL were broken just where It en-
tered the water.
"Ah, sseP said Phil, always delighted at
getting little Joke on any one What
pityl And-jusf look at tho other onei"
Broken, tool" exclaimed Arthur, in great
astonishmsnt and disrnay. why, how strange
they should break just as we get ashore|
VERY strange said Phil, scarcely able to
restrain his laughter, as Arthur, to whom be
had been giving row on the lake, sprang to
the dock and turned again TO look at the oars
with face Of concern.
Walking up toward the house, while Phil
remained behind TO pull up his boat, still
laughing ~ he did 80 ut his little cousins mis-
take, Arthur met the hired man with a horse
and buggy.
Are you going to the station for Uncle
Georgef" he asked
"Yes Jump in il you want Il ride"
Arthur needed no urging. Ten minutes
later he was staring with great interest at
the iron horse snorting up with its load OF
men glad to escape from the smoke and heat
Of the city
Bad news, Uncle George" he said, shak
ing his head with the same grave face with
which he had viewed the oars. THE oars are
broken
"Oars brokenr'
"Yes, both Of them"
"How could that possibly happenf'
II don't know. Phil took me out in the
boat-it's jolly nice way to ride, doesn't
-. 9,,.-& I.u.b
to shore the oars broke"
VERY strange" said his uncle They are
new oars. Are you quite sure Of what you
say, Arthur
Just as sure as / can be, uncle I saw
them plain anything"
Phil is expecting to take part In the row
ing match tomorrow, said his uncle, looking
perplexed Unless he has pair OF good
oars he will be very much disappointed. In
order TO make sure | had better telegraph
into the city for pair"
you have met with an accident, hear, "
he said, on reaching home he met his son.
mo, sir" said Phil.
arthur tells me the oars are broken
"Ohl" Phil laughed HE is the most
ridiculous little chap about believing every
thing he is told"
y
ha is toldf' asked his father, with some
verify. Don't you expect to be believedf'
But it was only little joke, don't you
SIZE, fatheri He saw the bent appearance Of
the oars, tho refraction at the edge OF the
water, and when he said they were broken
didn't tell him they were not"
NO You intended the little fellow to
believe what was not so. Stay-where are
you gongr
ITO practice with the boys who are to row
with me. Harry Hill has sprained his wrist
and can't row, so we have to put in all the
practice we can this evening with n new
hand "
you will have to take your chances on
the practice, You must go ut once to the
station and counterinand the order have
given for II new pair Of oars"
but, father" began Phil.
ut is your own doing, sir. Perhaps you
will learn some day that it is not IA smart
thing to impose upon an innocent hearted
child because he makes the mistake Of think
ing you are To be trusted"
at may be the means Of our side losing
the race" grumbled Phil as he took his way
to the station.
He found the telegraph office locked, and
it was only after much difficulty and delay
that he succeeded In sending his message.
Whether or no 1t was through the conse
quent loss Of practice that he failed in the
rowing match cannot to said. but certain it
is that be did fail
Phil was an invcternte tease and player
Of practical jokes. Nothing in the way of n
trick was too triiling for him to take delight
in, and no trouble In the preparation Of u
joke too great for him.
He had hailed the arrival Of his little cou-
sin furnishing fair subject for fun, and
the very first evening Of his arrival had so
worked upon his fancy. with the fable of the
pot Of gold at tho foot Of the rainbow, that,
without letting any one know, the child had
made his way across "A meadow and through
bit of woodland towards the foot Of Hill,
where he was sure the glowing colors touched
the earth
But they were all gene, and twilight had
fallen by the time he emerged from the woods
Still, the rainbow had been there, and he
spent some time hunting for the pot of gold,
which might still be there
At last trying to fiEd his way back through
the woods he became confused and wandered
far out OF the way towards home
In the hours which followed, during which
Phil aided In the alarmed search for the lost
child, he fully resolved within himself to give
up his bad habit
But bad habit, as most Of US who are
foolish enough to foster and nourish one,
know to our cost, Is not easy thing to
overcome
The very next evening he slipped into Ar
thurs glass Of milk a fragment OF marble.
which exactly resembled a lump Of sugar,
and watched with suppressed glee his efforts
to make it dissolve and his surprise at failing
to do 50
What's the matterr' at length asked Phil
why, it's queer can't make this sugar
melt" said Arthur, holding up the white
lump in his spoon. 1--WE tried and tried"
'Oh, can do that in minutel" said Phil
With little sleight of hand movement he
spirited away the marble out Of sight, and,
slipping a lump of sugar into the glass. dis
solved it with few turns Of the spoon.
What wonderful fellow you are, Philr'
exclaimed Arthur, looking at him with eyes
full Of astonishment.
"T'd like to give our boats crew a picnic
into Great lake." said Phil to his father, one
lay 1T will be fine row for Us, and I
,ould get them their dinners at the new pa
vilion at the head Of the lake. Wen be very
careful and be home In good time, Can We
gof
~ think you may" said his father You
are a trustworthy set of boys, think"
Can Arthur go with usy'
Yes"
It was merry load which. with brightly
glancing oars and quick moving boat, glided
over the blue water on a morning full Of
sunshine
Arthur's face beamed with delight as he
kc4. v,x,.1t ,N t.,, k.e IL
not long before Phil began amusing himself
In his favorite way by telling preposterous
stories, convulsinS the other boys with half
concealed merriment at seeing how the limo
cent child believed every word he heard
After awhile Phil took from his pocket .
gold piece which his father had given him to
provide the entertainment for his friends
Now, Arthur be said, I'm show you
something worth seeing | can throw this
into the lake and call it up again as soon a.
I want it"
Arthurs blue eyes turned upon him in
sober faith He had seen his cousin do 80
many strange things that be had no doubt Of
his being able to do as be said
You look carefully at it," said Phil, put
ting it into his hand, 80 that you can be
sure the same piece, and no trick about it"
Yes, shall know it again. sid Arthur,
after gravely examining it
well Pressoi There she goesrr
Phil made motion to throw the piece into
the water. but it was a pebble which made
the little splash which Arthur heard
Nov, | believe III get my money" be
said, few minutes later. I'VE shaii want it
up at the pavilion. Come here. gold.r
He put his hand down in ele water and
presently took it out. showing Arthur tho
money In it