Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1889-08-10
CAUGHT In HIS OWN TRAP.

sob, Phil, look at that oarI" said little
Arthur to his cousin, several years older than
himself
Whats the matter with the oar9'
"Broken-dont you see"
Arthur pointed to the oar in Pills hand,
which looked, as we all know an oar or stick
does, as if it were broken just where it en-
tered the water.
"Ah, seel" said Phil, always delighted at
getting little joke on any one. What a
pityl And-just look at the other one!"
Broken, tool'' exclaimed Arthur in great
establishment and disnay. 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 he
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 as he did so at his little cousins mis-
take, Arthur met the hired man with a horse
and buggy.
"Are you going to the station for Uncle
Georges" he asked.
Eyes. Jump in if you want 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 tho 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"
Scars broken7n
Eyes, both of them"
GLOW could that possibly happen?"
81 don't know. Phil took me out in the
boat-it's jolly nice way to ride, doesn't
joggle single bit-and just as we got back
to shore the oars broke"
Very strange" SAID his uncle 'They are
new oars Are you quite sure of what you
say, Arthurs"
Just as sure as can be, uncle. saw
them as plain as 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 viii be very much disappointed In
order to make sure L had better telegraph
into the city for pair"
You have met with an accident hear
he said, as on reaching home he met his son.
No, sir" said Phil.
INC Tue OUTS are UIOkeD.'
"Oh!" Phil laughed. ''He is the most
ridiculous little chap about believing every
thing he is told"
And why shouldn't he believe everything
be is toldl" asked his father, with some Sc
verify. Don't you expect to be believeda"
But it was only little joke, don't YOU
see, father! He saw the bent appearance of
the oars, the refraction at the edge of the
a,I1 -Aa,, H. = 7
didn't him they were not"
NO. You intended the little fellow to
believe what was not SO. Stay-where are
you goingf'
''To 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 a new
hand"
You will have to take your chances on
the practice. You must so at once to the
station and countermand the order ! have
given for new pair of oars"
But, father" began Phil
1T is your own doing, sir. Perhaps you
viii learn some day that it is not a smart
thing TO impose upon an innocent hearted
child because he makes tie mistake of think
ing you are TO be trusted"
the race grumbled Phil, as be took his way
TO the station
He found the telegraph Office locked. and
1t was only after much difficulty and delay
that he succeeded in sending his message
Whether or no it was through the conse
Quent loss of practice that he failed in the
rowing match cannot be said but certain il
is that lie did fail
N,lx
of practical Jokes Nothing In the way OF
trick was too triaing for him to take deligh;
In, and no trouble in the preparation OF
joke too great for him
He had hailed the arrival Of his little cou-
sin as furnishing fair subject for fun, and
the very first evening of his arrival had sc
worked upon bis fancy, with the fable OF the |
pot OF gold at toe foot Of the rainbow, that
without letting any one know, the child had |
made his way across a meadow and through |
q bit Of woodland towards the foot OF hill. |
where he was sure the glowing colors touched |
the earth
Blu, they were ell gone, and twilight. had |
fallen OF the time he emerged from the woods \
Still, the rainbow had been there, and be /
spent some time hunting for the pot Of gold 1
which might still be there
<1fiaSt. U nag 20 DtC GiS WY O<sSA tt1E C8-E 4
the woods, he became confused ana wandered 4
far out OF the way towards bona
In the hours which followed, during which 4
Phil aided in the alarmed search for the los; 1
child be fully resolved within himself TO give /
up bis bad habit
But bad habit IS most OF rs who ars |
foolish enough to foster and nourish one,
know 10 our cost Is lot an easy thing ID
oye-cone
The very next evening be slipped into Ar.
thurs glass Of milk fragment Of marble, !
which exactly resemblea q lump Of sugar,
and watched with suppressed giee his efforts
10 make il dissolve and his surprise at falling
to do 20. I
ssxzxA-sA 49, ---AA-. - n-~sA >~h.A z1.1