The Appeal. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. ;) 1889-19??, 1890-03-29
me all the way out here. and didn't

me all the way out here, and didn't
know It. !"
A burst Of laughter went up from the
group, in which the dog joined.
why didn't you tell me in the first
placer" cried Lewis, when he found his
voice.
''Why didn't I? Because you wouldn't
have believed me, you are such an un-
believing chap"
swell, I dare say it is very funny
very funny indeed" said Lewis, with
grin at the mirth of the others. 'sBut
what I would like to know is, why you
don't bring out your money and pay me
for my dog
''Here, Dick! here, Dick!" he called, and
a large setter dashed around the house.
"There!" he exclaimed; what sort of an
animal do you call that?"
rs 1t dog?" asked Lewis. with pre-.
tended curiosity.
'Just poke him with stick and see. f"
'There is some resemblance" said
Lewis. s'He has four legs and a tail; but
then, on the other hand ~"
'tYou young fraud!" cried Hexamer;
''get down off that wagon this instant
| and come into the house. want to show
my wife boy who doesn't know dog
| when he sees one"
Lewis had dinner before starting on
the return journey. Just before leaving
he gave Hexamer letter that had been
| sent out by him from town, which the
latter laid aside unread.
AS the wagon was passing the gate a
voice called from the house: 'sSay, young
mani"
'Well?" 80 @
I'm sorry couldn't buy your dog"
"Never mind about that"
'And, say!"
"Well, what is it?"
| 'Wasn't that an April fools" a .:..
81 will tell you the next time I see
you," came back, in laughing tones.
The moment the wagon passed out OF
sight of the house the demeanor of it's
young driver changed suddenly. He
seized the whip and drove at great speed
along the road, looking back anxiously
from moment to moment. In this way
he reached a small cross lane leading
toward clump of pines, where he
turned in hastily, and hid his wagon un.
der cover of the trees.
Soon after this was done Hexamer
came galloping rapidly on horseback
down the main road, and passing the
lane, went on toward town. Then Lewis
drove out again and followed leisurely,
laughing as if what had just taken place
was the most comical thing in the world.
He continued laughing until, quar-.
ter OF an hour later. he met Hexamer
coming back, who also began laughing
as soon as he saw Lewis.
| The two approached each other and
met.
''Good-day, SIR said Lewis, with
mock gravity. did you see boy driv.
ing wagon with dog in it on you,
way to town."
"You young reprobate!' cried Hexam.
er: II know just how you did it-you
turned in by those pines. Why didn't
you give me the letter sooner? Why
didn't you tell me before you left that
Butler wants to keep two settlers, and
that he sent you out to sell me yours?'
"Why didn't I? Because that was mo-
part of the joke. Every stick has two
ends, you know.'
II believe you have had the best end
of this one," said the horseman, scratch.
ing his head. well, I've got to lead
that dog back, and the question is
whether he will follow me. Do you war,
rant him to be an obedient dog?'
| II don't believe he knows the word,
said Lewis, shut he understands beef
steak splendidly. Get a piece at the
next house and see if he Doesn't
''Ah! there you penetrate into the
great secret of dog life. Why, there's q
house right over there The speake
started in the direction Indicated, but
pulled up again. ''Look here, young
man." he cried, laughing and shaking
his whip back at Lewis, ''the next time
you want to play joke on me just tell
me of it in time, and I will give up be-
forehand.''
"You shall have a weeks notice."
! ''That's right. Good-bye."
''Good-bye," said Lewis.
AS the wagon was passing out oil
hail he turned round on the scat sud
denly. Say! forgot to tell you some
thing!" he shouted back.
"What is it?"
II knew you were Hexamer all the
time. "-Xenos Clark, in Harper's Young
People. ...