The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1891-08-26
he saw three boys nearly doubled up
with merriment.

NNNNANA ol
! with merriment.
"Ho! hor' laughed Bob Ellis, that.
one on you," and then Bob let out an
other thunderous roar, followed i'm
mediately by his two colleagues-Tom
White and AL Aston.
Josh by this time had got into such 8
fury that it was all he could do to re-
strain himself from rushing upon the
young rogues.
What do you mean by playing such
a mean measly trick on me!n cried
Joshua. 'Do you know that you
could have caused me to hurt myself
severely"
SERVES you right, for you ought to
look where you're going" answered
Bob between his smirks, and then, un-
able to contain his mirth, he nearly
doubled himself up again and lay on
the ground ''Haw-hawing' for all he
was worth!
well, anyhow, I'll see that you
don't fool any other person by it. am
going to cut the rope in two," cried
Josh, so angry that he could hardly
speak.
Here. let that rope alone" yelled
Bob, as Josh took out his knife, ''that
rope belongs to me, and its none OF
your business what do with it!n
Il don't care whose it is; anyhow.
you won't fool anybody else with it,
and here goes" Snap went the rope.
'Pll have you arrested for this" :"
yelled Bob. Come on, boys, let's lick
him for cutting our roper
"Come on" answered Josh, ssrm
ready for you"
Bob and his pals advanced toward
Josh with tightly clenched hands. II
looked as if Josh was in for it, sure, this
time.
= Josh stood coolly surveying the three
ruffians, and Bob. after looking at him
for moment whispered something to
his pals, which seemed to meet their
approval. Bob and his ruffians faced
Josh again. Hardly moment elapsed
before Bob aimed sudden blow at
Josh's head. But Josh was prepared
for this and no sooner had Bob aimed
the blow than it was neatly parried,
and the next moment Bob was lying
bowling on his back. with perceptible
swelling on his upper lip. Something
rolled out of Bob's pocket and Josh
saw it. Bob's pals closed in on Josh,
but some of the students of the college,
attracted by the noise, came upon the
scene and held Josh's assailants back.
Just then who should appear but Pro.
fessor Plunkerville. He took in the
scene Immediately. what is the mean.
ing of this conduct, young gentlemen?'
he said sharply. How is it that
find you. Joshua, participating in this
disgraceful scene? Explain your con.
duct, STRIP and the professor fairly
shook with rage.
please, sir" whined Bob, Josh
assaulted me and my friends with 6
board"
Hes lying! he's lyingr' shouted the
students who had witnessed the en-.
counter.
"Silencem commanded the Pro
fessor, and pin-drop silence instantly
prevailed.
Now. then, joshua" continued the
Professor, ''how did this happen?"
These ruffians, sir, placed a rope
across the path, and when came along
l fell over it. They then began tt
laugh. 1 took out my knife and wai
going to cut the rope when they OBJ
jected. cut the rope for didn'
want any one else to become victims
of their tricks. They then jumped or
me and that brings the case up to the
present moment" answered Josh.
60 home, all of you. I'll attend tt
this Tomorrow" said the Professor.
Bob slowly got up on his feet ant
proceeded to air his version of the af
fair to the students.
Josh by some impulse went where he
had seen something fall out of Bob
pocket.
Moving the grass aside he searched
closely and there he saw something
shining. He picked it up-it was
pair of gold spectacles. Instantly h,
decided that Bob was the thief.
"Professori Professor!' runnin.
after the Professor.
What is it JoshuaP" answered thu
Professor when Josh had reached him
breathless.
''Are these your spectaclesP" sait
Josh.
The Professor looked at them mo
ment and then he said, Yes, Josh, thes
are mine. They were stolen from nj
some nights ago. Where did you ge
themP"
4HCy 1cll Jul VI DOD DOChcIp SdR
Josh. A village constable passed jus
then and the Professor instructed hin
to arrest Bob.
Bob resisted, but the strong arm
the law had grip on him, and he de
sisted. After II stubborn silence h,
broke down and confessed that he hat
been guilty of all the thefts, assisted by
his pals.
The Professor promptly paid the $500
to Joshua.
Ten years after, a wild excitement
ran through the country. A Senator
was to be chosen, and after hot fight
Mr.. Joshua Semple, owner of the
largest mills in the country. was
elected. Now close with ending OF
L. NJ. Alcott: They all lived happily
until they died. ."-Ieras Farm a,ac