Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-04-26

Taking advantage of his absence, climbed
to the belfry, descended to the body Of the
church, and dropped out OF window on the
opposite side from the dog.
heard alterward that in revenge the old
man had led the sugar hearts to his dog.
Looking back now upon those old time
confections, wonder that they didn't kill
him.
I remained constant during that year,
and, when the time came round, I prepared
another May basket more beautiful than its
predecessor. In this labor received valua-
Bile advice and assistance from Harry Ray
mond, who was three years my senior. l
thought it very kind Of him, because had
suspected that he, too. was in love with
Alice, and had wondered if I should ever
be big enough to slick" him for it. But he
SO assured me of his deep and everlasting
sympathy that 1 grew to like him very
much, and even offered to make q May
basket for him, because it was well known
that be was too lazy to make one for him.
self. However, he generously refused.
An Accumulation of Hard Luck.
Ipulled old Hatch,s door bell that May
night with beating heart, and lost no time
in taking flight. There was long yard at
one side OF the house, and whizzed through
fields beyond. But unfortunately there was
clothesline stretched between two posts at
such a height from the ground that it
caught me squarely across the bridge OF the
nose. MY head stopped suddenly and my
feet continued. landed on my back after
giddy plunge, and lay there, don't know
how long, trying TO decide whether was
dead or only blind.
By and by life enough came back to On
able me to crawl toward the street. Both
my eyes were nearly closed, 50 that could
see only the general outlines of houses and
trees. As I neared the gate, heard the
sound OF voices. First Alice asked in pity
ing tones: "Did he hurt you much7 Oh,
why didn't you run faster?"
81 didn't mind it" said Harry, 80 long
rs it was for you, though tho old man laid
it on pretty hard"
Never mind, DEAR" whispered Alice, "it
was such beautiful basket, and SO good of
you to make it for ME. looked out of the
window just as the bell rang, and saw you
run away with father after YOU.
The in famous traitor. He had hidden
there waiting Tor me to hang the basket. and
had then allowed old Hatch to catch him IN
order to get Alice's sympathy.
Not Much Consolation in This.
IT knew you'd come back, said Alice,
$50 stole out to console you, though
father'd give me fits if he caught me.
There-oh Harry, two kisses are enough"
They were too much for me. Blind and
crippled as 1 was, made q straight rush
for the traitor. just when he escaped from
me 1 don't know, but a few minutes later
1 found myself engaged In pummeling old
Hatch's tall white kitchen post under the
Interpretation that it was my unworthy
friend.
Then I orawled. home, sore all over, es-
pecially in my heart.
1t was with such pastimes as these that
we made May-night merry In the olden
time. I wonder if there is any spot on
earth where it is now celebrated as we used
to do way down in Maine years ago. Per-
haps not; but there ars men scattered all
over the country who would give half of
what they have since laboriously stolen
from their fellow men to have again the
hearts that beat under their jackets in those
May days HOWARD FIELDING.