The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1891-06-13
o hungry between meals that nm ex.

%. tiiu VINO ROt iuc hO1 bnhrt OI Ln6
delicacies; although, as the old dog
was so fat that he waddled instead OF
walked, probably he would have made
no complaint.
The little village was soon thrown
into silent hustle. Quick feet sped
silently on secret errands. Warning
fingers were lifted in silent admoni-
ton whenever Bob's well-known fig
ure, usually habited in his ridiculous
ly comfortable plaid blouse, was seen
approaching, be that just around the
cornor or n quarter OF q mile away,
oscillating between the heavens above
and the pony beneath.
Knots OF girls might be seen holding
noiseless conversations-yes, really
one moment, and dispensing in all di-
rections the next, looking so very I'M
concerned and innocent that q far
less observing parsonage than Mr.. Bob
Reed might have scented q conspiracy.
But il Mr.. Bob did suspect anything,
he held his peace.
The First OF April dawned, cloudy,
sloppy and muddy. Mr.. Bob Reed
was not caught" all day. The boys
tried the usual hoaxes, but he would
pick up no silver dollars, open no let
tiers, and find no packages that had
been conspicuously lost in the middle
of the street.
He took queer notion, that even
ing. He would scrub the waiting.room!
1t was muddy and must becleaned; so
he put on his rubber boots, donned
great apron which he called his Mother
Hubbard wrapper, and began indus
triously to carry water.
Presently young man appeared,
and unconcernedly observed, -'Oh,
pshaw. Bob wouldn't scrub to-
night. It'll be just as bad tomorrow"
cts got to bedone!" answered Bob,
sententiousiy, going on with his prep
arations.
The messenger disappeared, and
presently another young man came in,
dressed in his good clothes"
. He had q grin on his face which
would have "given anything away,
Bob thought.
"See here! You're wanted-over at
the hotel"
"Eh? Is that SOP" answered Bob,
poising his last pailful OF water on
the edge OF the tub.
"A-a-somebody who wants to see
you"
ooh" He poured the water into the
tub with n terrific splash which sprink-
led his visitor. Somebody who can
walk? Tell him to come over here"
The messenger carefully wiped the
drops from his clothes with his freshly
ironed and scented pocket-handker-
chief.
"Sorry, Ed" said Bob; sit was care
less of me-but you oughtn't to dress
up so, for common occasions. You're
getting to be dude. But who is it
who wants to see me? Why didn't he
come HIMSELF"
"He-can't very we'll come. He
requests your presence
over there. He-didn't send any name.
believe"
"Humphl very mysterious business,
l should say. Well, can 60, l sup
pose" He picked up his hat.
"Oh! You're not going to wear that
dress2"
"Why, I'll be back, / SUPPOSED"
What's the use to changer"
He started away, on asweeping trot,
followed by Curly.
The assembled guests saw the party
of three--Bob, Curly and Ed-through
small, temporary cracks at the sides
of window-curtains, amid much silent
and doubling and noisless clap
ping of hands.
Rushing into the room in his ordi-
nary headlong way, Bob came to q
sudden stop, He seemed to be aston
ished when he saw the big dining-ro I'm
decorated to distraction and cleared
for party.
He begged pardon; he didn't mean
to intrude, but some one had asked to
see HMM the Office, he supposed
and he was in hurry, and the nearest
way led through the dining-room.
He made as if to go on.
Such stamping and cheering and
clapping OF hands! Then some one
suggested that he stay to the party,
inasmuch as he was there.
Butt didn't receive an invita-
ton"
Then the noise had to be made over
again. 1t took great deal of ex-
PLANTATION and very many assurances
that he would not be in the way, to
induce him to make one of the party.
Then he excused himself to 60 to his
room and "dress up a little," and
sweepingly bowed himself out.
Caught Mt last"
''My! wasn't he surprised"
"And didn't he take it we'll after he
was caught?"
Mr.. Bob Reed grinned all the way
back to the Office, all the time he was
dressing, and halfway back to the
party.
1t was voted grand success. The
supper was excellent. There was no
cotton pies nor frosted johnny-cakes.
The present Bob received was not a
tribute to his appetite, but n beauti-
full copy OF Shakespeare, finely illus
trated.
He accepted it with n modest and
acknowledgment, and
with feelings OF genuine surprise that
he endeavored not to show. Curly re-
ceived basket of lunch.
Nothing could have induced Bob to
hint that he knew pretty nearly what
was going on all the time. But some
OF the elders shrewdiy suspected it,
and catechised him. He merely grin