Hopkinsville Kentuckian., 1892-11-01
THE FUGITIVE MELONS,
Whore the Boys Found Them After
an Exciting Chase.

an Exciting Chase.
The school year at Glenvile academy
had just opened, and our hands were
full Of business. We had enjoyed
pleasant vacation, and took hold of
study with zest
Among other interests demanding at
tention were certain affairs Of our soci-
ETY., and about dozen of us were gath
cred, one evening, in Dan Hosmers
room for that purpose.
Dan was n large-hearted fellow, pop
ular with everybody, well supplied
with money, liberal, but rather too
fond OF making display.
During the afternoon he had bought
half q dozen muskmelons, with which
10 surprise the rest OF us that evening;
and, when the marketman delivered
them, they were placed in a basket uu-
der q lounge near the door, in Dams
room.
In the course of our business transac-
tion, Gil Robinson, the most mischiev-
Gus fellow among us, sitting on the
lounge directly over the melons, dis
covered them by their odor, and,
when he thought all eyes were turned
the other way, he slyly opened the
door and showed the basket into the
hall. Then, making an excuse TO go
out, he placed II on low roof out OF
the back hall window, where he could
reach IL from his room without difa-
Guilty.
But Charley Gates had witnessed his
performance in showing the basket into
the hall, and, by listening keenly,
knew pretty nearly where he had con.
cealed 1t.
Soon after CHS return, Charley
passed out, looking as serious rs dea-
con, and, easily finding the prize, re.
moved II to another spot on the back
roof, Immediately under his own
window. However, ut takes a rogue
TO catch rogue"
Craig Hammond, who roomed in an.
other part of the building, was just
coming to the business meeting when
Charley was tiptoeing and clambering
about with the basket, and w0tched all
his movements perceiving plainly that
he was carrying on some sort of mis-
chief
As soon as Charley went back into
Hosmer's room, Craig confiscated the
melons, and, hurrying down the stairs.
stepped quietly into the woodhouse at
Rev. Mr. Clark's, and there deposited
the treasure. Then he came to our
meeting, made excuse for being late,
and awaited developments.
When the business was transacted,
and we wero about scattering TO our
rooms, Dan detained us, saying:
Hold on, fellows! Don't go yet, I've
little relish to divide around, II you
like It,"
And, stepping to the lounge, he felt
under for the basket.
Not finding 1t at first, he reached
further under and clear along TO the
other end
Failing in his search, and glancing
yainly around the room, he was greatly
amazed at the disappearance.
"Well, now, boys, that beats ALI
Why, bought nice lot of melons at
the market, and, when the man
brought them up, l told him TO put
them right here, under the lounge, in a
basket; and ne dij, I'm sure What
does II mean?"
And down he got again on his knees
and felt the whole length Of the lounge,
eXclaiming:
"Gone, gone-sure as gunsH'
After some good-natured chatting
over the matter, there being no help
for 1t, we were again about separat-
ing, when Gil spoke up;
ats too bad, fellows; but, IL you'll
step into my room, I've something TO
show you, SO you can crafty your eyes
II not your palates."
"Twenty.four eyes equal twelve
palates," muttered Charley Gates, his
face glowing roguishly, lit is TO be
hoped nothing will happen TO eliminate
tho eyes from that equation. We
couldn't stand it."
When we reached CHS room, and he
had struck light, he went TO the win
dow, leaned out, and seemed grasping
for something but secured nothing
more substantial than air.
Satisfying himself that be had been
foiled at his game, he drew back,
greeted with the sarcastic rally;
"Set up your snow, Gil; the audience
Is becoming impatient"
"Well, gentlemen, I'm more sold thaR
Hosmer, and paid in my own coin.
Fact is, ! had basket of melons &c
show you, and, to keep them cool,
placed them out on the roof; bnt they
seem TO have evaporated