Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1892-10-06
JACKS REVENGE.

ed IN q pleasant valley dHu HUI I'LL IuC
beauty which nature give to her IA
vorite locations. The town bordered Oh
a small river, by the side Of which 4
large building used for storage and
selling grain had been erected. Ii
represented the occupation of most OF
the inhabitants of the village, and was
owned by Mr. Willard. a retired mer-
chant. He had acquired Il large for
tune and now lived with his family N
Il beautiful mansion.
On a certain July day three boys were
passing down the main street Of the vii
lage. There was about them a certain
air which showed that they considered
themselves to belong to a society which
was above the common people, and
while their gait and manner showed
this their conversation showed it still
more. The central figure was slightly
taller, and acted as though he was
leader of the three. In fact, he was 10
other than Tom, the son of Mr.. Willard,
and. holding such q position, regarded
himself as the equal of only a few
friends. The one on the right was
Harry Brown, the son of the village
physician, and the other boy was Henry
Williams, whose father was manager
of Mr. Wizards mills.
AS the three passed the largest store
on the main street Harry said, Tom,
where shall we go? 1t is too hot to be
walking about"
80 it is" answered Tom; 1--WE will go
down to the river under that clump Of
trees. But say, boys, did you see me
in school yesterday?'
Yes" said Henry, Il saw that you
were having trouble, but could not
make out just what it was
well, I'll tell you" Tom said
Ralph Wilson had some papers for the
class on his desk, and when he was
gone 1 took them for fun. Jack Arnold
saw me, but I knew that Jack and
Ralph We're not on good terms, so l felt
safe, but he told when Ralph could not
find his papers. III teach him for being
so sOft-hearted."
The three boys planned for a revenge
for the insults offered to their chief
tain, and while they were cOnversing
they neared the river which ran along
the border Of the village. Its waters
on that sultry July day looked so cool
and refreshing, that, as the boys came
within sight of it, they felt almost COM
PEELED to throw themselves upon the
green verdure, under some spreading
elms near the river.
While they were seated there, lOo!--
ing out over the sparkling waters, I,
boy Of about their own age approached
slowly along the bank of the river. His
dress was poorer than that Of the three
boys, but was neat and spOtlessly clean.
He advance to a position between the
boys and the river, and sitting down
upon the bank threw in a line, without
seeing the boys under the elms, who
were concealed by tall herbs The boys
watched the newcomer with intense
interest, and, as he took his seat on the
bank, they looked into each other 5
faces, Henry was the first to speak. He
said:
ut is Jack. Who would have thought
it? This is our chance, Tom. What
shall we do?"
Tom answered quickly. Boys, I'll
tell you what we will do. He will sus-
ect mischief if he sees me- so Henry,
you go out and talk with him, and,
Harry, you walk along the bank and
make all the noise you can. He is sit
ting right over the water and one push
would send him in"
He saw that no further explanation
was necessary by the approving mods
and smiles of the boys
The three Immediately executed their
plan. Henry advanced in a careless
manner from the bushes, followed by
Harry, while Tom crouched i'll he
thickest part and peeered through a
space between two leaves. Jack, from
his station on the bank, looked around
when he heard footsteps on the ground
behind him. He saw Henry, with
whom he was Oh good terms, and the
TWO began to converse. Harry, mean
while, walked up and down the bank,
throwing stones in the water and Great
in as much noise as possible Tom
Crept steadily along on is hands and
knees, advancing cautiously toward
Jack, who sat wholly unconscious of
the near presence Of a newly-made
enemy.
At last the expected moment arrived.
Rising suddenly Tom put his whole en-
ergy into one push, which sent the IN
suspecting Jack into the water Hap
PLY the stream was shallow near the
bank, and Jack was plunged only up
to his waist Yet he was bewiIdered
and confused. After n moment he came
toward the bank slowly, for the bottom
was muddy.
Boys who would play such a Urick
were towards, and as Jack approached
they took to their heels. Jack drew
himself out of the water and stood on
the bank looking down at his wet
clothing Then seeing the three boys
running in the distance he doubled up
his fist and shouted after them:
I'll have my revenge, and it will
come soon, you towards.
Tom, Henry and Harry meanwhile
getting out of Jacks sight stopped run
ming and walked again along the main
street AS they came to a street near
the rive1 Tom suggested that they go
to the office of his fathers store house.
The boys had nothing else to do, so
they went. Tom spoke Familiarity with
the clerks while the boys rested from
their run.
After they were sufficiently rested
Henry suggested that they climb to
the tower on the top of the building.
To this proposition all agreed and were
soon on their way up. When there