St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1892-11-05
THE FUGITIVE MELONS.
Whero tho Boys Found Thorn After
an Exciting Chase.

Whero tho Boys Found Thorn After
an Exciting Chase.
The school yesr At Glenvillc 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 Llosmer's
room for that purpose.
Dan was a largc-hearted fellow. pop
Olar with everybody, well supplied
with money, liberal, but rather too
fond Of making display.
During the afternoon he had bought
half dozen muskmelons, with which
70 surprise the rest of us that evening;
and, when the marlsetman delivered
them, they were placed in . basket nm
der lounge near the door, in Dams
room.
In the course of our business transac-
tion. Gil Robinson. the most mischicv.
Gus fellow among rs, 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 60
out, he placed it on . low roof out Of
the back hall window, where he could
reach it from his room without diff3-
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-
cealcd il.
Soon after Girs return, Charley
passed out. looking as serious q dea-
con, and. easily finding the prize. re-
moved it to another spot on the back
roof, Immediately under his own
window. However, ''it takes . rogue
to catch a 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 watched all
his movements, perceiving plainly that
he was carrying on some sort of mis-
chief. ts
As soon rs Charley went back into
Hosmer's room, Craig confiscAtcd 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,
a0Eawaited developments
,NSWhcn the business was transacted.
and we were about scattering to our
rooms. Dan detained us, saying:
Hold ON. fellows! Don'tgoyet I've
. little relish to divide around, if you
like it."
And, stepping to the lounge, he felt
under for the basket
Not finding it at frst he reached
further undcr and clear along to the
other end.
Failing in his search. and glancing
vainly around the room, he was greatly
amazed at the disappearance.
"Well, now. boys, that beats all!
Why. bought a nice lot of melons 1t
the market. and. when the man
brought them up. told him to put
them right here, under the lounge. in .
basket; and ne did. I'm sure. What
does it mc,n?"
And down he got again on his knees
and felt the whole length of the lounge,
exclaiming:
'Gone, go1c-surc rs guns-'
After some good-naturcd chatting
over the matter. there being no help
for il. 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
if not your palates.
''Twenty-four eyes equal twelve
palates," nuttcrcd Charley Gates. his
face glowing roguishly. 1t is to be
hoped nothing will happen to eliminate
the eyes from that equation. We
couldn't stand it"
When we reached Gil's room, and he
had struck light, he went to the win
dow, leaned out. and seemed grasping
for something but secured nothing
moro substantial than air.
Satisfying hivasel; that he had been
foiled at his game. he drew back,
greeted with the sarcastic rally:
.'Sct up your show. Gil; the audience
is becoming impatient"
well, gentlemen, I'm moro sold than
Hosmer, and paid IN my own coin
Fact is, / had . basket Of melons to
show you. and. to keep them cool.
placed them out on the roof; but they
-.crn - b.yN own 0unrufQd
Served you right" exclaimed Dan.
And the rest of us gave way to bois-
ferrous laughter.
HALF q dozen attempts at wit dashed
ert on the Instant