The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1892-10-14
THE FUGITIVE MELONS.
Where the Boys Found Them After
an Exciting Chase.

The school year at Glenville academy
had just opened, and our hands were
full OF business. We had enjoyed Il
pleasant vacation, and took hold of
study with >est.
Among other interests demanding at
tention were certain affairs OF our soci-
ETY., and about u dozen of us were gath
cred, one evening, in Dan HosIner's
room for that purpose.
Dan was "A large-hearted fellow. pop
ular with everybody, well supplied
with money, liberal, but rather too
fond of making Il display.
During the afternoon he had bought
half dozen muskmelous, with which
To surprise the rest of ms that evening;
and. when the marketman delivered
them, they were placed in Il basket IN
der 4 lounge near the door, in Dams
room.
In the course of our business trausac-
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 10 20
out, he placed it on n low roof out OF
the back hall window, where he could
reach it from his room without diff
Guilty.
But Charley Gates had witnessed his
performance in showing the basket into
the hall, and. by listening keenly,
knes pretty nearly where he had con-
cealed it
Soon after Girs return, Charley
passed out looking as serious AS dea-
con, and. easily finding the prize, re-
moved il TO another spot on the back
roof, Immediately under his own
window. However, lit takes a rogue
to catch q 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
As soon as Charley went back into
Hosmer's room, Craig contiscdted 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 Tor Dtlnk late,
and awaited developments.
When the business was transacted.
and we were about scattering to our
rooms, Dan detained us, saying:
Hold on, fellows! Don't go yet. I've
a little relish to divide around, If you
like it..
And, stepping to the lounge, he felt
under for the basket
2. - a.. a
further under and clear along to the
other end.
Failing in his search, and glahcing
vainly around the room, he was greatly
amazed at the disappearance.
We'll, now, boys, that beats all.
Why. bought nice lot of melons at
the market. and, when the man
brough. them up, / told him To put
them right here, under the lounge, in a
| basket. and he did, I'm sure. What
! does it mean7'
4 And down he got again on his knees
1 and felt the whole length of the lounge.
4 exclaiming:
\ Gone, gone-sure as guns"
| After some good-natured chatting
over the matter, there being no help
\ for it, we were again about separat
\ ing, when Gil spoke up:
Its too bad. fellows; but, il you'll
step into my room, I've something tC
show you, so you can crafty your eye:
if not your palates."
''Twenty-four eyes equal twelve
palates," muttered Charley Gates, his
face glowing roguishly. lit is To bt
hoped nothing will happen to eliminate
| ztpe eyes from that equation. W,
csnldn't stand it,"
When we reached Oils room, and n,
haS struck light, he went to the win
/ dow, leaned out, and seemed graspinl
\ for something but secured nothing
more substantial than air.
! Satisfying himsel; that he had beer
! foiled at his game, he drew back
greeted with the sarcastic rally:
'.Set up your show, Gil; the audienc,
i. is becoming impatient"
II We'll, gentlemen, I'm more sold thar
I! Hosmer, and paid in my own coin
Fact is, / had a basket of melons t
| show you, and, TO keep them cool
| placed them out on the roof; but thel
seem to have evaporated."
| Served you right" exclaimed Dan
And the rest of us gave way to bois
ferrous laughter.
Half u dozen attempts at wit fiashe,
ont on the instant:
Like an Irishman's flea
Great anticipations; realization
non suHt"
.How you see it and now yo" don l.
When these explosions were enueo
Charley Gates called out, in u pititu
! tone:
This is too bad, fellows. My hear
aches for you in your disappointment
/ i long to relieve you. and. though ca