Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1892-01-27
HOW BOB HERRING TOOK
REVENGE.
BY FLORENCE E. BURCH.

lOlu ana cnucE MIN IN.
Robert Fish was fresh to the place
n town-bred boy who had never pad
He'd in brook: much less ducked his
lead before the salt sea waves when
"white horses" were riding in upon the
tide. No wonder if LIS new compan-
ions held him in contempt.
"What kind O. fish dye call him?
asked one, standing up all ready for
The dip.
"Too big for the sprat," returned
another; for Robert was as big as most
Of them.
"Herrings for Sunday dinnerp
cried third, Bill Tuck by name.
"Bob Herring" shouted half-a-dozen
voices. Accordingly Bob Herring 1t
was.
Now, a boy who can't endure a nick
name is surly customer. and Bob
was anything but that. 1t was that
reference to the Sunday dinner that
annoyed him, for thereby hung q
tale.
Arriving on the wagon-load of
household goods on the Saturday
before, Bob's mother had discovered
that the only butcher WAS one that
visited the village twice a week.
So Saturday being one of his days,
away went Mrs. Fish, accompanied by
Bob to find him out.
AT length, after threading their way
by several dusky streets, and through
some narrow openings betweeen the
wooden houses on the quay, they came
to an old shed by the waters edge.
from the door of which streamed
flickeriug light.
Bob's mother pushed past the women
who were coming out, and stood to
wait until the butcher was at liberty
+ or his last customer.
"Ahl Missis," he was saying, as he
threw his knife down on the block
beside two Jumps of b"of, "first come,
first served; that's oil the choice that's
left"
Bob's mother pressed forward as the
woman grumblingly made choice; bat
another customer had pushed past.
'Ill take that bit o brIsket," said she.
''How much?"
The man named the price.
Bob's mother interposed. 81 was
first" said she.
"Quite right, num-" returned the
man; "but this lady was here last
week" and bundling up the meat he
gave it to the older customer, who bus
tied out to join her boy waiting by the
door.
Casting about IN her mind for what
she should do, Bob's mother decided
on si4pennyworth of bloaters as the
readiest substitute. And as she turned
into the shop, whom should she see
against the counter but the very
woman who had done her out of her
bit of beef; and she had told the fish
wife all about 1t. "Herrings for Sun
day dinner" sang out the boy, as they
left the shop.
This was none other than Bill Tuck,
and he told it round among the boys.
and made Ene fun of it. No wonder
Rob should feel that he would like to
pay into Bill Tuck, first chance he got.
But, luckily, opportunities for revenge
do not always come to hand. bob
found better way of putting matters
right. Eight or ten days later, the
Fish family being quite settled down,
Bob had fallen into regular way of
going to school. He was on his way
one morning, when he heard half-s.
dozen of his schoolmates racing down
the street after him. "Itl be up,"
shouted the foremost; my father says
it will"
They were very near the schoolhouse
by this time. One or two turns
brought Bob full in sight of it; and lol
a most extraordinary sight met his
eyes. The playground had disappear
ed, and there was a flood right up to
the steps. The moon was new; a stiff
breeze had been been blowing up the
channel" all night long; and there
was n spring tide.
Bob stood looking on in delight.
Boys and girls were pulling off their
TO W de across. Some were
already IN the doorway; others were
up the steps or sitting with
their feet dangling whilst they re-shod
themselves. One girl had left her
slate and books Just where Bob stool,
TO help little one across, whilst her
brother carried the boots and shoes,
and her playmates on the steps waved
hands and cheered
Bob felt like cheering too. He was
Just pulling off his own boots when
shouted-"Here's Bob Her.
ring, daren't even paddle. Chuck him
IN.
1t was Bill Tuck, who had just come
lp.
If Bob had been fighting boy. Biz
night have repented it. As it was,
Bob merely threw down his slate and
n he went.
Bill cheered derisively; but someone
beyond cried out, Don't leave your
'late behind"
Just then the bell rang. Mary,
having put her sister on the step, was
back to fetch her slate.
'Rring mine," called Bob, but it was :
Nowhere to he seen; and whilst he was I
Iunting about, the door was closed for
prayers.
Bob expected the cane when the |
master called him to the desk. He |
elated how he had left his slate upon |
he grass by accident, and found it gone
IN wading back to it.
"You are sure you left it there?"
the master asked.
Bob said, "Yes, SIR"
Somebody must have -,layed you a |
rick then"
Bob looked straight ahead. Only |
me boy had come over after him.
els there any boy whom you sus
lect! the master questioned further.
Bob looked down a minute. Then |
lie answered, "Please, sir, I'd rather |
rot say who."
At twelve, the water having gone |
lown, the children turned out into the |
playground. But there we're no games |
hat day. All wanted to know who |
lad served Bob such a trick, and he |
vas being hard beset when somebody |
ried, "Why, here it ISL
The slate was lying in the mud Just
beyond the hurdle-fence where Bob |
lad stood.
"Of course he dropped it" sneered
Bill Tuck. ''Lost his wits padding"
Bob knew better, though.
Some days later the boys were enjoy
ng a bathe, amongst them Bob, who
lad won their favor by his conduct
bout the slate; and bravely he was
,ettinp On with his attampts to swim