The sea coast echo. [volume] (Bay Saint Louis, Miss.) 1892-current, 1892-10-29
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 q
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 Hosmer'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 display.
During the afternoon he had bought
half dozen muskmelons, with which
to surprise the rest of us that evening.
and, when the market,nan delivered
them, they were placed in basket un.
der lounge near the door, in Dams
room.
In the course of our business transac-
ton, 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 90
out, he placed it on 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.
knew pretty nearly where he had con-
cealed it.
Soon after Gil's return, Charley
passed out. looking as serious as 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 a rogue
to catch rogue"
Craig Hammond, who roomed in an
other part of the building, was lust
coming to the business meeting when
Charley was tiptoeing and clambering
ABOUT with the basket, and watched ali
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 were about scattering to our
rooms, Dan detained us, saying:
Hold on, fellows! Don'tgo yet. I've
little relish to divide around, if Won
like it,"
And, stepping to the lounge, he felt
under for the basket.
Not finding it at first, he reached
further under and clear along to the
other end. @
Failing in his search, and glancing
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
brought them up, told him to put
them right here, under the lounge, in a
basket; and lie did, I'm sure. What
does it mean?"
And down he got again on his knees
and felt the whole length of the lounge,
exclaiming:
Gone, gone-sure as guns!'
After some good-natured chatting
over the matter, there being no help
Tor it, we were again about separat-
ing, when Gil spoke up:
Its too bad. fellows; but, if 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," muttered Charley Gates, his
face glowing roguishly. at 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
dpw' leaned out and seemed grasping