The World. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1891-1896, 1893-03-17
TIE FUGITIVE MELONS.
Whore tho Boys Found Thorn After
an Ezcitiag Chose.

al L-<A-Ab---s5 t)A1lsS1.
The school year at Glenville academy
had just opened, and our hands were
full of business. We had enjoyed a
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 large hearted fellow, pop
ular with rybody, well supplied
with money, liberal, but rather too
fond of making display.
During the afternoon he had bought
half a dozen muskmelons, with which
to surprise the rest of us that evening;
and, when the marlletman delivered
them, they were placed in basket I'M
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 go
out, he placed it on a 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 Gils 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, sit takes a rogue
to catch 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 confiscated the
melons, and, hurrying down the stairs,
stepped quietly into the woodhouse at
Rev. Mr.. Clarl1's, and there deposited
the treasure. Then he came to our
meeting, made excuse for being late,
and awaited developments.
Uho,, +ba
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.
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.
"Well, now, boys, that beats all
| Why, / bought nice lot of melons at
the market, and, when the man
brought them up, l 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,
exclain;ng:
"Gone, gOne-sure as gunsr'
After some good-natured chatting
over the matter, there being no heir
for 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 tc
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. 1T is to be
hoped nothing will happen to eliminate
the eyes from that equation. We
couldn't stand it. :"
When we reached ellis room, and he
had struck d light, he went to the win
dow, leaned out, and seemed graspine
for something but secured nothing
more substantial than air.
Satisfying himself that he had beer
foiled at his game, he drew back
greeted with the sarcastic rally:
"Set up your show, Gil; the audience
is becoming impatient"
"Wel, gentlemen, I'm more sold thar
Hosmer, and paid in my own coin
Fact is, | had a basket of melons tt
show you, and, to keep them cool
placed them out on the roof; but they
seem to have evaporated"
Served you right!' exclaimed Dan
And the rest of us gave way to bois
ferrous laughter.
Haf dozen attempts at wit fashe,
out on the instant: