Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1897-12-30

parent. He allowed the boy to have
altogether too much spending money
for q boy Of his age, and Len scarcely ut
tered q wish that was within the range
Of possibility that Mr.. Ashton did not
seek TO crafty. The boy had early
learned that he could tease" his father
Into a great many things which were
at first refused him. But be knew that
II would be useless to try his powers OF
persuasion further upon the subject
under discussion. Young Joe Hall had
rot to come, and that's all there was
about It.
When the birthday morning dawned,
however, Len well-night forgot his vex-
alton in his enjoyment Of the presents
which were bestowed upon him. One
in particular delighted him. It was q
n;cely-cut cameo ring which his father
had sent away to Cincinnati to obtain.
No other boy-or girl, either, for that
matteNon the whole prairie possessed
such a ring. Perhaps If Mr.. Ashton had
been a wiser parent he would not have
catered to Lens vanity in this way.
Len was showing the ring to an 3D.
miring, group Of boys and girls, the
early arrivals at the hushng party,
when Joe Hall arrived. The husking
was to be done on the floor Of the great
barn, where heaps of corn were already
piled, and Len and his friends were at
the door.
II say, Len," whispered one OF bis
cronies, "here comes Pauper Joe. Why
does he come here?"
"Pa made me have him." said Len
scowling at his school-fellow. But hes
only come to work. l don't want him.
Joe was probably as sensitive as any
bow could be, and these words, which
were said loud enough for him to plain
ly hear, cut him deeply. But he had ex
pected something Of the kind. He hae
at first demurred when asked by Mr.
Ashton to attend; but half dollars die
not grow on every bush-at least not al
Five Forks-so he had agreed to help.
He pressed through a group in tint
barn doorway without word, found {
pumpkin Ia number Of which had beer
drawn from the field to serve as seats)
and set to work at one end Of the grea
winrow of corn. After awhile the othe'
guests arrived, and the whole merr.
troop gathered about the piles, eacl
squatting on pumpkin.
All his schoolmates did not treat 10
as meanly as Len Ashton; yet he lei
himself apart from them.
II won't stay here forever" h
thought, bitterly, and he bent his hea
over the corn to hide the tears whicl
would come to his eyes. It'll go ava,
from Five Forks, as far as ever car
where people won't know l was eve
towns poor But I'll wait till l lear
all Miss haywood can teach me, tirst'
he added, COMPRISING his lips.
The youngsters worked well the flrs
hour; then, as Mr.. Ashton had foresee1
the majority of them gotenough. The
began to play jokes, and more corn wa
thrown than was husked.
"see here, Len, you'll lose that ring
suggested Bob Murray, who sat besic
, the young host.
The cameo ring was rather loose fc
LENS finger, and as he flung an Ill
+, husked ear across the barn floor it a
most slipped off his finger
Here, I'll put it up here said Lei
pulling off the ring and placing 1t on
beam behind him. Don't you knoc
it off, Bob
, The fun waxed more furious. Ever,
one who happened to husk red ear ha
to pay forfeit, and the favorite 10
: feits among the boys was for the vlctl'
: to stand a heavy fire of ears OF col
! from the opposite side of the barn. Le
o got red ear, and underwent perfe
fusillade from the whole crowd, A m
p ment later he uttered an excited cry.
n snow see what you fellows ha'
q done!" he exclaimed, with almost
e whine.
v "What is it?" asked Bob Murray
$ THAT. ring. It's gone!"
you've lost it?' cried Bob
d ut amt on that beam. | s'pose II
n been knocked down. Now, yon feile
!. turn in an help me to find it."
o But the cameo ring refused to come
n light, although they searched thoroug
T. ". Len was almost in tears
= Everybody solemnly disclaimed ha
# ing touched the ring; that's, everyoo'
: but Joe Han. He seemed to take no
+ terest in the matter, but keptsteadily
5. work.
e II tell you somebody's taken it," d
II clared Len, angrily. 1t amt here Th
his attention was suddenly attracted
o Joe Two CT three others followed b
e plance. and there were whisperings al
e mods. "Say, Hall, have you seen II
II rlng?" he blurted out, insinuatingly'
E mo" The answer came sharply.
Il believe you have!" exclaimed lie
# his face ablaze.
a Joe sprang up furiously. =,
.. "You say I'm a thief, do your
n cried, dashing at his accuser' i,
IS In an instant Len was down on
A III. all