The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1898-10-21
WEI.L-FED PRISONER


was very bad hoy, that ri admit
Indeed, consider 1t almost a miracle
that turned out as we'll as l did.
1t was at the close Of the Civil wal
when cut this wicked yet laughable
prank. which shall never forget.
was not more than ten years old
when the town of B.. gave a grand
festival In honor Of the returned pa
triots who had fought so valiantly and
successfully for our country's cause
Every woman in the country busted
heself to make the reunion one OF gay
ETY.. Oh, the good things the farmers
wives prepared and carried 10 tho
old town hall, where the festival was
held. They were arranged on benches
In the basement as though to taunt the
hungry looking boys on the outside.
For, much to our anger, and disGp-
pointment, all were admitted, free OF
charge, but boys-poor, neglected boys.
There we were to the number OF
a dozen or more peeping cautious
ly through one of the basement
windows, which fortunately was
minus pane Of glass. 1t was ems
tirely too tempting for us to see the
several cakes standing next to tho
broken window exposed tc full view
and within our grasp. Cake was lux
ury In most Of our homes. and now
that an opportunity so rare presented
itself we were not slow to take adyan-
tage Of 1t. We crowded about the
window and each one proceeded to help
himself.
came steal,hily behind us our town
marshal. If ever there was kini-
hearted soul it was he. Droll and good
natured and ever ready to forgive,
while there was, notwiths adding, a
certain sense of authority about his
person that made the boys honor as
well as fear him. He was nearly upol
US, however, before we discovered him,
but upon seeing him we began running
as though for our lives. To my fright
and dispair, l was captured and fell
victim to the punishment the con-
stable desired to infiict upon me.
"I'll put We where you'll not git no
more cakes fur awhile" he said sharp
ly, as he showed me into an old stor.
age room of the hall and slammina
the door he walked heavily away.
Finding myself alone, began to ex-
plore my prison. The room was dark
upon first entering it-so dark was
obliged to walk with my hands ex-
tended before me and with slow and
uncertain step lest stumble and fall.
l had not gone far, however, when !
suddenly came to halt. My obstruc-
ton was nothing more than a board
supported upon barrels. Running my
hand along its surface discovered
what! Or was dreaming? The board
was ladended with the good things for
the festival! There were cakes of all
description, pies of evey kind. cookies,
cold meats, fruit, and, in fact, most
everything boys like. Before l could
fully realize my good fortune, l had
begun sampling them each in their
turn. Oh, how delicious they were!
The pumpkin pies tasted better (per-
haps because they were stolen) than
any l had ever ate before; and the
doughnuts were even better than the
ones my grandmother used to make
on Thanksgiving.
1t was shameful, the way l multi
ated the lovely pies and cakes, for find
ing neither knife or fork, / used my
fingers to the best advantage, without
pity for the now innocent ladies who
had labored so faithfully in preparing
the feast. must have looked comical
standing there, my mouth and hands
full, glancing hurriedly at the door
and acting altogether like a hungry
little waif stealing his dinner.
Realizing the constable would soor
discover his mistake and release me
began filling my pockets, with re-
newed enegy, for wanted the boys as
well as myself to have share of the
feast.
Meanwhile,the marshal had chuckled
triumphantly to himself, and started
strolling about the grounds, in search
of more boys. But none were in
sight, for profiting by my capture, the;
had fed away. So the constable
walked about smoking his pipe. Their
he walked into the room where the
ladies were serving dinner and remark.
ed to group standing near him, witt
an Indifferent gesture of his hand
1--we got one O them boys that was
stealth through the winder in yondel
rccam."
"Oh! obi" shrieked the ladies II
despair, while they wrung their hands
with wild lamentations. Take him
out. quick! The provisions! DOM
you know? The provisions! View.
got all the provisions in there! Oh