The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1899-08-24

no lock on the schoolhouse door, but |
nothing had ever been taken, nor could |
the most diligent search bring to light
any traces of the presence of a thief.
Both John and Bert were miserable.
When the noon intermission came, the
boys, az usual, carried their lunch out
under great oak tree that stood at the
roadside little way Off OF course
they discussed the knife.
at must have been stolen" John said,
as he deftly peeled the shell from a
hard-boiled egg.
think SOP"
1t was Charlie Smith who spoke, and
there was such an unmistakable sneer
in his voice that Johns face reddened.
"Well, guess the thief amt far off,"
what do you mean?"
Charlie waited to take a huge bite
from the molasses cookie he held in his
hand before replying. The other boys
held their breath. There was no sound
save the signing of the wind in the
green leaves far above their heads.
"Just what said"
John sprang up, his eyes blazing.
do you mean that stole the knife,
Charlie Smith? Dare to say it, and I'll
lick you. I'm no thief"
Didn't say you were," Charlie de-
clared, little hastily. "It's strange
where that knife went to, though"
John could not deny this, neither
could he force quarrel upon his school
mate. Yet he plainly saw that suspi-
cion was directed towards himself His
| position was difficult one. He felt
that the taking of the knife was laid to
him. Voicing his resentment only made
| matters worse. One thing comforted
him-Bert believed him innocent. The
parents of the boys were warm friends,
and while Elsie Miller greatly regretted
losing her knife, she never thought
John guilty of theft.
| Weeks passed by. At that time the
so-called Summer term" of school was
continued through all the hot weather.
AS the work on the farms increased, the
older boys were obliged to remain at
home and help.
Late in August there came rainy
morning, and the pupils were again all
In their places. Before noon the sun
was shining. The boys hurried through
their dinner, as they had planned a
game of ball. The air was cool, and the
game was played with much spirit. A
clever stroke of Bert's sent the ball fly
ing through the air. 1t rose. passed
through one of the panes of glass in the
tiny window of the schoolhouse loft and
disappeared from sight. A moment
later Miss Larr looked up from her book
into Bert's flushed face.
"Please, teacher, I'm sorry, but I've
batted the ball through the upstairs
window. I'll pay for the glass. It's
Charles ball, o new one. Can we 20
up and get it?"
AS the mischief was already done, Ag.
mes Larr saw no reason why she should
scold about it. She gave permission for
the boys to ascend to the loft. The
only way this could be done was to place
chair on desk, stand upon this, and
putting one hand on each side of the
opening in the ceiling, swing up. Thi!
was not difficult task for these strong
active boys. In few moments John
Charlie and Bert were in the loft, ant
only the teacher'scommands prevented
the other boys from following. They
peered about in the dim light, STOPPING
to avoid the rafters.
Here's the ball!" Bert cried. "Why
look here, boys; what's this?"
He pointed to an opening in the wall
The next moment they all sprang back
for from the crevice a tiny anima
sprang, ran across the room and disap
peared in hole.
"A gray SQUIRREL" Charlie shouted
II knew they had nest up here"
The children were accustomed to hav
ing their recitations interrupted by tn
curious chattering of these little AMI
mails, and often caught glimpses o
them as they hurried to or from thei
strange home.
Little ones are grown up and gone
amt they?" John asked.
Charlie stopped down and looked.
"Yes. There's nothing here but nut
shells and-what's that?"
He inserted his hand in the opening
A moment later he was extending
towards his companions. There, In tn
upturned palm. lay the missing knife
For moment no one spoke. Then Joh
said, quietly:
II am glad"
Sand L" Charlie commenced, the
stopped. "I've got something to say,
) he went on, "but guess I'll wait unit
we get down."
. The boys climbed down. There wer
many exclamations of wonder, much al
guing as to why the squirrel shoul
{ have carried off the knife, and argr
!, ments 10 prove that it was lighter tha
= some nuts. At last there came lull i
the conversation. and Charles held OF
his hand to John.
I'm sorry and ashamed that hinte
- that you were thief, old fellow. Fo
" give me, won't you?'
). AS he was cleared of suspicion, Joh
. found it easy to do this. The myster