Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1899-01-16
WELL-FED PRISONER.

was very bad boy, that I'll admit.
Indeed, consider it almost miracle
that l turned out as we'll as l did
1t was at the close of the Civil war
when l cut this wicked yet laughable
prank, which l shall never forget.
l 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
ETY.. oh, the good things the farmers
wives prepared and carried to the
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 disap-
pointmenr, all were admitted, free of
charge, but boys-poor, neglected boys.
There we were to the number of
dozen or more peeping cautious
ly through one of the basement
windows, which fortunately was
minus pane of glass. 1t was en-
tirely too tempting for us to see the
several cakes standing next to the
broken window exposed to 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 advan-
tage of it. We crowded about the
window and each enc proceeded to help
himself
While we were mus engaged there
came stealthily behind us our town
marshal. If ever there was kind
hearted soul it was he. Droll and good
natured and ever ready to forgive,
while there was, notwiths anding a
certain sense of authority about his
person that made the BOYS honor as
we'll as fear him. He was nearly upon
us, however, before we discovered him,
but upon seeing him 10 began running
as though for our livaA To my fright
and dlspair, I was captured and fell
victim to the punishment the con-
stable desired to inhict upon me.
"I'll put ye 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 slamming
the door he walked heavily away.
Finding myself alone, l began to sx-
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-
tion was nothing more than board
supported upon barrels. Running my
hand along its surface | discovered
what! Or was l 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 soon
discover his mistake and release me,
l 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, they
had fled aWay S0 the const hl O