The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1899-09-06
There was no response. John slaneee

inquiries and learned that the knife, al
though very small, was a valuable one
"Are you sure, john" she asked
"that you left IL on the desk2"
"Just as sure as can be. | rcrenbe
putting II ON top Of my spelling book.
Agnes LAIR looked grave. There was
no lock on che schoolhouse door, but
nothing had ever been taken. nor could
the most diiigent search bring TO light
any traces of the presence of thief
Both John and Bert were miserable
When the noon intermission came. the
boys, as usual, carried their lunch ont
under great oak tree that stood at the
roadside a little way Oft. OF course
they discussed the knife.
ut must have been stolen" John said
as he deftly peeled the shell from a
hard-boiled egg.
Think so?"
IL was Charlie Smith who spoke. and
there was such an unmistakable sneer
Ia his voice that Johns face Redeemed.
welt, | guess the thief amt far of"
what do you meant"
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 I stole the knife
ri IA
lick you. I'm no thief"
Didn't say you WERE" Charlie de-
clared, a little hastily. ats strange
where that knife went 10, though"
John could not deny this. neither
could he force a quarrel upon his school
mate. Yet he plainly saw that suspi
cion was directed towards himself. His
position was a difficult one. He felt
that the taking of the knife was laid tc
him. Noicing 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 a 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
game of ball. The air was cool. and the
game was played with much spirit. A
clever stroke of Bert's sent the ball iy.
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 mr. ment
later Miss LAIR 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, a new one. Can we go
up and get it?"
As the mischief was already done, Ag-
mes LAIR saw no reason why she should
scoid about it. She gave permission for
the boys to ascend TO the loft. The
only way this could be done was 10 place
a chair on a desk. stand upon this. and,
putting one hand on each side of the
opening in the ceiling. swing up. This
was not difficult task for these strong,
active boys. In few moments John.
Charlie and Bert were in the loft, and
only the teachers commands prevented
the other boys from following. They
peered about in the dim light, STOPPING
10 avoid the rafters.
Here's the ball!" Bert cried. "wby,
look here, boys; what's this?"
He pointed TO an opening in the wall.
The next moment they all sprang back.
Tor from the crevice tiny animal
iprang, ran across the room and disap-
peared in hole.
"A gray SQUIRREL" Charlie shouted
J knew they had a nest up here"
The children were accustomed Il, hay
ng their Rotations interrupted by the
curious chattering of these little ami
nails, and often caught glimpses of |
hem as they hurried to or from their |
strange home.
Little ones are grown up and gone,
int they?" John asked.
Charlie stopped down and looked.
"Ies. There's nothing here but nut.
hells and-what's that?"
He inserted his hand in the opening. |
\ moment later he was extending il
owards his companions. There, in the
Ipturned palm, lay the missing knife.
'or moment no one spoke. Then John
aid, quietly:
II am glad"
"And /" Charlie commenced, then
topped. "I've got something to say"
Re went on, "but guess I'll wait untI
We get down"
The boys climbed down. There were
many ordinations OF wonder, much ar.
'uing as to why the squirrel shouli
ave carried off the knife, and Argr-
nents to prove that il was lighter THAI
ONE nuts. At last there came lull ia
he conversation. and Charles held out
lis hand TO John.
I'm sorry and ashamed that hintea
hat you were thief, old fellow. Fof-
i've me, won't your"
As he was cleared of suspicion, John
ound IL easy to do this. The mystero