Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1901-02-21
SPOILED APRIL FOOL.
NY GEORGE $. CUTHBERrsoN.

two years old and for ten years he had lived
with his aunt, a prim, unmarried lady of
middle age, Aunt Mehitable was decidedly
notional and eccentric, but she possessed,
withal, warm heart and had always cared
for her nephew with deep and kindly in
terest.
As Tom grew older, however, certain
traits of character began to develop, chief
among them keen love of mischief, and
his aunt found it a difficult matter to keep
she lad under control; and each day he
proved more of a source OF anxiety and an
noyance. Tom, too, was headstrong boy
and chafed under Miss Sparrows restric-
lions, so that one day when she proposed
going to the village and would not allow
him to accompany her he felt very much
abused and secretly determined to have re-
venge for his fancied wrongs. 1t was late
N the day when Aunt Mehitable started.
i shall be gone only a couple of hours"
she said, driving away, $50 it is scarcely
worth while for you to go. And, oh, Tom,"
she added as parting shot, don't NEEDLE
with the fire, and be sure to keep away
from the cistern!"
Tom made no answer; he felt annoyed
and cross. Suddenly he ran into the house
and, as if seized with desire to exercise
brief authority, he set about doing the
very things he had been warned not to do.
For awhile he poked and played with the
fire and burned old newspapers on the
hearth, not stopping until he had scorched
his fingers. Then he turned to the cistern
Access was gained to this through hole
in the woodshed floor which was covered
by small trap door. For a long time he
amused himself by throwing chips into the
water, and in leaning far over and with
loud voice awakening the echoes of the
hollow vault beneath. Once he leaned over
too far. He lost his hat and barely saved
himself from plunging in head first. A lit
tie frightened he ran out of doors, forget
ting to close the cover of the cistern. All
ut once bright idea struck him.
why, this is the LIST of April" he ex-
claimed. Funny l hadn't thought of it
before! How can I fool Aunt Mehitable ?
must think of some scheme before she
gets back"
At that moment carriage wheels were
heard coming up the drive. Quickly he
lodged into the barn. A large disused feed.
box, with drop cover, stood in one corner.
81 have it," he said. Tll hide in here
and aunt will think I've run away"
Suiting the action to his words, he hoped
In and pulled the cover over him. Soon he
heard his aunt's shrill voice calling his
name:
"Toml Toni"
Again and again, but the boys only an.
swer was suppressed chuckle which could
not be heard outside of the box.
"Where can that boy be-" muttered
Miss Sparrow, coming into the barn. Hav.
ing unhitched the horse herself, she led
him into his stall and then went off to the
house.
Tom stuffed his handkerchief in hil
mouth, and when certain that his aunt was
out of hearing, INDUCED in hearty laugh
4 long, long time he stayed in the box, and
everything was dark and silent. Present.
ly he began to experience q difficulty in
breathing. The air was getting close. He
put his hand to the cover and gave it a
push, at first gently and then with all his
strength. What was his CONSERVATION to
find that 1t would not stir! There was a
clasp fastening, and this must have fallen
into place. Again he tried to force it open
with his hands, and then in sheer despera-
ton he braced his back against it
The cover was obstinate; it would not bulge
an inch. A certain fear possessed him, and
terrified, he sank limp and motionless to the
bottom of the box. 1t was getting harder
for him to breathe every moment. The boz
was made of heavy matched pine and little
air could get in. What if no one found
him until morning.-he would certainly
smother The awful thought nerved him te
renewed action. Once more he tried tx
force the cover, and, finding further efforts
vain, he thought of his jacknife. Taking
It from his pocket he began to cut hole
in the side. Fortunately the wood was pint
and split easily. Finally, after about ter
minutes hard work, which seemed like al
many hours to Tom, he accomplished hi'
purpose. The sweetest nectar could not b.
compared to that breath of fresh air as
half choked, Tom pressed his burning tact
against the aperture and breathed his tlll
On reaching the house the first thing thai
attracted Miss Sparrow's attention was thu
open door of the cistern. With wide eye
and pang of horror she sprang to the spo
and peered long and anxiously into thu
gloom, listening keenly the while.
'Tom! Toni" she called, with note o
agony in her voice. The words echoed
back. Selling the lantern with nervous i'm
gers she lighted it and swung it far down
''What is that? His hat!" she cried, catch
ing sight of the article floating on the sur
lace. On, lOIn! MY poOI poy 10 uio"h~A'
she went on, chokingly. Not momen,
more did she wait. With astonishing speed
she hurried across the fields, and soon
couple of neighboring men were fastening te
the Sparrow home. Though well-nigh ex
hausted, Miss Sparrow insisted upon re
turning with them. Down into the deep chs
tern the good men went, and careful
search was instituted. About five feet Of
water was in at the time, but, beyond the
hat, nothing further, of course, was found
| All this time Aunt Mehitable was walking
about wringing her hands in despair
| Although relieved at not finding hlm
| drowned, she was still exceedingly anx'
| ious.
Not knowing what further to do, the kind
! neighbors were about to depart, when 1t
| CHANGED that about this time Tom had got
ten. the hole cut through the box, and, hav'
| ing refreshed himself with the fresh air,
gave vent to a piercing cry for help follow
ing it up with others m rapid succession;
Surprised and delighted, Miss Sparrow and
her friends set out on run for the barn.
the men grabbing up cudgels on the way.
A deeply penitent boy was Liberated from
that feed-box, and when explanations foi'
| lowed, he was extremely lucky In getting
off with nothing worse than a severe rep