New-York tribune., 1903-01-11
A PASTORAL.

Monthly
One pleasant August day, at high noon,
three children sat in a cornfeld around
Smouldering fire Two were girls; one fair,
angelic looking, in jaunty gingham dress; the
other, stolid long legged, in a sailors suit, and
the third, the youngest, was slim brown boy In
corduroys. They held on their knees clean
Shingie, which had butter in one corner, and IL
their hands roasted ear of corn The IRE
between them was modest but effectual, and
overhead the tall thick forest OF the cornstalks
waved and rustled.
II wonder" said the angelic one, taking
this cornfied?''
Il think it belongs to those people who are
trying to make sod lawn on the Sand, re-
sponded the long legged one.
Those Wadsworths?' said the boy "Humph,
the girls have parasols-and don't kno" how 10
swim"
They're rather nice girls" said the fair one.
And the boy. Tonie-don't forget the boy"
broke in the other girl. Don't you remember,
how you lugged him off to smoke corn SILK ln
the barn, while Belle and used his new racket
all the afternoon? Ha, har' And here all three
reIapsed into reminiscent chuckles
Bob, did you give back my knife?" asked
the small boy, suddenly.
Yes said the stolid girl
Then 1 dropped itF' cried he. rising. It's
wait till finish this said Belle; but Bob
uncrossed her long, black stockinged legs, and
started to gaze wistfully about
"Ah, that's use,'' said the small boy I'M
patiently Here, Bob, you take that side OF
the field and I'll take this-don't miss an aisle4'
Off they started. Up and down the long,
loamy aisles went Bob at a steady trot rat
Ting the leaves of the stalks as she brushed
through, and waving her tawny head from SIDE
to side in looking She must have gone hum
dred aisIes before she heard a shout from
Tonic. At the fire again she found him. waving
the knife over Bellies head What do you
think?' he shrieked in Indignation, Belle has
been sitting on it ali the time!"
Bob uttered reproach, for at that moment
came a sound which made them all turn pale,
a heavy, crashing step-a mans voice, saylns:-
BLOW me if there amt smoke IN this here
cornfield-" -,
They waited not a second. With one crash
the three young criminals fell through the
stalks about them and tore for the open field.
over hiIIocks, over stones, scuttling, flying,
springing, till they came from the muddy corn
field to the firm stubble. Then straight ahead,
like three young hounds, never falter1ng or
turning eye behind them, fixed for sea OF
molten gold that heaved ahead-the wheat
They reached the shore that bordered 1t,
they climbed the rail fence. One second
long they balanced on its top, then with three
reckless, headlong leaps, they cast themselves
far out into the grain. The golden sea closed
over them and they lay painting.
At last Bob raised her head. which. like an
ostrich, she had been burrowing in terror oh,
other two crawled through to her, still tngling
with delicious apprehension,
Did you leave your hat?" asked Belle
II had to-" answered Bob.
And your knife, Tonie?" But the knife was
saved, still clutched in TOnie's buttery paw.
After listening long time and hearing moth
ing more than the chirp1ng OF crlckets they
wrggled through the grain and came out on q
pasture land. Here they met an idle looking
creek They always tasted creeks 1t was a
salutation not to be omitted. This one was
salty. TT must lead to the Sound" said Tonic;
and they started off to follow it They had
scarcely gone five yards before Bob fell over
something. It was old stOneboat, half sunk
in the mud. but still firm.
.'Tu tell you" said Tonic, as they halted for
Bob to nurse her toe, well float this in the
creek and sail down to the Sound in it." This
was assuredIy an excellent idea They all laid
hold to move IT. They tugged. they puffed, they
snorted but IL was of use-the stone boat
wouldn't move.
Just as they raised their heads in blank
despair they saw two small pink figures NOV
ing toward them through the buttercups. The
WadsWorths'' cried Belle, Mortified. For TO
share in the peculiar joys of Bob and Tonic