River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1904-07-07
A FOOL AND HIS FOLLY.

4
| opportunity occurring, as it did, but
cnce year-was not lightly to be
missed, and it might be regarded as in
complete consistence with the duties of
educated young ladies to treat with re-
speot the time honored traditions of the
| calendar-to illustrate, in fact, this re-
/ spect by some practical expression of it..
It was precisely, however, the form in
which this practical expression was to be
best embodied that at the present mo-
ment engaged their considerations to- the
| point of an almost pathetic perplexity.
There is, perhaps, nothing more serious
| in nature than the seriousness of a dozen
young very young-ladies employed in
the earnest discussion of some problem
of which the proper solution will affect
most intimately their own immediate en-
tertainment. They are not concerned
with the gravity or the fippancy of the
matter per Sc, but only with it's direct
relations toward their innocent little
| pleasures.
And So IN the present case, the dozen
elder girls assembled in the schoolrooln
of Miss Pri1nbird's Advanced Seminary
for Young Ladies-the school is a well
known one in the country town of x,
and, indeed, occupies deservedly high
! position, and enjoys a wide patronage
| among the "best families in the country"
were considerably exercised in their
gentle minds to arrive at fitting con-
clusion upon the very important issue
| which had been suggested to them by the
| 4Io4 4ho al 10
| April /.
To attempt to engage On such an occa-
sion in any pleasantries, however inno-
cent and amiable, at the expense of the
august and somewhat forbidding Miss
Primbird herself was rot to be thought
of for single moment-or, if thought
| of, to be dismissed almost instantly with
Il sigh of regret at the utter impractical
bility of putting the bewitching idea into
execution. Other proposals of a not dis
similar nature were i'll turn suggested,
and in turn reluctantly abandoned on
much the same grounds. Something,
however would certainly have to be
done, they agreed; something, if possi-
BILE, a little extravagant, trife daring;
something, at least genial and inspiriting
and worthy of their achievement; but
what?
Then, breaking a momentary silence,
the prettiest of them spoke, a. demurel
smile ripping the smooth surface of her
exquisite young face and lighting her
ewes with the arch dawDing of a sudden
spirit of mischief
"Girls," she said, "since we cannot
it'll impuuity play practical joke upon
Prim-though," she added, with sigh,
"it would be heavenly if we could''---
ooh, heavenly" echoed chorus of
voices.
'Yes; but she would never forgive us
if we made AN April fool of her." OBJ
iected the fair speaker. Her outraged
dignity would never survive the shock,
and we should never survive her out
ragged dignity It would mean expulsion
at the least-with disgrace"
There was a general lugubrious assent.
"But," proceeded the gentle young
goddess, smiling round at her COM
panions, "since we must leave Prim
alone, what do you say toto Solomon? 2"
"Solomon!" cried the others, in ecstatic'
acknowledgment of this brilliant and
quite original inspiration. "Solomonl
Splendid Why didn't we think of him
before2'r
Then they paused, and looked to the
genius from whom this inspiration had
/ sprung to develop it further.
Solomon" she proceeded, "was made
to be an April fool. There can be no
doubt about it. Tomorrow morning he
will come to give us his weekly lecture"
eyes, yes But how are you going to
make a fool of him, Poppet?" demanded
half dozen voices.
Nothing easier" said Poppet, loftily,
for this was the young goddess familiar
name among her fellows.
"Sew up the sleeves of his overcoat"
suggested one.
"Or give him bouquet of peppered
flowers" proposed another.
Poppet glanced scornfully at the
/ speakers.
| mo We will leave babies tricks like
those to the Lower Fourth, if you
| please" she said, contemptuously. Gre
member, we are not children"
The girls drew themselves up at this
| dignified reminder. The youngest of
them was 49, Poppet herself was l71a.
"Children," indeed!
81 have an idea," said Poppet. Zone
of us will write him letter, and word
| it in such way as to make him think
| she is very much in love with him-in
love with Solomon, fancy!" She broke
off with laugh of delight.
'What an idea! In love with Solo
mon! Could eny enc be in love with
Solomon? Oh, Poppet!" cried the other
| girls, in glee.
81 suggest that we should draw lots"
went on Poppet, ito decide who shall
write the letter. It must be written and
posted at once-to reach him the first
| thing tomorrow, you know"
This suggestion, however, was not re-
ceived with quite such unmixed enthu-
siasm as its predecessor. None of the
Young maidens entirely relished the risk
of facing the possibility of being, selected
to write the letter, and finally, after
| some deliberation, it devolved by univer-
sal assent upon Poppet herself to carry
| to its conclusion the daring scheme to
which her own playful fancy had given
| birth.
"Well, them" declared this young lady,
defantly, "if none of you will do it, /
will do it myself"
"Of course! You are just the one
! besides, we all know that Solomon has
| lost his heart to you, Poppet, already!
| IT is easy to see that from the way he
| looks at YOU from time to time"-
"Nonsensel" said Poppet, blushing,
nevertheless, at this implied tribute to
| her charms. "But, as | am not boarder,
| it will. perhaps, be easier for me to-
| to post the letter--than for some of you;
| so I do not mind doing it. 1t will be
| oraat finn of course.