The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-10-28

AS the days passed the joy was deep
ened by various occurrences. First, in
conveying the last bag of chestnuts to
the store, Jacob FessIer had sprained
his ankle and was laid up a SPELL
This. of course, was a just judgment
on him for his infamous conduct to-
ward the nut harvesters. Next, old
Mrs. Fessler. for reasons unstated, an
nOunced sorrowfully that she could
make no more soap for Mrs. Remedy.
Leander did not share her grief. The
news made him jubilant. He had lei
sure now to plan how to get even with
his father and with Jacob Fessler on
Halloween. In getting even with the
latter he had eleven able allies.
But as the eventful evening drew near
discouraging obstacles arose. The
twelve proposed only to find that cir
cumstances disposed promptly of the
proposals. Sissy suggested that they
tie the Fessler COW hoof and horn and
convey her to the loft of the barn. IN
vestigation brought to light the fact
that the COW, pig and hens had gone
into winter quarters in the cellar of the
Fessler house and that the outside eel
lar door, securely barred at night,
| opened under Jacobs window.
The twelve were dispirited, but hope
revived when they bethought them of
the horse. He still occupied the barn,
but they retired in a thoughtful mood
the night before Halloween, after the
horse had actively demonstrated his
ability to protect himself from Hallow-
cen jokes. Leander was the one on
whom the demonstration made the
deepest impression.
The jokers were becoming desperate
when Leander, nursing his bruises, had
bright idea. It was not considered so
conspicuously brilliant as some of his
ideas were because
Gee! It's too much work. grumbled
Sissy.
'And it's one on the old woman, too
objected Mushy White. Mushy always
objected. I'VE amt got nothin' laid up
agin her!"
Think of somethin' better yourself,
thenl" dehed Leander proudly, and the
opposition was silenced.
you go to bed betimes tonight" said
Leander 1st at the supper table on
Halloween. I'm not going to have my
son up to these disgraceful Halloween
tricks. See that he is in bed earlier
than usual" to Mrs. Remedy. Half
past viii do"
Leander I'd meexly obeyed, but since
the command did not include the hour
of his rising he fixed that for himself.
At midnight he stole out on the roof OF
the porch and dropped to the ground
with the barn key in his hand.
The eleven were awaiting him.
The elder Remedy was a grocer, and
at least three times a year Leander
YEARLY piled his AK, during such hours
as he could not escape, Transforming
into ktndling wood boxes of all sizes,
shapes and thicknesses.
Its good exercise for the boy" Lee
ander 1st was wont to remark as he
piled the boxes neatly in the barn
The kindling wood victim grinned
broadly now in the darkness as he
thought of the days of leisure he was
securing himself by the transference OF
those boxes to the swamp farm.
For five hours those twelve boys
worked in feverish haste, assisted by
old Dobbin, the Remedy horse, that had
for fifteen years strenuously objected
to feverish movements. But at 5
o'clock by the light of a setting moon
the conspirators viewed a sight worth
looking at They sat i'll row in the