Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-10-12
A SURPRISE PARTY.
BY ERNEST SCHUYLER.


boys but few of Buds most select
friends were allowed to venture in. 1t
was rather hard on the others. to be sure,
for the Grove barn had long been the
playground for all the boys in the village.
and the Matching grounds of many wild
schemes of which mothers and fathers
did not always approve. When you saw a
half dozen boys sauntering into the Grove
barn of an afternoon you could be quite
certain there was some surprises afoot.
Bud, of course, had the right to do as he
pleased. for the old barn belonged to his
grandfather; nevertheless the boys who
were left out of the secret on this occa-
son felt aggrieved. more than aggrieved;
they felt insulted Because Bud had put a
paddock on the sliding door. The other
door was bolted from inside.
Just as If we We're thievesr' growled
FUNK Wheeler.
But the growls did not disturb Bud. He
only laughed and said, patronizingly.
You'll know in time. Why don't you play
in your own barn?"
The trouble with that suggestion was
that the three liveliest boys in town were
| in Buds confidence. and spent the after
| moons securely locked in the barn.
PUNK Wheeler couldn't forget the in
| suit, and he became madden and madder
| at Bud every time he thought of 1t.
| Finally he and two other boys put their
heads together for the purpose of re-
venge. and one night when the moon was
| just up enough to help them with little
| light. PUNK and his pals stole quietly
| out OF their respective houses and met
| beside the big haystack in the field back
| Of the Grove barn.
Are you going to pick the LOCKE asked
Jim Baylis.
Nope" answered PUNK mysteriously.
kid Wallace is going to get the key and
| unlock the paddock
Il guess I'm not, then" said Kid Wal
| lace, a lanky, loose jointed boy. You
can do your own dirty work.
| WELL If you're afraid said PUNK
shortly. I'll do it myself. Come on and
boost me up to the feedroom window.
| There's another key to that paddock, and
I'm going to find it,
But" began John, isn't it like bur-
gling?"
Not a Bit" laughed PUNK. "Old
| Grandfather Grove told my dad last time
! he was over that he liked to see the boys
| have a good time in the old barn, and
wanted me to come whenever l felt like
| 1t. And 1 feel like 1t now added PUNK.
IF Bud locks up the barn, the only thing
l can do is to unloci4it to get in properly.
Goodbye. I'll get the key, and you fell
| lows wait here for me-"
| PUNK was on the boys shoulders as
| he spoke, and he sprang to the sill and
inside before they could answer his argu-
| ments.
| They stood there and talked in whispers
| for minute. The barn was as silent as
| a graveyard
Guess he'll have some trouble to find
| the key" said Jim. Il wonder why he
don't think to open the small door from
| the inside. That's what I'd Jim stop
ped short for just al that moment a most
terrific noise and scuffling was heard in
| the barn, and a terrified howl from
PUNK.
| "Je-rushy.' exclaimed the Kid. "w nat
ever can be the matter? Something's got
| him, sure!''
You're lighter than I am" whispered
Jim. stand on my shoulders and see
If you can see anything in the window"
| Up scrambled the Kid, but he could see
his head far over the sill in an effort TO
see. and just then, bang! the small door,
| unbolted from the inside, shot open, and
out rushed PUNK like a streak of creased
| lightning. He wasn't alone. Close on
| his heels followed another figure. big
and burly, and wild looking Around the
| corner Of the barn PUNK dashed madly,
the black figure after him.
| Jim had seen more Of this part of the
performance than the Kid had, and when.
half minute later, PUNK appeared at
! the other end Of the barn, rushing like
mad. Jim, calling to the Kid to "hold
fast slipped from under him and ran,
| too. The Kid hung by his hands from the
high window, and the boys pursuer. who
ever he was, stopped a second at the
strange sight, and then chased on again
| after PUNK.
| Up and down and round about the barn
they ran. PUNK lodging till he felt his
heart pounding as if it would break loose
| from his body. But still his pursuer was
merciless Close at his heels he was. and
in minute PUNK stubbed his toe and
| fell. That minute he thought was his last.
but 1t wasn't. Something warm and hairy
fell on top Of him. then lifted him upright
| and held him close. Then blow de-
scended on his neck. and as he hit out
wildly. another blow met his face.
Then he heard, in between the blows, a
frightened to help, also heard the laugh
ter. and turning saw three figures seated
| on the fence. And the one who was laugh
Ing loudest was Bud Grove.
| In a minute Bud called out, '"Timep'
and as II by magic Plunks eaptor re-
leased his grip. and PUNK was free. dazed
| and breathless.
Say. you fellows" called Bud, 81
should think you'd be tired-specially the
Kid. who looks as If he were tied in three
bowknots up in that window. Come into
the kitchen and rest. Mother made some
fresh gingerbread today. and we've got
some dandy apples-and I may as well
Into the kitchen they filed. PUNK limp
ing sadly and the Kid stretching out his
long limbs. The lamp was lighted, and tt
Plunk's great amazement, there stood &
burly brown bear blinking in the light.
Boys" said Bud solemnly. 'let me pre-
sent you to Prof. Bob Bruin, who came
last week with Uncle Ben. You have sor-
OF ruined my surprise, but guess maybe
you surprised yourself about as much
Bob shake hands with the boys"
Bob solemnly shook hands all around
We've been giving him boxing lesson.
since he came" continued Bud, '.anG
we're going to have an exhibition Now
promise you won't tell about him, ant
we'll promise not to let on about you,
| scare"
PUNK was only too ready to agree tt
| these terms.