The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1907-01-03

precincts Of their camping ground.
A whistle assured his aunt in waiting
that all was well, and she emerged
from the wood pile and rejoined her
nephew.
Everything is here!" he exclaimed
joyfully. "Hello! What's this?"
He took down a note which was
pinned to the trunk Of the tree beneath
which he had stored his booty.
"a fair exchange" he read, sis no
robbery. l recognize our subsistence
and therefore take four ears of your
roast corn l judge there are but two
in your party, and two ears will be
plenty for you-in fact, all you should
eat"
The clear ringing laugh of Bob's Aunt
Lou echoed through the woods and
caught the attention Of young man
who was serenely contemplating a de-
spoiled corncob. He smiled appreci-
atively and turned as if he would fain
trace the origin Of the echo of mirth,
but the people who were boarding the
little launch on the river called warn
ingly to him, and he desisted.
The next evening Aunt Lou was put
ting the finishing touches to an elabo-
rate toilet and Bob was surveying her
with admiration and discomfort.
you're going to have bang up din
ner, and l won't be in it," he said de-
jectedly.
'I shall not enjoy it half as much as
did our stolen feast" she said earnest
ly. Il have never tasted anything SO
good as our picnic supper"
'If I am awake when you come
home, Aunt Lou, will you tell me all
about itY'
Bob, you little fraud-as II you
didn't always stay awake until re-
turn! I'll bring you my souvenir, II
we have souvenirs"
she returned late that night, passing
the door of her little nephew's room.
Aunt Lou!'' he called imperiously.
She opened the door, turned on the
electric light and swept across the room
to the little white bed.
"Oh, Bobr' she said exultantly. 1--WE
got so much to tell your
Bob sat bolt upright.
did you have souvenirs?'' he asked
excitedly.
"Yes,' hesitatingly; "but, Bob, dear,
want to keep mine. Look!' And she
pointed to huge bunch of violets fas-
tened to her gown by a dainty little
scarfpin.
"Oh, / say, Aunt Lou! That's not
fair! You promisedv'
Il know. But, Bob, wouldn't you
rather have a terrier like Frank'sY'
"Surer' came in eager emphasis.
| Say, Aunt Lou, will you, honest?"
"I'll buy you one tomorrow to make
up for the pin, but must tell you
what happened. AS soon as I was In
troduced to the man, Mr.. Hampton,
who was to take me in to dinner, Fred
Hunter came up to me and told me an
awfully funny story. You know how
loud l laugh. It's bad form, but
can't help it. was so ashamed.
stopped short, but every one was look
ing at me in surprise, and Mr.. Hamp-
ton had such a peculiar expression that
when we went in to dinner / could
think of nothing to say, and no re-
marks passed between us until the
soup course. 1t was puree of corn, and
what do you think? Ny dinner part
ner said suddenly, Don't you like corn
roasted in a bonfire best of any way :!
l thought maybe it was only chance
shot, and tried to look Indifferent, but
my face betrayed me, and then we
both laughed, and l told him all about
our game Of tramp. and he wants to &c
| with us next time.''
.But how did he know?" demanded
Bob.
"Oh, Bob, he heard me laugh when
read the note, you know, and he said
as soon as he heard me laugh In the
drawing room the identity of the thie1
was revealed Forgive me, Bob. but
laid all the blame on you. | think
| am going to like him. and had love
ly time, and-altogether, Bob, I'd like
to keep the pin if you'd just as soor
have the terrier