The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-10-04

big melon, doing It softly so as to make a faint noise. Well, to be honest, l guess you are ripe. But 1t won't hurt to leave you on the vine till tonight. And you should have helped me out In this matter by humping green. Still, thereSis nothing deceptive about you, old melon. And now what excuse am I to give Aunt for not picking you off? An, there's old Mrs. Adams coming down the lane. She's in for the day, she Is, for when she comes to visit 1t means till dark drives her home. And she's as full of gossip as old Rover Is of heas, too, and she'll be gabbing so hard that Aunts mind will be full of her and she'll forget all about the melon. I'll just get couple or ripe ones and take them to the cellar"
 So saying Gus selected two fine melons, put them in big basket which he carried on his shoulder, whistllng as he returned to the house.
 As Gus had said, an old neighbor lady, Mrs. Adams, had come to spend the day, true country fashion. md had brought along n basket of sewing and a full store of gossip. So Gus aunt did not think of melons again that day, except to tell Gus to put one in cold water to get cool for dinner. But the big melon was entirely forgotten by her during her neighbours visit which lasted till the shadows of night fell
 The next day was busy one for the Rogers family. The Smiths-warm friends of Gus uncle and aunt--came to spend the day. Mrs. Rogers, being so busy with the preparations for dinner, did not think to inquire about the melons, and not till 1t was time to bring them from the cellar to be cut for dessert did she notice that the large one was not there.
 ''Why, Gus, where's your choice big mel on-the one we planned to have for to- day?" asked Mrs. Rogers.
 Gus blushed and stammered: 'I think the smaller melons are-are-riper, may be, Aunt. Anyway, the big one-is- gone!"
 "Gone?" asked his uncle. somewhat sur prised. "Why, it was there yesterday, for I walked through the patch helping Dave to get a load for market. l told him not to pull that one"
 Gus did not say anything more, but excused himself on some plea and slipped from the table while the company was engaged in praising the fine melons cut for their enjoyment. "Im sure you'd not want finer melon than this one," said Mrs. Smith. Its like sugar." "Um, it's offul good" said little Roy Smith, filling his mouth and accidentally swallowing seed in his hurry to deyour all that was in sight.
 Then the big melon was entirely Tor gotten for the day, and Gus felt rellef when at last he went to his room for the night. In the morning he would be up and off before anyone was awake. His uncle and aunt had given their con sent for him to take the one-horse buggy and go to town to the Fair. And Gus had the melon safely hidden away in the back of the buggy box, covered with some hay which was to serve as food for the horse.
 Gus entered his great watermelon for the blue ribbon prize as soon as he reached the Fair grounds. And he felt proud, too, when he heard the farmers saying: "Hully gracious. Did you ever see the like of that? Aint he whopper, though? Biggest melon l ever see In my born daysli And many other such re- marks.
 And to Gus genuine pleasure, his melon took the blue ribbon, too, and 1t was tied on the little curly green stem-the part