The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1908-05-14

the sOftest snap he ever heard OF.
When we arrived at the field we were
the happiest kids you could imagine.
There appeared to be millions of them,
all ours, and not soul in sight. We
lost no time in gathering all we could
carry. and we were about. to sample
one when we seen farmer coming to-
wards us on the run. In his right
hand he carried pitchfork, and he
was shouting so loud at as that we be-
gan to tremble. Johnny suggested
that we hold our ground, saying that
we saw the melons first, therefore no
one had a right to interfere. As the
farmer approached, he wanted to know
what business we had stealing his
melons.
"Your melons," said the surprised
Johnny. /
"Yes, my melonsW at.a
"Why, we found them first," splut-
tered little Johnny, sand they are ours
as much as they are yourn."
i"What! you confounded little
scamp; found them, eht' ~a
He made q grab for Johnny, but
missed him, and the next moment we
were on the road running as fast as we
could. Some of us seized our SACKS
with the melons, as we did not wish to
60 back empty. The farmer kept af-
ter US at good clip, and we were
forced to drop the sacks or else be
captured by the angry rube. The
chase was short and spirited, but youth
won the day. At safe distance we
paused and discussed the situation.
Johnny was convinced that we were
robbed Of our melons instead of being
thieves. But no matter how long We
argued over this point, it did not pro-
duce the luscious fruit, and we went
back to town rather disappointed. No,
we did not tell our troublesA to the first
cop we met, but kept quiet, because
the ownership Of those melons were
not proved for several days thereafter,
and then we were convinced.
| While the farmer was in town one
day he recognized one of the party
caught him and took him before ore
of the justices of the peace. The Lad
was scared so badly by threats that he
told who the other boys were. The
whole story came out as to how We
were deceived about the ownership Of
the melons. You see, there was nc
fence around the field, and this is what
deceived US. The farmer joined sc
heartily in the laugh that followed
that the tears streamed from his eyes
When he Quiered down so he coul(
talk, he asked to have the case dis
missed. He then shook each young
, ster's hand and invited Johnny t,
bring the boys out to get the sacks
saying that the melons were still ther,
! aud that he would see that they hat
better luck next time. We went ou
I and had the time of our lives. Their
) was oceans of fresh milk, custard pie
! very nearly two inches thick, and fresl
i. teggs. My but how us boys did eat
8 1T did the farmer and his wife good t.
q look at US drink his cool milk heavil
D laden with rich cream. When we fin
: ished lunch the farmer remarked as b
5 bid US goodbye: "Boys, whenever yo
q want any melons, Come out and see me
. but don't try to steal them and the
8 attempt to bluff me by saying that ye
+ saw them first. Be honest and 20
q will be men," Little Johnny crosse
| himself twice and said he would tr,
Q AS glance back over the dim visit
o of years to those halcyon days, l sig
], for the old carefree times and wonde
It where those merry chaps have driftet
It Today, some of them who staid i
d their home town are respected, citizeE
q and considered solid men of the con
ls munity. They occupy trusted pos
le tions, and several of them have serve
the people In Office in highly cfedi
le able manner. Their names are TO |
It found In Dune and Readstreet's. !.
8. few OF them have drifted to 9th!
If states and never returned. WhethI
n they are dead or 10 dipgrace I kno
ID not; but little Johnhy drsen. the cl,a
'yA who use4 70 tsads shsephead for pfl