Norwich bulletin., 1912-12-07
How Josephine Was Pooled
By l. N. U.

I've often wished that I could fool Jo Jones, but It's simply impossible. I believe she could see through any thing.
 We'll, perhaps that's a pretty strong statement, but we girls can't feaze her. She can fool us fast enough, too. did wish could pay her back. I was talking to mother about it that April Fools Day when I came home from school.
 T would give most anything" I said, If well, if anybody ceuld April Fool Jo. She's too quick, and today she's right on guard. I wonder where she is, anyway. She promised te come up this afternoon. Her mothers away. Mean chump."
 Perhaps Isabel wanted her," said mother. "She will probably be around soon. She doesn't often fail you. Suppose you ask her to stay to sup per, Barbara. l made some chocolate cake today" /
 Pretty soon I saw Jo tretting up the walk, so I waved to her, and she raced up the walk, into the house and up- stairs, like a whole regiment, mother said But mother doesn't mind; she's used to 1t.
  like to have her. Father always has some new story to tell, and he just enjoys quizzing Jo. Tonight we had an especially nice supper-cold chick en, and peaches and hot mullins, and tapioca custard, and the chocolate cakes mother spoke of. They were lovely little cup cakes, with a thick soft frosting.
 We'll, Jo and I sat together at the table, and there were just three cakes on the plate when it reached me. took one. It had a crack in the side, and I turned it over, and-there was a tiny bit of cotton sticking out. I do believe Jo would have been fooled that time if I had known enough to keep still. She was talking about basket ball with father, and She'd forgotten about it's being April Fools Day. It's too bad I lost such chance to fool her, but I never thought about that, and I piped up,
 "Oh, Jo, don't take one, there's cot ton in them. I saw 1t"
 Of course, everyone foared, every one but mother. She had thought she was going to fool us."
 You ought not to have told, Bar bara, you silly child" she said, T took particular pains with those, think you really deserve going without your good ones, but still. you might as well have them to eat with your pudding"
 I think tapieea is the incest kind of pudding there is, and this was in pretty little cups, with big meringue on top. I was in the kitchen while mother was fixing the tray. and she had said, \
 This one in the rose cup is fer you, Barbara"
 I had hit enc of the ethers, and I told her to put that where I'd get it, for the top was cracked.
 Well, it, really doesn't make any great difference she said. T thought that one didn't look quite as well"
 Jo happened to get the one that mother had said was for me. Jo likes tA1-inca custard, and this looked so good t3s1fet she was all ready for 8 treat.
 'tToe bad you couldn't have served cotton cakes with this, x said father.
 ''Ehey will think the pudding did as well, when they wake up in the night, " said mother, with funny little smile. Does 1t taste good. girls T'
 Why, yes, it's delicious" I said Jo tasted of hers, critically. T don't know" she said. Seems to me 1t has a. kind of queer taste. Ana, you can't fool me, Mrs. Dodge, you've put something in that will make us sick. Can't you taste 1t, Bab?"
 "Why, no," answered. Then re- membered. "Oh, Jo, mother told me that one was for me. but I had hit this and cracked it, so I took it. She has fixed up dose of something for me, and you've got it. Mine tastes all right"
 Mother had to stop eating. and she just sat back in her chair and laughed
 Am I the only victim?' asked Jo. She didn't enjoy getting a dose that was meant for someone else.
 Mine tastes pretty good" said father. Flows yours, Fredr
 "All right. don't see anything the matter"
 Tt is all the same," said Jeanie. T saw mother put it In the cups"
 Perhaps she added the stuff after wards" said Jo, looking into her cup. 'But mine certainly has 8 bitter taste. Don't you notice it, Bab7 Perhaps,