they were debating about what it was best to do they heard a rumble of wheels
at the door, and—

“Father's come!” cried Rob, and away both of them ran.
their father had come.

The boys began to tell their adventure in such an excited way that for
some time Mr. Kent couldn’t understand what they were talking about. When
he did he was almost as much excited as they were.

“Mercy onus! We'll all be killed!” cried Mrs. Kent, frightened half out
of her senses. “I'll never put foot inside of that house while them men’s in
that cellar! Dear me! What did possess them boys to do such an awful
thing? I felt just as if something was going to happen! I know they’ll murder
every soul of us before morning!”

But they didn’t. Mr. Kent went after Mr. Johnson, and with his assistance
the thieves were captured and taken to the village where Mr. Kent had been
to mill. It was found out afterward, when they came to trial, that they
belonged to a gang of horse-thieves, and the corn they had stolen was to feed
horses that they had secreted in a swamp not far off. Johnnie and Rob were
heroes for a long time‘after that, and you will hear the story of how they
caught the thieves told in that neighborhood now, if you happened to visit it.

Sure enough,

—EBEN E, REXFORD.

x % #

| CN Queer Avy.

E doesn’t like to study, it “weakens
J i his eyes,”

rok But the “right sort” of book will in-
Goss sure a surprise—
Let it be about Indians, pirates or bears,
And he’s lost for the day to all mundane

affairs;
By sunlight or gaslight his vision is clear—
Now, isn’t that queer?

 

At thought of an errand, he’s “tired as a
hound,” :

Very weary of life,andof “tramping around;”

But if there’s a band or a circus in sight,

He will follow it gladly from morning till
night;

 

The showman will capture him some day, I
fear,
For he is so queer,

If there’s work in the garden, his head “aches

to split.”

And his back is so lame that he “can’t dig a
bit;”

Bat mention base-ball, and he’s cured very
soon,

And he’ll dig for a woodchuck the whole
afternoon,

Do you think he “plays ’possum?” He
seemed quite sincere;

But—zsn’¢ he queer?
—W.H.S.