The Store Boy

inutes before the time, and secured a seat very near the stage, or, perhaps it will be more correct to say, the platf

he said pleasantly. "S

ll as for her agreeable manners, was an object of attraction to the boys, who, while too young to be in love, were not insensible to th

well acquainted with the young lady to address he

he compliment," answered

" said Ben, "or you w

o you happen to get off this evening? I tho

is evening for a special reason," and the

ed with eag

rribly frighten

h a smile: "Even if I had been,

ened that I would have scream

" said Ben, amused. "I'l

ughing at me. Tell me trul

money. The tramp was stronger than I, and could

Where did he go? Do you t

think he is in the village. He wo

amp was in Ben's kitchen,

. "You see I came alone. Aunt couldn't come with me, an

let me see you home,

uble you," said Rose, w

ke you out

d that," sai

any need. You say the tr

I think it very lik

o-" commenced Rose, wi

of it. He's a terri

me to accept Ben's escort, for he was a brig

ept your offer, but I am sorry

t all," said

on came forward and made

entlemen," he said, when this was over

hare in the glory of the coming trick, produced a flaming red b

will hardly answer my purpose. I should prefer a

yours, Rose,"

on, and it was pass

e to do what I please with the ha

odded

sor, "I will see if it

ushed it in his hand, and then

ed a low e

f your handkerchie

im. You must buy me anoth

you don't get

can

aps the professor d

erchief regretfully. "I am afraid I have destroyed th

She felt a little disturbed, for it was a

st try to repair damages. I made a little mistake in supposing the handkerchi

hich was a neat box. Taking a small key from his pocket, he unlocked it and d

it not?" he asked, stepping down from t

ment, examining it carefully,

od condition as whe

s,

he expense of buying a new one. Young man, ha

on was addr

, s

t, as I did the young lady's handkerchie

s,

magician had reac

believe he is mistaken. Perhaps he forgot these articles when he said it was empty," and he d

e, and Ben looked rather confused, especially

ing Mr. Crawford,

t-basket," proceeded the professor. "Rather a strange t

f stockings, a na

her curious taste to put them with vegetables. But here is something else," and the magician p

have that pretty

" said Ben, half an

s nothing more," s

t to Ben, and gave it

your vegetables and other art

come to them

you are ve

oor. As Rose reached the outer door, a boy about Ben's age, but consider

you home, Mi

ort," said Rose, "but I h