Halloween at Merryvale | Page 3

sitting, watching the fun.
"Keep perfectly still," whispered Chuck in Fat's ear, as Hopie drew near, then as he paused before Fat and placed the stem upon his head the boys broke into shouts of laughter.
"Oh, you pumpkin head," gasped Reddy.
Hopie pulled off his pillow slip and stared in wonder about him, then he too laughed.
"I was so sure I had it on the pumpkin!" he exclaimed.
"Better be careful, Fat," warned Toad, "If mother takes you for a pumpkin she'll put you in a pie."
Numbers two, three and four hadn't much better luck for Herbie stuck the stem on the center table, Chuck on a book stand and Reddy tried very hard to put it into the pot but Mother Brown held out her hand just in time to save it from falling in.
Linn's turn came next.
"Watch me," he said. "I'm going to do it."
"Bet you don't," challenged Reddy.
Then Father Brown gave him a few quick turns and away he started. After taking two or three steps forward he paused, then, stretching out his hands he walked slowly toward the fireplace. When he had reached it he turned about and faced the room.
"Now, I know where I am," he thought, "I'll walk right over to the corner by the door."
"Look," whispered Chuck to Herbie, "he knows where he's going, all right."
Each boy held his breath as Linn drew closer and closer to the chair which held the pumpkin. Then as his knees struck against the edge of it he stopped and placed the stem on the top of the pumpkin.
"Good for you, Linn," cried Toad. "I didn't think you could do it."
"Oh, it was easy," boasted Linn. "The heat of the fire told me where the fireplace was, then when I turned and faced the other way I knew I only had to walk to the left to reach this corner."
"Here's the prize," announced Chuck, stepping up to Linn and handing him a box.
"Hurry up and open it," cried Hopie, "we want to see what's in it." And as the lid came off the box, Linn exclaimed:
"A baseball, just what I've been wanting," and he tossed it up into the air.
"That's as lively as a cricket," commented Herbie, as he caught the ball and bounced it on the floor.
CHAPTER III
THE SWINGING APPLES
Mother Brown now whispered something in Fat's ear and with a broad grin Fat disappeared through the door leading to the kitchen. In another moment he reappeared carrying two large, well-greased pans in his hands. At once the boys all crowded about the fireplace trying to help and in less time than it takes to tell, the taffy that had been boiling in the large pot was poured into the pans and set away to cool.
"By jiminy, I hope it tastes as good as it smells," observed Toad.
"I'm sure it will," replied Mother Brown, with a smile.
"Stand in line," ordered Chuck, "while I tie your hands behind your backs."
"You're not going to spank us, are you?" wailed Fat, making believe to cry.
"No, silly," laughed Chuck, adding, "Everyone take off his slip, now. We need our whole faces to play this game."
Toad, with the help of Father Brown, then placed a long pole so that the ends rested on the top of two bookcases and from it hung many bright red apples, tied on with strings.
"Now," said Chuck, "the fellow who can take one good bite out of an apple without using anything to steady it with, gets a prize."
"Me first," cried Herbie.
"All right," was the reply, "go ahead." And Herbie started.
At first it seemed very easy, but whenever he got ready to take a good bite the apple always slipped away. The boys all laughed as Herbie made one dive after another.
"Ah, have a bite," cried Reddy. "I picked that one out for you."
Herbie then gave the apple a push and stood with his mouth wide open, awaiting the return swing, but instead of getting a bite, the apple landed on his nose.
Fat fairly rolled over with laughter and after a few more attempts Herbie gave up his place to Linn Smith. Then Father Brown took Herbie's apple off the string and, tossing it to him, said:
"Here's the Boobie prize."
Linn had no better luck than Herbie, although he tried his hardest. The apple always bobbed about his head, rolling away just as he thought he had it.
"You're next," called out Toad, as Fat stepped forward toward the apples.
"Good evening," said Fat, bowing low, "I've a very empty feeling, would you like to step inside?"
"Ah, hurry up," shouted Reddy, "I want a turn some time tonight."
"So do I," chimed in Hopie Smith.
Fat grinned. "Don't be in such a hurry; it never pays," he retorted.
Again and again he tried but did no better than the rest. Hopie Smith, who followed, had no