74 Woodside. 



broke out, and the two lads, boldly facing the situation, de- 

 termine to go no longer. With several companions they go 

 over the ground which we have travelled to-day. It is 

 October ; the ground is strewn with chestnuts just shaking 

 free from the resigning husk. Over the public pathway 

 through the Park hundreds of chestnut trees grow. The 

 path is carpeted with chestnuts. Were not chestnuts made 

 for boys to eat? This is so self-evident that a few are 

 picked up mechanically and eaten, and as it is said one little 

 pig drives down another, so does one chestnut drive down 

 another. But the chestnuts are picked up faster than they 

 can be eaten ; first one and then another finds its way into a 

 pocket, and at last, from the many bushels lying on the 

 ground the pockets are filled. The boys are happy, care is 

 thrown to the winds this lovely afternoon. But at the 

 entrance of the wood they are startled by the appearance of 

 a swarthy-looking keeper with a thick stick. The condition 

 of their pockets pricks their consciences. A moment's con- 

 sultation, a sudden rush, and the keeper is on his back in 

 the road, whilst the boys are rushing over the fields we have 

 just crossed. The keeper, incensed at this rough treatment, is 

 soon in hot pursuit. Round the corner they come, the stile 

 is cleared, and down the hill they go. 



Alas ! the irony of Fate ! Sunday School is just being dis- 

 missed. The children line up to see the flying scud. The 

 maiden ladies stand in pious horror. The new tradesman- 

 superintendent looks on in despair, whilst his two sick boy- 

 teachers, hats in hand, their coats flying in the wind, splashed 

 with mud from head to foot, rush madly by with their 

 companions. Only one person appears to be enjoying it. A 

 dark eye twinkles with amusement from behind the ivy- 



