Master Ned on the door-step sat,
Busily thinking away.
"Now what shall I plan for a clever trick
For an April-fool to play?
There's Tom, he's mean as a boy can be,
And he never can pass me by
Without a word that is rude and cross,
And maybe a punch on the sly.
"Some trick I'll find that'll pay him off
And teach him a lesson too."
So Master Ned he pondered awhile,
Till the dimples grew and grew,
And he laughed at last as away he ran.
"I'll make him sorry," thought he,
"For the many times he has done his best
To tease and to trouble me."
On April first, with the early dawn,
Was found at Tommy's door
A package tied, and "Master Tom"
Was the only address it bore.
"'Tis only a trick of Ned's," said Tom;
"He owes me many a one;
But I'll match him yet--he'd better beware--
Before the day is done."
Then Tom peeped in at his package. Oh,
What a shamefaced fellow was he!
A handsome book, and a line which read,
"Accept this, Tom, from me."
And this was the way in which Tom was "fooled";
And afterward, meeting Ned,
"Your trick has beaten all mine for good--
Forgive me, old fellow," he said.