And none of them was any more inclined that way than Bob.

He was rather wild, and some of the things he did were unkind and harmful to those on whom he played jokes.
Bob was always the first to acknowledge he had been in the wrong, and when it was pointed out to him that he had not done what was right he always apologized.

Only this was always after the mischief had been done, and he was just as ready half an hour later to indulge in another prank.
Nearly every one in Moreville knew Bob, some to their sorrow.

But in spite of his tricks he was well liked, even though some nervous women predicted that he would land in jail before he got to be much older.
It was a pleasant afternoon in June, and Bob had not been home from school long when his mother sent him after the lard.

As it happened, this just suited the youth's purpose, for he contemplated putting into operation a trick he had long planned against William Hodge, the proprietor of the village grocery store.
So Bob trudged along, whistling a merry tune and jingling in his pocket the money his mother had given him.
"He'll be as mad as hops," he murmured, "but it can't do much harm.
He'll turn it off before much runs out." This may seem rather a puzzle to my young readers, but if you have patience you will soon understand what Bob meant, though I hope none of you will follow his example.
As Bob walked along he met another lad about his own age.
"Hello, Bob," greeted Ted Neefus.