Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1897-01-01
goin in after i'm, why don't yeh go in

add more & this rVprO.ch he climbed
the fence that comp. Scd the woods,
looking resentfully b., !; al his compan-
on.
"Well?" said Peter when the major
paused.
The major stcr2cd don upon the
thick carpet Cf lruWu lct,. hat reich
ed under &c trees lie tl~Aed then 10
whisper:
"Nch wait here, will yrA?" Eis face
was red with Cs,... ..,...' IN.
"Wcll hol cn q IL mct," said Peter
"You-I-wc'd b>ttcr'--
mo, " said the mayor "Yeh wait
here.
He went stoalii!ly into the thickot.
Peter watched LiI tG,I Lc prcw to be
ii vague, slow moylg shadow. from
time TO time he c,..Ai hear the leaves
crackle ard tTiES nap u..ler the ma
jor's awkward tread Pctcr, intent,
GREATNESS, waited frr the peal of sud
den tragedy. IlHally the woods grew
silent in Il solemn aud impressive hush
that caused Peter TO hear the humping
of his heart. lie began TO look about
spring upon lin from the eomber shad-
oNs. He scrutuizcd THIS &c Il gloom be-
fore him, and AT tilAcs lie thought he
could perceive thu moving of swift, 81.
lent shapes. lie COZ, ludCG chat ne had
better try 10 muster some assistance to
the major
As Peter came through the corn the
women III the road caught sight of the
glittcring figure and screamed. Many
Of them began TO run. The little boys,
with all their valor, sCUTriad away in
clouds. Mrs. Joe Peterson. however,
cast glance over hcS shoulders rs she,
with her skirts gathered up. was run
ming as best she could. She Instantly
stopped, and III tones of dec pest scoru
called out 10 the Others:
Why it's oil " Pete Withohy."
They came ialtcriug b&c.; then, these
who had been naturally sNif;cst in the
race avoiding the eyes Of those whose
limbs had enabled hCl to tye only
short distance
Peter came rapidly, apprcciating the
chances of vivid interest in tie eyes Of
the women. 70 their licAmiu1.lG o
questions, which hit all sid s. of the cpl.
sode, he opposed new tranquility,
gained from his sudden ascent IN i'm.
portance. lie made 10 an~V = 10 thci5
clamor. When he Eui roG"Erd the tag|
Of the fence he called oIt command
'ugly:
Here you. Johnnie, you aul Ccorgt
run an git 1ly gun. is ig.n4in cn tn
pegs over IL bcnrh in tn STOP.
AT this t,-I.L.c aontc.c. "a ssV5.'criug
cry broke from the women the boy,
named sped down the roud, accolrp pa
MED by Il retinue of envlOus co.Apan
ions.
Peter swung his legs ov the rail
and faced the woods * r l. tN 1cd
his head once o say IL % : ]. can
yeh? Quit scu.l.n = puu. o.. could
see by his manner that tais was "a SUI
preme moment. The group became r,o
tionlcss and still. Later Pctlr TUNED t.
say, 'ShI' 20 Il restless boy. and tn,
air with which he SAID it snlote then
all with awe.
The littlc boys who had gone after
the gun came patiCyiEG along hurried.
ly, the weapon borne in III g. id,t of
them. Each |.;.s anxious 10 share in the
honor. The one " no had been delegated
to bring it Was bullying and directing
his comrades.
Peter said. "Sh!" lie took the gun
and poised it, III readiness TO sweep the
cornfeld. He scowled at the boys aAd
whispered angrily: "Why didn't ych
h,t, 4 . i,f ia
with tn bullets i'll? | told ych t bring
'em. I'll scrli somebody clsoncxt time.
"Yeh didn't tell US, cried the two
boys Shrilly.
"Sh! Quit yer noise" said Peter,
with violent gesture
However, this rtproof enabled other
boys to recover that peace of mind
which they had lost when seeing their
friends loaded with honors
The women had cautiously approach
ed the fence and from time To- time
whispered teverish questions, bat Peter
repulsed them savagcly, with an ar of
being infinitely bothered Y their inter
ference i'll his intent watch. They were
forced to listen again in silence to the
weird and prophetic chantln of the in
sects and the mystic silkcn rustling of
the corn
AT last the thud of scurrying feet III
the soft soil Of the field came to their
ears. a dark form sped toward them
A wave of mighty fear swept over tho
group, and the screams e the women
came hoarsely from their cEokcd throats.
Peter swung madly from lis perch and
turned to use the f. &C aS rampant.
But it was the major. His face was
inflamed, and his eyes Were glazing. He
clutched his rifle by the middle and
swung it wildly. He was bounding ut
great speed for his fat, short body.
IT'S all right; it's all right he
began to yell, some dis lncc away. It's
all right! It's on'y ole Milt Jacoby"
When he arrived ut the top of the
fence, he paused and moppcd his brow
What" they thunGcrcd in III agony
Of sudden, unreasonIng disappointment
Mrs Joe Peterson, who WIS : distant