The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1900-01-05
loved and cried very loudly and hen
crept under it again. But We" said the

cfept under it again. But We, said the
stars. are as old as the unknown"
He leaned his chin against the palm
OF his hand and looked up at them. So
long he sat there that bright stars set
Then at last he stood up and began
to loosen the "riem'' from the gable.
What did it matter about the books?
The lust and the desire for them had
died out. If they pleased to keep them
from him, they might. What matter?
1t was a very little thing. Why hate
and struggle and fight? Let it be as it
would.
He twisted the ''riem" round his arm
and walked back along the ridge OF the
house.
By this time Bonaparte Blenkins had
finished his dream of Trana, and as he
turned himself round for Il fresh do2e
he heard the steps descending the lad
der. His first impulse was to draw
the blanket over his head and his legs
under him and to shout; but, recollect-
ing that the door was locked and the
window carefully bolted, he allowed
his head slowly to crop out among tie
blankets and listened %intently. Who
Soeve it might be. there was no danger
of their getting at him, so he clambered
out of bed and, going on tiptoc 10 the
door, applied his eye to the keyi2ole.
There was nothing to be seen; so.
walking to the window, he brought his
face as close to the glass as his nose
would allow. There was a figure just
discernible. The lad was not trying
to walk softly. and The heavy shuiiling,
of the well known "~vel-schoens" could
be clearly heard through the closed
window as they crossed the one in
the yard. E~8naparte listened till they
had died away round the corner OF the
wagon house. and. feeling that his oare
legs were getting cold, he jumped back
into bed again.
II st : IS s. s.
"What do you keep up in your loft"
inquired Bonaparte of the Boer wona.
the next morning, pointing upward and
calculating his meaning by the addi,
ton of such Dutch words as he knew
for the lean Hottentot was gone home.
"Dried Skins" said the Boer woman
"and empty bottles and boxes anG
sacks and soap"
"You don't keep any of your pro
visions there-sugar. now?" said Bona
parte. pointing to the sugar basin anG
then up at the loft.
Tant' Sannie shook hey head.
"Only salt and dried peaches"
"Dried peaches, chg" said Bonaparte
"Shut the door. my dear child, shut i
tight" he called out to Em. who stool
in the dining room. Then he leanr,
over the elbow of the sofa and broa-h
his face as close as possible to the Baa
woman's and made signs of eating
Then he said something she did no
comprehend. then said. waldo. Waldo
Waldo" pointed up to the loft. ant
made signs of eating again.
Now III inliling of his meaning dawn
ed on the Bocr woman's mind. I,
make il clearer he moved his legs afte
the manner of one going up a ladder
appeared to be opening a door. masti
Gated vigorously. said. Peaches
peaches. peaches" and appeared to b
coming down the ladder.
1t was now evident to Tant' Sanni
that Waldo had been in her loft an,
eaten her peaches.
To eXempiiIy his own share in TIL
proceedings Bonaparte lay down OF
the sofa and. shutting his eyes tightly
said, Might. night, night" Then h
sat up wildly, appearing to be intentl
listening. mimicked With his feet til
coming down a ladder and looked Il
Tant' Sannie. This clearly Shove
how, roused in the night. he had dis
covered the theft.
Gle must have been Il great fool t
eat my peaches" said Tant Sannis
"They are full OF mites as u sheepski
and as hare as stones"
Bonaparte. funbling in his poke
did lot even hear her remark and too
out from his coattail Il little horsewhil
nicely rolled up. Bonaparte winked a
the little %rhinoceros horsewhip, at til
Boer woman and then at the door.
"Shall we cal. him-Waldo, Waldo!
he said.
Tant' Sannie nodded and gigglet
There was something SO exceeding!
humorous in the idea that he was g,
ing to beat the boy, though for her ow
part she did not see that the peachG
We're worth it. When the Kaffir mai
came With the washtub, she was SCI
to Waldo, and Bonapart
doubled up the little whip and put it j
his pocket. Then he drew himself II
and prepared to act his important PAL
with becoming gravity. Soon VALID
stood in the door and took off his hat,
"Come in. come in, my lad" sal
Bonaparte, "and shut the door behind.
The boy came in and stood befol
them.
"You need not be SO afraid, child,
said Tant' Sannie. ~ was Il child IN.
self once. It's NJ great harm if yo
have taken a few"
Bonaparte perceived that her remar
was not in keeping with the nature {
the proceedings and of the little dram
he intended to act. pursuing out n
lips and waving his hand, he solemn