Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-06-13
FOUR LITTLEINDIANS
Or, How Carroll sGot Even"
S-Ef
BY ELLA MARY COATES.
Copyright, 1902, by Henry T. Coates & Coz
CHAPTERqI.

CHAPTERqI.
1t was a glorious day The sun was
shining brightly, and there was just enough
snap to the air to make small boys eager
to run about and cut up capers. There was
a good wind, too which had already cover
ed the ground under the walnut tree with
nuts.
Carroll looked out of the window as he
was dressing just to make sure that the
tree had not disappeared during the night,
for he had designs upon that tree; and he
saw something that filled him with dis
may. The tree was there, safe enough,
but something else was there, too, and
that was little express wagon half filled
with nuts and three small boys picking up
the rest as fast as they could.
You stop that! shouted Carroll, bang
ing on the window with his fist. Ihose
walnuts aren't yours but the tree was
too far away, and the boys paid no atten-
ton to him. Carroll was SO excited that
his fingers trembled as he tried to button
his jacket.
They're stealing our walnuts," he said
to himself Indignantly. Then he went over
to the bed, and shook his brother, who was
still asleep.
Get up, you lazy!' he shouted in his
ear.
What's the natter" asked Bob, slowly
turning over and opening his eyes.
why, there are some of the village boys
out there getting our walnuts. Hurry
up!'
Bob was out of bed In an instant, for all
the week they had been planning to gather
those wainuts on Saturday, and it did seem
too bad, now that Saturday was here and
they were free from lessons, that the nuts
should be carried off from under their
very noses by somebody else.
You go down and drive them away"
said Bob. as he started to dress, land III
come as soon as l can"
Carroll was half way down stairs, when
the breakfast bell rang. He knew that
prompt attention to the meal hours was
one of the things his mother was very
particular about, so he just ran out on the
better not touch those walnuts!' to the In
Vaders.
The tree would not be seen from the din
Ing room windows, and Carroll and Bob
were on pins and needles all through break
fast, and so excited and indignant that
they could hardly eat; in fact, believe Bob
managed to dispose of only six hot cakes,
which, as any boy can tell, showed that
something was the matter. Then he threw
down his knife and fork, saying:
I'm done. Come on Carroll! Wen soon
. send those boys off,"
He quite forgot to ask to be excused
but Mrs. Mason was a mother who under
stood boys. and she knew that under the
d
boy to remember his manners
The boys with the wagon full of walnuts
had disappeared by the time they got to
the tree, so there was nothing for 1t but
to gather up the rest and make sure of
them at any rate. There had been high
wind all night, and the ground was covered.
Carroll went for a wheelbarrow to haul
them in, and while he was gone Bob climb
ed up the tree and shook SO hard that the
Walnuts came tumbling to the ground in
9 az oil fhaf
roll was not underneath, for his head
would have been nicely bumped. When he
came back, Bob came down, and they
both set to work and piled the nuts In
the Wheelbarrow as fast as they could.
MY! that old tree had a lot on this
year" said Bob, as he paused a moment to
push the hair out of his eyes. He had one
stray lock that would never stay in place,
and always got in his eyes when he bent
down Bother this hair. any wayr'
The wheelbarrow's full" called Carroll,
from the other side of the tree. III take
1t back Hs
Where are you going to put emp" asked
Bob as he threw two more on the load
Lets dump 'em back of the barn. In a
pile, and then, after we hull them, we can
put them on the chicken-house roof, so
they can dry out" replied Carroll.
All right" answered Bob. Il guess I'll
kids: might come back"
If they do, just tell EN- to mind their
own business" said Carroll as he lifted
the handles OF the wheelbarrow and
started towards the barn. These Walnuts
are ours, and they can't have en-"
We'll. l 'spose they think, cause half Of
the tree Is over the fence, that anybody
can take 'em that wants." called Bob, kick
ing some Of the nuts together into heap
We'll, just GUEST We own out to the
middle Of the road. any way" called back
Carroll. Il know, cause father explained
1t to me one day.
They were inside the fence, anyhow"
shouted Bob, for Carroll was getting far
ther away.
We'll, you give it to 'em If they come
back" yelled Carroll over his shoulder.
Bob set to work, and began to pile the
rest of the walnuts together in a heap,
wheelbarrow when Carroll came back.
Every now and then he glanced down the
road to see If any Village kids" were com
ing. Nobody appeared, and he soon had all
the nuts on the ground heaped in one place.
There were more left on the tree. but he
was tired and thought he would not bother
to climb up and shake them down. He threw
stick up. but 1t did not even hit the
branches.
''Oh. I'll let Carroll do 1t when he comes I"
he said to himself.
"Getherin' yer walnuts?" said a voice
Bob looked up and saw old Dave Rivers.
who had pulled up his horse and was
watching him from the other side of the
fence.
"Hullo, Dave! he said.
'Oh, purity well-purty WELL" replied the
old man, nodding his head a good many
times as deaf people sometimes do
Il spose he thought said How are
your" said Bob to himself with a smile.
Dave Rivers was very old-or at least
seemed so to Carroll and Bob, who had
known him all their lives-and quite a char
drove past the Masons' twice day, to the
village to get his mail, and the rickety old