Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-02-14
would offer no apology, but rather looked


Phil was on his feet In q flash. "A snake:"
he cried passionately, then it win bite
you." and he lunged furiousiy at Everard:
but. blinded by passion. he struck the pony
a blow that sent the beast dashing down
the hill at pace that its rider had never
travelled before. Cover followed in great
haste. fearing that he would share the
same fate But Phil threw himself down
again On the ground
"Oh, dear" he groaned. my miserable
temper To think hit that poor pony! But
what If it had been Everard?" He got up
to see If they were in sight, and saw them
some distance ahead on the turnpike. The
horses were under control and they were
talking to Nose and pointing in the direc-
ton where Phil stood. He watched the
boys ride away, and saw Absalom turn to-
ward the hill. his master in the wagon be-
hind, gravely shaking his head.
They have set even Nose against me,
he thought bitterly. There is no use Of
my waiting for him. I'll get no comfort,
and shall probably lose my place for this
days work" He started up the hill, but
weakness made his progress so slow that
the mules nose poked over his shoulder
when he attempted to cross the road in
front of him. Uttering faint cry he again
fell.
Nose was out Of the wagon in an instant.
Why. Phil! Phil my boy, what is it," he
asked, in alarm. There was no answer
q jes' b'lieve dem boys has been beatin'
him, stead O. him beatin' DEM
The boy began to revive, and Nose as
sisted him to his own door.
Sit dar on de po'ch till fin de key"
Again he measured off the "seven PAGES
one way, seven PAGES tother," and thrust
his hand into the hollow tree. A look of
establishment and fear came over his face.
Phil" he exclaimed, "dey amt no key
darl''
Cant you get in at one of the windows?"
'Co'se not. Dey is nailed down, SOS not
even fly kin git in. III try de doahs n
see If any thief's been hyer." He found
them firmly lHckod when 10 left the
house that morning.
Maybe the blue jays flew away with
your key said Phil, who was inclined to
laugh at the old mans loss. Seems your
other didn't keep some one from finding it."
Honey. i wuz dem birds. Oats too
poWfu CHI am fur any one to git oven.
But nobody kin CHI am birds or rabbits. I'll
look agin."
About high up as mans shoulders,
there was large opening in the side of
the lifeless trunk of the tree-which was
hollow to the ground. With some difficulty
Nose thrust his head into this hole and
peered down in the darkness beneath. OF
course he could see nothing, and on trying
to withdraw his head found himself unable
to do So In vain he wriggled, and turned
first one way and then another; he remain
ed prisoner. He began to shout. Mean
while Phil, although SO convulsed by laugh
ter he could scarcely walk, was Fastening
to his assistance. and by fiattening Moses
comfortable positions he was finally able
to extricate him from his awkward posi-
ton.
Phil lay on the grass shaking with mer-
riment, while Nose sat beside him with an
ashy face, trembling from his recent trial
IF l were you l would get some other
place to hide my key"
Don't see as I'm evan goin' to git my
key
Why don't you get an ak and chop a
hole in the tree near the bottom, and see
If it has tumbled down."
Oats berry good idea," and Nose start
ed for the wood pile.
The chopping. was the work Of half an
hour, at the end of which time the key was
found at the bottom of the hole
Some bird flynn in dere. dun knocked
dat key down. Dere's no use tryin' to
cham BIRDS" Nose said. as he prepared
supper that night. Phil had proposed going
home but his words met with an indig-
nant protest.
night. I'll git yo' supper an den Use
er-gwine to make some yarb tea fur yo'
an doctah yo' till yo's WELL Yo' isn't fifteen
to walk home after de beatin' Gowah an
dat Ponsonby boy dun give yo'.''
Did they tell you that they beat me?'
NO, but old Nose knows a thing or
two"
Phil laughed. you are mistaken this
time, and he told him just what had oc-
CURED on the hillside.
well, l jes' think Evera'd Ponsonby'd
better hit yo', dan call yo' snake"
Il don't mind it now. 1 am only sorry
struck the pony that way"
After supper Nose went out into the
woods and returned with a bundle of herbs
which he STEPPED. 1t was a bitter dose,
but If the boy had had no faith in its cura-
tive power he would have drunk it to please
his friend. He then rested upon the cot
that Nose improvised for him out Of chairs
and boards.
Il suppose 1 may as well clear out of
here he said after few minutes of ST.
lence during which he was thinking. After
my striking at Everard, Mr.. Montjoy will
be sure to discharge me, If he does not lock
me up for stealing Nine. Dupres ring.
think I'd better leave before that happens
I've stayed here hoping that father would
write. But Ill not wait any longer; I'll go
back to Cincinnati. Some of my friends
there may still believe me honest and give
me work"
Who's err cusin yo' O. not bein homes ?"
oh! you know that all the Montjoys
think l took the ruby. l don't know one
thing about it any more than you do. You
don't believe l stole it, do your
Nose shifted uneasily in his chair
Phil he said, Il know yo didn't take
de ring. l knows it as well as 1 knows
anythin', an nobody kin evan make me
b'lieve yo' did-so dar!"
'Oh, thank you. Nose! it's good to have
somebody believe in me-"
But yo' has jes' got ter stay right whar
70 Is. fur eff yo' goes to runnin' off folks'll
say yo' went kase you's guilty, which OBJ
co'se isn't So"
That's true, Nose. I had not thought of
that. III just have to stay here and stick
1t out, even If 1 have to go to JAIL"
You'll nevah go to Jail for stealin' dat
ring. It's er gwine to be foun' an ev'ry-
body'u know dat Phil Lewis nevah teched
it."
This appeared like a very cheerful view
to take Of the matter and he decided to
remain In the neighborhood for a while
longer. There was sound Of wagon
wheels on the road and Nose looked out.
Oars Tom Irwin jes' er gwine home 1
reckon I'd bettah tell him yo' won't be
along tonight"
If he's in the wagon I may as well go
with him. Phil said, but seeing the grieyed
expression on the old mans face, he added.
Still, it is long ride. and I'm SO com
Portable here. I'll stay with you all night,
If you will keep me-"
Nose hailed Mr.. Irwin and went out to
explain matters to him. When he came
back he carried letter in his hand, which
Phil eyed hungrily.
Mr.. Twins jes er gettin' back from de
pos office an he brought letter TO- yo',"
It's from father!" Phil cried joyousIy.
Don't yo' evan go back on yo' faddah
agin. boy, he's 20 bes' fren'"
Il never shall, and now IL you will inst
bring light, I'll see what he has to saw"
After writing at length on the loss of his
wife. Mr.. Lewis continued:
Av,I