Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-06-18
Marx Sharp and His Brother Luke
BIT SAM PBNKINS.

In the end, playing ffe savers wasn't as
much fun as the Sharp boy had thought it
would be. Most likely the seven-year-old
shipwrecked sailor. Luke Sharp. would
have lost his life in the forbidden stream
had not Cousin Leonard happened along
just in time, as a real life saver. The drip
ping youngsters received more than one
cutting before Cousin Leonard got them
home. Aunt Lizzie put them both to bed
and promised to keep them prisoners the
rest of their summer vacation.
At the end of three days Aunt Lizzie was
as tired Of the jail business as the boys
been out on the piazza roof. and would
probably have tried to Shin down the porch
columns, but when they were put in Jail
Aunt Lizzie had taken their clothes to the
kitchen to dry, and had not brought them
back.
1t was with many promises to get into no
more mischief that the repentant boys were
released next morning. Aunt Lizzie made
them say over after her: Il will not go
farther away than the garden or the barn
yard So she kept them under her eye all
day. The relief from their imprisonment
was so pleasant that they were happy any
way, even In a small playground.
The most fun they had was playing gypsy
In the big. covered spring wagon. They took
a light lap robe and pinned it up before the
front SO that the top was all inclosed. They
-
blankets they found in the barn.
Suddenly Mark Sharp thought of a bright
scheme. and putting his arm around Luke's
neck took him to dark corner in the barn
and whispered 1t to him:
Lukey, we can have loads of fun playing
gypsy. Let's be as good we can all day
and go to bed real early. Soon as Aunt
Lizzie and Uncle Henry go to bed we can
steal softly down stairs and go out to the
big wagon to play gypsy. Wen take a
pillow and blanket and candle and
some matches. Won't 1t be fun!''
ItI be just bully. Mark" replied Luke
Nobody will ever know we were out of
bed, and nobody will guess there are
gypsies In the big wagon continued Mark
When the boys went to bed early. and
were so very quet. Aunt Lizzie felt certain
they would give her no more trouble She
looked into their room as she was going to
her own room and thought they were both
sound asleep. Indeed, Luke was asleep.
and Mark was near 1t; but when he heard
Aunt Lizzies door close he jumped up and
reused his brother.
Come on Luke, slip on your nants prab
a blanket. and keep close behind me. I'll
take the candle and matches" So they tip
toed down stairs. unlocked the door and
went out into the darkness. They were
Doth AFRAID, but taking hold of each others
hand they mustered up courage enough to
reach the wagon.
The lap robe was still fastened I'D In
front as they had left it. And when they
the blanket they were delighted. Their
little four by six foot bed room was more
coy than any they had ever slept in before
marx made up ever 80 many things about
inc way gypsies do, and told them to Luke
with wide, wondering eyes Luke watched
MS brother and drank in every word
But even this was not enough to keep
him awake long. He went to sIeep white
mark was talking. Then Mark threw him.
self down. too, drew one corner of the
blanket over him and was soon asleep. The
candle burned low, finally iickered, and
went out.
Before Long Luke became restless Half
awake, he Struggled up to Mark and said he
was cold. The floor of the wagon was hard.
Mark also grew restless and chilly. and
soon both boys were wide awake and about
as uncomfortable they could be. Luke
was shfvering, as he said:
Cant we go back to bed, Mark? I'm 81
colo. 1t isn't fun any more to play gypsy"
Mark agreed with him, and they groped
their trembling way back to the house
s fancy thelr dlsmay when they found the
door locked. They did not know that
Cousin Leonard had been to the village
and had come home late.
What should they do? They shrank from
going back to the chilly. hard-foored wag-
Lizzie heard them, but Mark opposed that
No, sir he said. Well climb the porch
pillar, Lukey, and Aunt Lizzie will never
know what has happened"
Luke thought he couldn't do it. but Mark
said he must. And with much boosting
from Mark the youngster did get up Mark
himself found it difficult enough with no
one to boost him. But he was desperate.
Bad as the climbing was, he dreaded more
the anger of Aunt Lizzie If she should
catch them in any more FRANKS At last
the heroic effort succeeded. A minute he
rested. and then very quietly began to open
the window which would let them at once
into their room. Somehow things did not
seem quite as the boys had left them, but
they felt around in the gloom until they
reached the bed
Help! Fire! Thieves! Murder" cried
Aunt Lizzie, as she ducked her head under
the covers.
Naturally, this awakened Uncle Henry.
Sitting up, he reached out in the darkness
and caught hold of a squirming youngster,
asking at the same time. in a harsh voice.
WHO'S here?'
Luke had begun to cry, and Mark whim-
pered. We got into the wrong room. I'm
Gle Henry"
Il should think you did, Numbered I'm
Gle Henry. II wonder what kind Of place
you two Sharp boys will get into next"
Just then Cousin Leonard came. with a
light to see what the trouble was. And
when he found that they had left some Of
their bedclothes out at the barn he made
both of them walk Spanish all the way
there and back.