Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-09-02

errand to the farm. Then he would be
telling no lie. he argued with himself. for
getting that the lie is in the motive prompt
ing the spoken words, not In their letter.
He moved 1mpatiently to escape ray OF
sunshine that seemed to seek him out, and
took from his pocket some money. He be-
gan to count it. to see II he had enough
to get to the farm without saying any
thing to his mother, and a silver quarter
fell from his hand to the grass beside him.
Instantly from behind the bush darted a
lean. brown hand. which grabbed the quar-
ter and disappeared.
For an instant Elton was horribly fright
ened. Then an odd gurgle of delight from
behind the bushes treasured him.
Come out Of that, Tom," he cried an
grily.
From behind the bushes slouched tall,
ungainly figure, dressed in a cotton shirt,
which had once been blue and pair Of In
describable trousers, decorated in every
conceivable place with patches OF cloth
unlike the original piece. He wore a
broad-briInmed hat and carried long staff.
The other hand was clenched over Elton s
quarter.
How a mountaineer from the hills of Ten
ne5see came, simple minded and inefficient
as he was. to this New England city no one
could tell. Here he was, however, looking
exactly as he had for years, called Tennes-
see Tom by every one and earning the little
food he needed by doing odd bits of work
for the housewives about town. He beat
rugs. cleaned cellars. ground the ice cream
exactly when he felt like It, But he had the
great virtue Of obeyng to the letter every
order given, and he was strong and good
natured. AS regarded everything but money
he strictly honest, but let him catch
sight of a coin or a BILL and If the thing
were possible he would soon transfer 1t to
his own pocket. The boys often amused
themselves hiding a coin on Ellen Field,
telling Tom It was hidden and watching his
eager search.
Now he stood before Elton, grinnlng
sheepishly, but holding fast to the coin.
Elton knew there was no chance of regain
ing 1t. for, II frightened, the simpleton
would run away; so he spoke kindly, and
Tennessee Tom sat down on the grass and
began to talk. slyly avoiding all mention Of
the coin.
As the simple fellow chartered a thought
popped into Elton's head What a revenge
that would be- and he could be there to see
Johnny's chagrin and disgust, and perhaps
amid the natural wrath of the club his res
ignatlon. Details rapidly arranged them
selves in his mind, and presently he turned
to Tom, saying as II in Joke:
tom likes nice shiny silver coins?"
The dull eyes frightened.
II know where there are a lot of them,
but Tom couldn't find them." Elton went
on. provokingly.
you tell Tom. See II he can't get them
was the answer.
There were three In the wood now; the
angry, constituencies Elton, wild for the
revenge he could not take with his fists.
and another Elton. who was fighting. with
inaudible, scornfui words and manly en-
treaties. the base design of the first one.
Then there was Tom, ready to do the labors
Of Hercules for a silver dime, and to obey
orders, once given, with no thought OF re-
suits.
When Elton came from the woods half
an hour later he was alone.
The fight occurred on Wednesday. and on
Thursday afternoon Johnny looked anx-
iously for Elton on the field He did not
love Elton. but as captain could not afford
to lose a good player. To his relief Elton
was there, frolicking with the others, and
while he pointedly addressed no word to
Johnny he played as well as ever
He seems to have gotten over his Jiu-
jitsu fall" chuckied Bert to Johnny, as the
latter came In from the field. but he isn't
giving you any great shakes OF conversa~
tton notice"
Guess I can stand 1t. longs he pitches
the way he does" answered Johnny.
A few drops OF rain did not interrupt the
practice but when It came down IN buck
cts fulp' they all made dash for the
Browns piaxsa. tumbling up there peu mel,
rosy, damp and shouting. They wreGtlo1