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-
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 dar,ed 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 reassured him.
Come out Of that. Tom" he cried an
grily.
From behind the bushes slouched tall.
ungainly figure dressed in cotton shirt,
which had once been blue, and pair of In
conceivable place with patches of cloth
unlike the original piece. He wore a
road-briInmed hat and carried long staff.
The other hand was clenched over Elton's
quarter.
How a mountaineer from the hills of Ten
nesSee came, supplemented 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
freezers and chopped wood-all laZily and
exactly when he felt like It, But he had the
great virtue OF obeying to the letter every
order given. and he was strong and good
natured. AS regarded everything but money
he was 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 coin on Ellen Field.
telling Tom 1t was hidden and watching his
eager search
Now he stood before Elton. grinnlng
oh nlSh1 hut hnIl Foc fHa rAir,
Elton knew there was no chance of regain
ing 1t, for. If 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 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
ignation. Details rapidly arranged them
selves in his mind. and presently he turned
to Tom, saying as II in a Joke:
Tom likes nice shiny silver coins?'
The dull eyes frightened.
Il know where there are a lot Of them,
but Tom couldn't find them" Elton went
on provokngly.
You tell Tom. See If 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, scornful words and manly en-
treaties. the base design of the first one.
Then there was Tom ready to do the labors
Of Hercules for 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
fn n
was there, frollcking 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" chuckled Bert to Johnny. as the
latter came in from the field but he isn't
giving you any great shakes Of CONVERSE
ton, notice."
Guess I can stand 1t. longs he pitches
the way he does" answered Johnny
A few drops of rain dad not interrupt the
practice. but when 1t came down IN buck
cts fulP' they all made q dash for the
Browns piazsa. tumbling up there peu nell,
rosy, damp and shouting They wrestlsA