Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-04-28
SIR PETER.
Written for The Star BY
CLEMENT CHAPMAN YOUNG.
Copyright. 1909. By g. @. Youns.)
CHAPTER III.
PLOTTING REVENGE.

Aunt Lucy, can't leave Pete here until
the fights over7" asked Tom. az he ran into
the Kitchen with the rooster in his arms.
DE f1ght7 I'd like ter know who's fight
in round dis placer she said. angrily.
"Oh. it's not real fight" Tom FASTENED
to explain, only make believes sham bat
tie"
Going to the window and discovering no
sign of trouble, she asked. Whats de need
OBJ ieavin' dat rooster in yer?'
so he won't get hit by snow balls"
Il 5es scrub my kitchen, an I amt
gwinter hab no chicken muss 1t up. Ye can
bring ober de coop an stan 1t by de do;
I'll sort er keep eye on i'm
Tom did as directed. then hurried back
to the scene of impending hostilitfes
lei ye breaks any mo- winders," Lucy
called after him. ''I'll tex han in dat
fight myself"
For some moments she watched the en-
gasement. now in full swing upon the lawn:
then turning to Pete-"Don, we go a-stray-
In on an mixin' up yo'se'f in dat sham
back into the kitchen, ..ye'd s'pose dat
chicken was piece o. POETRY"
Thick and fast few the snow balls, loud
and defiant were the shouts of the forts
defenders as again and again they repealed
the fierce attacks of Tom and his followers.
Long had the battle ragged, but still Bobs
jacket hung from the clothes pole above
the citadel's snowy walls, a token that its
valiant commander scornsd the base thought
of surrender. But accidents happen in mimic
as in real warfare, thwarting the most cum
ming strategy and rendering brave deeds
unavailing. AS Bob turned to direct his
forces a snow ball, thrown by one of his
own excited recruits, hit him plump In the
eye
'Oh, good shot Well aimed, yelled Tom
''Now's the time, fellows-CHARGET And
taking ADVANTAGE the fin Of
the besiegers swooped down Upon the
stronghold, and with yells of triumph buried
the dauntless garrison beneath the frown-
ing walls
When the lads had been pulled from un-
der the mass of snow truce was declared,
and victor and vanqushed made ready to
engage in peaceful pursuits; for the after
noon was waning and lessons had to be
prepared for the morrow.
BE sure you bring Pete down in the
morning, Tom,' said one of his friends 1.-THE
boys are anxious to see your Christmas
present"
why can't they come up here and see
him?"
You don't want that mob here"
We'll, no, I didn't think of that But
how am I to take him to school? What
will 1 do with him?
Put him in the cellar; shut him I'D in
the coal bin until recess; then the fellows
can have look at him."
Tom hesitated, as though he did not al
together favor the plan. IN think it
over"
But the boys were urgent. and not in
clined to take refusal. Bring him down,
Tom. that's a good fellow"
"All right
Eye better come an look after dis chick
en- called Aunt Lucy less We want ter
lose i'm
Toms face ciouded. Here! you, come
away from that rooster he shouted to a
pair of tough-looking youngsters, who, at
traeted by the noise of the snow ball fight,
mad wandered into the Veltons place and
were closely watching the little rooster.
WHATS de matter wild you: Is we touch
in de bird?" asked one of the intruders
Get out of here, both of you," angrily
ordered Tom.
We'll git out when ives good an ready"
You'll get out now and Tom started to
enforce his command.
Quick a flash the taIlest boy picked
missing Tom; then the pair took to their
heels. closely pursued. The race was soon
over, for Tom speedily caught his assailant,
colared him and washed his face with
the sQuirmfng youngster with a word of
advice: Now look here, Rafferty,, IL I
catch you sneaking around this place again
you'll get worse than that"
Down the street ran the young tough,
blubbering and swearing. "Jes' you wait"
he called from a safe distance, 'I'll pay
we back for dis, see IL don't" But Tom
disdaned a reply and in dignifed silence
rejoined his friends
Better look out for them" was Bob's
advice; they're bad lot. Young Rafferty,
is the toughest kid in town."
ST guess he'll not bother me again in
hurry"
Don't be too sure" cautioned Bob; "he
has a bad name. Do you think he over
heard what we were saying?''
tWhat IL he did? He knows better than
to try any funny business with me-" And
Toms manner was SO reassuring that the
subject was dropped.
Smarting under the injury to his feel
ings, young Rafferty, Joined his waiting COM
panion and the two went their way in
sullen silence But soon the kids lamenta-
lions ceased and over his snow-washed face
passed smile of peculiar meaning that
banished all traces of grief and resent
ment From a condition Of extreme de-
preston he passed to one of citation, and
this change Of mind found outward express
sion I'm repeated hand-springs, executed with