Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-06-16
SIR PETER.
Written for The Star by
CLEMENT CHAPMAN YOUNG.
Copyright, 1906 by O. o. Young.)
CHAPTER x

CHAPTER x.
A Plea for Help.
Encouraged by the music Of her own
tuneful voice. Aunt Lucy was making rapid
progress with the weeks washing. From
the laundry came the sound Of rubbing
and splashing and this refrain:
'De Lord liz my Shop erd' cher taste ran
to hymns
"An' by de green pastu-What ye doin'
yer, Tom? Don ye know dis laun'ry aint
de place fer chirren7''
The rubbing and splashing ceased alb
ruptIy and the still waters and green pas
lures were forsaken. Judging by the voice
OF the singer, which changed from melody
to anger.
1T just want to say q word to you. Aunt
Lucy" explained Tom.
'weil, say It mighty quick, an ci'ar
out"
You see" plunging headIong into his
subject mother says Pete must go"
COOS he mus go. de wuthless chicken"
1--WE are very fond of him." continued
Tom pleadingly, land want to keep him"
Keep dat rooster2 Didn't he come down
In dis laun'ry an roos on my clean clos
an spite emf Amt he always f'tin' an
rumpusin' an 'sturbin' de nebrhood?
Co'se ne got ter 60" And the rubbing
and spiashing started again with renewed
vigor.
grew very insinnating, you are always
good to US, and'-diplomatically-
sets great store by what you say" The
rubbing and splashing grew calmer. I'VE
thought you might ask her to let Pete
stay"
''Oh, ye did," sarcastically. ''Spec me ter
Spostuiate wild her ter keep dat qu'alsome
chicken fer We to tote 'roun' prize-ightin'.
Well, ye come to de wrong pusson dis
time. Now go long"
But, Aunt Lucy. please
go long, l say. Use got wuk ter do
yeringly from the laundry's sacred pre-
cincts, suggestive Of laughter or tears.
The same afternoon Mrs. velton went into
the kitchen. Lucy was ironing Industrious
ly. Her attention was fxed upon the shirt
she was finishing In way that was un-
usual In one SO practiced- There appeared
to be nothing wrong with the garment but
she held 1t up to the light with critical
scrutiny not warranted by Its spotless ap-
pearance-
Oars no use spectin' boys ter grow
wings befo' dey's angels, an dey amt an
gels It'll dey dies-if den.''
Generaltles were not In Lucy's line; her
speech was usually direct and to the point
Being In doubt as to whether these re-
marks were addressed to herself OF the
shirt. Mrs. velton awaited developments.
"Dey gwinter do de mos outIandish
things. Jes cause dey is boys. an ye can't
stop 'em: sometimes ye dom want ter stop
'en-ef yes wise.''
Her mistress was neither prepared to
dispute these sentiments nor indorse them.
and the shirt offering no further stimulus
to Lucy's imagination. was laid aside
Conscious of being the object of a close
but indirect regard, Mrs. Velton tried to
as yet skillfuIly concealed. So between the
two fell q silence, broken only by the
thEmp. thump Of the iron upon the board
and the monotonous ticking of the clock
Presently Lucy said. Miss Mary. dat
little Pete he mighty cute rooster
Mrs. Velton's face showed 30 much sur
prise at praise coming from such a source
that the speaker went on hurriedly.
He berry fond OBJ de boys. an dey jes
dctes on i'm. Pity to send him way"
Pete rather suddenlyT'
We'll rs been turnan' I'm ober in my
mine. Mebbe rs been too down on i'm |
Co'se don say he amt riled me some |
times; but he can't help fightin'; t amt his
Then whose fault is III"
why, recon 1t was horned in I'm, an |
1t boun' ter come out; but he berry peac'bie |
when he amt dghtin.''
He Is hghting all the time /
He do fight consid BILE, OATS fac; but |
not all de time. Can't ye glib I'm jes one |
mo- chance, honey
Lucy. the boys have put you up to this |
You know they have
Lucy laughed sheepishly, and looked at |
her mistress out of the corner OF her eye
-Jes one mo- chance Miss Marry
No. 1t 10 useaess to plead for Pete. He |
has become unbearahle, ! told the boys he |
must go. and 90 he shall"
And Lucy sighed reslgnedly.
Despite the most earnest plea. Sir Peter 1
was Transferred to the keeping OF boy who |
had long admired HIS prowess. Mira Vel-
brother a. rsal a. It seemed, for they knew
Sir Peter would not b Tar away and could |
DO seen often; nor Was she aware Of the |
ccns1derAt1On Of Afty cents demanded and |
Quiet settled upon the neiEhb0chood onee |
more, and T0msB snother felt that patn-
ful thoueh nepognnEy. duty had been par
formed. The days MsnA ~. ps.eetM Anyss /
oenu1ng az41N4tllz N6lA - &41ex@oo@ !.