Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1908-07-15
BLAKE;s KNIFE TRADE.

.
Brooklyn Eagle.
BI4AKE'S KNIFE TRADE.
Whole handle and whole blade. or
we'll call 1t no trade and Blake VIII
son Held out closed hand, from be-
tween the thumb and forefnger Of
which showed the very tip Of what
seemed to be the handle Of a fine PEN
knife Come. fellows, who's up for
"a deal? Bring out your knives. Mind,
though, I'm not trading for any poor
stuff. This is gilt-edged..
But the boys looked at the closed
hand with suspicious reserve and yet
with a certain longing They believ-
ed they recognized the tip as belong
ing to a pevrl-handled penknife which
Blake's uncle had recently given him
and which was conceded the finest
knife In school; but they were not
absolutely sure, and Blake had repu-
tation for always getting the best OF
an exchange He always carried a
stock Of trading knives, and some OF
the very poor ones had handles con-
fusingly like the very good ones.
So they shook their heads, and
one OF them winked significantly as
he drew back from the extended hand.
sNo, my knife is good enough for
me, Blake he said shortly.
Finally the closed hand circled TO
Charlie Morgan, one Of the later ar
rivals.
Whole handle and whole blade. or
well call 1t no trade" came the
offer, or rather challenge again.
You scared. too. Charlie? Moth
ing venture, nothing have in this
world. These fellows don't know a
good thing when they see it,
Charlie drew a little nearer and hes
itated. He was not quite certain that
he cared to trade. Like the other
boys, he believed the tip belonged to
the beautiful knife he had seen
Blake exhibiting the day before; but
his own feur-blader suited him very
well, even though the other, might spe
the more costly. 3 s.
However, the boys. were looking at
him expectantly; so gradually his
hand went down into his pocket and
came out, but SO carelessly that every
one of them recognized the four-blad-
or in the half inch of tip which rose
from between his thumb and fore
finger. Besides, most of them knew
| he had but one knife.
I Dent you trade" whispered one
boy, warningly.
Better lookout" admonished anoth.
Ter.
|, But Blake's eyes were challenging
him and Charles closed hand went
suddenly forward.
Whole handle and whole blade OF
well call 1t no trade. he said, sharp.
ily.
Then the knives were exchanged
AS he received his Charles face
grew wrathful, but by strong ef
fort he remained silent The knife
in his hand was cheap two.bladed
affair which had seen much service.
But 1t was whole handle and whole
blade" and boyish honor forbade him
any redress.
There's good stun in that knife
Blake was saying. My Cousin Bob
used 1t two years steady. Now, these
four-bladed things are mostly made
for show. ] wouldn't wonder bit
II every one OF these blades got broke
before either OF yours. 1t isn't such
a bad trade as you might think from
the outside. Il"
But here sudden warning from the
small bell on the teachers desk sent
them to their seats. Recess was over,
and a few seconds later the other
pupils came hurrying in from the
playground.
As the last one settled into his
seat the teacher raised his hand for
silence.
Boys" he said, Il am very much
pleased with an invitation which has
been extended to the school. Charlie
Morgan, one OF our new scholars.
wishes us to spend Friday at his place,
His father sends the invitation, and
Gays that conyeyances will be sent
for the girls and little boys. The
rest OF us will walk, as it is only two
miles. Friday, you know, is the day
for our natural history class to CON
s!der pigeons and domestic fowls.
That is what gave Charlie the idea
OF asking us, for there are several
hundred pigeons on the farm and
fowls almost without number. For
this one day we will consider the
whole school a natural history class,
and i will give you talk which will
have the advantage of practical IL
lustrations. In the afternoon we will
adjourn to the apple orchard, where
lunch will be served TO us by Char
lies mother and sisters. There is also
pond and rowboats and croquet
ground. Now, open your books
During the rest of the day Blake
Wilson seemed unusually preoccupied.
Once or twice he glanced curiousiy
at Charlie. When school was dismiss
ed he Joined him at the door.
Look here" he said, gruffly, do
you count me in on that racket"
"Of course" answered Charlie heart
lily, the irritation Of the knife trans.
action ALREADY dismissed from his
mind; I'VE are for having good time
and want you in with the rest OF us.
What makes you ask?9 s9
"oh, nothing, only I've been think,
ing over things little. I'll come, OF
course. But first want to trade back
knives. No comments. It's all risht.
There are several more trade backs
Iim godng to work on the way houas.
Now, let's scud for the gate. II I