The Athena press. [volume] (Athena, Umatilla County, Or.) 18??-1942, 1909-08-20


Mr.. Trickey suggested that the irig.
ade borrow District Seven's for the
Amadan celebration. He argued that
"the kids" could forego its use, as
they and their parents would come to
the park at the close of the school
exercises and remain there fos the
rest of the day.
The soul Of the Doctor few to arms.
In vain his youthful uncle urged rela-
tionship, contributions, the larger
needs of the village, and even offered
bribes. 1t was a case OF Greek meet
ing Greek. Young Trickey mentally
determined that the flag should fly
from the Amadan pole; the Doctor
that it should float over District
Seven.
"'Twill be awful tejus hangin'
around in the dark all night" Jimmy
repeated with cavernous yawn.
Indignation made the Doctors eyes
snap and his freckles stand out in
bold relief II wish to goodness
that I'd asked some feller that is a
feller to come long O me-" he ejacu-
lated. II bet you'd never catch Phil
Thompson, nor Dick Stebbins, nor
Phil Jones whining bout the dark and
stayin' out all night"
Who's whining?' demanded jim
my, bringing his jaws suddenly to-
gether.
In silence that was eloquent the
Doctor dragged the ladder back to its
place in the closet and made his exit
through the window. The only con-
cession made to the fact that he had
a companion was when he permitted
Jimmy to hold the lantern, while he
pulled down the sash and closed the
shutter.
What you going to do with it?"
Jimmy referred to the bundle from
which the Doctor had never relaxed
his hold.
Never you mind WHAT I'm going
to do with It," The Doctor extin-
guished the lantern by sudden sweep
of his arm, took few steps forward
and turned to say impressively:
"If you ARE going with me, Jimmy
Needles, you've got to promise deed
and double, honest Injun, cross your
heart, that you'll never open your
head about what we do. Harry
Trickey'll be fit to mop up the earth
with us If he finds out"
Who's going to open his head?" de-
manded Jimmy, and the Doctor was
satisfied Jimmy had his faults, but
he was a boy of his word.
Had the assistant foreman of the
Amadan Fire brigade been less busily
engaged the night and dawn of July
third and fourth, he might have
noticed that in the outer ring of faint
est light cast by the bonfire In front
Of the smithy, he sometimes cast three
shadows instead Of one; that wherever
he went he was as closely watched
and followed as ever any foredoomed
captive of Sleuth or Sherlock Holmes.
One of the shodows, with hands in
pockets, yawned generously and
often, but 1t stumbled doggedly on
in the tracks of the other, that, armed
with persistence, an unlighted lantern
and bundle, never for one instant
faltered in the pursuit.
Having begun the celebration Of the
Fourth early, and intending to con-
tinue 1t late, Mr.. Trickey sought his
couch an hour or so before dawn, and
slept long past the breakfast hour of
the rest of the family. In truth he
did not waken until half the villagers
were mirthfully cognizant of what was
announced by him by shout under
his window.
"Trickey, Harry Trickey, come down
and salute the flag! Trickey, Trickey,
Trickey! come and see what's happen
ed to your flag!"
What IS it-what's up?" the assist
ant foreman asked, rubbing his heavy
eyes. He was answered by adiura.
tions to come to the park and see for
himself.
Long before he reached the green,
however, an amazingly transformed
standard fluttered into view. The bi.
furcated garment he had folded care
fully into the wrappings of District
Seven's flag, chuckling meanwhile at
the discontinue of a certain big
headed kid" nephew. kicked gayly at
him from the top of the flagpole,
''The little cuss!" muttered Trickey,
recognizing at once the fine hand of
The Doctor. And when he reached the
foot of the flag staff, and the laughing
crowd pointed out the halliards,
fastened on the top of a tall tree
where only some one. lighter of weight
but as daring as himself, could have
led them, he muttered again with
reluctant grin, THE little cussm
On the stroke of ten that morning,
amid the cheers of the pupils drawn
up in line outside. the flag of Dis.
-rict Number Seven rose majestically
% the top of the school fiagstaff. The
Doctor surveying 1t proudly after
handling the halliards with consum-
nate skill, chanced to catch his young
lnele surveying him and turned aside
with an embarrassing cough.