The citizen. (Honesdale, Pa.) 1908-1914, 1909-10-13

standing back ready ready to gather
up the balls.
His voice was so CHEEKY that little
crowd speedily gathered and the first
nickel was rendered.
The marksman drew back his arm.
stop, SIR" cried Aunt Jane in a
high cracked voice. would you strike
lady?"
"Wh-what's that?" stammered the
marksman.
Take one Of your own size," said
Aunt Jane; "hit the boy"
The crowd roared and the marks
man threw wild. He threw wild with
the second ball and the third, and
then he bought six more.
why, that's Peleg Saunders" said
Pa Gooseberry. "Howdedo, Peleg."
Again the crowd roared and again
and again the chuckling marksman
threw wild.
1t was big crowd now and all the
new comers wanted to see and hear
the talking dolls. The nickels
streamed in, and there were dimes,
IOO, anu even quarters.
"Hit me If you can," screamed Sis
ter Sue. "I don't care. l don't care!"
"She's nailed on" said little Willie.
Naughty, naughty" cried Aunt
Jane.
Bow, WOW, wow' barked Little
Willie, and the bark was so fierce and
so natural that the man with the ball
nervously jumped and almost hit
Tommy Carter in the ear.
And the crowd roared with laughter
and pressed in closer.
"'Tis tn last rose Of summer" sang
Ma Gooseberry in a cracked soprano.
"Hit her! hit her!" shouted the un-
dutiful Willie.
But every thrower who came for
ward was SO convulsed with laughter
that anything like good marksman-
ship was impossible. Old Tommy Car.
ter's stock of cheap cigars was scarce
ly broken into.
And still the crowd pressed for
ward and still the nickels and dimes
poured in.
Getting tired" Tommy Carter found
the opportunity to ask the boy.
The latter Strengthened up with
ball in his hand.
"No," he answered, this is only
fun. How's the financial basis?"
ats nickle plated an yard wide"
chuckled Tommy Carter.
what a very handsome young
man." said Aunt Jane in her mincing
tones as the next thrower poised the
ball.
Don't you believe word she says"
advised little Willie.
"Willyum!" said Pa Gooseberry Sc
verely.
Dodge, pa, dodge!" shouted little
Willie. "That's the champion thrower
takin' aim at you!"
And the crowd roared, and the
nickels flowed in and Tommy Carter
wore an indelible smile, and the big
gest crowd in the park pressed around
and fought for chances to throw.
And when the time was up and the
big bell over the main gates sounded
the signal for clearing the grounds
the crowd reluctantly dispersed.
Tommy Carter turned and caught
the boy by the shoulder.
You're all right, lad" he said and
his voice broke little. you're all
right, partner"
The boy had suddenly turned at
Tommy's words. Now he just as sud
denly turned back.
"Why, it's Colonel Temple" cried
Aunt Jane. "Howdedo, colonel? !
hope you're quite pernicketty?"
Tommy Carter looked around with
frightened start.
"Hush," he hoarsely whispered to
the boy.
The tall man strode forward. He
had laughed until his eyes were wet.
tits all right. Tommy" he said.
"Jim and 1 are on the best of terms.
I'll forgive you both for drawing the
crowd away from the other shows.
Where are you stopping, Jim?"
Anywhere, colonel"
"Then you'll stop with me tonight.
You needn't be afraid Tommy; I'm
not going to steal your partner away
from you. I'm going to make him a
proposition for use later on. Come,
my boy"
The lad looked around.
''I'm not quite ready to settle down
to anything permanent, colonel"
"And when will you be ready, my
boy?"
"As soon as l finish my summer va
cation. Goodnight, partner"
Good night" Tommy called after
them.-W. R. Rose, in Cleveland Plain
Dealer.
Try a Change.