The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1909-02-25

upon mine after school this afternoon.
Poor Robert was badly treated. He
is not accustomed to mixing with boys
and he knows little about fighting.
understand that your brother promised
him another thrashing tomorrow"
81 shall speak to Dick this evening""
promised Arthur. but just as he gave
the assurance Dick came tearing out
Of the Lynwood house, and Arthur
called him across the street.
He came promptly, for Dick was not
boy to shirk responsibilities. He re-
garded Irma with mild amusement as
Arthur repeated her statement.
"He started it," insisted Dick stoutly.
81 guess no fellows going to hear his
brother called names. Your brother
said mine was a dude and a pretty
boy, and Art amt that. It's different
being just good looking"
"Never mind that" ordered Arthur
hastily. "That is no excuse for you to
hit him."
"That wasn't ALL" supplemented
Dick "He called you big stiff and
said that if you had any get up and
get about you you'd get married and
give me another mother to keep me
from being lonely, and l told him that
there wasn't anybody good enough for
you, and he said anybody was good
enough for you, and then l damned
him a good one, and there was fight.
It wasn't much of fight. though" be
added, with contempt. II had to chase
him four blocks to get in one punch"
"Do you understand that you will be
thrashed if you lay hands on young
Shelby againy' demanded Arthur seri-
ously.
"Ill lick him if he talks about you,"
declared Dick truculently. He then
proceeded to address his remarks to
Miss Shelby.
"Art's just the best ever" he ex-
planned Ever since mother died he's
done everything for me, and | amt go
ing to have any boy call him names
and say that any girl is good enough
for him to marry When he marrieS /
want him to marry top notcher like
you"
The girls face went crimson at the
praise and it's suggestion, but she
smiled into the freckled face before
she turned to Arthur.
81 shall see that Robert is punished
If he repeats his offense," she prom
ised, land / don't blame such loyal
little hero worshiper for defending his
big brother. l don't blame him one
bit" she added, coloring again as she
let her eyes rest for an instant on the
grave, handsome face 81 shall be glad
to see you should you care to be neigh
borly, Mr.. Lynwood. Mother is i'm
proving, but she wishes to be stronger
before she faces the influx Of the kind
~ and the curious"
81 shall be glad to run in this even
ing if l may" was the quick response,
and Arthur was too eager for an an
swer to observe the elaborate wink
with which Dick favored him.
The girl gave assent promptly, and
the big and the little brother bowed.
Dick hung back at the Lynwood gate.
81 got something to do" be ex-
planned reproachfully. "You were late
this evening. You always come home
about g."
ment," explained Arthur. "Were you
waiting to see met"
"Only about an hour" answered
Dick. 81 figured she would lay for you
at the gate, and 1 wanted to finish off
the job. I'll be home in about an hour.
Art"
He dashed off down the street and
by circuftous route reached the rear
of the Shelby house, where the plump
and somewhat cherubic Robert was
playing by himself.
He started to run when Dick ap-
peared on the scene, but the more
active lad had his victim pinioned by
the arms, while one mittened hand
was clapped over the squirming ones
mouth.
81 amt going to hurt you-now,"
promised Dick. 81 just want to talk
to you. You told your sister that
punched you for nothing, didn't your
THAT'S just what you did," walled
Bob Shelby.
'That amt So" corrected Dick. 81
did punch you for something, but
amt telling you what for. told your
sister that l licked you for calling my
brother names, and If you ever dare
say that it amt so I'll get you in a
corner where you can't run away and
you'll know how 1t feels to be In a
dynamite explosion. can do it, can't
IY' he added fiercely, and the shrink
ing lad assured his lord and master
that he certainly could.
II don't want to have to do it." ex-
planned Dick. You're so soft that If
I beat you much you'll get out Of
shape, and you amt got too much
shape as it is. You'll make a fierce
brother-in-law, Skinny. but I suppose
that III have to stand you, for I've
been fixing things for Arthur and
well, guess you go with the family"
An Easy Task.