The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1909-05-29
Copyright. 1909. By Bent. 3. Hampto..

TITLE Hans Brinkman. otherwise known
to the gang shrimpy Brinkman. was
being slowly consumed by secret sor-
row. He was person OF no conse-
quence. The knowledge of this fact
caused him the keenest suffering. It
small consolation to reflect that he had finally.
by silent endurance. become tolerated member
Of Tcorice-leE, gang" In thnt gang he had
standing. distinction.
Most every fellow he reflected. dolefully had
something to brag about. Reddy Barlow had had
appendicitis: Gumdrop could eat ten tea biscuits
1t sitting: Billy Green possessed a father who
was the Sheriff and had once hanged a man: Slim
Canaon owned a goat: Curly Bright played tho
Jews-harp like seraph-and on through the
list.
In the dark. thinking it over. he often devised
ingenious situations and got the keenest pleasure
from contemplating himself variously as life
saver. public benefactor. possibly desperately
wicked man. His blue eyes shone with inspiration
in these heroic moments; but the next morning he
was merely shrimpy Brinkman. near-sighted.
stubby-hared. narrow-chested. solemn little Ger
man. But there came a day-alack for the pitfalls
Of human ambtion!-when shrimpy fell foul of
. great idea. and in his final downfall worked out
his own salvation.
There In shrimpy's town Professor Micah
Greenleaf. TALL stoop-shouldered pedagogue with
IN overweening vanity and consequent distaste
for rivalry in his particular role Of wise of
the place. He had nevertheless. rival. and a
rival he disliked particularly in Shrmpys father.
Brinkman. ST.. was antiquarian and scholar.
He Had thoroughgong Teutonic for dab
blers in any branch Of learning. When the Pro-
lessor went in for anthropology and especially the
lore Of the American Indian. the Of Brink
man. sr became Jove-like. He owned a rather
famous collection Of Indian relics. and the Profess
sor in choosing his latest fad. trespassing on
Brinkman's pet speciality. Relations between the
two middle-aged scholars became finally rather
strained. because Of the fact that Brinkman
continually urging the Professor to study the fam
Gus Brinkman collection If he would really learn
something about Indian lore. The Professor found
this attitude intolerable stung in his vanity. he
determined to have collection Of his own.
Now Shrimpy's town IL net in the midst OF a sec-
tion rich in legends Of the Iroquois: with
zeal than knowledge the Professor began at
to scour the countryside relics. Being not too
fond OF hard work, he pressed into service a dozen
OF his grammar school pupils-and this ID where
shrimpy and Licorice-legs and Reddy Barlow come
In. To these three and to other members Of that
gang Of which Licorice-legs the guiding star
tho Professor was known Arrowhead Mike yet
they looked upon his latest hobby with tolerance
for 1t frequently meant lessons Friday after
noon-the day when they all went relic hunting.
On any nne Friday in that autumn the Professor
could be seen with his disciples. rambling the
countryside. his ancient frock coat Tapping in the
breeze geologists hammer in his hand and an
acquisitive light in his eyes,
Il was on one Of these afternoons that the Pro-
lessor made his nrst discovery. and shrimpy was
struck by his great idea. The expedition had wan
dered far aneld: supper time drawing near
and there noticeable waning of interest in
tho ranks. Ldcorice-legs and Reddy Barlow had
wandered on in the direction Of line Of willows
which bordered the dry bed of creek. They dis
appeared from sight for time and then appeared.
Fastening toward the Professor.
"oh. P'fessor!" they called. "Bettcher we've
found an Indian fort er earthworks er somethin'!
It looks Just like the pictures. anyway. It's over
there behind those willows"
They all hurried toward the willows the Pro-
lessor in the lead. As he approached the long.
grassy mound his face became interested. He ex-
amined the base Of the embankment and scrambled
to the top. Az he walked along its ridge be be-
came moro and more excited. With the skirts Of
his coat huttering in the wind he finally announced
to his followers that they had made discovery
Of the greatest importance. Undoubtedly. he de-
clared these the remains OF Iroquois earth
works!
II Jest 'bettcher. Sspeculated his followers get
ting their imaxinations to work, this is where
Blue Snake at thelCayugas! Bettcher there's ar
rowheads and things In there. an mebbe bones!
Mebbe the bones OF Blue Snake himself!''
But. In spite Of the excitement. the hour was
. late that It vas decided to put OF further in
vestigaticn until the following Friday-and the
gang started home stepping high. to spread the
news q tho nndins .: an Iroquois mound.