The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1911-11-07
Tod Mannow's
Strategy

"Shucks!" said Tod Mannows, dis-
tinctly. Then he sat down on the low.
est step and glumly surveyed the back
yard. Never before had he noted how
extremely large 10 . back yard 30 BY
30 feet.
Thrusting bic hands into bis peck.
etc hs leaned back stimy and contin.
ued to glover At the vast sxpanse.
The reason for this sudden and q.
trsms dislike for the rear part Of the
Aannows premises was the ultimatum
Issued that morning At breakfast By
The elder Msnnows.
I'm tired Of your fooling around
getting into mischief al through VI.
cation" bis father had announced It
the conclusion Of IN episode rslat.
Ing to two broken windows, careless.
" thrown baseball and an irats nsigh.
Dor. You are big and strong enough
to devote your surplus energy to
something useful. I have long wish.
"a 70 have Z garden. Now. you may
spade up the entire back yard 20 that
next spring It will be In condition to
plant. You can take 40 long % you
like for it, accomplishment. but you've
got to work at It for awhile every day."
Tod was we'll acquainted with bis
father. Nothing short of q convul.
sion OF nature and the complete wiping
out Of the Mannows premises would
suffice to alter that decree. Therefore,
ne remarked again with desperate EN-.
phasis, "Shucks!" and then got to his
feet slowly.
At an ear piercing whistle from the
next yard he looked even more glum
than before. The summons emanated
from Fatty Dyckman and meant that
the boys were gathering In the base.
ball lot.
Can't" Tod yelled to Fatty. Gotta
spade a sarden!"
Fatty's head rose above the high
board fence. Jaw, cumalong!" he said,
unbelievingly. He looked serious, how.
ever. when Tod appeared at the base.
ment door with a spade In his hand.
"Gee!" he breathed. That's fierce!
Mebbe Ill help you," Fatty said nobly.
III get time, that u.s." he added. more
cautiously.
Tod did not cheer up at the hand.
some ofier. He was a pessimist on this
subject. Fatty's head disappeared, and
Tod with great effort spaded up at
least a teaspoonful Of the SOIL Manual
labor was bis acute idea Of nothing at
all to do.
Suddenly something in the dirt gilt.
tered and be pounced upon It breath.
lessly. 1t was nothing but q bit Of
glass. Az he turned It over In his
fingers an idea crept into bic brain.
A grin slowly transngured bis features.
Then he dropped the piece Of glass and
the spade. ran to the rear door and Slid
into the house.
When he emerged hs had bis moth.
er's embroidery scissors and q large
back comb that belonged to bic sister.
1t had been laid away In her top bu.
reau drawer to await the return Of the
style demanding large hack combs In
ones hair. Tricky strewn over II
were big. sparkly brilliants which Gilt.
tered In the sunlight like the best
product Of the South African mines.
II did not take the boy long to DRY
them oil loose. They made q hand.
full.
Tod planted three Of them very near
the spot where he had spaded up the
teaspoonful Of soil. Then he distrib.
uted the others over the yard with the
skill Of veteran saltsr Of gold mines.
Next he strolled to the fence. Fatty
was just starting out with his catch.
ers' glove.
"Yow-w-w!' Tod yelled. II must 4
sprained BY wrist" He dangled It in
the air. Pail Jump on me for not
spadin', too"
Fatty looked irresolute. Il s'pose
kin do little before the boys git
there" he said, heroically. He climb.
ed the fence and took the spade.
Right here | started" Tod direct.