The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1912-04-26
Petie's
Apology
BY Epes w. SarGent
Copyright, 1917, by Associated Literary
Press.)

=
manded Joel Hicks. as he watched ap
provingly the glistening ak. with
rhythmic strokes, bite into the green
wood.
An elephant stepped on It," ex-
planned the tramp. not pausing IN MS
work.
The farmer laughed dry. cackling
laugh. There was tramp through
here last season." he said. HE was
carrying about an ounce O. buckshot
and he was telling how he rescued q
girl from a gang Of robbers"
"Well?" There was no interruption
in the steady fall Of the az as the
tramp put the question which ne saw
was expected Of him.
Bert Haskins was over the week
after and he was telling how he caught
the tramp coming out OF his chicken
COOP"
II didn't hear no one asking you to
believe what l said" came the nettled
retort. III 1 had told you | hurt 1t
falling of q freight you would have
believed 1t and yet It would be lie"
I'm not saying you amt told the
TRUTH" protested Joel hastily. i was
just reminded, that's all. How would
you like to stay on here?" he added to
change the subject Il Amt % young
az l ulster be and I'll pay $l2 q
month"
You're on. for a year." said the
other simply as he dropped tho az
aud came toward the speaker. MY
names Butch Thompson. william Ben
nington Thompson when I've got my
Sunday clothes on-which amt likely
to be soon"
MY names Hicks. Joel Hicks"
well, Mr.. Hicks. I'm your new
hired man." responded Butch briskly
Shake on It," he added a. he put Out
his hand and clasped Hicks gnarled
fingers.
Beyond tho mere fact Of his name
nothing developed OF his history until
the spring blowing began. Butch and
Hicks were working together. the one
following tho other. when Hicks stayed
back by the road to discuss tho towr
election with Sam Benton. Butch wen'
right on to the end OF the neld. turn
cd and came back again. He was hall
way across tho lot when the two de
baters hailed . voter driving past
Hey, Rube!" With . whoop Butct
left the pillow In the furrow and came
across the freshly. plowed ground viii
giant strides.
Almost before they know what wal
happening he had fallen upon the new
conner. and II required the united
strength Of Hicks and Benton to pull
him OF before damage was done.
Are you drunk" demanded Hickl
wrathfully.
where come from that's . cal
for help" explained Butch.
II was calling Reuben Sproule.
oeSs0 A''>""'
Then the laughs on me-" admitted
Butch. ut did seem like old times TO
q minute"
"One Of them circus fellows" com
mented SprOule az he settled his dis
ordered clothing. Il heard 'em yell
once. It's the last thing did hear 70
about three hours"
Joel was worried. and that even
ing he sought cut Butch, sitting Of
the stone horseback In the front var,
sucking at his pipe.
so you used to be with circus?
he began as he settled himself on tn
other end of the block.
Where else do they have elephant
TO step on mans FOOT" demande
Butch. You thought was EARNING
but it was the gospel truth"
II amt ever said 1t wasn't" d.
Tended Hicks. Il suppose you'll b
going of with one Of 'em prett
SOON"
LET me tell you something" sal
Butch, renlling his pipe. Il told 20
was your hired man for year an
that goes.
II amt stuck on circuses like was,
he went on. Il was with the JohI
! son & Wells Railroad Shows. | va
only q canvas man, but the F1yin
Barnards took = fancy to me and the
were breaking mo In for their cas-
ing act"
whats that!" demanded Hicks.
where two men hang BY the
knees and throw q little fellow b
tween them" he explained. ITS
pretty show. Well. WAS keeping
ct the stakes. until got good snous
to 70 In the act. and-well there VI
Q girl, . rider. pretty % Q pictul
when she didn't have her makeup o.
and che Just could ride.
The performers don't mix with Il
canvas men. ws're just the day labo
ees. you know. put up the tent ~
stun like that. but through the b
uard I got to know her pretty We
she used to come past whore I vi
helping to load the cars and ~ got
night. That made Dabney mad. /
was stuck on her. too. but he didr
make much headway, though he v,