Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1912-01-25


.ne TOE OF his heavy wndng Boot intt
Wessner's middle until he doubled ur
ana fell heavily. In flash Freckles
WIS on MIN. For n time Mclean could
not soc what was happening go
no 10 him nowr' he commanded him
SER. but so intense was his desire tc
see the boy win alone that he could
not stir.
At last Frcckles sprang up and back
en away. Time he yelled Ike a
Jury BE getting up. Mr.. WessDcr
ana don't be afraid Of hurting me. I'll
let You throw in an extra hand and
hcK you TO me complatr satisfaction,
MI inc same. Did you hear me call
inc limit? win yon get mp and be
Iacing me-"
AS Wcssncr struggled to his feet he
r'semhled battlefield. for his cloth
ing was IN ribbons and his face and
hands streaming blood.
II guess | got enough" he mum
blcd.
"Oh, do you?" roAred Frecl,les.
wen. this amt your say. You come
on to me ground lying about me boss
ana lntimatin' Ia stale from his very
pockets. Now. Will You he standing
ut' ana taking your medicine like a
man or getting 1t poured down the
throat OF you Xix. Il baby amt got
enough. This Is only lust the begin
IlNG with me Il" looking out there"
lie sprang against Wcs-ner and sent
ni1h rolling. lie attacked the unre-
SlStng figure and fought him until he
H.! limp and stiil aud freckics had
no strength left to lit an arm. Then
ne rose ana stepped bark. @aSping for
breath. With his first good lungful
~ air he shouted. Time" But the
cure OF NcSsn"r lay mo,ioniess.
freckleS watched him with regard
II eye and saw at last that he was
rompietely exhausted IL nent over
him anu. catrhin- him by the back of
the neck. iprked him to his knees.
Nessner lifteh the face OF IA whipped
'ur and tearing further punishment.
burst into great shivering s0bs. while
tie tears washc! tiny rivule;s through
the blood and muck. frccliles step
ped back. glaring mt Wessner. but sud
denly the sco'vl OF anger and the ugly
dishGurinc red faded from The boys
face. lie dIbbed at IL cut on his tenn
pic. from which issued tiny crimson
stream. and iauNtily shook back his
lair. His face took on the innocent
.>Oi Of Il chcruh. aNd his voice ri
ra.ed that CT brooding dove. but
into his eyes crept TOOK of diaholical
mischief
He glanced vaguely about him until
he saw his club. seized and twirled II
Ike Il drum major. stuck it upright in
TIE muck and marched on tiptoc over
to WoSSner mechanically. rs a puppet
worked by II string. bending over.
Freckles reached m arm about Wess-
ner's waist and helped him to his feet.
Careful. now" he cautioned: "bc
careful Freddy. There's danger of You
hurting me-"
Fishing Il handkerchief from back
pocket. Freckles tenGer.y wiped Wess-
ncr's eyes and nose.
Come. Freddy. me child" he al.
monished Wessner: ITS time little
boys were getting home I've me work
to do and cant he entertaining you
any more today. Come bnck tomor.
row if you amt through yet and well
repate the performances
Again an awful wrenching seized
Mclean. Frccklrs stepped back -
Wcssner. toitoriug and recling like Il
thoroughly drunken man. came toward
the path, looking indie q rs if wildcats
lad taken their fiji of him.
The cudcel spun high in air, and.
catching it with IN experiences uc-
CURED by long practice on the line. The
Roy twirled ii second and. stepping
ont into the trail. followed WcSsncr.
Because Freckles was IRISH il was i'm.
possible to do it silently. and presently
his clear tenor rang ont. though there
were bad catches where he was hard
pressed for breath:
at was the Dutch IT was the Dutch
Do you Think It was the irish hollered
help? Not much
1t was the Dutch. II was the Dutch
Wessner turned and munDed what
YOU following me for What are you
going TO do with me-"
Frcckles called the I.imhcrlOst IN wit
ness BLOWS that for the ingratitude
of beast? And ne troubling meself
to show him off me territory with the
horors of war;
Then he changed his tone completely
and added: "Relie it's this, Freddy.
lou see. the boss might come riding
down this trail any minute, and the
little mares So WheedleSome that il
shed come on Ia YOU in your prisint
state all Of a sudden she'd stop that
short she'd send MIR. Mclean out over
the ears Of her No dSpuragone in.
tnded TO the sinse of the mare.' he
added hastily.
Wessner bclched fearful oath, and
Freck!es laughed merYily.
THAT'S a sample of the thanks IL
generous acts always for getting he
Here's me- neglectin me
work to eschUrt you out proper. and
you saying such awful words Fred
dy," he demanded stern!y. do you
want me 10 soap ont your mouth?
You don't seem to be realizing 1t. but
If you was to buck into Mir. Mclean
II Your prisint state without me there
10 explain matters the chance Is he'd
cut the liver out of you. and shouldn't
think you'd he wanting such fine gin
tiernnn rs him to see that its white"
WesSner grew Chastly under his
crime and lrOl-n info n st,conrinu RIM