Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-05-12


I'll take YOU up on that bet, SAID Tommy.
"Bung won't be back for week"
even money!" asked Maude.
dollar even, drawled Tommy like man
of the world.
children. dear" exclaimed Mrs. Oliver.
AT ten clock the family began struggling
off to bed. By ten-thirty the Judge had
finished his chapter of Huxley, emptied his
pipe, and proceeded to bolt the front door.
BY ten-forty five the last light was out and
the divers were cuddlcd quietly under the
snug robe of King Morpheus.
CQUAHK! Squa7c-azr-c7c-au-aack!K iddy-
- ke-dackI Ke-dacki Ke-dack! Gdr-r-r-r-rI
AJAX! Ouch! Lemne ont, We dummy! WasSa
malta yon2 Murder! Kiddy-ke-daekF
This medley of horrors alarmed the
divers dreams and brought every member
of the family tumbing out of bed.
Bearing shOtguns, appeared on the porch
Judge Oliver in scant cotton nlghtshlrt and
Tommy in rich pongee pajamas From the
upper windows of the house there blossomed
three female faces,-Mlrs. Oliver, her gray
hair sternly braided; Gertrude bristling with
patent curriers'; Maude, wearing lacy cap
OF frivolous pattern.
On the strip of lawn beside the house a
plump figure danced wildly, throwing its
fingers to the moon.
"No shootee, no shootee." it jabbered
when the two men leveled their guns. al
no burgly-man! No shootee."
"Bungl" exclaimed five assorted voices in
one breath.
A fearful squawklng roaring and pounding
again issued from the sheds behind the barn.
Come chop-chop pletty quick | catchee!'
exclaimed Bung, waddling duck fashion
ahead of his astonished masters round the
barn to the chicken coop. The door of that
edihce shook as with human rage; but re-
fused to open for the evident reason that a
large iron spike was driven through the
staple A terrific basso cursing rose like
solo above the frenzied hen chorus.
"What have you got in there'' asked
Tommy, cooking his gun.
Il catchee Pigee Mike! He steal um
checked yelled Bung, dancing in a circle.
"Open the door, commanded the Judge
sternly, assuming the pose of a Minute Man.
He heap mad hobo' warned Bung, FUN
bling nervously with the spike that held the
prisoner. No sooner was the hasp released
than the door flew open, landing Bung such
mighty clout that he turned complete
reverse somersault and lay kicking like a
stricken beetle And the hobo came out. He
came out with roar in his voice and a SIX
foot henroost in his hand. He let out the
Tommy deity tripped him before anything
serious occurred, and Judge Oliver menaced
him with a double barreled towing piece
(unloaded).
Jaw, Mister, don't send me to de jugl |
amt no tramp hook-Im a poor woikin'
guy-honest, I'm starvinr' whined Mike,
putting up the knocking spiel that has
saved many tramp from vengeance.
"You no b1ieve him, Judge Ohvah- he
no workee guy-he velly mean hobo-he
steal um all time!" clamored Bung in the
Judges other ear.
Bung enthusiastically fetched a coil of
clothesline from the shed. While the Judge
held his empty gun at the tramp's head,
Tommy tied him hand and foot. Bungs
encouragement was heartening to hear.
@Oh, tie him plenty go fetchee more
LOPEZ" he cried gleefully. "Please no tie him
too loosel'
"Dry up, We proper stiff" snarled the
hobo, giving utterance to the tramp's deepest
phrase of contempt, meaning man who
works when he isn't forced to-
T ESS than an hour later Bung squatted in
- the moonlight watching the town marshal
bearing away the petty vagrant In a green
wagon. The Chinaman's face beamed more
h1anI1xr fhar fbo Tho J,,Ju md