Rocky Ford enterprise., 1912-10-11

Jenkins stopped for breath, but l
didn't say a word. By Jove. 1t all made
me bit sick. don't you know. Oh.
l must have been maudlin. that's what
-maudlin. managed to wag my
head to start him off again; couldn't
speak, you know!
Yes, sir" Then you says: That's
all right. now, my boy; so you run
along. because I'm awfully busy. To-
morrow we'll talk some more
Bully!' says the chap. Good night,
old mani Then he turns back, kinder
smiling sidewise. It's sure on the
level, is 1t. that you're going to let me
have clear road with Frances?'
"'Oh. bother Frances!' you says
laughing. Yes. yes, and when you
win her. she'll be to me as my own
girl. And know I'll have her love.
too
Whats that? says the young fel-
low. kinder froYning. And you says.
easy-like. Why, we'll Just be one hap
py family Then you chuckled like
| you was mighty pleased and says:
And l think she is learning to like me
pretty well already. Why, do you
know what she did tonight? She
came right up to me and in the sweet
est way kissed me good night"
Obi" I said. digging my fingers
into the bedclothes. Obi"
Yes. sir!" said Jenkins chokily. He
went on; This young fellow Just
marches right close up to you and
says, speaking kinder quiet and his
eyes shining. You say Frances kissed
your And you sorter gave laugh
and dug him in the side and you
says. Il do believe the boy is jealous! !
Why. yes. you rascal. she certainly
did-she kissed mel
Well. it's a lie!' he says back
pointing at you with his finger. BE.
cause 1t amt like her And he got
closer.
"'See here. he says, have you jus,
been trying to get gay with me to
night? Huh!-well. I'm just going to
box your Jaws for luck,'
What? you gasps-'whats that?
and you storms up TO him-'Why
you young puppy. do you know who
you're talking tor you says.
BAH. he says. and he just goes ur
and snaps his fingers In your face
You chokes kinder. and then you
yells at him: Why. You young ruf
fan. I've spanked you before. and |
can do 1t again
"'Yah.' he says, making faces at
you. You spanked You hit.me when
l wasn't looking. My foot slipped
Foot slipped, you blanked fool.
you shouts at him. and then" Jen.
kins wiped his forehead-"Then the
next thing 1 see. you Mixed
"Ah!" I breathed with relief. That's
better."
chuckIed Then suddenly felt re.
morseful.
Where did hit him this time. Jen
kins-did you. notice? Was he hurt
Il much?"
jenkins looked down, avoiding my
eyes. ''Um. not exactly. SIR" he said
"in fact. It was-er-kinder the other
way"
stared. aghast.
You don't mean. Jenkins"
jenkins evidently did! His eyes ex.
pressed both pity and embarrassment.
What he did to you."-he rolled
his glance upward. trying to shape
the idea-''I believe. sir. it's what you
might call''-his voice dropped-'T be-
lieve it's what they do call wfping I'D
the floor with
| closed my eyes an instant.
"Finish!" | whispered. feebly flip
ping my hand at him.
He left then. sir. but the noise
brought Wilkes and We helped you
upstairs. You wouldn't go any farther
| Akar hz -
wanted to tell him, we supposed.
When We got that far. I noticed Mr..
Jack Billings door-it's right oppo-
site. you remember. sir-was standing
Just little open. He called out very
anxiously and shrill: oh. do be very
careful of the paIamas, Myi myi |
hope the pajamas are not hurti
And at that, you Just bangs in
side the judges room and in about
two minutes, he stuck his head out.
looking kinder towsled and mad like
he'd been walked from sound sleep,
and he fires wrapped-up parcel at
the door opposite and yells:
There are your pajamas, you un-
natural, heartless prodigali Pajamas,
indeed, at such timei' And then
see Mr.. Jacks arm come out and fish
the package inside.
Then the Judge turns on me and
Wilkes and ordered us to clear out
and go to bed And Wilkes said we'd
best do 1t because the Judge would
take care OF you and get you TO your
room quietly. And the last thing I
heard before he slammed inside his
room was:
There's one thing: I've got a
daughter!'
looked at Jenkins miserably. He
was right; he did have daughter