The Detroit times., 1912-10-03

satlny skin, his muscles SLID ana rip
pied with marvellous symmetry
Where James was strong, slow,
heavy, he was quick, 1.-THE, supple
Dissipation had not left It's mark, and
the hard life OF the road had 30 fai
merely made him az, an athlete In
perfect condition. His features were
clean-cut and symmetrical, with mar
row, humorous, good-natured mouth
and eyes soft and gray and gentle
the eyes OF a dreamer and an idler.
James looked at the slight graceful
youth. sprawled In the shade OF the
butternut tree, and grinned. doubling
his huge arms with slow. luxurious
pleasure In the mere physical action
and watching the rhythmic rise and
fall OF the great muscles.
You might get honorable mention
In one OF these county fairs for che
best yoke OF oxen" admitted the
Watermelon from where he lay at
ease.
There amt going 10 be no show, "
said Mike firmly. mot IL yer have
TO swipe the duds. amt going
James showed that he was a true
member of the bon-ton. He waved the
other to silence with the airy grace
of a master dismissing an impudent
servant There Is going TO be a
contest for the just reward OF beauty
and yer goin' TO be here, Mike, and be
the Judge or y will have that red
headed block OF yours knocked into
kindlin wood"
Mike was fat and redheaded and
dirty. His soul loathed trouble and
longed for quiet with the ardor OF an
elderly spinster. NO. ] amt said
he, In vain struggle for peace. II
amt goin' to hang around here until
you blokes swipe the rags and come
back wild de cops after yer"
There amt no cops around this
place, you mutt" contradicted the
Watermelon with the delicate cour-
tesy of the road.
There's a sheriff"
"Sheriffs," interrupted James cold
ly. "ain't never around until the jobs
done
Sunday" added the Watermelon,
from knowledge gained by past ex.
perience, lis the best time to swipe
anything. No one is loolSin for troub-
le that day aud SO they don't find It,
see,"
Sure" agreed James. Every ones
feelin warm and good and stuffed.
and when yer feel good yerselg, yer
won't believe any one Is bad. You
know how il is, Mike. When yer
feelin' comfortable, yer can't under
stand why the devil We amt comfort
able"
well, why the devil amt yer?" de-
manded Mike. II amt takin' all the
shade or all the earth, am I? Lie
down and be quiet. What do yer want
a beauty show for"
"Aw, stow it," snapped the Water
melon.
Yes, I'll stow IL all right when
we're all sent TO the jug. tell yer
I amt At TO work. The last time l
got pinched. pretty near croaked. |
wasn't made to work"
We amt going to get pinched," !"
said James. You make more talk
over two suits Of clothes"
1T amt the clothes. It's the darn
fool notion OF swipin' em and then
comm right back here. and not
maxim no getaway
This fang-out IL more than four
miles from the burg, you galoot,
sneered the Watermelon. mo one
would think OF coppin' us here.
They'll go to the next town, or else
watch the railroads."
But they might
Might what? Might be bloomin
fools like your
Where are you goin' to be shaw
edY
I'm a barber shop" said James
mildly, You probably favor a lawn
mower, but personally prefer bar
ber.''
Yes" walled Mike, go to a bar
ber shop and let every guy in town
get his lamps on yer"
You're gettin' old Mike. me boy,
and losin' yer nerve" said James. He
stretched and yawned. We'll, I'm off
before church time or the BARRIERS will
be closed. Remember, Mike. this aft
ernoon, between four and Ave"
He pulled his clothes into place, ad-
justed his hat at the most becoming
angle and started up the narrow wood
land path, whistling gaily through his
teeth. As he disappeared among the
trees, the far-off sound of church bells
stole to them on the quiet OF the
Co hhath ,,,nrnipo