Evening star., 1912-11-10

protested the owner of the property. "Why
in thunder can't you hold still"
dts a wasp!" yelled Meredith, murder
ously inclined toward all the world.
"Don't hit at it," advised Alice interest
edly. "If you hold still, it may not sting you"
keep that internal dog away!' implored
Meredith, now bobbing in positively delirl-
Gus circles between the dog and the wasp.
"Here dog! Here dog! Here dog!' called
Mother Boggs syrnpathetically, picking
NAL. 9Call him, Alice. He's your dog
"Come, Rolly," giggled Alice
But young Meredith was spared the pain
of that sting. He had the pain of another
one to absorb him.
An agonized howl from the cedar an
nounced that the struggle was over. Young
Meredith, at a reckless risk of hydrophobla,
slapped his hand on the back of his neck
and the wasp dropped off, dead! 1t had
not, however, lived in vain.
The excitement having subsided, Mr..
Lemuel w. Custer again took up the thread
of his discourse.
Delays are dangerous he urged MIR.
Boggs. Il have here a fountain pen. 1t you
will sign this application and this check, will
give you a temporary receipt, which will insure
Father almost barked at him. Il have
pint of ants in my clothes!" he stated, en-
deavoring to squirm all over at one and the
same time.
@Tason, YOU never do think to send home
that ant powder" suddenly remembered
Mother.
"The ants make your hold more precari-
Gus, argued Mr.. Custer. "Sign these blanks:
then, if we should both fall and break our
necks the next minute, your family would
receive the amount set forth. There is no
time like the present.
"Confound it! don't you see l can't write
here?' impatiently queried Father.
Possibly | can sit in front OF you and
help you," suavely offered Mr.. Custer, be-
ginning to lift himself out of his seat.
"You stay where you arel' commanded
the heavy Father Boggs in terror. Don't
you move muscle!" and the dog rushed
over Immediately to the maple tree, with
hopeful air.
"Very well, Sir, just as you say politely
accepted Mr.. Custer. "Young man" he
called to the inhabitant of the swaying cedar,
"may | ask your age at your nearest birth
day."
Young Meredith, tenderly feeling the
swelling on the back of his neck, looked up
toward the maple with such irate exaspera-
ton that the jerk of his head swung him
backward He shifted his balance SO vio-
lently that the forward jerk was too low
bend and he shot off, turning a complete
somersault. He sat foolishly for one second;
but the frightened screams of Mother and
Alice restored him to activity and, in spite
of his bruises, he jumped back into his
chosen tree. His rough treatment of the
cedar, however, had broken off all the mid
die branches, and now he was compelled to
draw up his legs and squat in the top of it,
holding on for dear life like a Japanese aero
bat on timber bamboo.
"Bravo!" applauded Alice. Il always
thought you were rather lazy, Rolly."
"How you do mistake repose, Alice"
chided Mother, from the apple tree. SYou
must not mind her teasing, Mr.. Meredith. =
Anything she does is charming" gal
lantly swore Mr.. Meredith; being most care
full however, not to become lopsided IN his
enthusiasm.
"It's compulsory activity" wriggled
Father. "Look at that young cedar! It's
ruined!"
Il should judge his age to be about twen-
ty-four," guessed Mr.. Custer. t1Young man,
that was dangerous maneuykr of yours
Il know what we can dol" suggested Alice,
clapping her hands with delight over her
brilliant idea. @Rolly can jump down from
his tree, first on one side and then on the
- H. 1..., 41,oA