The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1913-06-24
The Fortunes of the Landrays
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relieved on this score he instantly
resumed operations, now and again
lcasting a glance over his shoulder In
Stephens direction. Evidently he had
expected the latter to rush OF TO warn
Peter. but Stephen did nothing of the
sort, he merely stared at the intruder.
"Hull0. poppy eyes," said the boy.
"What are you doing here? Amt you
afraid old Dutchy will come swarm
ing out here and light into you?" r.
Stephen answered him by a shy.
wistful smile: he felt that he had at
last made a comforting acquaintance.
Il got enough said the stranger.
Green grapes are great for the
lcramps."
Stephen did not know this. but he
was politely interested: there was one
thing he wanted TO ask the stranger,
and now he said:
Amt you afraid Of Peter"
Afraid OF Dutchy?' with infinite
scorn. IF he comes around here, him
and me will see times. Say, what's
your name?"
stephen Landray.'
Mines Benjamin Wade: but you
can call me Ben for short II you want
to-"
Stephen looked his gratitude for the
privilege.
Where did you get in?" asked
Stephen.
Over the back fence and up
through the orchard manage to
keep board of the fence most OF the
time. but old Dutchy's pretty patient
about mailing II up. Them Germans
amt easily discouraged; seems like he
10 always hoping he can get 1t to
stick
Then he showed Stephen the inner
economy OF his ragged jacket; he had
removed the Innings OF each pocket
and the result was a sack-like recep-
tacle which he told Stephen, after
calling upon him to admire the inge
nuity Of the arrangement. would hold
by actual measurement. a peck of ap-
pies.
I'm fond OF fruit" he explained.
Once. old Jake Benson caught me
here was In his strawberries. Say.
l was stiff He most scared the life
out OF me. he come on me 80 sudden,
but he only asked me what / was do
ing; he's all right! What did you
say your name was?"
stephen Landray," repeated Ste
phen.
The boy considered.
| There's Landray's hill. Landrays
woods. Landray's race, and Landrays
mill-but 1t amt running any more
and Landray's fork; ever been to any
of emp"
Stephen was forced to own that he
had not
| Well, I'll show EN- to you some
day go to all them places often"
Benjamin Wade was preparing to
take his departure, and the smaller
boy was sorry enough to see him 90.
I'll tell you. I'm coming back
maybe about this time tomorrow: and
/ may bring a Teller or two with me.
I'll show you where you be back OF
the arbors SO as we can find YOU"
And he led the way to a snug hiding
place, we'll screened from observation.
You be here just about now tomor-
row and we may happen along"
Benjamin Wade seemed person OF
perfect freedom, but one whose social
obligations were numerous and pleas
antly diversified. Stephen followed
him to the back fence, and stood with
his small. wistful face pressed be-
tween the pickets. watching him from
sight down the alley The lonely lit
tie fellow was in fever OF impotence
for the morrow. He wondered whom
the fellers would be tina, Benjamin
Wade would bring, and he hoped that
he would not forget to come as he had
promised.
Benjamin Wade was as good as his
word. He appeared promptly the next
day at the appointed place and hour,
and with him was small boy whom
he introduced as Spike. He invited
stephen to accompany him and Spike
to swimming-hole in I.andrays fork.
and when Stephen declined the invita-
ton, as he felt constrained to do, the
two boys promptly left him. after
making certain insulting comments
on his lack of independence.
| He feared that he had lost them for
ever, and was reduced to tears in con.
sequence. But the very next day Ben
jamin Wade reappeared at the same
hour and at the appointed trysting
place, accompanied by Spike and a
second small boy called Reddy.
The four squatted on the grass back
Of the arbors and proceeded to assidu.
iOuoiy SuitNdtc oil acquaintance. hetl-
dy was Of an inquiring mind beyond
what was natural even to a small boy
meeting strange small boy for tho
first time. Stephens occupation seem.
ed to rest heavy on him He wanted
10 know what his pursuits were: and
the nature of his responsibilities in
| life; and particularly where the
authority Of his elders limited his
freedom.
Stephen dutifully told him of Mr.
Benson and of Mrs Pope: that it was
she who sent him out into the yard
to play; that he had the choice OF
either the front lawn or the garden,
but that the barn was under a ban as
being dangerous
You hear that, you fellows? Id
be gosh darned II I'd let her dictate
to me-" said Reddy, who was of a vio-
lent nature. Does she give you any.
thing to play with, that's what want
to know"
Stephen was forced to confess that
she did not.
That's just like a woman. won.
der how she thinks you're going TO
play! I. just wouldn't. Id learn her
she couldn't boss me-"
He seemed quite incensed at the un-
reasonableness OF the situation. and
Stephen was not free from an uneasy