The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1913-01-18

pied with marvellous, symmetry.
Where James was strong. slow, heavy,
he was quick. 1.-the. supple. Dissipa
ton had not left its mark, and the
hard life Of the road" had SO "a,
merely made him At, an athlete in per
feet condition. His features were
lclean-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 1t the slight, graceful
youth, sprawled in the shade Of the
lbutternut 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
I'm one Of these county fairs for the
best yoke Of oxen," admitted the Wa.
ltermelon from where he lay at ease.
"There amt going to be no show"
said Mike firmly. mot If yer have
to swipe the buds. I 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 Diminishing an impudent
servant. There is goin' to be a con.
test for the just reward Of beauty
and yer goin' to. be here, Mike, and
be the Judge or y will have that rcd.
headed block Of yours knocked into
kindlin' wood"
Mike was fat and red.headed and
dirty. His soul loathed trouble and
longed for quiet with the ardor Of an
elderly spinster. mo, I amt" said
he, in vain struggle for peace. IT
amt gain to hang around here until
you blokes swipe the rags and come
back wild de cops after yer"
Sunday" said the Watermelon,
from knowledge gained by past expe.
rfence, "is the best time to swipe any.
thing. No one is lookin' for trouble
that day and so they don't lind it,
see?" -
Sure" agreed James. every ones
feelin' warm and good and stuffed,
and when yer feel good yerself, you
won't believe any one is bad. You
know how it is, Mike. When yer
feelin' comfortable, yer can't under.
stand why the devil we amt comfort.
able" .'~,
We'll, 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
q beauty show fort"
Jaw, stow it," snapped the Water
melon.
Eyes. Ill stow 1t all right when
we're all sent to the Jug. tell yer
I amt At to work. The last time !
got pinched, I pretty near croaked.
I wasn't made to work.
I'VE amt going to get pinched,' -
said James. "You make more talk over
two suits Of clothes"
1T amt the clothes. It's the -
fool notion Of swipin' 'em and then
comm right back here, and not max.
In no getaway"
"This hangout is 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 you"
Where are you goin' to be shaved %
I'm the barber shop" said James
mildly. you probably favor a lawn.
mower, but personally prefer bar.
ber." He stretched and yawned,
well, I'm of befoRe church time, or
the BARRIERS will be closed. Remem.
Der, Mike, this afternoon, between
four and FIVE"
He pulled his clothes into place, ad.
justed his hat at the most becoming
angle and started up the narrow
woodland path. whistling gaily through
his teeth. As he disappeared among
the trees, the far-oft sound of church
bells stole to them on the quiet Of
the Sabbath morning.