The Holly chieftain., 1914-12-25

short. was we'll shaped and siuewy.
not the short thick neck of . prize
dshter or bull His hips we're mar.
row and his limbs long and STRAIGHT.
Beneath his open shirt one saw his
bronze throat and huge chest A
splendid specimen of the genus homo,
for all the rags and tatters that served
a. clothes.
The Watermelon was q bit shorter,
with narrower shoulders, but long
legged. slim. graceful. and under his
satiny skin his muscles slid and rip
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 20 far
merely made him At. an athlete In per.
feet condition. His features were
ciean-cut and symmetrical. with 1 mar
row. humorous. good-natured mouth
and eyes soft and gray and gentle.
the eyes Of 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 the
best yoke Of oxen" admitted che Wa
termelon from where he lay at eaSe.
There amt going to be no show"
said Mike firmly. mot II yer have
to swipe the duds. I amt going"
James showed that he was 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 CON
test 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 ysurs knocked into
kindlin' wood. = ssss
B Mike was fat and sred-headsd ana
dirty. His soul lpathed trouble and
fonsed for quiet with the ardor Of an
elderly spinster. mo. l amt" said
ne. In vain struggle for peace. n
aint 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-
rience. "is the best time to swipa any
thing. No one is lookin' for trouble
that day and 80 they don't fnd 1t,
sect"
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. Nike When yer
feelin' comfortable. yer can't under.
stand why the devil we amt comfort
able"
4 Well. why the devil amt yer?" de-
manded Mike. Il amt takin' all the
shade or all the earth, am II Lie
down and be quiet. What do yer want
a beauty show fort"
"Aw. stow it," snapped the Water
melon.
Yes, I'll stow 1t all right when
we're all sent to the jug. tell yer
I. amt at to work. The last time
got pinched. pretty near croaked.
l 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 hang-out is more than four
miles from the burg, you galoot,"
sneered the Watermelon. ..No 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 q 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 i've"
He pulled his clothes into place. ad.
1usted 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-off sound Of church
bells stole to them ON the quiet Of
the Sabbath morning.
CHAPTER ii.
A Close Shave,
"aN