Oxford Democrat., 1915-07-20

chuckling. "Yessuh, done chop 'er
spang of long go. He's playin' wifi
az, an lay my finguh on de do sill,
an 1 say, 'verman, chop 'er of! SO
verman he chop 'er right spang of up
to de roots! Yessuh."
"What forf"
"Jes' TO nothin'."
HE hoe me hoo" remarked Verman.
"Yessuh, l tole him to-" said Her
man, IAN he chop 'er of, an ey amt
airy 9TH one evuh grow on where's de
ole one use to grow. NOsuh!'
but whatd you tell him to do it
for7"
"Nothin'. jes' said 1t at way-an'
he jes' chop 'er off,"
Both brothers looked pleased and
proud. Penrod's profound Interest was
fatteringly visible, a tribute to their
unusualness.
Hem bow goy," suggested Verman
eagerly.
Jaw rP," said Herman. "Ow sistuh
Queenie, she a growed up woman; she
got goituh."
"Got a whatf"
"Goituh. Swellin' on her neck-grea'
big swellin' She heppin' nanny
move in now. You look In de front
room winduh where's she sweepin';
you kin see 1t on her"
Penrod looked In the window and
was rewarded by a fine view Of Queen
ie's goiter. He had never before seen
one, and only the lure Of further con-
versation on the part Of Verman
brought him from the window.
"verman say tell you bout pappy,"
explained Herman. NANNY an
Queenie move In town an 90 git de
house all fi1 up befo' pappy git out"
'Out Of whereY'
"Jail. Pappy cut man, an de po-
lice done KEEP him In Jail svuh sense
Chrls-mus time, but dey goin' tuhn
him loose ag'in mex week.
"What'd he cut the other man withr'
"wif a pitchfawk."
psurod began to feel that q lifetime
spent with this fascinating family
were all too short. The brothers, glow
ing with amiability, were as enraptts'
cd as he. For the first time In their
lives they moved In the rich glamour
Of sensationalism. German was prod
igal Of gesture with his right hand.
and verman. chuckling with delight,
talked huently, though somewhat eou-
sciously. They cheerfully agreed to
keep the raccoon-already beginning to
be mentioned as "our coon" by Pen
rod-in Mr.. Sehofield's empty stable,
and when the animal had been chain
ed to the wall near the box Of rats
and supplied with a pan Of fair water
they assented to their new friends
suggestion Qnspired by fine sense Of
the artistic harmonies) that the here
tofore nameless pet be christened Shsr-
man, in honor Of their deceased rela-
tive.
At this juncture was heard from the
front yard the sound Of that yodellng
which is the peculiar accomplishment
Of those whose voices have not
changed" Penrod yodeled response,
and Samuel Williams appeared. a large
bundle under his arm.
"Yay, Penrod" was his greeting, cas-
ual enough from without; but, having
entered, he stopped short and emitted
prodigious whistle. "Ya-a-ay" he
then shouted. Look. at the coon"
II guess you better say, Look at the
'coonr" Penrod returned proudly.
'They's a good deal more'n him to look
at too. Talk some, Verman." Verman
compiled.
Sam was warmly interested. "What'd
you say his name was7" he asked.
"verman."
How d'you spell it7"
"v-e-r-m-a-n," replied Penrod, having
previously received this information
from Herman.
"Ohw said Sam.
Point to sumpthing, Herman" Pen
rod commanded, and Sans excitement,
when Herman pointed was sufficient to
the occasion.
Penrod, the discoverer, continued his
exploitation Of the manifold wonders
Of the Sherman, Herman and Verman
collection. With the air Of proprie-
tor he escorted Sam into the alley for
a good look at Queenie (who seemed
not to care for her increasing celebrity
and proceeded to a dramatic climax
the recital Of the episode of the pitch.
fork and its consequences.
The cumulative effect was enormous
and could have but one possible result
The normal boy Is always at least one
half Barnum.
Lets get up a SHOW"
Penrod and Sam both claimed tG
have said 1t first, question left un'
settled In the ecstasies Of hurried prep
aration. The bundle under Sans arm
brought with no definite purpose
proved to have been an inspiration. II
consisted Of broad sheets of light vel
low wrapping paper, discarded By
Sans mother In her spring house
cleaning. There were half filed CAM
and buckets OF paint In the storeroou
adjoining the carriage house and pres
emily the side wall Of the stable damet
Information upon the passerby from {
great and spreading poster.
Publicity" primal requisite Of al
theatrical and amphitheatrical enter
prise thus provided, subsequent Al
rangements proceeded with fury o
energy which transformed the empt.
hayloft. True, 1t is impossible to ga.
just what the hayloft was transform
ed into, but history warrantably cling
to the statement that 1t was trans
formed. Duke and Sherman were &c
cured to the rear wall at conAderabl
distance from each other after an q
hibihon Of reluctance on the part o
ppkA during vhisA b displaya4