Oxford Democrat., 1915-07-20

when another patron Unexpectedly ap-
peared and paid cent for his admis-
sion. News Of the Big Show and Mu-
scum Of Curiosities had at last pene-
trated the far, cold spaces Of interstel-
lar niceness, for this new patron con-
sisted Of no less than Roderick Mags-
worth Bits, Jr., escaped In a white
"sailor suit" from the manor during q
period Of severe maternal and tutorial
preoccupation.
He seated himself without parley,
and the punormance was offered for
his entertainment with admirable con-
scientiousness. True to the Lady Clara
caste and training, Roderick's pale, fat
face expressed nothing except an i'm
pervious superiority and, as he sat,
cold and unimpressed upon the front
bench, like a large, white lump, 1t must
be said that he made discouraging
audience ito play to-" He was not,
however, unrespOnsive-far from It
He offered comment very chilling to
the warm grandlloquence Of the orator.
That's my Uncle Ethelbert's dachs-
hund," he remarked at the beginning
Of the lecture. "You better take him
back II you don't want to get arrest
ed" And when Penrod, rather uneasi-
ly ignoring the interruption, proceeded
to the exploitation Of the genuine,
full blooded Indian dog, Duke, why
don't you try to give that old dog
awayr asked ROderick. "You couldn't
sell him."
"My papa would buy me lots better
coon than that" was the information
volunteered q little later, "only l
wouldn't want the nasty old thing"
Herman of the missing finger obtain
ed no greater indulgence. Pooh"
said Roderick. 1--WE have two fox ter
riers In our stables that took prizes ut
the kennel show, and their tails were
bit off. There's man that always
bites fox terriers tails off,"
"Oh, my gosh, what lie!" exclaiIn-
ed Sam Williams ignorantly. go on
with the show, whether he likes 1t or
not, Penrod. He's paid his money"
Verman, confident in his own singu-
lar powers, chuckled openly ut the
failure Of the other attractions to
charm the frosty visitor, and when his
turn came poured forth a torrent OF
conversation which was straightway
damned.
"Rottenw said Mr.. Bits languidly.
Anybody could talk like that. l could
do 1t If l wanted to-
yerman paused suddenly.
Eyes, you could" exclaimed Penrod,
stung. Lets hear you do 1t then"
"Yessir!" the other partner shouted.
Lets just hear you do It"
II said I could II wanted to-" re-.
sponded Roderick. II didn't say
would"
"Yay! Knows he can't" sneered
Sam.
II can, too, II I try"
"Well, let's hear you try"
So challenged, the visitor did try,
but In the absence Of IN impartial
Jury his effort was considered so pro-
nounced failure that he was howled
down, derided and Knocked with great
clamors.
Anyway" said Roderick when
things had quieted down, If I couldn't
get up better show than this I'd sell
out and leave town."
Not having enough presence OF mind
to inquire what he would sell out, his
adversaries replied with mere formless
yells Of scorn.
II could get up better show than
this with my left hand" Roderick as
serted.
"Well, what would you have in your
ole show" asked Penrod, condescend-
ing to language.
That's all right what I'd have. I'd
have enough"
"You couldn't get Herman and Yer
man In your ole show"
mo, and I wouldn't want 'em, ei-
ther."
"Well, what would you have" Insist
ed Penrod derisively. You'd have to
have sumpthing. You couldn't be q
show yourself"
How do you know" This was but
meandering while waiting for ideas
and evoked another yell.
"You think you could be q show all
by yourselfT' demanded Penrod.
How do you know l cOuldn'tT
Two white boys and two black boys
shrieked their scorn Of the boaster.
II could toor' Roderick raised his
voice to q sudden howl, obtaining q
hearing.
"Well, why don't you tell US how"
"Well, know how, all right" said
Roderick. "If anybody asks you you
can just tell him I know how, all
right"
"Why, you can't do anything" Sam
began argumentatively. "You talk
about being u show all by yourself
What could you try to do? Show us
sumpthing you can do"
II didn't say was going to do any.
thing" returned the badgered one, still
evading.
well. then, how'd you be a shown
Penrod demanded. I'VE got show
here, even If Herman didn't point OF
verman didn't talk. Their father stab
bed man with . pltchfork, I guess,
didn't her
"How do I know"
"Well, 1 guess he's in jail, amt her
well, what II their father is N jail !
I didn't say he wasn't, did r.
"Well. your father amt in jail. Ia
hep
"Well, never said he was, Ibid IT.
"Well, then," continued Penrod, "hoV
could you be a. He stopped abrupt
ly, staring at Roderick, the birth of an
idea plainly visible in his altered ex'
preston. He had suddenly remember
ed his intention to ask ROderick Mags,
worth Bits, Jr, about Rena Mags
worth, and his recollection collided In
his mind with the irritation produced
by Roderick's claiming some mysteri
GUS attainment which would warrant
his setting up as show in his sin
gle person. Penrod's whole manner
changed instantly.
"Roddy," he asked, almost over