New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-03-14

light. Then Verman hit him with the rake.
verman struck from behind. lie struck as
hard as he could. And he struck with the tines
down For, in his simple, direct African way no
wished to kill his enemy, and he wished to kill
him as soon as possible. That was his single.
earnest purpose.
On this account Rupe Collins peculiarly
unfortunate lie was plucky and he enjoyed con
hict but neither his ambitions his anticipa
tons had included murder. He had not
learned that an habitually aggressive person runs
the danger of colliding with beings in one OF
those lower stages Of evolution wherein theories
about hitting below the belt" have not yet made
their appearance.
The rake glanced from the back Of Rupees head
to his shoulder, but it feled him. Both darnes
jumped full upon him instantly. and the threo
rolled and twisted upon the stable floor, unoos-
ing upon the air sincere maledictions closely con-
nected with complaints Of cruel and unusual
treatment: while certain expressions Of feeling
presently emanatng from Herman and Vermsn
indicated that Rupe Collins, in this extremity,
was proving himself not too slavishy addicted TO
fighting bv rule Dan aud Duke, mistaking all 10:
mirth, barked gayly.
From the painting, pounding, yelling heap issued
words and phrases hitherto quite unknown 70 rem
rod and Sam; also, hoarse repetition IN 'ns
voice of Rupe concerning his ear left 1t not to De
doubted that additional mayhem was taking place
Appalled,, the two spectators retreated to the door
wav nearest the yard, where they stood dumoly
watching the cataclysm.
The struggle increased in primitive simplicity
time and again the bowling Rupe got to his knees
only 20 90 down again as the earnest Dfothers' III
their own way, assisted him TO more reclining
position. Primal forces operated here, and the
Ii - 4i,,k ;yha durf r.
ton, Sam and Penrod, no thought OF inter-
ferine than they would have thought of inter-
fering with an earthquake.
At last. out of the ruck rose Verman, disfg-
ured and maniacal. With a wild eye he looked
about him for his trusty rake; but Penrod, In
horror, had long since thrown the rake out into
the yard. Naturally, it had not seemed necessary
to remove the lawn mower.
The frantic eye of Verman fell upon the lawn
mower, and instantly he leaped to its handle.
Shrillng wordess cry, he charged, pro-
peling the whirng, deafening knives straight
upon the prone legs of Rupe Collins. The lawn
mower was sincerely intended to pass Longitude
nally over the body of Mr. Collins from heel to
head; and it the time for death song.
Black Valkyrie lowered in the shreking air.
"Cut his gizzud outl" shrieked Herman urging
on the whirling knives.
as. with the supreme agony of effort q creature
in mortal peril puts forth before succumbing, ne
tore himself free Of Herman and got upon his
feet.
Herman was up as quickly. He leaped to the
wall and seized the garden scythe that hung there
'I'm GO to cut you gizzud out" he announced
definitely, "an' eat it,"
Rupe Collins had run from anybody ex-
cept his father in his life; he not a coward;
but the present situation was very, very unusual
He was already in badly dismantled condition,
and yet Herman and Verman seemed disconnected
with their work Verman swinging the grass
cutter about for new charge, apparently stu
wishing to NOW him, and Herman had made quite
plausible statement about what he intended TO do
with the scythe
Rupe paused but for an extremely condensed
survey of the horrible advance of the brothers,
and them uttering blood-curdling scream Of fear
ran out of the stable and up the alley at speed
he had never before attained, so that even Dan
had hard work to keep within barking distance.
And cross shoulder glance at the corner, re-
vealing Verman and Herman in pursuit, the latter
waving his scythe overhead, Mr.. Collins slackened
not his gait, but, rather, out of a great anguish,
increased it; the while rapidly developing pur-
pose became firm in his mnd-and ever after so
remained-not only to refrain from visiting that
neighborhood again, but never by any chance to
come within mile of it.
From the alley door, Penrod and Sam watched
the flight, and were without words When the
pursuit rounded the corner, the two looked wanly
at each other, but neither spoke until the return
Of the brothers from the chase
Herman and Verman came back, laughing and
chuckling
"Hiy!" cacked Herman to Verman, as they
came, "See at ole boy rum"
"Whoo-ee!" Verman shouted in ecstasy
"Nev' did see boy run fast" Herman con-
tinued, tossing the scythe into the wheelbarrow.
al bet he home in bed by viss time!"
Verman roared with delight, appearing to be
wholly unconscious that the lids of his right eye
we're swollen shut and that his attire, not too
fnical before the struggle, now entitled him to
unquestioned rank as a sansculotte Herman was
similar ruin, and gave little heed TO his
condition.
Penrod looked dazedly from Herman to Verman
and back again. SO did Sam Williams.
Herman" said Penrod, in a weak voice, "you
wouldn't honest of cut his gzzard out would
you%
who? Me? l don't know. lie mighty mean
ole boyl" Herman shook his head grayely aud
then, observing that Verman was again conyulsed
with unctuous merrimcut Joined laughter with
whens | said at! Reckon he thought ! meant il,
I'm de way he tuck an run. Hiyi Reckon he
thought ole Herman bad man! No, sub. | w
dess talkin' cause new would cut nobody! /
ain tryin' git in no jail-no, subj