Gilpin observer., 1915-09-09
....'..........
THE PEACEMAKERS
BY MARTHA M'cULLOCH-
WILLIAMS.

DCt"ceu. luc UiTu5 Ou6ut 10 nave
been neighborly. Instead each saw
In the other a hated rival-and crowed
accordingly.
Trimble really should not have mind
ed-his summer cottage and literary
workshop stood across the road, well
back among sheltering trees. 1t haG
seemed to him ideal-a place of silent
sunshine wherein he could work at
racing speed. Racing speed it would
have to be II his play were finished
in time. To that end he had literally
buried himself in the green wastes OF
Middleboro
Here he knew nobody-even the
tradesmen saw only his servant, Gil
lis, the most capable fellow alive.
from aslocal scrubwoman, Gillis kept
things going beautifully. The first
fortnight Trimble had felicitated him
self unreservedly on his choice of loca-
ton. Almost in the twinkling of an
eye the situation changed.
How incited-who shall say? The
cocks had been near neighbors for
months, yet had been housed more
than half the time, and let out only
for exercise at different hours. Per
haps, also. 1t was something psychic.
Until their owners fell out over red
and blue ribbons at the spring show
there had been daily gossipings across
the fence
Now Miss Alameda Green merely
shifted when Sir Lancelpt crowed and
Job Trotter confided J regularly to
rooster" was "worse'n fire alarm"
Nelly, his daughter, gloried vividly in
the raucous contest. Imagine her de-
light when Gillis let her know eau
tiously what the babel meant-and
who was the victim-a man who wrote
plays that actually were played!
Nelly lost her breath for almost min
ute-in her widest dreams she had
not dared hope to set eyes upon such
a miracle.
But she could do nothing.
How long will the play take?"
Nelly asked Gillis shook his head
sadly. Couldn't say, a'am-with
peace We may finish it by Septem-
ber-but if this keeps np-well, we'll
have to hunt new quarters, which will
be upsetting." he added mournfully.
"You mustn't think of that-you
shan't," Nelly declared briskly.
That afternoon while Miss Alameda
mapped and Job Trotter went fishing,
Nelly and Hector Green, Miss Ala
medals nephew and heir, held a close
and secret council-of peace, not war.
But they said nothing whatever about
II to their elders and gave Sir Lancelot
and Exeter extra feeds.
Next day was Sunday, and by a
not unusual coincidence Nelly had
such a headache she couldn't even
think of church going. Hector recalled
letters which must go out in tomor.
rows mail. So the pair were left at
home while their elders hied them
selves to their respective places OF
worship.
But their piety was i'll rewarded
for. upon homecoming, each found the
pride of his heart stretched limp and
lifeless on the turf. Nelly and Hector
had removed them from their respec
tive harems and arranged them de
Gently and in order beside the alley
gate.
There the bereaved ones sorrowec
for a breath. then rose up. wrathfull,
declaring simultaneously that it wa.
the work of those envious townspeopl.
poison. most likely.
Both Hector and Nelly dissentet
stoutly. They had been on guard-nc
other person had set foot upon thu
! premises. Clearly both had beer
stricken with some mysterious and fu
tai malady. Tho part Of wisdom wal
to bury them instantly and as IA
away from their mates as possible.
Without waiting for further argu
ment. Hector hustled the fallen bird
into feed basket. Nelly snatched VI
q light shovel. and together the.
marched OF In the direction Of tn,
sand fats. with the parting injunction
Don't wait dinner for US. We viii
do q good job while We are about It,
They did-walked three miles
chuckling and gigglins along the way
what time they were not stilling tn
hutterings and sQuawkings of their re
viving victims.
Gee! but was afraid they'd com
to life soon." Hector said. "Howeve
did you think OF It. Neily-feedin' 'eu
corn soaked in whisky till they wen
plumb to sleep"
"Oh. saw granny's geese get thi
-
thrown away when she made fresl
cherry bounce Nelly explained
They sobered up all right and SO will
these fellows. Dick Marne will TAX
fine care OF them. know-and mayb
we can see real play when we g
to the city for our honeymoon"
I'VE will-if we have to wal
home" Hector returned heartily. wv
never have got beyond movin' pi,
tures-but things will be different"