Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1915-08-10

jeered and taunted the lawnmower,
the garden scythe and the wheelbarrow
quite out Of countenance.
| Likewise he Dragged to the other
boys by the hour, Rupe Collins being
the chief subject of eneomium-next
to Penrod himself. That's the way
we do up at the Third" became staple
explanation Of violence, for Penrod,
like Tartarin. was plastic IN the hands
Of his own imagination, and at times
convinced himself that he really was
one Of those dark and murderous
spirits exclusively Of whom 1.-THE
Third" was composed-according to
Rupe Collins.
Then, when Penrod had exhausted
himself repeating to nausea accounts
Of the prowess Of himself and his
great friend, he would turn to two
other subjects for vainglory. These
were his father and Duke.
Mothers must accept the fact that be-
tween babyhood and manhood their
sons do not boast Of them. The boy,
with boys, Is q Choctaw, and either
the influence or the protection Of wom-
en- Is shameful. "Your mother won't
| let you" Is an insult But, my father
won't let me-" Is dignifed explana-
ton and cannot be hoOted. A boy Is
ruined among his fellows If he talks
much Of his mother or sisters, and he
must recognize 1t as his duty to offer
at least the appearance Of persecution
to all things ranked as female, such as
cats and every species Of fowl. But
he must champion his father and his
dog, and, ever ready to pit either
against any challenger, must picture
both as ravening for battle and abso-
lutely unconquerable.
| Penrod, Of course, had always talked
by the code, but, under the new stimu-
lus, Duke was represented virtually
as a cross between Bob, Son Of Battle,
and South American vampire, and this
In spite Of the fact that Duke himself
often sat close by, living lie, with
the hope Of peace in his heart. AS for
Penrods father, that gladiator was
painted as of sentiments and dimen-
sions suitable to superdemon COM
posed Of equal parts Of Goliath, Jack
Johnson and the Emperor Nero.
Even Penrod's walk was affected.
He adopted gait which was kind
Of haunting swagger, and when he
passed other children on the street he
practiced the habit Of feinting blow;
then as the victim lodged he rasped
out the triumphant horse laugh which
he gradually mastered to horrible per
fection. He did this to Marjorie Jones.
Aye, this was their next meeting, and
such is Eros, young. What was even
worse, in MarJorie's opinion, he went
on his way without explanation and
left her standing on the corner talking
about 1t long after he was out Of hear
ing.
Within FIVE days from his first en-
counter with Rupe Collins, Penrod
had become unbearable. He even d.
most alienated Sam Williams, who for
q time submitted to finger twisting and
neck squeezing and the new style Of
conversation, but finally declared that
Penrod made him "sck." He made
the statement with fervor one sultry
afternoon in Mr.. Scho1eld's stable In
the presence Of Herman and Verman.
"You better look out, 'bo," said Pen
rod threateningly. "I'll show you a
little how we do up at the Third"
"Up at the Thirdr' Sam repeated,
with scorn. "You haven't ever been
up there
"I haven't7' exclaimed Penrod. ~
haven't"
mo; you haven't"
"Looky here" Penrod. darkly argu-
, mentatIve, prepared to perform the
eye to eye business. when haven't l
been up thereT
"You haven't never been up there"
In spite Of Penrod's closely approach
ing nose Sam maintained his ground
and appealed for confirmation. "Has
he, Hermann
81 don't reckon so," said Herman,
laughing.
! "Whatr Penrod transferred his nose
to the immediate vicinity Of Herman's
! nose. "You don't reckon so, 'bo, don't
your You better look out how you
reckon around here. You understan'
that, 'boT
Herman bore the eye to eye very
well. Indeed, it seemed to please him,
. for he continued to laugh, while Yer
man chuckled delightedly. The broth
ers had been In the country picking
| berries for a week, and 1t happened
that this was their first experience OF
the new manifestation Of Penrod.
Haven't been up at the Third|
the sinister Penrod demanded.
II don't reckon 80. How come you ast
meT
Didn't you just hear me say been
up there?~
"Well," said Herman mischievously,
! "hearin' amt believin'"
/ Penrod clutched him by the back OF
the neck, but Herman, laughing loudly,
! ducked and released himself at once,
retreating to the wall.
"You take that back" Penrod shout
ed, striking out wildly.
"Don't git mad" begged the small
darky, whilo number Of blows falling
upon his warding arms failed to abate
his amusement, and sound one upon
the cheek only made. him laugh the
more unrestrainedly. He behaved ex-
actly as If Penrod were tickling him.
and his brother. verman, rolled with
Joy in a wheelbarrow. Penrod pum-
meled till he was tired and produced
no greater effect
THERE he painted, desisting finally.
"Now l reckon you know whether I
been up there or notF'
Herman rubbed his smitten cheek.
"Pow" he exclaimed. "Pow-ee! You
cert'ny did lam me good one nat timel
! Oo-ee, she hurtT'
you'll get hurt worse'n that" Pen
rod assured him, III you stay around
here much. Rupe Collins is comm this
afternoon, he said. We're goin' to make
some policemen's billies out Of the rake
handle"
you 60 spoil new rake you pa