The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1915-07-28
The Euening Story
The Peacemakers.


The duel was certainly picturesque,
no matter how it tortured nerves fray
ed almost to breaking.
Sir Lancelot, the red-hackle game,
hoped upon low treIlis and sent
thence keen, shrill defiance in quick
succession to Exeter, the lordly lang
shan in the other yard.
The yards lay back with an alley be-
tween. The birds ought to have been
neighborly. Instead each saw in the
other a hated rivaI-and crowed ac-
cordingly. The game fowl had the
more acrid voice due, possibly, to envy
of the langShan'S more lOrdly retinue
The latter had ten black beauties in
his train, chattering and cackling what
time they were not wallowing madly in
the light earth, whereas there were
but three meek brown, red hens with
sober collars to pamper the pride of
Sir Lancelot.
Trimb1e really should not have
minded-his summer cottage and lit
erary workshop stood across the road,
we'll back among sheltering trees. 1t
had seemed to him 1deal-a place of
silent sunshine wherein he could work
at racing speed. Racing speed it would
have to be if his play were finished in
time.
He had had one overwhelming sue
cess, and on the heels of it fever had
laid him low. The play, still running,
called imperatively for successor un-
less he expected to lose his grip on the
public. Therefore he had undertaken
to give it superior successor. To
that end he had literally buried him
self in the green wastes of Middle
boro.
Here he knew nobody-even the
tradesmen saw only his servant, ellis,
the most capable fellow alive, thought
Trimble. With slight help from a
local scrubwoman, ellis kept things
going beautifully. The first fortnight
Trimble had felicitated himself unre-
servedly on his choice of location. AL
most 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, it 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 Lancelot crowed and
Job TrOtter confided regularly to
space that that big broot of a black
rooster" was 'worse'n a fire alarm"
Nelly. his daughter, gloried vividly in
the raucous contest. Nelly was just 8
eager for sensations of any sort and
most m eagerly amused.
Imagine, then, her delight when Gill
lis let her know cautiously what the
babel meant-and who was the victim
"a man who wrote plays that actu-
ally were Played Nelly lost her
breath for almost Il minute-in her
widest dreams she had not dared to
hope to set eyes upon such a mira
Gle.
But she could do nothing. Pap
thinks more of that fighting chicken
than anything else in the world, she
confided to ellis. Buy him. You'd
3,
1 will say it for Sir Lance, too-he's
pretty enough behaved if you don't
provoke him. Better buy that black
hugger-mugger cross the fence.
The old lady says just about the
same" ellis answered YEARLY.
Seemed to think was on your side
trying to get her bird out of the
way"
How long will the play take %
Nelly interrupted. ellis shook his
head still more sadly. Couldn't say
ma am-with peace we may finish it
by September-but If this keeps up
well, Wen have to hunt new quar-
tiers, which would be upsetting," he
added mournfully.
You mustn't think of that-you
shant." Nlly declared briskly- IF
I can get SIS without anybody knowing
it
You can have hundred if only
you make peace" ellis interrupted
eagerly.
Nelly blushed rosily I'm no black
mailer she said loftily. But you
know it will be a risk-sending the
ROSTERS away-besides, they eat a lot,
and feed is awful dear
'Sure,'' ellis answered, thrusting a
bill into her flaccid hand. That's
only n beginning" he said. DO what
you can for us. Whether it's much
or little-Mr. TriInble and will never
forget it -
That afternoon while Miss Alameda
mapped and Job Trotter went fishing,
Nelly and Hector Green, Miss Alamo
da's nephew and heir, held a close and
secret council-of peace, not war. But
they said nothing whatever about it
to their elders and gave Sir Iancelot
and Exeter extra feeds
Next day was Sunday and by a not
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