The Madison journal. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1888-current, 1915-08-21
THE PEACEMAKERS
BY MARTHA M'CUllOCH-
WILLIAMS.

been neighborly. Instead each saw
In the other 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 had
seemed to him ideal-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. To that end he had literally
buried himself in the green wastes of
| Middleboro.
Here he knew nobody-even the
lis, 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 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 Lancelot crowed and
Job Trotter confded regularly to
space that that big brute of a black
rooster" was "worse'n a fire alarm"
Nelly, his daughter, gloried wildly In
the raucous contest. Imagine her de-
light when ellis 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
aot dared hope to set eyes upon such
miracle.
But she could do nothing.
How long will the play take?"
Nelly asked. ellis shook his head
sadly. Couldn't say, ma'am-with
peace we may finish 1t by Septem-
ber-but IL this keeps up-well, we'll
have to hunt new quarters, which will
be upsetting," he added mournfully.
You mustn't think of that-you
shant." Nelly declared briskly. "If
can get five dollars without any.
body's knowing it"
You can have a hundred IL only
you make peace" ellis interrupted
eagerly.
Nelly blushed rosily. I'm no black
mailer" she said loftily. But you
know IT will be risk-sending the
ROSTERS awa,-besides. they eat a lot.
and feed Is awful dear"
"Sure!" ellis answered, thrusting
q bill into her daccid hand. That's
only beginning" he said. DO what
you can for us. Whether it's much |
Or little-Mr. Trimble and will never
forget it."
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
1t 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 60 out in tomor-
rows mail. So the pair were left at
home while their elders hied them
selves to their respective places of
But their piety was Ill rewarded.
for, upon homecoming, each found the
pride of his heart stretched limp and
ifeless on the turf. Nelly and Hector
had removed them from their respec-
i've harems and arranged them de-
Gently and in order beside the alley
gate.
There the bereaved ones sorrowed
or breath, then rose up, wrathfully
declaring simultaneously that It was
he work Of those envious townspeople
Poiooh, uOot likely.
Both Hector and Nelly dissented
'toutly. They had been c. guard-no
'ther person had set foot upon the
premises. Clearly both had been
tricken with some mysterious and ia.
al malady. The part of wisdom was
o bury them instantly and as far
way from their mates as possible.
Without waiting for further sreu.
nent, Hector hustled the fallen birds
nto feed basket. Nelly snatched I'D
light shovel, and together thew
marched of in the direction of the
and mats, with the parting Injunction.
Don't wait dinner for US. We will
70 god job while we are about H."
They did-walked three miles
huckling and giggling along the way. /.
7hat time they were not shilling the
utterings and squawkings of their re-
living victims. ,
Zee! but l was afraid they'd come
life soon," Hector said. However ,
ID you think Of 1t, Nelly-feedin' .em Z
orn soaked in whisky till they went
lumb to sleep?" ,
"Oh. ! saw granny's geese get this
ray on cherries-those that were
nfown away when she made fresh
berry bounce" Nelly explained
"ey sooered up all right and so will,