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

and you better look out what you say
when he's around or you'll get In
big trouble! You understand that,
'bo?
Penrod was cowed, but fascinated.
he felt that there was something dan
gerous and dashing about this new
conner.
eyes," he said, feebly drawing back.
"My names Penrod Schodeld."
"Then / reckon your father and
mother amt got good sense" said Mr..
Collins promptly. this also being for
mula.
"WhyT'
"'Cause If they had. they'd Of give
you a good namew And the agreeable
youth instantly rewarded himself for
the wit with another yell Of rasping
laughter, after which he pointed sud-
denly at Penrod's right hand.
"Where'd you get that wart on your
fnger?" he demanded severely.
(Which flnger?" asked the mystihed
Penrod, extending his haAd.
"The middle one"
"Where?"
"Therev' exclaimed Rupe Collins,
seizing and vigorously twisting the
wartless finger naively offered for bis
inspection.
"Quit!" shouted Penrod in agony.
"Queeyut"
"Say your prayers!' commanded
Rupe, and continued to twist the luck
less finger until Penrod writhed to his
knees.
"Ow" The victim, released, looked
grievously upon the still painful finger.
At this RUPEES scornful expression
altered to one of contrition. "Well, 1
declare" he exclaimed remorsefully'
81 didn't s'pose 1t would hurt. Turn
about's fair play; 80 now you do that
to me-"
He extended the middle finger Of his
left hand and Penrod promptly seized
1t, but did not twist it, for he was
instantly swung round with his back
to his amiable new acquaintance.
RUPEES right hand operated upon the
back of Penrod's slender neck; RUPEES
knee tortured the small Of Penrod's
| back.
"Ow! Penrod bent far forward In
voluntarily and went to his knees
again.
click dirt" commanded Rupe, fore
ing the captive's face to the sidewalk,
and the suffering Penrod completed
this ceremony.
Mr.. Collins evinced satisfaction by
means of his horse laugh. you'd last
Jest about one day up at the Third!
! he said. You'd come runnin' home,
yellin' 'Mom-muh, mom-muh,' before
recess was over"
"No, l wouldn't" Penrod protested
rather weakly. busting his knees.
! "You would. too"
| mo. I W.
"Looky here" said the fat faced boy
darkly, "what you mean, counterdick-
, ing meF'
] He advanced a step and Penrod hast.
! hy qualified his contradiction.
i 81 mean, don't think would. r.
! "You better look outw Rupe moved
closer, and Unexpectedly grasped the
back of Penrod's neck again. "Say
4 would run home yellin' MON
muir"
"ow! I would run home yellin' Nom
muh.'"
/ "Therer' said Rupe. giving the help
less nape a dnal squeeze. That's M
way we do up at the Third"
Penrod rubbed his neck and asket
meekly:
Can you do that to any boy up a
the Third"
"See here now," said Rupe in th'
tone Of one goaded beyond all endur
ance, you say II can. You bette
: say 1t quick or
II knew you could" Penrod inter
/ posed hastily, with the pathetic sem
blance Of a laugh. II only said that u
! fun"
"In 'funr" repeated Rupe stormily
F.. .'You better look out how YOU
Z "Well, I said l wasn't In earnest
Penrod retreated few steps. :"
knew you could all the time. l expec
I could do It to some Of the boys up a
the Third myself. Couldn't r.
mo; yoa couldn't"