New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-01-24

"But vhat'd you tell hit, to do II torl"
"Nothn' l jes said fs st wsy-sn he jes
chop 'er off,"
Both brothers looked pi5a,ed and proud. Pen
rods profound interest hattsrinsly visible,
tribute to their unusualnJ s
Hem bow COY" suggest vermsn eagerly
Jaw RI" said Herman. COW Sistuh Queenie,
she a growed-up woman; she got goituh."
Got q WHAT"
"Goitub. Swellin' on her neck -gres' big swellin.
She hcpoin nanny move in now You look in dc
front room winduh where's she sweepn you kin
see IL on her
Penrod looked in the window and was rewarded
By fine view Of Queene's goitre He had never
before seen one and only the lure Of further con-
yersation on the part Of Verman brought him
from the window
"Nerman say tell you bout pappy," explained
Herman Nanny an Queenie move in town an
90 Git dc house all FIX up befo' pappy git out"
"Out Of where"
Jail. Pappy cut man. an de police done KEEP
him in Jail evuh sense Christmas time but dey
goin' tuhn him loose agin mex week"
"Whatd he cut the other man with"
"Wif pitchfawk"
Penrod began TO feel that lifetime spent with
this fascinating family all too short The
brothers. glowing with amability, were as en-
raptured as he. For the first time in their lives
they moved in the rich glamour Of sensational
ISM. Herman prodigal Of gesture with his
right hand, and Verman, chuckng with delight,
talked Aueutly, though somewhat consciously
They cheerfully agreed 70 keep the raccoon-
already beginning TO be mentioned as "our coon"
by Penrod-in Mr.. Schofeld's empty stable, and
when the animal had been chained to the wall
near the box Of rats and supplied with pan OF
fair water they sssented TO their friends
suggestion INSPIRED by fine sense of the artistic
hsrmonies) that the heretofore nsmeless pet be
chrstened Sherman, in honor Of their deceased
relative.
Al this juncture heard from the front yard
the sound Of that yodelling which is the peculiar
accomplishment of those whose voices had not
changed" Penrod yodelled response, and Mr..
samuel Williams appeared, large bundle under
his arm.
"Yay, Penrodl" was his greeting, casual enough
from without but having entered, he stopped
short and emitted prodigious whistle. Ys-a-sy!"
ne then shouted. Look at the 'coon!"
81 guess you better say. Look at the 'coon!'"
Penrod returned proudly "They's good deal
more'n him to look at, too. Talk some, Vermsn.'
Nerman complied.
sam was warmly interested. "what'd you say
his name ." he asked
"Verman.'
How d'you spell it."
"V-e-r-m-a-n" replied Penrod having previous
~ received this information from Herman.
oh" said Sam.
Point to sumpthing, Herman Penrod com
manded and Sans excitement when Herman
pointed was sufficient for the occasion.
Penrod, the discoverer, continued his explota-
ton Of the manifold wonders Of the Sherman,
Herman and Verman collection With the air Of
,-.n .bo all far
a good look at Queenie (who seemed not to care
for her increasing celebrity and proceeded to
a dramatic climax the recital Of the episode Of
the pitchfork and its consequences.
The cumulative effort enormous. and could
have but one possible result The normal boy is
always at least one-hslf Barnum.
Lets get up Show"
Penrod and Sam both claimed to have said II
first question left unsettled in the ecstasies Of
hurried preparation The bundle under Sans
arm, brought with no definite purpose. proved 10
have been an inspiration Il consisted Of broad
sheets of light yellow wrapping paper, discarded
by SANS mother in her spring housekeeping
There were half-flled cans and buckets Of paint
in the storeroom adjoining the carriage house,
and presently the side wall Of the stable famed
information upon the passerby from great and
spreading poster.
and amphtheatrical enterprise. thus provided sub
sequent arrangements proceeded with fury OF
energy which transformed the empty hay loft.
True It is impossible to say just what the hay
loft was transformed into, but history warranta-
bly, clings 10 the statement that IL trans
formed. Duke and Sherman were secured to the
rear OF wall At considerable distance from
each other after an exhibition OF reluctance on
the part of Duke, during which he displayed
nervous energy and agility almost miraculous in
so small and middle-aged dog. Benches were
improvised for spectators; the rats were brought
I'D finally the rafters, corn crib and hay chute
were ornamented with flags and strips Of hunt
ing from Sam Willisms's attic, Sam returning
from the excursion wearing old silk hat, and
accompanied ION account Of rope by fine
dachshund encountered on the highway. In the
matter Of personal decoration paint was gener-
ouslv used an Interpretation Of the spiral, in
clinins to whites and green's becoming brilliantly
effective upon the dark facial backgrounds OF
Herman and Verman; while the countcnances Of
Sam and Pcnrod were each supplied with the
black mustache and imperial
Il was regretfully decided in council, that no
,.tor,pt be made 10 add Queenie TO the list OF
ovbibits her brothers warmly declining TO act as
ambassadors in that cause They were certain
Ouoenie would not like the idea, they said, and
Herman picturesquely described her activity on
occasions when she had been annoyed by too much
attention 20 her appearance. However, Penrods
disanno;ntment was alleviated by inspiration