The state herald., 1915-01-22
CHAPTER 1.
The Beauty Contest.

"I suppose you think yer Venus.
sneered James. a remark that he nat
tered himself was rather CLASSY"
The Watermelon sighed ms one
would over the ignorance of child.
No." said he. hardly"
Don't let that bioomin' modesty OF
yers keep yer from tellin' the truth.
adjured James.
The Watermelon waved the possl-
bility aside with airy grace. with
all due modesty. James," said he. Il
can't claim to be a woman"
Not with that hay on yer mug
agreed Mike. casting a sleepy eye up
ward from where he lay in lazy con.
tent in the long, sweet grasses under
the butternut tree.
When | was kid. | took prize
in beauty show" announced James.
with pardonable pride. Il was three.
! remember. a cute little cuss. Ny
hair was yellow and ma curled it-you
know how-all fuzzy-and had a
little white dress on. 1t was county
fair. got the first prize for the best
lookin' kid and WAS mugged for the
papers II was shaved now and had
on some glad rags, I'd be lady killer.
all right, all right"
"Jongside of me-" said the Water
melon, you'd look like blear-eyed
son Of toad"
You! Why, you'd make . balky
horse run, you would"
When me hairs cut, I'm bloomin'
Adonis, not Venus" and the Water
melon drew languidly at an old brown
pipe, warm and comfortable In the
pleasant shade. where soft breeIes
wandered ftfully by. laden with the
odors OF the fields in June.
Beauty" said James with charm
ting naivete. runs in my family"
1T went 30 fast in the besinnin'
then, yer family never had chance
to catch up" returned the Water
melon. We'll have beauty show.
Just US two"
eapisaa. &srdhA ,ienygehvh ha, sat w
long enough to look each over with
slow scornful derision and q mocking
xrunt.
James fondled the short stiff hair
on his cheeks and chin and waited
for developments.
The Watermelon went on. We will
meet this afternoon. here. sect Shaved
and with decent duds on. And Mike
can pick the winner"
Mike! He can't tell . sick cat
from = we'll one"
That's all right He knows enough
10 tell the best lookin' one between
you and me, A blind mug could DO
that"
But"
We haven't anyone else. you mutt.
We can't have too much publicity in
this show. dislike publicity anyway.
At any time. and especially when !
have on clothes. borrowed, As you
might say. for the occasion. II the
gang vas here. we could take vote.
but seein' that they amt. We got to
do with what We GOT
Tho cost OF iivin' 10 soin' up 20
these days. It's gettin' hard even to
batter hnndout." groAned Mike.
whose idea Of true beauty consisted
Of full stomach and q shady place
70 sleep on q long quiet Sunday after.
noon. Il Amt goin' to get every place
soursd on me. II the public gets any
more stinEy. III have 10 give up de
turf for . Twin. that's all. To throw
= sas will Be harder den hod.csrry,n'."
We Amt soin' to hurt tho burg
none" said James.
He rose lanGuidiy and stretched.
You be here this afternoon. Mike,
about three. see. or I'll knock yer
block on. IT'S = nice quiet hangout
and far enough from the village TO be
ssfe. I'm soin' TO get = shave and
borrow somc duds from the bloomin'
hostslry up yondsr 10 do honor to de
occasion" Hs knocked the ashes
from his pipe and slipped II into his
pocket. IL you don't get the clothes
and do shave. watermiliion. you'il bs
counted down and out. sect"
Sure" agreed the Watermelon.
Hs lay At length on tho ground be
meath the butternut tree and James
paused = moment TO run his eys criti
ealiy over him. from his lean face
with its twoweehs' growth OF beard
TO his ragged. clumsy shoes James
smiled Erimly and drew himself up "a
his full height with Just pride. Hs
was sis feet two IN shocs that nigh,
m we'll have been stockings for ali
they added TO his height His shosI
der were broad and muscular. with
the gentle play OF Eroat muscles In
perfect condition. His neck. 'houxh
short, was we'll shaped and sinswy
not tho short thick neck OF a prize
fighter or a bull. His hips were mar
row and his limbs long and straight
ncncath his open shir, ono aaw his
bronze throat and hugo chest A
splendid specimen OF tho genus homo
for all the rags and tattnrs that served
ha clothes.
The Watermelon was q BIT shorter
with narrower shoulder. but long
legged, slim. graceful. and unssr his