The Lynden tribune. [volume] (Lynden, Wash.) 1908-current, 1915-10-21

ebon surface
Other surprises were arranged fol
the absent workmen. The caldron was
almost full and the surface Of the tar
near the rim. Penrod endeavored to
ascertain how many pebbles and brick.
bats dropped In would cause an over
dow. Laboring heartily to this end,
he had almost accomplished it when
he received the suggestion for an ex.
pertinent on a much larger scale. EN-.
bedded at the corner Of a grass plot
across the street was a whitewashed
stone the size Of q small watermelon
| and serving no purpose whatever save
the questionable one Of decoration. II
was easily pried up with a stick,
though getting 1t to the caldron tested
the full strength Of the ardent laborer.
Instructed to perform such task, he
| would have sincerely maintained Its
impossibility. but now. as It was unbid.
den and promised rather destructive
results, he set about it with uncon.
querable energy. feeling certain that
he would be rewarded with mighty
splash. Perspiring, grunting vehem-
emily, his back aching and all muscles
strained, he progressed In short stages
until the big stone lay at the base of
the caldron. He rested a moment,
| painting. then lifted the stone and was
| bending his shoulders for the heave
that would lift 1t over the rim when q
sweet. haunting voice close behind him
startled him cruelty.
"How do you do. little gentleman
Penrod squawked. dropped the stone
and shouted. "Shut up. you dern fool!''
purely from instinct. even before bis
about face made him aware who had
so spitefully addressed him.
1t was Marjorie Jones. Always dain-
ty. and prettily dressed. she was in
speckless and starchy white today, and
a refreshing picture she made, with
the new shorn and powerfully scented
Mitchy- Mitch clinging to her hand.
They had stolen up behind the toiler
| and now stood laughing together in
sweet merriment. Since the passing
of Periods Rupe Collins period he had
experienced some severe qualms at the
recollection of his last meeting with
Marjorie and his Apache behavior-in
truth, his heart instantly became az
| wax at sight Of her and he would have
offered her fair speech. But, alas, In
Marjorie's wonderful eyes there shone
a consciousness of new powers for his
undoing. and she denied him oppor-
tunity!
"Oh, ohr' she cried. hooking his
panied cutlery. what a way for a
little gentleman to talk! Little gentle
men don't say wicked
"Marjorier Penrod. enraged and dis
mayed. felt himself stung beyond all
endurance. Insult from her was bitter.
er to endure than from any other.
Don't you call me that againr'
"why not. little gentlemanr
He stamped bis foot "You better
stopw
Marjorie sent into his furious face
her lovely. spiteful laughter. q
Little gentleman. little gentleman.
little gentleman she said deliberately.
"How's the little gentleman this after
noon? Hello, little gentleman"
Penrod. quite beside himself. danced
scientifically. DRY upr' he howled.
DRY up, dry up, dry up. dry up"
Mitchy- Mitch shouted with delight
and applied a finger to the side Of the
caldron-a finger Immediately snatch
ed away and wiped upon handker-
chief by bis fastidious sister.
"'Ittle gellamun" said Mitchy-
Mitch.
"You better look outr' Penrod whirl.
ed upon this small offender with grim
satisfaction. Here was at least some
thing male that could without dishon.
or he held responsible. "You say that
again and I'll give you the worst
"You will notr' snapped Marjorie. In.
stantly vitriolic. HELL say just what
ever he wants to. and he'll say 1t Just
as much as he wants to. Say It
again, Mitchy-Mitch!'
little gellamunr' said Mitchy- Mitch
promptly.
"Ow-yahw Penrod's tone production
was becoming affected by bis mental
condition. you say that again and
Up
go on, Mitchy- Mitch" cried Mario
rie. HE can't do a thing. He don't
dare! Say 1t some more. Mitchy-Mitch
say 1t q whole lott"
Mitchy- Mitch. with his small. fat face
shining with confidence In his immu-
nifty. complied
"'Ittle gellamun!" he squeaked ma
levolently. little gellamun! little
gellamun! little gellamunr'
The desperate Penrod bent over the
whitewashed rock, lifted 1t and then
outdoing Porthos, John Ridd and Or
sus in one miraculous burst Of strength
-heaved It into the air.
Marjorie screamed.
But it was too late. The big stone
descended into the precise midst Of the
caldron and Penrod got his mighty
splash. 1t was far, far beyond bis ex.
pectations.
Spontaneously there were grand and
awful effects-volcanic spectacles OF
nightmare and eruption. A black sheet
of eccentric shape rose out Of the cal
dron and descended upon the three
children. who had no time to evade It
After 1t fell, Mitchy-Mitch who stood
nearest the caldron. was the thlckest,
though there was enough for all Bre'r
Rabbit would have fed from any OF
them.
When Marjorie and Mitchy-Mitch got
their breath, they used It vocally. and
seldom have more penetrating sounds