Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1915-03-11


His advent In our little country
town was at once abrupt and novel,
Why he came. when he came. or how
he came, We boys never knew. MY
Hrst remembrance cf him III of bis
sudden appearance In the midst of d
game OF "Ant'ny-oyer,~ In which d
dozen boys besides myself were most
enthusiastically engaged. The scene
of the exciting contest was the center
og the main street OF tho town, the
elevation over which we tossed the
ball being the skeleton remains Of a
grand triusnphaI arch, left ~ i sort
of cadayarous reminder DC some re-
gent political demonstration. Although
recall the boy.s external appearance
upon that occasion with some vague.
ness. 4 wildly remember that his
trousers were much too large and
long. and that his heavy, Tapping coat
was bnttonless. and very badly worn
and damaged at the sleeves and ell.
COWS, remember. too, with even
more distinctness, the hat he wore: 1t
was = high. SILK. beIlcrOwned hat--a
mans hat and b yeritable plug -
not d new and shiny "pIng,w by any
means. but atilI or dignity and gloss
enough To furnish d noticeable con-
trast To the other appurtenanees OF It's
wearer's wardrobe. In fact, II was
through this latter article Of dress
that the general attention of the
crowd came at last To be drawn par.
sicularly to its unfortunate possesBor.
who, evidently directed by I'M oid.tlme
instinct. had mechanically thrust the
inverted castor under a falling ball.
and the ball, being made or yarn
wrapped tightly over d green walnut,
and dropping from an uncommon
height had gone through the hat like
o round ahot.
Naturally enough much merriment
wam accustomed by the singular mis-.
hap, and the victim OF the odd occur
renee seemed himself inclined 20 Join
III the boiateruus laughter and make
the most Of his ridiculous misfortune,
He pulled tho hat hack over his
tousled head. and with the Tapping
crown of It still clinglng by one frayed
hinge, he capered through gro.
tesuuely executed 5ig that made tho
ciamorous crowd about him howl
again. ~
''Woi what d hats cried BiIiy kin.
xey. derisfveiy. and with paipahiy
rancorous twinge of envy In his heart;
for Billy was tho bad boy OF our town.
and would doubtless have enjoyed
the strange boys auddsa notoriety In
thus being able 10 convert disaster
into positive run. swos what haiti
reiterated Billy, making feint 60
knock It from the boys head an the
eapering figure pirnuetted past him.
The boys eye caught the motion.
and ~ whirled suddenly In . hack.
ward course and danced past his re,
viler again. this time much nearer than
before. Better try IT," he said. II,
4 low. haltlaughing tone that no one
heard but Billy ana myself He was
out or range I'M an instant, still laugh
ing no be went.
'Durn hint" said HflIy, with stifinp
anger, cIutohing hia fist and ieavina
one knuckie protruding In very
wickad.looking manner, ~Durn him
He better not sass mel He's afearet
60 come past here ag'in and say that!
It'll knock his durn ole stoye.pipe IL
the middle o. mex weekt"
'sYou will heys" aueried a revoiv
ting voice. as the boy twirled pas
again-~this time 30 near that Bill,
felt his haunting breath blown In bill
face. ST..
yes. win, heyl'" said Billy. vi
ciously: and with = side.sweepine
fiat.handed HEX that sounded lik
striking rusty sheet or tin. th
erownless "piag" went spinning Int
the gutter, while. rs suddenly. th
assaulted little stranger, with a pt
culiarly paiiid smile about his lip
and nm electric glitter tn hia eye
Airoitiy flung his LETT hand tcrwart
smiling his nsuites such h blow I
tho region of the brow TINT the III
guarded billy went tnmhling hacl
ward, mis- phacky aasailant prancin
wildly around his PROSTATE form
.'ohl come and ace met" snarled ta
strange boy. In q eontemptueue ton
cooking his fists up m sclentsf
manner and dropping into stoo
shouldared swagger that would hay
driven envy into the heart 81 bull
ING hack driver @ttt the bloke on b
pinsis ne sneered, turning to n
crowd. 's'pose I'm goia' to hit q ms
ven fe's down1s
But mis- antagonist needed no sut
assistance, Strung with his unlooke
fos downfall, bleeding from the flr
blow ever given him by mortal DO
and goaded To absolute frenzy by n
taunts OF bis staggering enemy. Bill
sprans TO bis feet. and . nome
later had succeeded ID closing with h