Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1915-06-17

Ing Will dILldUullg, were as euTdpIuI-
ed as he. For the first time in their
lives they moved in the rich glamour
of sensationahsm. Herman was prod
igal Of gesture with his right hand,
and Verman, chuckling with delight,
talked fuently, though somewhat con-
sciously. They cheerfully agreed to
keep the raccoon-already beginning to
be mentioned as "our coon" by Pen
robin Mr. Schofeld's empty stable,
and when the animal had been chain
ed to the wall near the box Of rats
and supplied with pan Of fair water
they assented to their new friends
suggestion INSPIRED by fine sense of
the artistic harmonies) that the here
tofore nameless pet be christened Sher-
man, in honor Of their deceased rela-
tive.
At this juncture was heard from the
front yard the sound Of that yodeling
which is the peculiar accomplishment
of those whose voices have not
changed" Penrod yodeled a response,
and Samuel Williams appeared, large
bundle under his arm.
''Yay, Penrod"' was his greeting, cas-
ual enough from without; but, having
entered, he stopped short and emitted
a prodigious whistle. ''Ya-a-ayw he
then shouted. Look at the 'coonr'
Il guess you better say, Look at the
'coonr" Penrod returned proudly.
''They's a good deal more'n him to look
at too. Talk some, Verman" Verman
complied.
Sam was warmly interested. "What'd
you say his name WASP" he asked.
"Verman."
"How dyou spell it?'
"Ve-r-m-a-n," replied Penrod, having
previously received this information
from Herman.
"Oh." said Sam.
Point to sumpthing, Herman" Pen
rod commanded, and Sans excitement,
when Herman pointed was sufficient to
the occasion.
PenrOd, the discoverer, continued his
exploitation Of the manifold wonders
Of the Sherman, Herman and Verman
collection. With the air Of a proprie-
tor he escorted Sam into the alley for
a good look at Queenie who seemed
not to care for her increasing celebrity
and proceeded to dramatic climax
the recital Of the episode Of the pitch
fork and it's consequences.
The cumulative effect was enormous,
and could have but one possible result.
The normal boy is always at least one
half Barnum.
Lets get up a SHOWw
Penrod and Sam both claimed to
have said it first a question left I'M
settled in the ecstasies Of hurried prep
aration. The bundle under Sans arm,
brought with no definite purpose,
proved to have been an inspiration. 1t
consisted Of broad sheets Of light vel
low wrapping paper, discarded by
Sans mother in her spring house
cleaning. There were half filled cans
and buckets of paint in the storeroom
adjoining the carriage house and pres
emily the side wall of the stable famed
information upon the passerby from a
great and spreading poster.
publicity" primal requisite of all
theatrical and amphitheatrical enter
prise thus provided, subsequent ar
engagements proceeded with a fury of
energy which transformed the empty
haylOft. True, it is impossible to say
just what the haylOft was transform
o6 int icta III ol;,
to the statement that it was trans
formed. Duke and Sherman were Sc
cured to the rear wall at considerable
distance from each other after an ex-
hibitiOn of reluctance on the part of
Duke, during which he displayed a
nervous energy and agility almost
miraculous in so small and middle aged
a dog. Benches were improvised for
spectators; the rats were brought up;
finally the rafters, cOrncrib and hay
chute were ornamented with flags and
strips of bunting from Sam Williams
attic, Sam returning from the eXcur,
sion wearing an old silk hat and ac-
cOmpanied Ton account of a rOpel by q
fine dachshund encountered on the
highway. In the matter of persona!
decoration paint was generously used:
an Interpretation of the spiral, inclin-
ing to whites and greens, becoming
brilliantly effective upon the dark
facial backgrounds of Herman and
Verman, while the countenances of
Sam and Penrod were each supplied
with the black mustache and imperial,
lacking which no professional. show
man can be esteemed conscientious.
1t was regretfully decided in coun-
Gil that no attempt be made to add
Queenie to the list of exhibits, her
brothers warmly declining to act as
ambassadors in that cause They were
certain Queenie would not like the
idea, they said, and Herman pictur-
esquely described her activity on oc-
casions when ST. had been annoyed
by too much attention to her appear
ance. However, Periods disappoint-
ment was alleviated by an inspiration
which came to him in a moment of
bordering upon the dachshund, and the
entire party went forth TO add an en-