The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1915-08-04

radeS, including that of Sam Williams. On the ground about the caldron were scattered chips and sticks and bits of wood to the number of great multi tude. Penrod mixed quantities of this refuse into the tar and interested him. self in seeing how much of it he could keep moving in slow swirls upon the ebon surface.
 Other surprises were arranged for 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 flow. Labortng heartily to this end, . he had almost accomplished it when he received the suggestion for an ex- pertinent on a much larger scale. Elm bedded at the corner of a grass plot across the street was a whitewashed stone the size of a small watermelon and serving no purpose whatever save the questionable one of decoration. It was easily pried up with a stick, though getting it to the caldron tested the full strength of the ardent laborer. Instructed to perform such a task, he would have sincerely maintained it's 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 a mighty splash. Perspiring, grunttng vehen- ently. 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, panting, then lifted the stone and was bending his shoulders for the heave that would lift it over the rim when a sweet, taunting voice close behind him startled him cruelty.
 "Howtdo you do. little gentleman ?''s
 Penrod squawked, dropped the stone. and shouted, Shut up, you dern foo1." purely from instinct even before his. about face made him aware who had so spitefulIy addressed him.
 It was Marjorie Jones. Always dafn- ty, and prettily dressed, she was in speclxless and starchy white today, and refreshing picture she made, with the, new shorn and powerfully scented A1ftchy Mitch cliEging to her hand. They had stolen up behind the toiler and now stood laughing together in sweet merriment. Since the passing of Penrod's 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 as wax at sight of her and he would have offered her fair speech. But, alas. in Afarjorie's wonderful eyes there shone a consciousness of new powers for his undoing, and she denied him oppor- tunity!
 "Oh. ohg' she cried mocking his pained outcry What a way for a little gentleman to talk. Little gentle men don't say wicked
 .'A1arjorie.' Penrod, enraged and dis mayed, felt himself stung beyond all endurance Insult from her was bitter CT to endure than from any other. Don you call me that againv'
 ssWhy not, little gentleman P
 He stamped his foot You better stopr'
 Marjorie sent into his furious face her lovely, spitefuI laughter.
 Little gentleman, little gentleman, little gentleman she said deliberately. noon? Hello, little gentleman Penrod, quite beside himself, danced eccentrically. rDry upv he .hoWled. ssDry up, dry up, dry up. dry upv'
 AIitchy- Mitch shosted with delight and applied a finger to the side of the caldron--a finger immediately snatch ed away and wiped upon a handker- chief by his fastidious sister. Ittlel gellamunv' said Mitchy- Mitch.
 ssYou better look out!'' Penrod wtirl- ed upon this small offender with grim satisfaction Here was at least some l thing male that could without dishon- or be held responsible. ..Y You say that again and I'll give you the worst''
 ssYou will noti' snapped Marjorie. in 1 stantly vitrdolic Hell say just what ever he wants to. and he'll say it just as much as he wants to. Say 1t again, Nitchy- Mitchr'
 little gellamun!'' said Mitchy Mitch promptly
 s-ow-yaht' Penrod's tone production was becoming affected by his mental condition. You say that again and l'll.'-
 Go on. nfftchy Mitch cried Mario l rie. He can't do q thing. He don't say it a whole lot!''
 AIitchy5Mitch, with his small. fat face shining with confidence in his fmnu- l nity, complied.
 ss Title gellamun.''u he squeaked ma levolently. little gellamun. little l gel1amuni little gellamun!'' The desperate Penrod bent over the ] whitewashed rock, liftedsft and then outdoing Porthos. John Ridd and UT sus in one miraculous burst of strength 1 -heaved it into the air.
 l Marjorie screamed. But It was too late. The big stone descended into the precise midst of the caIdron and Penrod gott his mighty splash. It was far. far beyond his ex- 1 pectations.
 Spontaneously there were grand and awful effects ts-voleanic spectacies 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.