Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1917-12-28


ter substance Of the edict to the other
members, and gloom became unani-
NOUS So serious an aspect did the
affair present that 1t was felt neces-
sary to call special meeting of the
order after school. The entire men,
bership was in attendance; the door
was closed, the window covered with
board, and the candle lighted. Then
all of the brothers-except one-be-
gan to express their sorrowful appre-
tensions. The whole thing was
spoiled, they agreed, if George Bas-
sett had to be taken in. On the other
hand, If they didn't take him in,
"there wouldn't be anything left" The
one brother who failed to express any
opinion was little Verman. He was
otherwise occupied.
Verman had been the official paddler
during the limitations of Roddy Bits
and Maurice Levy; his work had been
conscientious, and it seemed to be TAX
en- by consent that he was to continue
in office. An old Single from the
woodshed roof had been used for the
exercise of his function in the cases Of
Roddy and Maurice, but this afternoon
he had brought with him a new one,
which he had picked up somewhere. It
was broader and thicker than the old
one, and during the melancholy proph-
ecies of his fellows, he whitfield the
lesser end of it to the likeness of
handle. Thus engaged, he bore no ap-
pearance of dependency; on the con-
trary, his eyes, shining brightly in the
candlelight, indicated that eager
thoughts possessed him, while from
time to time the sound of chuckle is
sued from his simple African throat.
Gradually the other brothers began to
notice his preoccupation, and one by
one they fell silent, regarding him
thoughtfully. Slowly the darkness Of
their countenances lifted a little;
something happier and brighter began
to glimmer from each boyish face. All
eyes remained fascinated upon Yer
man.
swell, anyway" said Penrod, in a
tone that was almost cheerful, 'this
is only Tuesday. We got pretty near
all week to fix up the 'nishiation for
Saturday"
And Saturday brought sunshine to
make the occasion more tOlerable for
both candidate and the society. Mrs.
Williams, going to the window to
watch Sam, when he left the house af-
%o,. lunch oorIyod with YIoo c11ro that
his look and manner were sprightly
as he skipped down the walk to the
front gate. There he paused and yod-
eled for a time. An answering yod
ell came presently; Penrod Schofield
appeared, and by his side walked
George Bassett. George was always
neat, but Mrs. Williams noticed that
he exhibited unusual gloss and polish
today. AS for his expression, it was
a shade too complacent under the cir
cumstances, though, for that matter,
perfect tact avoids an air of triumph
under any circumstances. Mrs. VIII
liams was pleased to observe that Sam
and Penrod betrayed no resentment
whatever; they seemed to have ac-
copied defeat in a good spirit and to
be inclined to make the best of
George. Indeed, they appeared to be
genuinely excited about hint was
evident that their cordiality was eager
and wholehearted.
The three boys conferred for few
moments; then Sam disappeared round
the house and returned, waving his
hand and nodding. Upon that, Penrod
took Georges left arm, Sam took his
right, and the three marched off to
the backyard in companionable way
which made Mrs. Williams feel that
it had been an excellent thing to inter-
fere little in Georges interest.
Experiencing the benevolent warmth
that comes Of assisting in good ac-
ton, she assembled to an apartment up
stairs, and, for a couple of hours, en-
ployed herself with needle and thread
in sartorial repairs on behalf of her
husband and Sam. Then she was in
terrupted by the advent Of colored
serving-maid.
"Miz Williams, I reckon the house
goin' fall down J" said this pessimist,
arriving out of breath. 'sThat s'iety
O. Mist Sans suttenly tryin' to pull
the roof down on ow haids!"
"The roof?' Mrs. Williams inquired
mildly. "They aren't in the attic, are
they?"
Nom; they in the celluh, but they
reachin' fer the roof! / new did hear
no sech a rurnpus an squawl1in' an
squawlin' an fallin' an whoopin' an
whackin' an bangin'! They troop
down by the outside celluh do, ne'en
bang they bus loose, an been
goin' on ev' since, wuss'n Bedlun! Eff
they anything down celluh ain broke
by this time, it CAIN be only jes' the
foundashun, an'sI bet that amt goin'
stan much longer! I'd gone down an
stop EN-, but I'm 'fraid to. Homes,
Nlz Williams, I'm 'fraid o. my life go
down there, all that Bedlun goin' on. /
thought / come see what you say"