The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1917-12-27

| haven't got" said PenrOd indifferent
w. 81 know everything that's in your
yard and in your stable, and there
isn't thing"
Il didn't, say it was in the yard or
in the stable, did II"
"Well, there amt anything in your
house, returned Penrod frankly,
''that I'd walk two feet to look at
not thing"
ooh, mol" Sam assumed mockery.
"Oh. no, you wouldn't You know
what it is, don't you? Yes, you dol"
| Periods curiosity stirred somewhat.
swell, all right" he said, Il got
nothin' to do. just as soon go. What
| is it?'
"You wait and see," said Sam, as
they climbed the fence. 81 bet your ole
eyes'll open pretty far in about min
ute or SOP
deal to get me excited, unless it's
sumpthing mighty"
you'll see!' Sam promised.
| He opened an alley gate and stepped
into his own yard in a manner signal
ing caution-though the exploit, thus
far, certainly required none-and Pen
rod began to be impressed and hope
full. They entered the house, silently,
encountering no one, and Sam led the
way upstairs, tiptoeing, implying I'M
usual and increasing peril. Turning in
the upper hall, they went into Sans
fathers bedroom, and Sam closed the
door with a caution so genuine that al
ready Periods eyes began to fulfill his
hosts prediction. Adventures in an.
other boys house are trying to the
nerves; and another boys fathers bed
room, when invaded, has a violated
sanctity that is almost appalling. Pen
rod felt that something was about to
happen-something much more import
ant than he had anticipated.
Sam tiptoed across the room to a
chest of drawers, and, kneeling, care
fully pulled out the lowest drawer I'M
| til the surface of it's contents-Mr.
Williams winter underwear-lay ex-
posed. Then he fumbled beneath the
garments and drew forth large OBJ
ject, displaying it triumphantly to the
satisfactorily dumfounded Penrod.
1t was a blue-steel Colts revolver,
of the heaviest pattern made in the
seventies. Mr.. Williams had inherited
| it from Sans grandfather Ca small
man, deacon, dyspeptic) and it was
larger and more horrible than any re-
volver either of the boys had ever seen
in any picture, moving or stationary.
Moreover, greenish bullets of great
| size were to be seen in the chambers
of the cylinder, suggesting massacre
rather than mere murder. This revol-
yer was real and it was loaded!
Both boys lived breathlessly through
a magnificent moment.
Leave me have it !" gasped Penrod.
Leave me have hold Of it,"
"You wait q minute !" Sam protest
ed, in whisper. 81 want to show you
how do"
"No; you let me show you how
dow Penrod insisted; and they scuffied
for possession.
"Look out!" Sam whispered warn
ingly. ut might go Off"
'"Then you better leave me have tt"
And Penrod victorious and flushed,
stepped back, the weapon in his grasp.
"Here," he said, "this is the way do
You be crook; and suppose you got
! a dagger, and I"
81 don't want any dagger" Sam pro-
tested, advancing. 81 want that re-
volver It's my fathers revolaver,
amt it?"
"Well, wait a minute, can't you? I
got a right to show you the way do,
first, haven't II" Penrod began an I'M
provisation on the spot. "Say I'm COM
in along after dark like this-look,
Sam! And say you try to make a
jump at me-"
Il won't!' Sam declined this role
impatiently. 81 guess it amt your faith
er's revolaver, is it?" -,
"Well, it may be your fathers but
it amt yours" Penrod argued becom-
ing logical SIT amt others of us re-
volaver, so I got as much right"
"You haven't either. It's my faith"
"Watch, can't you-just a minute"
Penrod urged vehemently. "Pm not
goin' to keep it, am I? You can have
1t when 1 get through, can't you?
Here's how 1 do: I'm comm along af-
ter dark, just wallzin' along this way
like this-look, Sam!''
Penrod, suiting the action to the
word, walked to the other end of the
room, swinging the revolver at his side
| with affected careleSSneSS
I'm just walkin' along like this, and
first / don't see you" continued the ac-
tor. "Then / kind of get a notion
sumpthing wrongs liable to happen, SO
+ Mo-" He interrupted himself alb
ruptly. mo; that isn't it. You wouldn't
notice that had my good ole revolaver
with me. You wouldn't think l had
one because it'd be under my coat like
this, and you wouldn't see it." Pen
rod stuck the muZzle of the pistol into
the waistband of his knickerbockers
at the left side and, buttoning his jack
ct. sustained the weapon in CONCEAL
ment by pressure OF his elbow. $50
YOU think 1 haven't got anyi you think
I'm lust man comm along, and so
you"
Sam advanced "Well. you've had
your tarn." lie said. "Now, it's mine.
Tn gciu' to show you how I"
"Watch me, can't you?" Penrod
walled. Il haven't showed you how l
| do. have 1? My goodness! Can't you
watch me minute?"