Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1917-11-30


field neighborhood. The sabers We're
of wood; the steeds were imaginary,
AID both were employed in a game
called bonded pris'ner" by its in
yentors, Masters Penrod Schofield and
Samuel Williams. The pastime YVES
not intricate. When two enemies met,
they fenced spectacularly until the
person of one or the other was touched
by the opposing weapon; then, when
the ensuing claims of foul play had
been diSallowed and the subsequent
argument settled, the combatant
touched was considered to be a pris-
0ner until such time as he might be
touched by the hilt Of a sword belong
snc to one of his own party, which af-
fected his release and restored to him
the full enjoyment of hostile activity.
Pending such rescue, however, he was
obliged to accompany the forces of his
eaptOr whithersoever their strategical
necessities led them, which included
many strange places. For the game
was exciting, and, at IFS highest
pitch, would sweep out of al alley
into a stable, out of that stable and
snto a yard, out of that yard and into
q house, and through that house with
ehe sound (and effect upon furniture)
tf tFampling herds. In fact, this verv
similarity must have been in the mind
of the distressed colored woman in
Mrs. Williams kitchen, when she de-
elared that she might "jes' as well try
10 cook right spang in the middle o.
the stock yards"
All up and down the neighborhood
she campaigns were waged, accom-
panied by the martial clashing of
wood and by many clamorous argu-
Suents.
You're pris'ner, Roddy Bittsr'
81 am notp
"You are, tool I touched you."
"Where, I'd like to know"
"On the sleeve"
"You did not I never felt it. I
guess I'd "a felt 1t, wouldn't I?'
what If you didn't2 I touched you,
and you're bonded. leave it to Sam
williams"
your sidel leave it to Herman"
"NO, you WON'T If you can't show
any sense about it, Wen do it over,
and 1 guess you'll see whether you
feel it or not! Therel Now, 1 guess
you"
saw. squash!''
Strangely enough, the undoubted
champion proved to be the youngest
and darkest of all the combatants,
one Verman, colOred, brother to Her
man, and substantially under the size
so which his nine years entitled him.
Yerman was unfortunately tongue
tied, but he was valiant beyond ali
others, and, in spite of every handi-
cap, he became at once the chief sup
port of his own party and the despair
of the opposition.
On the third Saturday this opposi-
ton had been worn down by the sue
cessiye captures of Maurice Levy and
George Bassett until it consisted of
only Sam Williams and Penrod.
Hence, it hehooved these tive to be
wary, lest they be wiped out altogeth-
er; and Sam was dismayed indeed,
upon cautiously scouting round "a COR
aer of his own stable, to find himself
face to face with the valorouS and
skiIlful Verman, who was acting as
an outpost, or picket. of the enemy.
Verman Immediately fell upon Sam,
horse and foot, and Sam would have
fled but dared not, for fear he might
be touched from the rear. Therefore,
ne defended himself as best he could
and there followed lusty whacking,
in the course Of which Vermans hat,
a relic and too large, fell from his
head, touching Sans weapon in fall
ing.
"ThereW painted Sam, desisting i'm
mediately. "That counts! You're |
bonded, Verman."
t'Aim meewer I" Verman protested. |
Interpreting this as "Ain't neither"
Sam invented law to suit the occa-
sion. Eyes, you are; that's the rule,
Verman. l touched your hat with my
sword, and your hats just the same
as you"
"Imm mopi" Verman insisted.
eyes, it IS" said Sam. already
warmly convinced (by his own state
ment) that he was in the right. Lis
ten herel If hit you on the shoe,
It would be the same as hitting you,
wouldn't it? / guess it'd count if
hit you on the shoe, wouldn't it? Wen.
a hats just the same as shoes. Hon
est, that's the rule, Verman, and you're
priS'ner."
Now, in the arguing part of the
game Verman's impeachment co-operat-
ed with a native amiability t ender
him far less effective than IN the
actual combat. He chuckled, and
ceded the point.
MAw wiz he snid and cheerfullv