Evening star., 1917-06-03

or hammered upon. could be studied
at leisure. Saturday was starting
splendidly.
After time the students attention
was drawn by peculiar smell which
proved to be an emanation leaking
into the stable from the alley. He
opened the back door.
Across the alley was cottage which
a thrifty neighbor had built on the
rear line of his lot and rented to
family was now in process of moving
In was manifested by the presence OF
a thin mule and a ramshackle wagon.
the latter laden with the semblance of
a stove and a few other unpretentfous
household articles.
A very small darky boy stood near
the mule. In his hand was rusty
chain. and at the end of the chain
the delighted Penrod perceived the
source of the special smell he was
tracing large raccoon.
Whats the 'coon's name?" asked
Penrod, intending to no discourtesy.
Aim gommo mame," said the small
darky.
WHAT"
The small darky looked annoyed.
Aim gommo name, I hell you," he
said. fmpatiently.
Penrod conceived that insult was in
tended.
Whats the matter of your" he de-
manded. advancing. You get fresh
with me and TIL
'Hyuh. white boy" colored youth
of Penrod's own age appeared in the
doorway of the cottage. you let at
brothuh mine alone. He amt do nothin'
to you"
We'll. why can't he answer?'
He can't. He can't talk no bettern
what he was talkin'. He tongue-tie'."
oh" said Penrod, Modified. Then he
turned to the afflicted one.
Talk some more he begged eagerly.
II hoe you ackoom aim gommo
name" was the prompt response.
Whats he mean?" asked Penrod. en-
He says he told you at coon ain got
no name"
Whats your name?"
TIN name Herman
Whats his name?" Penrod pointed to
the tongue-tied boy.
"Verman."
WHAT"
"verman. Was three us boys in ow
family. Ofest one name Sherman.
Men come me: I'm Herman. Men come
him: he Verman. Sherman dead. Yer
man. he de Titles one"
you goin' to live here?"
''Umhuh. Done move in I'm way
outen on a fahm."
He pointed to the north with his right
hand. and Penrod's eyes opened wide as
they followed the gesture. Herman
had no forefnger on that hand.
Look there" exclaimed Penrod.
You haven't got any finger"
81 mum map" said Verman, with
egregious pride.
He done at" interrupted Herman.
chuckling; "Yessuh; done chop 'er
a ak an lay my finguh on de do'-sil1
an I say, Verman, chop 'er off. So
Verman he chop 'er right sprang off up
to de roots! Yessuh.''
What for?"
80
He hoe me hoo" remarked verman
fessuh. tole him to-" said Herman,
an he chop 'er off, an 'ey amt airy
oth' one evuh grow on where's do ole
one use to grow. Nosuh!"
Both brothers looked pleased and
proud. Penrod's profound interest was
fatteringly visible. tribute to their
unusualness.
"Verman say tell you bout rappy,"
continued Herman. NANNY move in
town an go git de house all fix up befo'
pappy git OUT
Out of where?"
Jail. Pappy cut man, an de police
done KEEP him in jail evuh since Chris
mus-time, but dey goin' tuhn him loose
ag'n mex week"
"What'd he cut the other man with7"
asked Penrod. breathlessly.
"Wif a pitchfawk."
Penrod began to feel that lifetime
spent with this fascinating family were
with amiability. were as enraptured as
he. For the first time in their lives
they moved in the rich glamour of SEN
sationalism. Herman was prodigal of
gesture with his right hand: and Yer
man. chuckling with delight, talked
fiuently. They cheerfully agreed to
keep the raccoon-already beginning to
be mentioned as "our coon" by Pen
rod-in Mr. Schofield's empty stable
and. when the animal had been chained
to the wall near the box of rats, they
assented to their new friends sug-
gestion that the heretofore nameless
pet be christened Sherman, In honor
of their deceased relative.
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 re-
sponse, and Mr.. Samuel Williams. a
close comrade, aged eleven. appeared
a 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-ay" he
then shouted. Look at the 'coon."
'I guess you better say. Look at the
'coon-" returned Penrod. proudly.
'They's a good deal more'n him to look