Tensas gazette., 1917-12-28


"WrH, what is it?" Sam demanded
GROSSLY. Penrod's reitcration of his
n,W-found phrase, "for the main and
simple reason" had been growing
more and more irkSome to his friend
all day. though Sam was not definite
ly aware that the phrase was the
cause of his annoyance. 'What are
we goin' to do with him, you know so
much:'
Penrod rose and peered over the |
tops of the bushes, shading his eyes |
with his hand gesture which was |
unnecessary but had good appear |
ancc. He looked all round about him !
In this manner, finally vOuchsaiing a
report TO the impatient Sam.
NO enemies in siGht-iust for the
main and simple reason | expect
they're all in the alley and in George
BaSsett's back yard"
II bet they're not" Sam said scOrn-
fully, his irritation much increased.
How do you know so much about
it?"
"JuSt for the main and simple rea-
SON" Penrod replied, with dlgnified
| finality.
! And at that, Sam felt a powerful
| impulse to do violence upon the per-
son of his comrade-in-armS. The emo
ton which prompted this impulse was
so primitive and straightforward that
| ii almost resulted in action, but Sam
| had vague sense that he must con-
troll it ~ long as he could.
Bugs" he said.
Penrod was sensitive, and this cold
word hurt him. However, he wa.s I'M
der the domination of his strategic
idea, and he subordinated private
grievance to the common veal. sect
up" he commanded. "You get up,
too, Verman You got to-it's the
rule. Now here-Ill show you what
we're gOin' to do. Stoop over, and
both O. you do just exackly like l do.
You watch me. because this biz'nuss
has got 10 he done right !"
Sam muttered something; he was
becoming more insurgent every mo-
ment. but he obeyed. Likewise. Yer
between his shoulders. and trotted ont
to the sidewalk at Sans heels, both
following PenrOd and assuming n
stopping position in imitation of him.
Vernan was delighted with this
phase of the game, and. also. he was
profoundly amused by Penrod's pom
mostly. Something dim and deep with
in him perceived it to be cause for
such merriment that he had ado to
master himself. and was forced to bot
tie and cork his laughter with both
hands. They proved insufficient
sputterings burst forth between his
fingers.
You stop that" said Penrod, look
ing back darkly upon the prisoner.
Verman endeavOred to Oblige,
though giggles continued to leak from
him at intervals, and the three boys
stole along the fence in single file,
proceeding in this fashion until they
reached Penrod's own front gate. Here
the leader ascertained, by recon
naiSsance as far as the corner, that
the hostile forces were still looking for
them in another direction. He re-
turned in q stealthy but important
manner to his disgruntled follower
and the hilarious captive.
"Well," said Sam impatiently, -
guess I'm not goin' to stand around
here all day, l guess You got any
thing you want to do, why'n't you sc
on and do it?"
PenrOd'S brow was already comfort
ed to present the appearance of de
tached and lofty concentratiOn-a his
trionic failure, since it did not deceive
the audience. lie raised a hushin.
hand.
"Sh! he murmured. 81 got t.
think"
Bugs" said the impolite Mr.. VIII
iams again.
Verman bent double. sQuealing an'
sputtering; indeed, he was ultimatel.
forced TO sit upon the ground, so eX
hausting was the mirth to which n
now gave way. Penrods composur
was somewhat affected, and he showe'
e annoyance.
On. L guess YOU NOu iduSh qui'
so much about minute from now, oil
T. Mister Verman!" he said severely
r You get up from there and do lik
tell YOU"
l. "Well, why'n't you tell him why h
!? won't laugh so much. thenT Sam dc
manded, rs Verman rose. "Why'n
n you do something and quit talkin' S
much about it?"
PenrOd haughtily led the way int
h the yard.
r "You follow me-" he said, "and
guess you'll learn little senseW
a Then, abandoning his hauteur fo
an air of mystery equally irritating t
10 Sam. he stole up the steps of tn
porch, and after moments manip,
d. lation of the knob of the big fror
IN door. contrived to operate the. faster
re- ings. and pushed the door open.
Is "Come on" he whispered. beckoT
so ing. And the three boys mounted tn
" stairs to the floor above in silence
rs save for belated giggle on the pal
De of Verman. which was restrained upO
terrible gesture from Penrod. We
q man buried his mouth as deeply G
10 possible in ragged sleeve, and col
/. fined his demonstrations to a heavir
IA Of the stomach and diaphragm.
\, Penrod led the way into the daint
4 -f..t