Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-07-08

kind Of thought 1t was all the time,
did your? Suddenly concentrating MS
brow into a htstrionic scrowl he thrust
his face within an inch Of Periods
Yes, sonny. Rupe Collins Is my name
and you better look out what you say
when he's around or you'll get IN ois
trouble! You understan' that, Dor
Penrod was cowed but fascinated; ne
felt that there was something danger
GUS and dashing about this newcomer
"Yes," he said feebly, drawing back.
my names Penrod Schofleld'
The agreeable youth instantly s.a n.y., re- e.
rasping laughter. after which he point
ed suddenly at Periods right hand.
where did you get that wart on your
finger?" he demanded severely
(Which finger?" asked the myst1neo
Penrod. extending his hand.
1.-The middle one"
"Where?"
"There," exclaimed Rupe Collins, SELF
ing and vigorously twisting the wart-
less finger, naively offered for his In
Quit" shouted Penrod in agony.
"Quee-yut"
"Say your prayersr" commanded Rupe,
and continued to twist the luckless fin
ger until Penrod writhed to his knees.
"Ow." The victim, released, looked
grievously upon the still painful finger.
At this RUPEES scornful expression al
tered to one of contrition. We'll. de-
didn't s'pose it would hurt. Turn
about's fair play; SO now you do that
to me-
He extended the middle finger of his
left hand and Penrod promptly seized It,
but did not twist it. for he was Instantly
swung round, with his back toshts am
liable new acquaintance. RUPEES right
hand operated upon the back OF Pen
rods neck: RUPEES knee tortured the
small of Periods back.
PenrO6 bent far FORWARD IN
voluntarily and went to his knees
again.
the captive's face to the sidewalk; and
the suffering Penrod completed this
ceremony.
Mr.. Collins evinced satisfaction by
means of his horse-laugh. You'd last
Jest about one day. up at the Third! he
said. You'd come runnin' home, yellin'
Nom muh. nom muh.' before recess
was over"
mo, I wouldn't" protested Penrod
rather weakly, busting his knees.
You would. too"
"Looky here" said the fat-faced boy,
darkly. What do you mean, counter
decking me?"
He advanced step and Penrod has
tily offered a diversion.
s'Say. Rune. / got a box of rats in our
stable under glass cover, so you can
watch 'em jump around when you ham
mer on the box. Come on and look at
EN-"
"All right" said the fat-faced boy.
slightly Modified. Wen let Dan kill
EN-"
mo. sir, I'm goin' to keep 'em. They're
kind of pets; I've had 'em all summer
I got names for 'em, and"
'Looky here. DO! Did you hear me
say We'll let Dan kill 'em?"
Yes, but 1 WON'T
What won't you?" Rupe became sin
lister Immediately. ut seems to me
well. I don't want
Mr. Collins once more brought into
play the dreadful eye-to-eye scowl as
practiced "up at the Third" and some
times also by young leading men upon
the stage. Browning appallingly and
thrusting forward his under lip. he
placed his nose almost in contact with
the nose Of Penrod.
Dan kills the rate! See?" Kissed the
fat-faced boy. maintaining the horrible
juxtaposition.
We'll. all right" said Penrod, swal-
lowing. Il don't want 'em much" And
when the pose had been relaxed he
stared at his new friend for moment
almost with reverence. Then he bright
ened.
Come on. RUPEE he cried, enthusiast
tically. as he climbed the fence We'll
give our dogs little live meat-bo"'
After a boy reaches ten it is a Ques-
tfon only of time when he will meet a
Rupe Collins: and after that he will
throughout his mortal labyrinth. The
important thing is the impression the
Rupe Collinses make upon him. This
one was already strongly affecting Pen
rods surface. at least.
At the dining table that evening Pen