The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1917-12-13

thought of it just as soon"
"Well, what is it?" Sam demanded
Grossly. Penrod's reiteration Of his
new-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 a good appear
ance He looked all round about him
in this manner, finally vouchsafing a
report to the impatient Sam.
mo enemies in sight-just for the
main and simple reason I expect
they're all in the alley and in George
Bassett's back yard"
81 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 dgnified
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
| it almost resulted in action, but Sam
had a vague sense that he must con-
troll It as long as he could.
Bugs ~ he said.
Penrod was sensitive, and this cold
word hurt him. However, he was I'M
der the domination of his strategic
idea, and he subordinated private
grievance to the common veal. "Get
upi" he commanded. "You get up,
too, Verman. You got to--it's the
rule. Now here-Tl show you what
we're goin' to do. Stoop over, and
both o. you do just exackly like do.
You watch me, because this biz'nuss
has got to be done right !"
Sam muttered something; he was
becoming more insurgent every mo-
ment, but he obeyed. Likewise, YER
man rose to his feet, ducked his head
between his shoulders, and trotted out
to the sidewalk at Sans heels, both
following Penrod and assuming q
STOPPING position in imitation of him.
verman was delighted with this
phase of the game, and, also, he was
profoundly amused by Penrod's POM
posity. 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 Periods own front gate. Here
the leader ascertained, by a recon-
naissance as far as the corner, that
the hostile forces were still looking for
them in another direction. He re-
turned in a stealthy but important
manner to his disgruntled follower
and the hilarious captive.
"Well," said Sam. impatiently, II
guess I'm not goin' to stand around
here all day, guess! You got any,
thing you want to do, why'n't you go
on and do it?"
Periods brow was already comfort
ed to present the appearance of de-
tached and lofty concentration his
trionic failure, since it did not deceive
the audience. He raised hushing
hand.
ssh" he murmured. 81 got to
think"
"Bugs!' said the impolite Mr.. Will
liams again.
Verman bent double, squealing and
suffering; indeed, he was ultimately
forced to sit upon the ground, so ex-
hausting was the mfrth to which he
now gave way. Penrod's composure
was somewhat affected, and he showed
annoyance.
ooh, I guess you won't laugh quite
so much about minute from now, ole
Mister Verman" he said severely.
"You get up from there and do like
/ tell you"
"Well, why'n't you tell him why he
won't laugh so much, then?" Sam de-
manded, as Verman rose. "Why'nt
you do something and quit talkin' so
much about it?'
Penrod haughtily led the way into
the yard.
"You follow me-" he said. "and I
guess you'll learn a little sense!"
Then, abandoning his hauteur for
an air of mystery equally irritating to
Sam, he stole up the steps Of the
porch, and after moments manipu-
lation Of the knob Of the big front
door, contrived to operate the fasten-
ings, and pushed the door open.
Come on" he whispered, beckon-
ing. Aud the three boys mounted the
stairs to the floor above in silence
save for belated giggle on the part
of Verman. which was restrained upon
terrible gesture from Penrod. Yer
man buried his mouth as deeply as
possible In ragged sleeve. and con-
fined his demonstrations to a heaving
Of the stomach and diaphragm.
Penrod led the way into the dainty
room of his nineteen-year-old sister,
Margaret, and closed the door.
ssTharan he said in q low and