Evening star., 1917-05-06
ENRoD sCHoFIELD had acquired
~ a dime by simple and antique
process which was without doubt

HO q dime by simple and antique
process which was without doubt
q sometimes practiced by the boys
of Babylon. When the teacher of his
class In Sunday school requested the
weekly contribution Penrod managed
to look so embarrassed that the gentle
lady told him not to mind. and said she
was often forgetful herself. She was
SO sweet about 1t that, looking into the
future, Penrod began to feel confident
of a small but assured income.
At the close of the afternoon services
he did not go home, but proceeded to
squander the funds just withheld from
China upon an orgy Of the most pun
gently forbidden description. In drug
emporium, near the church, he pur-
chased five-cent sack of candy con-
sistinS largely of the heavily favored
hoofs OF horned cattle, but undeniably
substantial. and so generously capable
of resisting solution that the purchaser
must needs be avaricious beyond reason
who did not realize his moneys worth
Equipped with this collation.. Penrod
contributed his remaining nickel TO
picture show, countenanced upon the
seventh day by the legal but not the
moral authorities. Here, in cozy dark
ness he placidly insulted his liver with
iawbreaker upon jaw breaker from the
paper sack. and in a surfeit of content
watched the silent actors on the screen.
One film made a lasting impression
upor him. Il depicted with relentless
10 ~ heGin-
ming with his conversion to beer in the
company of loose travelling men; pur-
suing him through an inexplicable lapse
into evening clothes and the society OF
some remarkably painful ladies; next.
exhibiting the effects of alcohol on the
victims domestic disposition, the un-
fortunate man was seen in the act OF
striking his wife and. subsequently, nus
pleading baby daughters with an an
normally heavy walking stick. Iheir
fight-throuGh the snow-to seek the
protection of relative was SHOWN,
and finally, the drunkards picturesque
behavior at the portals OF madnouse.
So fascinated was Penrod that ne
postponed his departure until this MIN
came round again.
Emerging, satiated. from the theater.
a public timepiece befor Jeweler
shop confronted him with an unexpect-
ed dial and imminent perplexities: How
was he to explain at home these hours
of dalliance? There was steadfast RUE
that he return direct from sunday
school; and Sunday rules were impor-
tant. because on that day there was his
father always at home and at hand,
perilously ready for action.
Proceeding homeward through the
deepening twilight. Penrod made up ms
mind in what manner he would account
for his long delay and. as he drew
nearer, rehearsed in words the opening
passage of his defense.
Now see here" he determined to be-
gin; 81 do not wish to be blamed Tor
things I couldn't help, nor any other
boy. l was going along the street oy 2
cottage and n lady put her head OUT
of the window and said her husband
was drunk and whipping her anu ne
little girl, and she asked me wouldn't
/ come in and help hold him. So went
In and tried to get hold of this drunken
lady's husband where he was whipping
their baby daughter. but he wouion !
pay any attention. and 1 told her l
ought to be getting home, but she KEEP
on askin' me to stay
At this point he reached the corner
of his own yard, where a coincidence
not only checked the rehearsal of his
eloquence, but happily obviated all oc-
casion for it. A cab from the station
drew up in front of the gate. and there
descended a troubled lady in black and
a fragile little girl about three. Mrs.
Scho1eld rushed from the house and en-
folded both in hospitable arms.
They were Penrod's Aunt Clara and
cousin. also Clara, from Dayton. 1lli-
nois. and in the furry of their arrival
everybody forgot to put Penrod to the
question.
In the course of some really necessary
preparations for dinner he stepped from
the bathroom into the pink-and-white
bedchamber of his sister Margaret. aged
nineteen. and addressed her rather
thickly through towel.
"when'd mamma fnd out Aunt Clara
and Cousin Clara were coming?"
Not till she saw them from the win
dow. She just happened to look out as
they drove up. Aunt Clara telegraphed
this morning. but it wasn't delivered"
How long they goin to stay"
Il don't know
Penrod ceased to rub his shining face,
and thoughtfully tossed the towel
through the bathroom door. Uncle
John won't try to make 'em come back
home. / guess, will he?" tUncle John
was Aunt Clara's husband, a successful
manufacturer of stoves. and his lifelong
regret was that he had not entered the
Baptist ministry He'll let 'em stay
here quietly, won't her
What are you talking about?" de-
manded Margaret. Uncle John sent
them here. Why shouldn't he let them
stay?"
Penrod looked crestfallen, a newborn
hope languishing in his breast. Then
he hasn't taken to drink?"
Certainly not, She emphasized the
denial with a pretty peal of soprano
laughter.
Then why" asked her brother
Rloon1ily. why did Aunt Clara look so
worried when she got here?"
Good gracious Don't people worry
about anything except somebody's