The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1917-12-28
The Initiation Ceremony
By BOOTH HARRINGTON
Copyright, 1917, Wheeler Syndicate, Inc.)
New and Unwelcome Member
Is Admitted to the In-Or-Ins

spoiled, they agreed, If George Bas-
sett had to be taken in. On the other
hand If they didn't take him In,
"there wouldn't be anything left" The
one brother who failed to express any
opinion was little Verman. He was
otherwise occupied.
Verman had been the official paddler
during the limitations of Roddy Bits
and Maurice Levy; his work had been
conscientious, and it seemed to be TAX
en- by consent that he was to continue
| in Office. An old single from the
woOdshed roof had been used for the
exercise Of his function In the cases OF
Roddy and Maurice, but this afternoon
he had brought with him new one,
which he had picked up somewhere. 1t
was broader and thicker than the old
one, and during the melancholy prOph-
ecies of his fellows, he whitfield the
lesser end of it to the likeness of
handle. Thus engaged, he bore no ap-
pearance of dependency; on the con-
trary, his eyes, shining brightly In the
candlelight, indicated that eager
thoughts possessed him, while from
time to time the sound of chuckle is
sued from his simple African throat.
Gradually the other brothers began to
notice his preoccupation, and one by
one they fell silent. regarding him
thoughtfully. Slowly the darkness of
their countenances lifted a little;
something happier and brighter began
to gliInmer from each boyish face. All
eyes remained fascinated upon Yer
man.
Z swell, anyway" said Penrod, in
tone that was almost cheerful. "this
all week to fix up the 'nishiation for
Saturday"
And Saturday brought sunshine to
make the occasion more tOlerable for
both candidate and the society. Mrs.
Williams, going to the window to
watch Sam. when he left the house af-
ter lunch, marked with pleasure that
his look and manner were sprightly
as, he skipped down the walk to the
front gate. There he paused and yod-
eled for time. An answering yOd-
ell came presently; PenrOd Schofied
appeared, and by his side walked
George Bassett. George was always
neat. but Mrs. Williams noticed that
he exhibited unusual gloss and polish,
today. AS for his expression, it was
a shade too complacent under the cir
cumstances, though. for that matter,
perfect tact avoids an air of triumph
under any circumstances. Mrs. Will
liams was pleased to observe that Sam
and Penrod betrayed no resentment
whatever; they seemed to have ac-
cepted defeat in good spirit and TO
be inclined to make the best of
George. Indeed. they appeared to be
genuinely excited about hint was
evident that their cordiality was eager
and wholehearted.
The three boys conferred for few
moments then Sam disappeared round
the house and returned, waving his
hand and nodding. Upon that, Penrod
took Georges left arm, Sam took his
right, and the three marched off to
the backyard in cOmpanionable way
which made Mrs. Williams feel that
it had been an excellent thing to inter-
fere a little in Georges interest.
Experiencing the benevolent warmth
that comes of assisting in good ac
stairs, and, for couple of hours, en-
ployed herself with needle and thread
in sartorial repairs on behalf of her
husband and Sam. Then she was in
terrupted by the advent of a colored
serving-maid.
'Miz Williams, 1 reckon the house
goin' fall down." said this pessimist,
arriving out of breath. "That s'iety
O. Mist Sans suttenly tryin' to pull
the roof down on ow haids !"
"The roof?" Mrs. Williams inquired
mildly. "They aren't in the attic, are
they?"
Nom; they in the celluh but they
reachin' fer the roof I new did hear
no sech a rumpus an squawkin' an
squawlin' an fallin' an whoopin' an
whackin' an bangin'! They troop
down by the outside celluh do, ne'en
bang they bus loose, an been
goin' on ev' since, wuss'n Bedlun! Eff
they anything down celluh ain broke
by this time, it cain be only jes' the
foundashun, an bet that amt goin'
stan much longer! I'd gone down an
stop 'em, but Pm 'fraid to. Homes,
Miz Williams, I'm 'fraid O. my life 60
down there, all that Bedlun goin' on. l
thought 1 come see what you say"
Mrs. Williams laughed.
"We'll have to stand a little noise In
the house sometimes. Fanny, when
there are boys. They're just playing,
and lot of noise is usually a pretty
safe sign"
"Yes'm,' said Fanny. "Its yo'
house, Miz Williams, not mine. You
want 'em tear it down, I'm willin'."
She departed, and Mrs. Williams
continued to sew. The days were grow
ing short, and at five o'clock she was
obliged to put the work aside, as her
eyes did not permit her to continue 1t
by artificial light. Descending to the
lower floor, she found the house silent,
and when she opened the front door
TO see if the evening paper had come,
she beheld Sam, Penrod and Maurice
Levy standing near the gate engaged
in quiet conversation. Penrod and
Maurice departed while she was look
ing for the paper, and Sam came
thoughtfully up the walk.
"Well. SAM" she said, sit wasn't
ci1oh 5I,o6 of& al b.
little politeness to George Bassett,
was it,"
Sam gave her noncommittai look
expression OF every kind had been
wiped from his cOuntenance. He nre-