The twice-a-week Twin Falls times. (Twin Falls, Idaho) 1916-1918, 1918-02-21

Copyright. 1917 Wheeler Syndicate lnc)
By BOOTH T ARKIN GTON

held neighDOrhOOd. The Sabers were
OF wood; the steeds were imaginary,
and both were employed in "A game
called bonded pris'ner" by its in
ventors, Masters Penrod Sehofeld and
Samuel Williams. The pastime was
not intricate. When two enemies met,
Ehey fenced spectacularly until the
person of one or the other was touched
BY the opposing weapon then, when
the ensuing claims of foul play had
been disallowed and the subsequent
argument settled, the combatant
touched was considered to be pris-
0ner until such time as he might be
touched by the hilt of a sword belong
ing TO one of his own party, which af-
Hected his release and restored to him
the full enjoyment of hostile activity.
Pending such rescue, however, he was
obliged to accompany the forces of his
captOr whithersoever their strategical
necessities led them, which included
many strange places. For the game
was exciting, and, at it's highest
pitch. would sweep out of an alley
into a stable, out of that stable and
INTO yard, out of that yard and into
a house, and through that house with
she sound (and effect upon furniture)
Of xrampling herds. In fact, this very
similarity must have been in the mind
of the distressed colored woman In
Mrs Williams kitchen, when she de-
elared that she might "jes' as well try
go cook right spang In the middle O.
che stock yards"
All up and down the neighborhood
panied by the martial clashing Of
wood and by many clamorous argu-
6nents.
You're a pris'ner, Roddy Bits I"
Il am noti'
You are. too I touched you"
Where, I'd like to knowl"
ION the sleeve"
you did not never felt 1t.
guess I'd "a felt it, wouldn't II"
what If you didn't? I touched you,
Hnd you're bonded. I leave it to Sam
Williams"
'Yahl Course you would He's on
your sidei leave 1t to Herman"
mo, you won'tl IF you can't show
and I guess yOu'll see whether you
ASSi IL Ut Hot! IherS4 NOW, guess |
Eou--"
Jaw, squash !"
Strangely enough, the undoubted
champion proved to be the youngest
and darkest of all the combatants,
one Verman, colored, brother to Her
nan. and substantially under the size
% which his nine years entitled him.
Yerman was unfortunately tongue
tied. but he was valiant beyond all
others, and, in spite of every handi-
zap, ne became at once the chief sup
sort of his own party and the despair
n the opposition.
On the third Saturday this opposi-
ion had been worn down by the sue
sessive captures of Maurice Levy and |
George Bassett until it consisted Of |
only Sam Williams and Penrod. |
Hence, 1T behooved these two to be |
wary, lest they be wiped out altogeth-
err; and Sam was dismayed, indeed, !
spon cautiously scouting round a cor
aer of his own stable, to find himself /
face to face with the valorous and |
sknfful Verman, who was acting as
an outpost, or picket, of the enemy.
verman Immediately fell upon Sam,
aOrse and foot, and Sam would have
7esz but dared not, for fear he might
De couched from the rear. Therefore,
ne defended himself as best he could,
and there followed lusty whacking.
IN the course of which Verman's hat,
a relic and too large, fell from his
Bead. touching Sans weapon In fall
ing.
I'm
nediately. THAT counts You're
Donded, Verman."
"Aim meewerr - Verman protested.
Interpreting this as "Ain't neither"
Gam invented law to suit the occa-
sion. Eyes, you are; that's the rule
Yerman. I touched your hat with my
sword, and your hats just the same
as you"
"Imm mopl'' Verman insisted.
"Yes, it is" said Sam, already
warmly convinced (by his own state
uent) that he was in the right. Lis
zen herel If I hit you on the shoe,
n would be the same as hitting you,
wouldn't IT.? / guess it'd count if l
ait you on the shoe, wouldn't it? Well,
= hats just the same as shoes. Hon.
est, that's the rule. Verman, and you're
q pris'ner."
Now, in the arguing part of the
game Verman's impeachment cO-Operat-
ed with q native amiability to render
nlfn far less effective than in the
actual combat. He chuckled, and
eeded the point.
Jaw wi" he said, and cheerfully
followed his captor to a hidden place
among some bushes in the front yard
where Penrod lurked.
'Looky what / gotl" Sam said i'm
portantly, pushing his captive into this
retreat. Nov, 1 guess you won't say
Pm not so much use any more Squat
down, Verman, SOS they can't see you
IL they're huntin' for us. That's one