The Marietta journal and courier., 1918-03-29

lCopyright. 1917, Wheeler Syndicate. Inc.
By BOOTH HARRINGTON

we're outbreaks OF cavalry IN the ScnO-
field neighborhood. The sabers were
sDf wood; the steeds were Imaginary,
ana both were employed in q game
called 'bOnded priS'ner" by It's In
yentors, Masters Penrod Schofield and
Samuel Williams. The pastime was
not intricate. When two enemies met,
they fenced spectacularly until the
person of one or the other was touched
by the opposing weapon; then, when
the ensuing claims Of foul play mad
been disallowed and the subsequent
argument settled, the combatant
touched was considered to be pris-
Oner until such time as he might be
touched by the hilt of q sword belong
fng to one of his own party, which af-
fected 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 whithersoeyer their strategical
necessities led them, which included
many strange places. For the game
was exciting, and, at its highest
pitch, would sweep out of an alley
into a stable, out of that stable and
into q yard, out of that yard and into
a house, and through that house with
the sound land effect upon furniture)
Of frampling herds. In fact, this very
similarity must have been in the mind
Of the distressed colored woman In
Mrs. Williams kitchen, when she de-
rIared that she might '.jes' as well try
10 cook right spang in the middle o.
the stock yards"
All up and down the neighborhoOd
the campaigns were waged, accom-
panied by the martial clashing Of
WOod ana by many clamorous argu-
knentR
You're a pris'ner, Roddy Bittsi r.
II am notW
"You are, tool ! touched you."
s.Where, I'd like to knowl"
Son he sleeve"
sYou did mott / never felt it.
guess I'd a. felt It, wouldn't II"
aWhat if you didn't7 touched you,
and you're bonded. leave 1t to Sam
Williams" .*~. 'AaA. -
sYahi Course you would He's on
your sidei leave it to Herman"
mo, you won'ti If you can't show
any sense about 1t, wen do it over,
and / guess you'll see whether you
feel it or not Therel Now. guess
yotl-53"s zs11's'sF'"- e's's'-' -Fi.
= ''AW, squash -
Strangely enough, the undoubted
champion proved to be the youngest
and darkest of all the combatants.
one Verman colored, brother to Her
man, and substantially under the size
to which his nine years entitled him.
verInan was unfortunately tongue
fed, but he was valiant beyond all
others, and, in spite of every handi-
cap, he became at once the chief sup
port Of his own party and the despair
Of the opposition.
On the third Saturday this opposi-
ton had been worn down by the sue
cessive captures of Maurice Levy and
George Bassett until it consisted OF
only Sam Williams and Penrod.
Hence, it behooved these two to be
wary. lest they be wiped out altogeth-
er: and Sam was dismayed, indeed,
upon cautiously scouting round cor
ner of his own stable, to find himself
face to face with the valorous and
skillful Verman, who was acting as
an outpost, or picket, of the enemy.
Verman Immediately fell upon Sam.
horse and foot, and Sam would have
fied but dared not, for fear he might
be touched from the rear. Therefore,
he defended himself as best he could,
and there followed lusty whacking,
In the course of which Verman's hat,
n relic and too large, fell from his
head, touching Sans weapon In fall
ing.
"Therep painted Sam, desisting i'm
mediately. "That countsl You're
bonded, Verman."
'sAim meewer!" Verman protested.
Interpreting this as Saint neither"
Sam invented law to suit the occa-
sion. "Yes, you are, that's the rule,
Verman. I touched your hat with my
sword, and your hats just the same
as you"
'Imm mop" Verman insisted.
Eyes, it is" said Sam, already
warmly convinced (by his own state
ment) that he was in the right. lis
ten herei If ] hit you on the shoe.
1T would be the same as hitting you,
wouldn't it? i guess it'd count IL l
nit you on the shoe, wouldn't it2 Well,
a hats just the same as shoes. Hon
est, that's the rule, Verman, and you're
a pris'ner."
Now, in the arguing part of the
game, verman's impediment co-operat-
ed with a native amiability TO render
him far less effective than in the
actual combat. He chuckled, and
ceded the point.
saw VII" he said, and cheerfully
%oE1nxod hic 20 pfor- IN a hidden nlaeQ