Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1918-09-05

4 9
OUR BOYS 5 5 ; ;
and GIRLS 5 5
A WAITE RLOO.

t.sa
II was midrorenoon OF hot July
dey-the kind OF day when the at
n0sphere Is IA mass or shimmerlng
heat waves and everything seems to
be asleep except boys and droning IN
sects.
Leander dropped from the pantry
window, laden from spells purloined
after an exciting detour around the
kitchen TO escape the eyes OF the cook.
He landed squarely in his mothers
prize flower bed. but without stopping
to repair damage she raced to fence
post under the big apple tree and
perched there to enjoy the fruits Of
his labor
On the other side of the fence his
new neighbor, a boy of his own age,
was languidly pulling weeds at the
rate of about one a minute.
Hello" remarked Leander. socially.
"come sit IN the shade and nave a
doughnut."
Don't care il | do" said the Ian
guild one, accepting the invitation.
Then followed the usual small hoy
chat on fishpoles, marbles and dogs.
and finally Leander inquired purely
as matter of form, Say, what's your
Nance"
The grin faded from the face Of his
companion. my name" he stated
coldly, lis Augustus Reginald Poti-.
phar Jones'
Leander stared at him blankly;
Aug --Ch. l ay. who ever gave you
such anne a that2" and lie rolled off
the fen pos. 10 the gyo md, swing
way to mirth which h pre- antly
checked when he saw the other boy
garing at him ready for Il spring
'Hw--it was a couple of my aunts
did it. | wouldn't have told anybody
here, but | knew ma would: she's so
proud of it,"
Leander reflected delightedly on
what piece of news this would be for
the kids and he rose hastily, with
the excuse that some work was wait
inc Before night the new boys name
was known all over town, and the next
morning the lad was greeted with, "Oh
here's Gussie," and Come and see lit
tie Reginald. boys. Amt he cute?"
This kept on until the victims fists
were lifted with an air that scattered
his tormentors, though they shouted
from a safe distance. The Jones boy
walked away thinking bitterly. This
was the work of that kid next door,
and he'd get even with him bet!
Just wait till there was chance.
The next day Leander approached
his victim with some hesitation, but
he was treasured by the cordial recep.
ton he received. He decided, howev-
err that he wouldn't call the Jones boy
by his fancy name, just thenit might
not be safe.
After time he proposed to show
his companion new method Of play
ing marbles, and the kind offer was
accepted Politely-Leander failed to
see any danger of that politeness- and
the Jones boy dug all the pennies out
his bank and was soon absorbed in the
mysteries OF the new game.
Leander raked in penny after pen
ny, and the CLEAN in the eye Of the
other deepened. Just as Leander with
bored air. picked up the last stake,
q fighting whirlwind descended upon
him and he went over like a tenpin.
He was conscious of choking voice
denouncing him furously between
blows.
"rll teach yuh (thump, thump) to
make fun o. me an tell your bunch to
call me names An then Uhump,
thump) you swindled me out OF my
money. Jest wait till | get through
with yuh (thump) and you won't feel
70 smart. Now, you listen 10 this
Qhump, thump) or yuh won't get up;
want yuh to go and tell that precious
bunch of yours. that I'm all right and
that my namss Gus.--AThnmn. thnmn,