Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1918-02-01

hand. If they didn't take MN IN,
there wouldn't be anything left" The
one brother who failed 10 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 IL seemed To be TAX
en- by consent that he was to continue
In office. An old shingle from the
woodShed roof had been used for the |
exercise of his flOction in the cases of |
Roddy and Maurice. but this afternoon /
he had brought with him Il new one. |
which he had picked up somewhere. II |
was broader and thicker than the ola
one. and during the melancholy proph- |
ecieS of his fellows, he Whitfield the |
lesser end of il to the likeness of
handle. Thus engaged, he bore no ap-
pearancc of dependency; on the con-
trary. his eyes, shining brightly in the
candlclight, 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 ny
I one they fell silent. regarding him
| thoughtfully. Slowly the darkness OF
their countenanceS lifted little;
something happier and brighter began
! to glimmer from each boyiSh face. All
eyes remained fascinated upon Yer
man.
! well. anyway" said Penrod, in
! tone that was almost cheerful, this
| is only Tuesday. We got pretty near
al 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 10
watch Sam. when he left the house af-
ter lunch marked with pleasure that
his look and manner were spriGhty
as he skipped down the walk to the
front gate. There he paused and ycd-
eed for time. An answering yod-
cl came presently; Penrod Schofield
appeared. and by his side walked
George BaSSett. George WAS always
neat. hut Mrs. Williams noticed that
he exhibited unusual gloss and polish
today. As for his expression. 1t was
n shade too complacent under the CIR
cumstances. though, for that matter.
perfect tact avoids an mir 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 10
he 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 backward in cOmpanionable way
! which made Mrs. Williams feel that
il had been an excellent thing to inter
: fere a little in Georges interest.
, Experiencing the benevolent warmth
5 that comes of assisting in good ac-
= ton. she assembled to an apartment up
t stairs. and. for couple of hours. EN-
: Moved herself with needle and thread
t in sartorial repairs on behalf of her
2 husband and Sam. Then she was in
D terrupted by the advent of a colored
= |
"Miz Williams. I 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 arr
= they?"
Nom; they in the celluh. but the.
reachin' fer the roof! l new did hea
no sech rumpus an sQuawkin' al
! souawlin' an fallin' an whoopin' an
|" whackin' an bangin'! They trool
down by the outside celluh do, ne'el
bang they bus loose. an beer
: coin' on ev' since, wuss'n Bedlun, f
! they anything down celluh ain brOk
e by this time. 1t cain be only jes' tn
founda shun. an bet that amt goin
II stan much longer. I'd gone down an
stop 'em. but I'm fraid to. Homes
IS MiZ Williams. I'm 'fraid q my life &
down there. all that Bedlun goin' on.
thought | come see what you say"
e Mrs. Williams laughed.
n We'll have to stand a little noise !:
the house sometimes. Fanny. whe
there are boys They're just playin.
II and lot of noise is usually prett
@. safe sign"
"YeS'm." said Fanny. ITS "
n house. Miz Williams. not mine. Io
>, want 'em tear il down. I'm willin'.'
v She departed. and Mrs. William
n continued to sew. The days were grow
r ing short. and ut five O'Clock she wa
-. obliged To put the work aside, rs he
n eyes did not permit her to continue
~ by artificial light. Descending 10 tn
10 lower floor, she found the house silen
and when she opened the front doc
10 see if the evening paper had conn
.o she beheld Sam. Penrod and MauriC
~ Levy standing near the gate engage
- in quiet conversation. Penrod an
n Maurice departed while she was lOol
20 ing for the paper, and Sam cam
a. thoughtfuly up the walk.
.k IL -. o-r,