The Nezperce herald. (Nezperce, Idaho) 1900-1957, 1919-11-13
A BLUNDER
BY LIZZIE NJ. PEABODY.
Copyright, 1918. by the Mcclure News
paper Syndicate.)

paper o3uOlc6te-(
Rivertown's two remaining veteran
OF the Civil war met and passed eac
other without sign Of recognition
and Dolly DIS pretty face wore pu'
zled look as from her window sh
gazed after each In turn.
Both were of medium height, bu
Uncle Eds kindly blue eyes were fac
ed, he was thin. and his hair wa
snowy white, while Uncle Zeke was
stockier build, his dark eyes were still
bright and his hair was an iron gray
why, they didn't speak !" the cir
gasped in dismay, and added softly
"And they've always been such goot
friends. hate to think that they MAJ
be unhappy"
Still thinking OF the veterans she
was soon on her way to the far end Of
the village, and accepted Uncle Eds
cordial invitation to come and sit witt
him on the tiny porch Of his little ole
weather-beaten house.
The newspaper he had brought from
the post Office was still unfOlded, and
he appeared depressed.
She was troubled when Uncle Zeke
passed by and said softly, "He didn't
look up, Uncle Eb."
"Huh /" he snorted. HE doesn't have
tol don't care If he never speaks to
me again."
'Now Nowl Uncle Eb! And you
have always been such good friends"
she said, protestingly.
After a silence Uncle Eb spoke. Il
know" he said softly. "And always
we have lived here side by side. We
began going to school the same day,
enlisted in the sTmy together, and In
the same company fought side by side.
after the war;" he continued remi-
niscently, "Zeke ran a little grocery
store and cobbled shoes for living
until we settled down here to putter
around and keep hens" With soft
little sigh the veteran paused. "Who-
ever first said that an old dog won't
learn new tricks?" he inquired resent
fully.
"Royer surprised us both one day by
going over to Zeke's and killing his
chickens.
"Then it became habit, but the day
he killed four Of Zeke's best pullets
Zeke lost all patience and shot him.
Don't think blamed Zeke. l didn't.
But ! missed old Rover, and somehow
couldn't feel so friendly again to-
ward the one who shot him. Perhaps
Zeke knew 1t. Anyway he sold his
poultry and went over to Wingf1eld for
a while. You remember. Dolly7"
She nodded and he continued:
when he came home again twas
toward night and was out in my yard.
was glad to see him, and he seemed
SO friendly that ! hoped for return
II the old happy times"
{ Again Uncle Eb paused and then
BURST out wrathfully. "And that very
light that sneaking, reyengeful, well,
anyway, that night he shot the major"
The major?" she asked. MY catl" he
explained.
II thought you called him the cor
'oral," she said smiling. Uncle Eb
HE wasn't common
at" he declared proudly. II taught
i'm many tricks, and the best ones
armed him well-deserved promotions"
'sHow Zeke would have roared at
ONE Of Majors tricks" he said re-
retfully. HE was great company,
daje was" he resumed. He'd wait
on limb of the old elm tree,
nd on my return home he'd drop down
n my shoulder as came. through the
ate.
"But are you sure Uncle Zeke shot
imp" she asked.
Yes! BY the moonlight had seen
[ajor In his yard short time before
nd when heard the report Of a gun
ran to the window OF my unlighted
pom just in time to see Zeke enter his
ouse. Then went looking for my cat
nd found him Dead"
did you ask Uncle Zeke to ex-
lain?" mot l. When he spoke to me
lie next day l turned away. We've
ever spoken to each other SINCE"
I'm very sorry" Dolly said, as she
Use to go, "and / wouldn't have be-
eyed 1t of Uncle Zeke."
II am provoked; but still suppose
must run over to see him."
Hello, Dolly!" greeted Uncle Zeke
! he placed chair for her. II
ought you'd never get away from
B. He's some buzzer when he gets
arted. All talk or no talk, Eb is" :
said bitterly, "and as full Of whlms
an egg shell is Of yolk and white"
"Why do you think that?" she asked
Idly. He's more than friendly one
y, and for no reason at all refuses
speak the next or afterward," he
turned holly.
Her blue-gray eyes flashed. sYou
OF his pretty black and white trained
i" she cried. "That's news to me r.
said Think |" she urged. 1.-THE :
yht you came from Wtngfeld."
His face grew troubled.
Was 1t Eds cat shot that nIght?"
! sighed as he said ruefully: II
ought 1t was a skunk after Eds
ckens, and I've been well punished
my blunder.
syUo oro eovopkx, rox,or, o~1