The evening herald. (Klamath Falls, Or.) 1906-1942, 1919-07-16

Rivertowu's two remaining veterans
Of the civil war met aud passed each
other without u sign OF rccugntiou
and Dolly Us pretty face wore p'iS'
Eled look as from her window she
saaed after each In turn.
Both we're OF medium height, bui
Uucle EDS kindly blue eyes were fad
ed. he was thin, aud his hair was
snowy white. while Uncle 2cke was oi
/ stockier build his dark eyes were still
! bright aud his hair was an iron gray
why, they didn't speak!' the girl
gasped In disinay, aud added softly.
And they've always been such good
friends. I hate to think that they may
BE- unhappy"
| Still thinking Of the veterans She
! was soon on her way to the far end VI
the village. and accepted Uncle Eb's
cordial invitation to come aud sit with
him on the tiny porch OF his little old
| wenther.beaten house.
The newspaper he had brought from
the post office was still unfolded. aud
he appeared depressed.
She was troubled when Uncle Zcks
passed BY and said softly. HE didn't
look up. Uncle Eb."
"Huh!" he snorted. "He doesn't have
toi don't care II he never speaks to
me again"
"Now! Now! Uncle Eb! And you
have always been such good friends,"
she said, protestingly.
After q silence Uncle Eb spoke. Il
know" he said softly. "And always
re have lived here side by side. We
began going to school the same day.
enlisted In the army together. and tn
The same company fought side by side
"After the war" he continued reml.
niscently. "Zeke ran little grocery
store and cobbled shoes for a living
antil 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.
'Rover surprised US both one day by
going over to Zeke's and killing his
chickens"
Then II became q habit. but the day
be killed four of Zeke's best pulets
Zeke lost all patience and shot him.
Don't think blamed Zeke. dldn't
But missed old Rover. and somehow
ward the one who shot him. Perhaps
Zeke knew IL. Anyway he sold his
poultry and went over to Wingfield for
q while You remember. Dolly?"
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
20 friendly that hoped for return Y
Of the old happy times"
Again Uncle Eb paused and then
burst out wrathfully. "And that very
aight that sneakins. revengeful.-well,
anyway. that night he shot the major"
'The major?" she asked. My cat!" he
explained.
II thought you called him the cor
poral," she said smiling: Uncle Eb
He wasn't common
cat" he declared proudly. II taught
earned him well.deserved promotions
"How Zeke would have roared al
some of Majors tricks" he said re-
gretfully. ''He was great company :
Maze was" he resumed He'd wal
patiently on a limb OF the old elm tree. /
and on my return home he'd drop down
on my shoulder as ] came through the /
gate. (
"But are you sure Uncle Zeke shot
him." she asked.
ayes! BY the moonlight nad seen
Major In his yard short time before
and when l heard the report Of gun
! ran to the window Of my unlighted
room Just in time to see Zeke enter his
house. Then went looking for my cat
and found him dead"
did you ask Uncle Zeke to ex-
plain?" mot /. When he spoke to me
the next day turned away. We've
never spoken to each other since"
'Tm very sorry" Dolly said. as she
rose to go. "and wouldn't have be-
ieved II Of Uncle zeke."
II am provoked; but still I suppose
must run over to see him."
Hello, Dolly!" greeted Uncle Zeke
as he placed a chair for her. 81
thought you'd never get away from
Eb. He's some buzzer when he gets
started. All talk or no talk, Eb is."
he said bitterly, "and as full Of whims
as an egg shell Is of yOlk and white"
"Why do you think that?" she asked
oddly. 'sHe's more than friendly one
lay. and Tor no reason at all refuses
10 speak the next or afterward." he
hotly.
Her blue-gray eyes flashed. "YOu
shot his pretty black and white trained
,at I" she cried. "That's news to me"
ne said Think !" she urged. ''The
ight you came from Wingaeld."
His face grew troubled.
"Was 1t Eds cat shot that night7"
He sighed a. he said ruefully: II
.hought It was a skunk after Eb's
and I've been well punished