The Holly chieftain., 1919-02-06
By
IRVING BAcHELLER
Copyright, by Irving Bacheileri
CHAPTER i-continued.

express myself in the grief of child
hood. He Rugged me close and begged
me to tell him what was the mat
ter.
''That Wills boy stole my melon"
I said. and the words came slow with
sobs.
"Oh, no, he didn't" said Uncle Pea
body.
"Yes he did. saw piece o. the
RIM"
well by" said Uncle Peabody.
stopping. as usual. at the edge OF the
precipice.
"He's snake" 1 added.
''And you fit and he scratched you
up that way?"
II scratched him, too"
"Don't you say word about It to
Aunt Deel. Don't ever speak o. that
miserable melon ag'in to anybody.
You scoot around to the barn. an
I'll be there In a minute and fix ye
up."
He went by the road with the tea
and ran around to the lane and up
to the stable. Uncle Peabody met
me there In moment and brought a
pail of water and washed my face
80 that felt and looked more respect
able.
The worst was over for that day.
but the Baynes- Wills feud had begun.
1t led to many fight in the school
yard and on the way home. We were
so evenly matched that our quarrel
went on for long time and gathered
intensity as 1t continued.
One June day Uncle Peabody and
I, from down in the fields. saw a
fine carriage drive In at our gate. He
stopped and looked intently.
Jerusalem four-corners" he ex-
claimed. "It's Mr.. and Mrs. Horace
Dunkelberg."
My heart beat fast, at thought Of
the legendary Dunkelbergs. Uncle
looked me over from top to toe.
"Heavens!" he exclaimed. "Go down
to the brook and wash the mud on
yer feet an legs"
ran for the brook and before
had returned to my uncle heard the
horn blow.
"The Dunkelbergs THE Dunkel-
bergs! Come quickl" 1t seemed to
say.
Mr.. Dunkelberg was big, broad
shouldered, solemn-looking man. Some
how his face reminded me OF a lions
which I had seen in one Of my pic
ture books. He had thick, long, out
standing mustache and side whiskers,
and deep-set eyes and heavy eyebrows.
He stood for half moment looking
down at me from great height with
his right hand In his pocket. I heard
little Jingle Of coins down where
his hand was. 1t excited my curios-
ity. He took step toward me and
I retreated. l feared, little, this
big, lion-like man. My fears left me
suddenly when he spoke In a small
squeaky voice that reminded me Of
the chirping of bird.
Little boy, come here and I will
make you a present" said he.
1t reminded me Of my disappoint-
ment when uncle tried to shoot his
gun at squirrel and only the cap
cracked.
l went to him and he laid a silver
piece in the palm of my hand. Aunt
Deel began to hurry about getting din
ner ready while Uncle Peabody and
J. sat down on the porch with our
fIests, among whom was pretty,
blue-eyed girl of about my own age,
with long, golden-brown hair that
hung in curls.
"Sally, this is Barton Baynes-can't
you shake hands with him?" said Mrs.
Dunkelberg.
With smile the girl came and Of.
fered me her hand and made funny
bow and said that she was glad to
see me. l took her hand awkwardly
and made no reply. had never seen
many girls and had no very high opln-
ion Of them.
AS we sat there heard the men
talking about the great Silas Wright.
who had just returned to his home
In Canton. He had not entered nv
consciousness until then.
While I sat listening I felt tweak
Of my HAIR. and looking around I saw
the Dunkelberg girl standing behind
me with a saucy smile on her face.
won't you come and play with
me7" she asked.
took her out In thA enrdao -