The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1919-03-13

A BLUNDER
BY LIZZIE Nj. PEABODY.
Observation-Disclosures ~ =, ( =
Copyright, 1918. by the Mcclure News
paper Syndicate)

other without sign of recognition
and Dolly DIS pretty face wore puz-
zled look as from her window she
gazed after each in turn.
Both were of medium height, but
Uncle EDS kindly blue eyes were fad
ed, he was thin, and his hair was
snowy white, while Uncle Zeke was of
stockier build, his dark eyes were still
bright and his hair was an iron gray.
"Why, they didn't speak" the girl
gasped in dismay, and added softly,
"And they've always been such good
friends. hate to think that they may
| 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 with
him on the tiny porch of his little old
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
puSSGh w anu Suiu oOAligt AAS NAN"
look up, Uncle Eb."
Huh !" he snorted. "He doesn't have
to- don't care If he never speaks to
me again."
"Now Now 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 army together, and In
the same company fought side by side
after the war; he continued remi-
niseently, "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.
Rover surprised us both one day by
going over to Zeke's and killing his
chickens"
"Then 1t became a habit, but the day
he killed four of Zeke's best pulets
| Zeke lost all patience and shot him.
| Don't think l blamed Zeke. l didn't.
But l missed old Rover, and somehow
l couldn't feel so friendly again to-
ward the one who shot him. Perhaps
Zeke knew it. Anyway he sold his
poultry and went over to Wlngheld for
while. You remember, DollyT"
She nodded and he continued:
"When he came home again twas
| toward night and l was out in my yard
l was glad to see him, and he seemed
so friendly that l hoped for a return
of the old happy times"
Again Uncle Eb paused and then
burst out wrathfully. "And that very
night that sneaking, revengeful,-well,
anyway, that night he shot the major"
1.-THE major?" she asked. MY cat!' he
explained.
81 thought you called him the cor
poral," she said smiling. Uncle Eb
Strengthened. "He wasn't a common
cat" he declared proudly. 81 taught
him many tricks, and the best ones
earned him well-deserved promotions
"How Zeke would have roared at
some of Majors tricks" he said re-
gretfully. "IIe was great company,
J Maize was" he resumed. He'd wait
patiently on limb of the old elm tree.
| ond IN mn, nahum homo hold Jron doun
on my shoulder as l came through the
gate.
But are you sure Uncle zeke shot
! him." she asked.
yes By the moonlight | had seen
Major In his yard a short time before
and when 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"
"Dld you ask Uncle zeke to ex-
plain" "Not l. When he spoke to me
the next day l turned away. We've
never spoken to each other since"
I'm very sorry" Dolly said, as she
rose to 90, land / wouldn't have be-
lleved It of Uncle Zeke."
II am provoked; but stlll | suppose
/ must run over to see him"
"Hello, Dollyp 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. ALI talk or no talk, Eb is
he said bitterly, land as full Of whms
as an egg shell is of yolk and white"
"Why do you think thatT she asked
cOldly. Hes more than friendly one
day. and for no reason at all refuses
| to speak the next or afterward," he
returned hony.
Her bluegray eyes flashed. you
shot his pretty black and white trained
cat 70 she cried. That's news to me y
he said "Thnk" she urged. "The
night you came from Wlngheld."
His face grew troubled
"Was 1t Eds cat shot that nlghtP'
| He sighed as he said ruefully: II
thought 1t was skunk after Eds
chickens. and I've been well punished
for my blunder.
| ave are seventy-seven and we've
travelled down the long trail together
| How I've missed Eb no one will ever
| know-unless Eb does" he added
thoughifully. Hastily he patted lis
pockets. Ills pipe and tobacco poucl
were there Come Dolly I'll explain
and then I'll tell him I'll get cart
toad Of kittens and train them all FOR