The Era-leader. [volume] (Franklinton, La.) 1910-current, 1920-12-02

A BLUNDER
Ry LIZZIE M. PEABODY.
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES

Both were OF medium Delsht, Du'
Uncle EDS kindly blue eyes were lao
ed, he was thin, and his hair was
snowy white. while Uncle Zeke was VI
stockier build, his dark eyes were sun
bright and his hair was an IRON gray.
"Why, they didn't speak" the girl
gasped in dsmay, and added softly,
And they've always been such gooo
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, ana
he appeared depressed.
She was troubled when Uncle ZeKs
passed by and said softly, HE didn't
look up, Uncle Eb."
"Huh." he snorted. HE doesn't nave
to! don't care if he never speaks 70
me again"
"Now! Now! Uncle Eb. And you
have always been such good friends"
she said, protestiGSly.
After a silence Uncle Eb spoke. i
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 ID
the same company fought side by side.
After the war; he continued reml'
niscently, "Zeke ran a little grocery
store and I cobbled shoes for living
until we settled down here to putteE
around and keep hens" With soft
little sigh the veteran paused. WHO
ever first said that an old dog won't
learn new tricks7" he inquired resent
fully.
Rover surprised Us both one day by
going over to Zeke's and killing his
chickens"
Then 1t became habit, but the day
he killed four Of zeke's best pullets
Zeke lost all patience and shot him.
| Don't think I blamed zeke. | didn't
But | missed old Rover, and somehow
| couldn't feel 80 friendly again to-
ward the one who shot him. Perhaps
Zeke knew it. Anyway he sold his
poultry and went over to Wingtleld l0r
a while. You remember. Dolly
She nodded and he continued:
when he came home again twas
| toward night and was out In my yard
7 I was glad to see him, and he seemed
SO friendly that I hoped for return
Of the old happy times"
Again Uncle Eb paused and then
burst out wrathfully. "And that very
night that sneaklng, revengetul,-well
anyway, that night he shot the major ;
1.-THE major7" she asked. MY cat" hi
explained.
II thought you called him the cor
poral," she said smiling. Uncle Et
Strengthened. HE wasn't common
cat" he declared proudly. II laugh
him many tricks, and the best one'
earned him well.deserved promotions
"How Zeke would have roared a
some of Majors tricks" he said re
gretfully. HE was great company
Maize was" he resumed. He'd wal
patiently on limb of the old elm tree
and on my return home he'd drop dowl
on my shoulder as / came through thu
gate.
But are you sure Uncle Zeke sho
him7" she asked.
"Yesl BY the moonlight I had seel
| Major In his yard short time befor
and when / heard the report Of gu
ran to the window Of my unlighte
room Just in time to see Zeke enter hi
house. Then I went looking for my ca
and found him dead"
"Did you ask Uncle zeke to ez
plain?" Not I. When he spoke to m
the next day / turned away. View
never spoken to each other since.
'Tm very sorry" Dolly said, as sh
rose to go, land I wouldn't have b
lieved it Of Uncle Zeke."
II 3m provoked; but still I suppos
I must run over to see him."
"Hello, Dollyw greeted Uncle Eek
as he placed chair for her.
, thought you'd never get away frol
Eb. He's some buzzer when he gel
started, All talk or no talk, Eb is,
he said bitterly, land as full Of whim
as an egg shell is of yolk and white
"Why do you think that?' she aske
:, coldly. Hes more than friendly on
day, and for no reason at all refuse
to speak the next or afterward,"
returned holly.
!, Her blue-gray eyes flashed. "Yo
shot his pretty black and white traine
,, catl" she cried. That's news to me
he said "Thlnk!" she Urged. "Th
!. night you came from Wingfield.'
, His face grew troubled.
, "Was 1t Eds cat I shot that night
He sighed as he said ruefully:
Il s,,ns al,,,rfs oF&oo Ta