The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1922-05-25

defantly IN the red leather chair on
the other side of the fireplace.
"Well, 60 on" he said. Commence !"
mot at ALL" Fred returned, ami
ably. Fine spring weather today.
Lovely to see all the flowers and the
birds as we go a-strolling by. The lit
tie bobolinks--"
you look here! That's the only
walk l ever took with her in my life.
l mean by-by asking her and her
saying she would and so forth That
other time just sort of happened, and
you know it. Well, the weather wasn't
just the best In the world, maybe, but
she's, an awful conscientious girl and
once she makes an engagement"
why, of course" Fred finished for
him, shed be too pious to break 1t
just on account of mere little biz
weather will be next Sunday"
II don't know and l don't care"
said Ramsey. "You don't suppose l
asked her to go again, do your
"Why not?"
well, for one thing. you don't sup
pose / want her to think I'm perfect
fool, do your"
Fred unused a. moment or two look
Ing at the fire. what was the lee
ture?' he asked, mildly.
What lecturer"
"She seemed to me TO be"
THAT wasn't lecturing; she was just
-"
Just what?"
well, she thinks war for the United
States is coming closer and closer"
But it isn't"
well, she thinks SO. anyhow" said
Ramsey, land she's all broken up about
1t. OF course she thinks we oughtn't
to fight and she's trying to get every
body else she can to keep working
against it. She isn't goin' home again
next summer, she's goin' back to that
settlement work in Chicago and work
there among those people against our
goin' to war; and here in college she
wants to get everybody she can to talk
against it, and"
"What did you say?' Fred asked,
and himself supplied the reply:
"Nothin'. l started to, but"
Ramsey got up. Nov look here !
You know the frat passed rule that
If we broke any more furniture in this
house with our scrappin' we'd both be
fined the cost of repairs and five dol
lars apiece. Well, I can afford five
dollars this month better than you can,
and"
II take it backw Fred interposed,
hastily. But you just listen to me /;
you look out-letting her think you're
on her side like that"
II don't"
you don't?"
Ramsey looked logged. I'm not
goin' around always arguin' about
everything when arguln' would just
hurt peoples feelings about something
they're all excited about. and wouldn't
do bit O. good In the world-and you
know yourself just talk hardly ever
settles anything-so I don't"
"Aha" Fred cried. II thought SO
Now you listen to me-"
~ won't. l."
But at this moment they were inter-
rupted. Someone slyly opened door
and q SNOWFALL deftly thrown from
without caught Ramsey upon the back
of the neck and head, where 1t fiat
tened and displayed itself as an orna-
mental star. Shouting fiercely, both
boys sprang up, ran to the door, were
caught there in barrage of snowballs,
ducked through 1t In spite of all dam
age, charged upon dozen besweatered
figures awaiting them and began mad
battle in the blizzard. Some of their
opponents treacherously Joined them
and turned upon the ambushers.
In the dusk the merry conflict
waged up and down the snow-covercd
lawn, and the combatants threw and
threw, or surged back and forth or
clenched and toppled over into snow
banks, yet all coming to chant an eX-
temporized battle-cry in chorus, even
as they fought the most wildly.
"Who? Who? Whof they chanted
"Who2 Who? Who says there amt
goln' to be no war;"
ITO he Continued)