Middletown transcript., 1922-04-08
Storm Country Polly
by Grace Miller White
Copyishe by Browns Co.
Copyright by Little, Brown g. Co.

II only she could persuade him not
to hunt until Robert had come to an
understanding with Mackenzie. If he
didn't succeed-then she knew another
way.
| "Mebbe in little while you can
hunt all you like, Daddy" she ven
tured softly.
"What do you mean by that, brat?"
asked Jeremiah, centering his keen
eyes upon her.
She leaned forward and slipped both
arms about his big waist.
II don't want you to go today
Daddy" she returned noncommittally.
"Why don't you just stay at home, an
AM"
"Nope, I'm goin'," interrupted Hop
kins. "An' Jerry's a-goin' with me.
I'll be back before any Of Old Mares
spies turn over for another nap"
Polly knew her father well enough
not to make another appeal. She
dressed Wee Jerry at Jeremiah's COM
mand, and then, troubled in spirit,
watched him stride away in the keen
morning air.
1t had been decided among the
squatter men that to keep the breath
| of life in their women and children
they must hunt and fish, but that
II nothing should be caught that the law
II forbade. 1t was this thought that was
running through the squatter's mind
II as he crept up to see If woodchuck
II had ventured out. One was sitting
II up, taking suvey of the neigh
II borhood, when Hopkins lifted his gun ;
II and with one sharp crack and belch
II of smoke the furry fellow tumbled
II over.
II The squatter strobe forward and
II was in the act of picking 1t up when
ii three men appeared as If they had
sprung from the earth and with raised
III pistols closed in upon him.
Jeremiah's huge jaw dropped at the
sight of them and Wee Jerrys fingers
caught tight hold of his shaggy hair
er "Drop that gun," cried one man, and
hs the still smoking rifle fell to the earth
e, 1t took but moment to snap pail
=; of handouts about the dazed mans
wrists. 1t was while Jeremiah's face
was turned upward to quiet tht
~ screaming Jerry that one of the mer
-, quickly substituted dead squirrel
S. and another went away with the deaf
~ woodchuck. Then the third slipped I
- chain around one of Daddy's wrist
~ and led him down the hill to the rag
ged rocks, the child still clinging t.
~, his neck.
at foiiy was staiiuihs ui.u., 49,
tree as her eyes caught sight of Dadd
Hopkins and Wee Jerry between tw
men. One of them strobe along, III
ms tie dead body dangling from one hant
l lm' while held in the other hand was he
~. fathers gun. She ran toward then
oh giving spasmodic cries of dismay.
,on "Daddy!" she screamed.
49, No answer came from the blinkin
sGuatter.
the we e''ush' nm ~ ~
tho one man sneered at her.
to "But you're goin' to leave him wit
,,th me-" she shrilled, making her appe
ba. to the man who stood close to Jer
vas miah. "Daddy'll promise not to hui
do: no more, won't you, honey? Oh, Coz
yn's You said you wouldn't shoot nothi
she the law said you couldn't"
in II didn't, brat" grunted Hopkins.
Then his eye caught sight of t
saw squirrel, and lis jaw dropped.
wall hoarse groan fell from him.
why ~ didn't shoot no squirrel, Poll"
,ery cried out to her. 81 got that
TODD chuck l were telin' you about" Tht
cart turning garing, fury-tilled eyes on t
man who had sneered at the girl,
ey," continued, you planted that d-n
side tie critter on me, mister. never 81
him."
cling Pollyop's lids widened in teri
arly, She lifted one hand and caught
child's shoulder.
y "Jerry, baby" she cried madly, "y
zN was there! Tell Pollyop what Dat
IM shot!
HI "Sure l was there" he sobb
drawing his sleeve across his fs
vi "'Twas big woodchuck settin' up
his hole, an my Daddy Hopkins"
III The officer who had the squirrel
IN his hand, put it into his pocket {
N seized the child by the arm and sh
M him.
"Here, kid" he shouted, none
lNl YOUR lip. You've been set up to
XXI that lie.'
NJ The mans aspect was so threat
NV ing that Wee Jerry broke off his VIC
VII I and, grasping Daddys bushy h
m NJ tightly, smothered his sobs in his h
RH Jeremiah Hopkins made motion
v j ward the speaker, but a sharp t'
>lIl ON the chain around his wrist cheC
nMpi him.
1vNl .sr.i.hf.ff.f.f.fff'ff
AN ANCIENT WRI.