Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-07-08
INSTALLMENT /.

IN midsummer Bob Miller stood on
street corner in FerTiSton. still MUNICH
ing the last bite of a hastily eater
breakfast. His glances UP and dow
l4ie street lalieo 10 reveal any one o
the other members of the Conquerors
Club. and it was almost time for TIL
arrival of the truck that would TAX
them out TO their daily work. II the,
didn't get move on, he Thought Il
himself. the road gang was going TO b
short three lahorers. .
Suddenly Bob's face frightened, Al
almost the same instant he saw Bill
Jenkins and Red Hopkins approaching
from different directions.
Truck hasn't gone yet. has t?" in
ouired Red as the two boys arrived
together.
mo" answered Bob. ITS time for
1t, though"
rs Perky late. as usual?" asked Bill
with a grin Porky Jones, the fourth
member of the Conauerors' Club, was
as famous for his slowneSs as he was
for his bulk.
"Oh. he'll probably dash up five Sec
ouds after the truck leaves COM
rented Bob.
The four members of the Conquerors
Club had completed very eventfui
wear as sophomoreS in Ferriston High
School lust 8 month before. For weeks
before the end of the term they had
pondered the problem of what they
would 90 during the Summer.
II guess we'd all like to take jobs and
earn some money" Bob had said al one
of their meetings. But it would be
nice if We could all work together
The other boys had agreed, but find
ing Jobs together Ias q problem. 1t
was Perky, strangely enough. who re-
moved the difficulty A construction
company was building new highway
out OF FerTiston, and through his
fathers influence Perky got all the boys
iohS as laborers. The superintendent
OF the construction company was doubt
fui about their ability to do the hard
work. but they all insisted on trying.
Nor had it been easy. For the first
three weeks they reached home each
night utterly fatigued. Red and Bob
had played on the high school base ball
team during the Spring, but Bill and
Perky were both pretty soft, and it was
particularly hard on them. However.
after a month Of the grind their faces,
shoulders and arms we're burned Q dark
copper color and their muscles were as
hard as nails Perky. whose pounds
first few days, was now lighter and
stronger than he had been at any time
since last foot ball season.
Each morning the company truck
picked the boys up. along with q dozen
other laborers, and hauled them out to
the scene of their labors. The road was
being built toward Ferriston, so that 1t
was long, bumpy ride over dirt
road 10 get there. They were q part OF
the gang that was digging the road. and
following them were the other gangs
who laid the foundation and put the
finishing touches on the new highway.
~Bill. I believe you're putting on
weight" said Bob as they stood waiting
for the truck.
+eYeh. I've gained four pounds" re-
piled Bill. We'll. III want them when
foot bali starts, We certainly won't
need much training this Fall viii VET"
I'll say we WON'T agreed Bob.
Here comes the truck" announced
Red.
well. I guess Porky gets left TO-
day" said Bill. He's not N s'gns
The huge truck, loaded down with
motley crew of rough laboFefs, drew
to the curb noisily. Greeting some OF
the men. the three boys clambered up.
where's the fat KIDD" asked man
named Len Akers, gTufly. Bob regard
ed him coldly. None Of the boys liked
Akers, and they had already had little
ousrreIs with him On several occasions
II guess he won't be out today" said
Bob briefly, as the truck started again.
HUH" gneered Akers, splitting q
moutnful Of tobacco Juice over the side
of the truck Hes soft. Can't stand
the gaff."
"AppleSauce!" said Red Indignantly.
There's Porky nowl" Bill called
suddenly. Looking back, they saw the
fat boy reach the corner on the dead
run He caught sight Of the truck, now
a block away. and at once came after
il, daShing down the middle OF the
street with his lunch bucket swinging
wildly In one hand.
way, Porky" howied Red. shake
q Leg"
Touchdown" shouted Bob. Several
Of the men on the truck called other