Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-02-29
THE EVENING STORY

fight f'r us at the drop of the hat"
After getting Jode into his car the
doctor tried to divert the weak mind.
lie placed his fist over his mouth, Wig
Cling his fingers back and forth, Dor
mant memories we're stirred. Instantly
Jode put his hand into his pocket and
drew forth the beloved jeW's-harp. the
two drove slowly about the suItry streets
Of the little town. while through open
windows fioated music without an air.
One evening late in Summer, two
young men Of the town extended 10 Jode
an invitation to visit the haunted house
with them. The invitation vas accepted
with a wide vacuous smile. Twilight
was thickening into darkness. Inside
the house was close and nuaty. Inc
two young men lighted candles and
peercd into every room. Then they ied
Jode into small room, closed the door
and blinded the windows Jode twisted
his fingers. babbled "bIuo-bi,' and
started mounting his harp.
Fool, cut it," One OF the boys
wrenched Jodes wrist savagely ard
hurled the harp To the honr. Well
throw you out like We done the other
time If you amt careful"
The half-Wit's lip tWitcned away from
his teeth. He SHOOK his fist in the boys
face. Both bo-s knew here vas no
person 10 be- cha.tencc. 49, 1870 OF the
ordinary M ,h9d5 II discipline, so they
handled the situation wisely and BE-
came calm A large tin box was brought
from an inner closet and placed on the
table Jode's eve= stared vacantiY a. s.,
| The lid was raised J0des eyes became
larger and roundcr. but Still vacant.
The box was half full Of noney--cu--
rency. Jode caught greedlly Al l..
''Idiot-drop that" One boy turned
to the other Can We make the fool
understand what We want HIN % do?"
Write it down on paper. We gotta
get this deal through tonight. cause you
en- see our last haul's ge.ti-' loT." and
he pointed 10 tn" tin box. Then they
talked something about going II a. the
back window. placing Jode on guard al
the front while they cracked the safe
They decided they could not give the
| idiot boy gun-he was silly enough ~
| shoot any one-l!Xnlv one OF his pals.
| So they wrote on paper asking him Il
he could fist fight. Jode looked az the
paper, grinned. then trying 20 convince
| his pals that he was a dark and rrur-
| derous terror started scene Of fstic
| maneuvers wherein he held an imagi-
| nary antagonist helpless with the head
| lock. The boys vinE:ed. then yelled:
Gay CGt l. ana again JOCe was
! showed away from The box. He had all
| the currency OFT, forming it into a
| tight ro!l.
| The tao BOYS stood close, packing the
| money back into the box. They closed
| the I'D and locked il. Jode stepped I'd,
/ reaching for tia box. Quickly both pairs
/ OF hands held II from him. bur the hail.
Wit was quicker. Instantly a pair OF
handouts clamped tightly over wrist
| OF each young man. Boy. I've go- you,
That is what I've been looking for-tna.
| Tin box from the post Office
| Conflicting emotions took hold OF the
| dum:oundcd boys. Could this be Jode,
/ the haf-W!t? There he stood az ease.
| painting lightly, smile on his face. The
iacEluster eyes were replaced b. a
| sparkle Of intelligence. AZ that mornen,
| ne was straight and Amos. handsome.
/ Boys. its bad 10 Go this. but It's
my business. The people II this town
mad given I'D hopes Of ever finding the
/ thieves. bu. the Government never gives
! up. You see. bors ii sometimes PAYS 10
/ be deaf and dumb"
| Clever" cs.e bor said !acor:caIIv.
Yes" answered Jode. detectives
/ sometimes are that way" A. the po;n,
| OF gun the two young men Of the
town walked CIT OF the haunted t,,Iss :
| THE END.
! tCoDvrjrh- 1881