Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-10-06

"Think dat or drum made out of poSsum
gravy" grumbled Gladstone. Way he amt let
hit git out he sight when he round heah."
"Ain't blame him." retorted Ducktooth acid
~. IT wouldn't trust you wild case of measles
il dey blonged to me. All time gwine off wild
whut amt b'long to you. Drums cost money"
But even the busiest day must end. In the
cleaning three gentlemen, mutually and right
fully distruStful of one another, gathered about
the drum in the consulting quarters of the emil
nent DR.. Emerson.
Unseen in the faSt-falling darkness just out
side fourth, Latham Hooper, held himself in
the shadows, awaiting the chance to drop a
remunerative--for Latham-word in Duck
tooth's ear.
Inside DR.. Emerson issued final instructions
to his assistants. Lock up dat drum good an
gimme de key-I be back later in de night" he
snapped at Gladstone. dis my busy night
Reluctantly Gladstone dragged his gaze from
the noble rotundity of the drum. Old doc never
gave boy chance to take it out nights and
give the women treat. They sure would rally
round thick If he owned that OIL drum Boy
with drum like that could borrow slip-horn
and start band and a
"Step on hit" thundered Doc Emerson
"Soon's dat drum lock up an gifts de key I
got git gwine from heah. Got mo- business
to tend to dan a one-armed man stackin'
moth balls"
Gladstone itched to be off on private bust
ness, too. Everything was all set. Ducktooth
was fixing to make a good investment and
didn't know it. There was even time, If he
worked 1t right to stop off en- route to Doras
for a bite of supper where another lady friend
cooked for the white folks. Moved by the latter
thought, Gladstone detoured And thus, un-
Willingly, did his appetite divert the appointed
order of events.
"Psst" Missed Latham in Ducktooth's drec-
ton a moment later as Gladstone disappeared.
"You wants keep eye on dat long tall boy"
CANT see nothin' but him all day now"
grumbled Ducktooth. "Packin' de front end dat
drum too high fo me all time. Whut you
mean, Keep eye on him?"
means is you never notice Gladstone all time
got business up yo' alley when you amt? An
women all time fallin' TO dat boy. Wuz you,
dat Gladstone'd have accident right spang in
front dat bird gun some night whut take he
mind off To- fawty miles"
Ducktooth swelled like worried frog. Some
body knew more about his business than he
did
NE mind actin like you done ct dried apples
an drunk water" continued Latham easily "Jes'
look TO- yo'sef. Wuz you all do is tend to
my own business, promp'. Don't shoot tWel
you sees de whites of he eyes-den you CANT
miss hittin' de right one whut done wrong
Take sevum peckerwoodS, peckin' nights, to
finish gittin all de lii bird shots outen him if
find dat Gladstone niger hanging round my
Dora" threatened the aroused Ducktooth.
Latham retrieved total strangers cigarette
stub from the sidewalk and lit it nonchalantly.
Business was working out just right. All La
than lacked OF having access to funds soon was
for Gladstone to have an accident. And the
accident was on its way to happen now.
Couldn't but one thing improve it, and that
was to be on hand to see it happen. In the
grip of which appealing idea he Shuffed for
ward into the darkness in the direction taken
by the outraged Mr.. Carnes-closely but not
too closely.
THE HILL went about its regular business of
- love-making, chop-frying and crap-shoot-
ing. Peace and the pleasant odOr of sizzling
catfish lay like benedction upon the land o
peace that was suddenly and rudely ruined by q
report which split the welkin like that of a
16-inch coast defense rifle.
Other noises followed, noises calculated to
bring the populace swiftly to its feet land front
doors. Mingled with the dry rattle of leaden
hail upon roofs and window panes arose the
anguished outcries of some one devoting himself
heart and soul to the rapd,transit problem.
Dust spurted upward beneath a distant arc
light and travelled in a swiftly moving cloud,
to the accompaniment of the plop of large and
active feet.
The Hill gazed and grew pop-eyed. The dust
concealed some things and revealed others.
Which deepened the mystery. Those who were
deepest "in the know" socially grew most pop
eyed Of all. And their aStonished EXPLANATIONS
were no explanation of an apparently terrific
miscarriage of judgment on the part of some
one Yet from their actions it was clear that
the fat was in the fire.
All this while the speeding figure under dis
cussion traversed six blocks, the riverside dis
trict. and ended public appearance by taking to
the water like a side-wheel steamer
Questions eagerly asked were variously an
swered. But shortly. out of the weller of
interrogationS there emerged the answer to one
of 1nac from rrnlanrr CIR