Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-07-05

rival for the position Of leader OF NorthrdgeS
younger element
Bill got up from the table, leaving his des-
sert only partly eaten and walked thoughtfuny
across the yard. There. with hands in trousers
pockets, he stood staring speculativey at the
huge Thompson house next door. Tomorrow
that house would be occupied, and there would
be a new force In the life Of Northridge.
boy whose father was a nationally prominent
figure, q byword to every man and boy interest,"
ed in sport, and boy who was used TO living
in a large city, to seeing big league ball games!
Bill shook his head then squared his shoulders.
Well he didn't care what Fred Towne's father
was. What he was interested In was Fred
Towne himself. And if he wanted to belong"
to the crowd In Northridge he'd have to show
himself to be o real guy"
DILL was up bright and early the next morn
- ing but even before he finished breakfast
he heard sounds from next door which proved
that the process Of moving In had already
started. After gulpng down his fruit his
cereal and his milk, Bill grabbed a piece Of
toast in one hand and dashed out the kitchen
door. The bright Summer sunshine dazzled his
eyes but he placed q tanned hand to his fore
head and peered eagerly at the Thompson
house. A huge motor van was drawn up In the
driveway, and perspiring men were carrying
furniture into the house
For most of the morning Bill watched the
process of unloading. He even made friends
with the draymen and won their favor by get
ting them q bucket Of cold drinking water
from the pump. AS a reward he was allowed
to carry in some Of the lighter pieces, and he
had the time Of his life until lunch time.
Just as he came out Of the house after the
MONDAY meal, he saw a fine automobile pass
the house He paid no attention to it, but hur-
ried back to the moving van. The men had not
yet finished their lunch, and he turned away
fo hat he had
into the driveway and stopped. Now the door
opened and out jumped tiny boy, followed by
another boy Of Bills own age. The TONNES
had arrived, and here was FRED Towne, In the
flesh.
DILL, from a position some so feet away, re
- garded the boy narrowly. He was fairly
tall and well built, dressed in better suit than
Bill had ever seen in Northridge, and his face
wore an eager, attractive smile. His hair was
light brown, and as he pulled off his cap and
tossed it into the car, Bill saw that it was Is
carelessly combed as his own.
Fred Towne came running down the drive
way, stopped beside the van, and spoke to one
of the men.
Here we are" he announced gayly "Is 1t
all ready for US to move in?"
One of the moving men grunted. Don't be
in a hurry, young fellow" he replied. "You
can't unload q houseful Of furniture IN five
minutes, you know"
Sure, know" returned Fred. well, take
all the time you want, just so you don't lose
any of my stuff"
While this conversation had been going on,
Bill had gradually worked his way over toward
his own yard. Somehow he didn't feel that
his assistance In the unloading process was
longer required But Fred Towne caught sight
Of him, and stopped him with a shout. AS Bill
turned. the new boy came trotting over.
Hi" he greeted, I'm Fred Towne, and we
are moving IN here. Do you live In this neigh
borhood?"
Sure" said Bill little stifhy Il live right
next door. I'm Bill Caldwell"
oh" said Fred 1t was obvious that this
meant nothing to him. Bill stinened stu
further. '.#
seNHY dad Is the chief Of police In this
4vx town." he aunounced. The other boy
grinned