The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1932-03-25

shall do everything that we cum do to
help you. If you keep your love for
her and il she should be fond of you
we will have another talk about it by
and by"
Il will make the promise and keep
1t, but If see that some other fellow
is trying to get her 1t would be hard
for me to keep myself from jump
ing ill.,"
Don't worry. You have the inside
track. We are all fond Of you. Let's
see what happens"
Shad returned to his task in Amity
Dam bit depressed. Soon after that
an unexpected trouble came upon him.
One Of the gold rings had been miss
ing from its showcase for a week.
Since the loss had been discovered
Shad had observed q difference
slight but unmistakable-in the man
ner Of Mr.. and Mrs. Smithers. In
deed, he thought that other people had
begun to treat him coolly.
The next Sunday afternoon Shad
and Bony went down to Browns cove.
Shad told Bumpy of his trouble.
''Folks are just naturally cussed
mean," said Bumpy. They're made
that way. By Jeedix! They can't
help it no more'n a toad can help
havin' warts. heard t'other day In a
house where L was tinkerin' that you
an Bony was wild. / says: Them
boys are all right. Till they've learnt
their lesson be easy on 'em. They'll
come out as straight as looms Leg y"
Boys are quick to detect the note
of insincerity. They knew that
Bumpy spoke from his heart in spite
of his own bitterness.
Suddenly he came to Shad. boy,
I forgot yer trouble" he said. "Tell
me about that ring. When did you
see it last?"
'When I was showing it and some
other trinkets to girl the other day."
"What girl?"
II don't know her name. She was
about eighteen years old-light-col-
ored hair an blue eyes. She had
pretty teeth an a turned-up nose.
There was scar on her left cheek.
Wore blue dress"
''I'm afraid she's rather light-fin-
gered," said Bumpy. II know her, an
what folks say in her neighborhood-a
few miles south O. here. Tn a-goin'
up there in day or two. I'll see
what l can do. Don't worry"
AS they were leaving Bumpy said:
"Come down next Sunday. l may
have some news"
The next Sunday. to avoid criticism.
they went to meeting and promptly
set out for Browns cove
Bumpy was standing by the door.
He waved his hat as they came up
and called out:
by Jeedix, boys! I'm happy! See
that?"
He held up the gold ring between
his thumb and forefinger. Shad trem-
bled with excitement. How did you
get it?" he asked.
"Oh, I went an see that gal an l
JUS scared it out o. her. Told her
she'd have to give it back or go to
Jail. She broke down and handed it
over. 1t was kind o. pitiful. l told
her nobody would even know her
name an they won't-not from me.
I'm a-gOin' to take 1t to Smithers and
tell him how / come by it."
The sat down to their dinner of
roasted cartridges and baked pota-
toes and pumpkin pie.
There's just one fly in my oint-
ment," said Bumpy as he began to
carve the birds.
whats that?" Bony asked.
"Ive been drunk ag'in. Met an old
cOmrade. We got to talkin' bout the
second day at Gettysburg. There's
suthin' GURUS bout Gettysburg. It's
slippery ground. He had a bottle, we
walked to Browns cove in the cool
o. the night an got drunk ON the
way. We sot down here an fit the
Confeds till daylight. If I could fer
6At 0CIty oDoA uA cOAuS OtuCE tuluSS,
I'd be respectable"
They ate a moment in silence. Then
Bunny added:
Zone drink will put the devil in
me. The old sores begin to bleed.
But I'm through-by Jeedix! Never
no more whisky fer me. I'm through.
The woman has looked purity solemn
since them"
He carved the birds and loaded
their plates. 1t was no time for idle
words. Talk was not resumed until
each had dulled his appetite on the
bones. Then Bumpy began his tales
Of thrilling and improbable adven.
ture.
When the boys thanked him and
babe him good-by the sun was low.
They left with most friendly feeling
for the old man.
tTo BE CoNTINUED.l