Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1932-09-30

Their dinner eaten, Bony asked him
to tell about his life in Jail.
II don't want to think Of IT," said
the old man. "This mornin' got into
the sheriff's bathtub an washed it all
off me-"
The boys helped with the dishes. As
they sat by the fire Bony drew three
Amity Dam cigars from his pocket
and generously passed them.
''No, I'm too tired. The pipe fer
me-" said Bumpy. 81 don't like Eph's
cigars They're kind of quick-tem-
pered. I want peace tonight. Cigars
are like Indians, hostile an friendly"
'Tll take a chance" Shad resolved
as he and Bony lighted up.
The boys sucked hard but could get
no smoke.
Bumpy got piece Of wire.
"Ram that through EN-" he sug-
gested. "Then maybe they'll behave.
Learn 'em who's master"
The obstinacy of the two cigars was
overcome by the wire, but the boys
spat frequently and seemed to be
getting the worst of It.
Il think that Eph's cigars are made
to keep boys good" said Bumpy with
a laugh.
"They have gizzards in EN-" said
Bony with sad look. They're as
hard to kill as cat"
simultaneously the boys gave up,
having decided that as an aid to hap
piness the cigars were a failure.
IL ought to have known better" said
Shad. 81 haven't smoked since quar-
relied with a cigar named Eph's Best
in Bony's room one night after Miss
SpenlOw had gone to bed. It almost
crippled me. How do you get along
with that woman"
Same as ever" said Bony. "Sniffs
an looks me over every night when
come in. Sometimes she makes me
go an take bath fore go to bed.
It's awful"
How is the Home for the Friend
less?"
Gosh! She's bringin' me up fer
the Home. Miss Benson has made
her chairman OF the Infants commit
tee. She's terrible strict now"
Bumpy got out his fiddle. tuned It
up and played while the bird sang. 1t
was time to light the lamps when
Bony left. Shad and Bumpy were 60
ing up to the Dam in the morning TO
get Kerosene. saleratus and other
needed supplies.
"Tll see you tomorrow" said Bony
as he went away.
Bumpy lighted the lamps. He had
strung a clothes line and put out a
lot Of bed clothes to air in the breeze.
Mattresses, sheets, covers and pillows
were now brought in and heaped on
chairs around the stove.
81 do everything just as the woman
used to-" he said. 81 know it pleases
her."
Bumpy and Shad sat down in the
lamplight by the table. The room was
warm and coy. They began to talk
Of the great theme Of the countryside
Bumpy said: 81 Amt goin' to ask
no questions. but I can't help won
derin' what new idee the district at.
torney has got in his mind. He had
evidence enough to hang me. Why
didn't he 60 ahead? I've lived about
long enough"
"He is an honest man. He could
maybe satisfy the people by hanging
you. but he has got to satisfy him
SELF"
81 believe It. He IL an honest man
I wonder what tree his mind has
lit on"
Shad was quick to answer. "I don't
know. but l wonder what tree your
mind has lit on. I am not here to be
a spy. am your friend"
Bumpy held out his hand. put 'er
therel" he said. I'm certain no man
ever had better friend"
A silence followed. Shad broke II
by saying: "Some one must have put
those cartridges in your jacket. Some
one threw that revolver into the river
here In front OF your house"
Bumpy arose from his chair and
got a drink Of water. Coming back
to his chair he said: EFT makes me
mad. I could raise HI, but I'm in q
fx where l got to keep still an I'm
a-goln' to. I'm willin' to die without
whimper but l won't talk. Don't
ask me no questions an don't tell what
I've said. There's God in Heaven.
He'll have to settle this matter"
There was a moment Of silence In
which they heard only the whlstling Of
the wind and the ticking Of the clock.
Shad had brought books with him to
read and study. Among them was
Dickens delightful story of Great Ex-
pectations. He proposed that he read
1t aloud.
Go ahead" said Bumpy. eth be
like old times. The woman used to
read to me every night"
The boy began reading and the eve
ming passed in kind OF magic spell.
The clock struck eleven. Shad put
down the hook.
Bumpy let down platform hinged
upon the wall with folding legs on It's
outer corners. On this he put a small