The Waterbury Democrat., 1942-02-16
PARIS GROWING UP
CHAPTER V

They came to the end of the line
of cars. Drake walked backward and
squinted along the rails.
"Yello, Drake! Hello, Parrisl"
1t was Randy Monaghan hang
ing over the tall fence at the top
of the embankment.
Drake answered gaily, Hello,
there. What you {. n up there?"
This is where I live. What you
all doin'?"
Drake spoke quickly. We're
goin' down to Elroy's icehouse. .
What for?"
"Nothin' much. Swing on the
rings maybe"
Its cool down there"
why don't you come, too?"
Randy was evidently waiting
for the invitation. She looked
back over her shoulder.
"All right she said. you go
On. III catch up with you"
Drake and Paris walked slow
ly. "Why didn't she come right
along with us?" Paris asked.
Drake looked at him and
trimmed. 'Fraid of her old man,
I guess"
"Why?"
Say, you don't know much, do
you? 1 guess her old man knows
bettern to let Randy go round
with these tough kids down here.
She's kinder tough, too. I bet she
can give as good as they can send.
You ought to hear her cuss."
They opened a heavy door and
jumped down on great pile Of
sawdust. The air was damp and
cool 1t was dark, too, after the
glare
Gee, most Of the ice Is gone.
See how low it's gettin'?" Drake
seized the two rings and swung
far out from the tall heap. He
let go and landed on his feet, half
burying himself in the loose dry
saWdust.
Someone banged on the door. Let
me in! Drake!"
"It's Randy Push on the door"
Randy climbed over the high sill
and dropped down. She rolled
over and over.
She struggled up to the rings
which swung from the rafters,
Can you skin the cat?"
"Sure!" Drake scoffed. But I
bet you can't
She executed the feat, her stout
legs cutting her hold neatly, and
landed upright,
Pretty good"
II can do the double roll on the
par'1lel bars, too"
"Doggone,' Drake exclaimed.
"Where'd you learn to do it?"
Jake Elroy showed me. He can
do a lot of things. Come on, Par
ris, you try"
Il don't think I could do that
right away. I guess I'd have to
practice. l can skin the cat,
though"
Lets see you. Take off your
shoes and stockings and your coat.
What you SO dressed up for?"
Paris first effort was not sue
cessful He fell on his back with
a thump. 1t knocked the breath
out of him. Randy laughed. you
got to bring yourself up better
then shoot your legs down quick" "
With her encouragement and
advice Paris made rapid progress,
but the double roll was beyond
him.
"Trv again" She considered
his effort seriously. you could
do it pretty soon. I'm tired now.
Let's set down and rest
The trio dropped down painting,
Randy stood on her head as final
gesture.
Soon Randy arose. II better be
goin.' I'll get Hail Columbia if
they catch me out here with you
all"
They retraced their way along
the railroad track. Randy walked
along the rail balancing herself
from time to time by a touch on
Paris shoulder. He felt quite
happy when she did this and
stayed carefully in easy reach.
Randy ran up the embankment.
"'By, you ALL
I'm comm down this way
again sometimes Drake said.
"All right" she answered care
lessly. It's a free country, I
guess"
Paris trudged toward home.
He was tired and his feet felt
heavy. 1t had been a very long
day-like a whole week. The sun