Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 306, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 1 January 1918 — Bonded Prisoner [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Bonded Prisoner

t jpuring the daylight hours 'of several fgrotumn Saturdays there had been severe outbreaks of cavalry in the SchoThe sabers were of the steeds were imaginary, both were employed in a game called “bonded pris’ner” by its inventors, Masters Penrod Schofield and Samuel Williams. The pastime was not intricate. When two enemies met, they fenced spectacularly until the person of one or the other was touched by the opposing weapon; then, when the ensuing ■'Claims of foul play had been disallowed and the subsequent argument . settled, the combatant touched was considered to be prisoner until such time as he might be touched .by the hilt of a sword belonging' to one of his own party, which affected his .release and restored to him the full enjoyment of hostile activity. . Pending such “rescue, however, he was obliged to accompany the forces .of his captdr whithersoever their strategical necessities led them, which included many strange places. For the game was exciting, and,* at its highest pitch, would sWeep out of an alley into a stable, out of that stable and into a yard, out of that yard and into a house, and through that house with the sound (and effect upon furniture) of trampling herds. In fact, this very similarity must have been in the mind of the distressed colored woman in Mrs. Williams’ kitchen, when she declared that she might “jes’ as well try to cook right spang in the middle o’ the stock yards.” All up and down the neighborhood the campaigns were waged, accomijanled by the martial clashing of wood and by many clamorous arguments. •‘You’re, a pris’ner, Roddy Bitts!” “I am not!” “You are, too! I touched y0u.”,,, “Where, I’d like to know!” “On the Sleeve.” "You did not! I never felt it I guess I’d ’a’ felt it, wouldn’t I?” “What if you didn’t? I touched you, and you’re bonded., I leave it to Sam Williams?’ , J ' “Yah! Course you would I He’s on your side! I leave “it to perman.” “No, you won’t! If you can’t show any sense about it, we’ll do it over, and I guess you’ll see whether you feel it or not! There! N0w,,1 guess yrfu—”

“Aw, squash!" Strangely enough, the undoubted champion proved to be the youngest and darkest of all the combatants, one Verm’an, colored, brother to Herman, and substantially under the size to which his nine years entitled him. Verman was unfortunately tonguetied, but he was valiant beyond all others, and, in spite of every handicap, he became at once the chief support of his own party, and the despair, of the opposition. _ Oh the third Saturday this opposition had been worn ’ down by the successive captures of Maurice Levy and Georgle Bassett until it consisted of only Sam Williams and Penrod. Hence, It behooved these two to be wary, lest they be wiped out altogether; and Sam was dismayed, indeed, upon cautiously scouting round a corner of his own stable, to find himself face to face with; the valorous and skillful Vertnan, who was acting as an outpost, or picket, of the enemy. Verman Immediately fell upon Sam, horse and foot, and Sam would have fled but dared not, for fear he might be touched from the rear. Therefore, he defended himself as best he could, and there followed a lusty whacking, in the course of which Verman’s ha.t, a reHc. and too large, fell from his head, touching Sam’s weapon in falling. ' “There!” panted Sam, desisting Immediately. “That counts! You’rfe bonded,' Verman.” “Aim meewer!” Verman protested. Interpreting this as ‘“Ain’t neither,’* Sam invented a law to suit the occasion. “Yes, you are; thatlf the rule, Verman. ‘ I touched your hat with my sword, and your hat’s just the same as you.” *Tmm mopI" Verman insisted. "Yes, It is,” said Sam, already warmly convinced (by his own statement) that he was in the right. “Listen hqge! If I hit you on the spoe, it would be the same as hitting you, wouldn’t it? I guess it’d count if I hit you on the shoe, wouldn’t it? Well, a hat’s just the same as shoes. Honest, that’s the rule, Verman. and you’re a pris’ner.” Now, in the arguing part of the game, Verman’s impediment co-operat-ed with a native amiability to render him far less effective than in the actual combat He chuckled, and ceded the point “Aw wi,” he said, and cheerfully followed his captor to a hidden place among some bushes in the front yard, where Penrod lurked. “Looky what I got!" Sam said.importantly, pushing, his captive into this retreat. “Now, I guess you won’t say Tm not so much use any more! Squat down, Verman, so’s they can’t see you if they’re huntin’ for us. That’s one o’ the You got to squat when we tell you to.” ( Verman was agreeable. He squat-

Penrod and Sam’s Thrilling Exploits In the Neighborhood War Game

By BOOTH TARKINGTON

■ (Copyright, 1917, Wheeler Syndicate, Inc.)

ted, and then began to laugh uproariously. ?‘Stop that noise!” Penrod commanded. “You want to betray us? What you laughin’ at?” —“Ep mack ’im mlmmup,” Verman giggled. “What’s he mean?” asked Sam. Penrod was more familiar with Verman’s utterance, and he interpreted. “He says they’ll get him back in a minute.” - “No, they won’t Fd just like to see—” ' \ “Yes, they will, too,” said Penrod. “They’ll get him back for the main and simple reason we can’t stay here' all day, can we? And they’d find us anyhow, if we tried to. There’s so many of ’em against just uh two, they can run in and touch him soon as they get up to us —and then he’ll be after us again and—” “Listen here!” Sam, interrupted. “Why can’t we put some real bonds on him? We could put bonds on his wrists and around his legs—we could put ’em all over him, easy as nothin’. Then we could gag him —” “No, we can’t,” said Penrod. “We can’t, for the main and simple reason we haven’t got any rope or anything to make the bonds with, have we? I wish we had some o’ that stuff they give sick people. Then, I bet they wouldn’t get him back so soon!”

“Sick people?” Sam repeated, not cpmprehendlng. “It makes ’em go to sleep, no matter what you do to ’em,” Penrod explained. “That’s the main and simple reason they can’t wake up, and you can cut off their whole legs—or their arms, ‘or anything you want to.” ' “HOy!” exclaimed Verman, in a serious tone. His laughter ceased instantly, and he began to utter a pro? test sufficiently intelligible. “You needn't worry,” Penrod said gloomily. “We haven’t got any o’ that stuff; so we can’t do it.” “.Well, ,we got t to do sumpthing,” said Sam. * > ~ .

His comrade agreed, and there was a thoughtful silence, but presently Penrod’s countenance brightened. “I know!” he exclaimed. “I know what we’ll do with him. Why, I thought of it just as easy! I can most always think of things like that, for the main and simple reason—well,' I thought of it just as soon-—” “Well, what is it?” Sam demanded crossly.. Penrod’s reiteration of his new-found phrase, “for the main and simple reason,” had been growing more and more irksome to his friend all day, thoj .Sam was not definitely aware that the phrase was the cause* of his annoyance. “What are we goln’ to do with him, you know so much?”

Penrod rose and peered over the tops of the bushes, shading his eyes with’' his hand, a gesture which was unnecessary but had a good appearance. He looked all round about him in this manner, finally vouchsafing a report to the impatient Sam. “No enemies in sight—just for the main and simple reason I expect they’re all in the alley and in Georgie Bassett’s back yard.”

“I bet they’re not!” Sam said scornfully,. his irritation jnuch Increased. “How do you know so much it?” “just for the main reason,” Penrod replied, . with dignified finality.

And at that, Sam felt a powerful impulse to do violence upon the person of his .comrade-in-arms. The emotion which prompted this impulse was so primitive and straightforward that it almost resulted in action, but Sam had a vague sense that he must control it as long as he could. “Bugs!” he said. .

Penrod was sensitive, and this cold word hurt him. However, he was under the domination of his strategic idea, and he subordinated’ private grievance to the common weal. “Get up!” he commanded. "You get up, too, .Verman. You got to—it’s the rule. Now here—Hl show you what we’re goin’ to do. Stoop over, and both o’ you do just exackly like I do. You watch me, because this biz’nuss has got to be done right!” Sam muttered ’something; he was becoming more insurgent every moment, but he obeyed. Likewise, Verman rose to his feet, ducked his head between his shoufders, and trotted out to the sidewalk at Sam’s heels, both following Penrod and assuming a stooping position, in imitation of him. Vennan was delighted with this phase of the game, and, also, he was profoundly amused by Penrod’s pomposity. Something dim and deep within him perceived it to be cause for such merriment that he had ado to master himself, and was forced to bottle and cork his laughter with both hands. They proved insufficient; sputterings burst forth between .his fingers. “You stop that!” said. Penrod, looking back darkly upon the prisoner. Vennan endeavored to, oblige, though giggles continued to Iteak from him at intervals, and the three boys stole along the fence in single file, proceeding in this fashion" until they reached Penrod’s own front gate. Herd

the leader ascertained, by a reconnaissance as far as the corner, that the hostile forces were still looking for them im another direction. He returned in a stealthy but Important manner to his disgruntled follower and the hilarious captive. , “Well,” said Sam impatiently, “I guess Tm not goin’ to stand around here all day, I guess! . You got anything you want to do, why’n’t you go. <n and do it?” Penrod’s brow was already contorted to present the appearance of detached and lofty concentration—a histrionic failure, since it did not deceive the audience. He raised a hushing hand. , , “Sh!” he murmured. “I got to think.” “Bugs!” said the impolite Mr. Williams again.

Verman bent double, squealing and sputtering; indeed, he was ultimately forced to sit upon the ground, so exhausting was the mirth to which he now gave way. Penrod’s composure was somewhat affected, and he showed annoyance. “Oh, I guess you won’t laugh quite so much about a minute from now, ole Mister Verman!” he said severely. “You get up from there and do like 1 tell Wfc” “Wen, i why’n’t you tell him . why he won’t laugh so much, then?” Sam demanded, as Verman rose. “Why’n’t you do something and quit talkin’ so much about it?” Penrod haughtily led the way into the yard.

“You follow me,” he said, “and I guess you’ll learn a little sense!” Then, abandoning his hauteur for an air of mystery equally Irritating to Sam, he stole up the steps of ‘the porch, and after a moment’s manipulation of the knob of the big front door, contrived to operate th# fastenings, and pushed the door open. “Come on,” he whispered, beckoning. And the three boys mounted the stairs to the floor above in silence — save for a belated giggle on the part of Verman, which was restrained' upon

a terrible gesture from Penrod. Verman burled hls.mopth as deeply as possible in a ragged sleeve, and confined his demonstrations to a heaving of the stomach and diaphragm. Penrod led the way into, the dainty room, of his nineteen-year-old sister, Margaret, and closed the door. “There,” he said, >n a low and husky voice, “I expect you’ll see what I’m goin’ to do now!”. “Well, what?” asked the skeptical Sam. “If we stay here very long your mother’ll come and send., us downstairs. What’s the good of—” “Walt, can’t you?” ‘Penrod wailed, in a whisper. “My goodness!” And going to an inner door, he threw it open, disclosing a clothes-closet hung with pretty garments of many kinds; while upon its floor were two rows of shoes and slippers of great variety and charm. A significant thing is to be remarked concerqjUig the door of this somewhat intimate treasury; there was no knob or latch upon the inner side, sp that, when the door was closed, it could be opened only 'from the outside. “There!” said Penrod. “You get in there, Verman, and I’ll bet they won’t get to touch you back out o’ bein’ our pris’nfer very soon, now! Oh, I guess not!” . “Pshaw!" said Sam. “Is that all you werie goin’ to do? ' Why, your mother'll come and make him get out the first—" “No, she won’t. She and Margaret have gone to my aunt’s in the country, and aren’t goin* to be back till

dark. And even if he made'* lot O’ noise, it’s kind of hard to hear anything from in there, anyway, when the door’s shut. Besides he’s got to keep quiet—that’s the rule,' Verman. You’re a pris’ner, and it’s the rule you can’t holler dr nothin’. You unnerstand that, Verman F* “Aw wi,” said Verman.. “Then go on in there. Hurry!” The obedient Venpan marched into the,closet and sat'down among the shoes and slippers, where he presented an interesting effect of contrast Her was still subject to hilarity—though endeavoring to suppress it by means of a patent-leather slipper—when Penrod closed the door. “There!” said Penrod, leading the way from the room. “I guess now you see!”—--- ...■ • Sam said nothing, and they came out to the open air, and reached their retreat ip the Williams’ yard again, without his having acknowledged Penrod’s service to their mutual cause. "I thought of that just as easy!” Penrod remarked, probably prompted to this odious bit of complacency by Sam’s withholding' the praise which might naturally have been expected. And he was moved to add, “I guess it’d of been a pretty long while if we’d had to wait for you to think of sumpthing as good as that, Sam.” “Why would ItF* Sam asked. “Why would it of been such a long while?” “Oh,” responded Penrod, airily, “just for the main and simple reason !”

Sam could bear it no longer. “Oh, hush up!” he shouted., Penrod was stung. “Do you mean me?” he demanded. “Yes, I do!” replied the goaded Sam. “Did you tell me to hush upF* “Yes, I did 1” “I guess you don’t know who you’re talkin’ to,” Penrod said ominously. “I guess I, just better show you who you’re talkin’ to like that. I guess you need a little sumpthing, for the main and simple—■” Sam uttered an uncontrollable howl

and sprang upon Penrod, catching him round the waist. Simultaneously with this ftnpact, the wooden swords spun through the air, and were presently trodden underfoot as the two boys wrestled to and fro. Penrod was not altogether prised by the onset of his friend. He had been aware of Sam’s increasing irritation (though neither boy could have clearly stated its cause), and that very irritation produced a corresponding emotion in the bosom of the irritator. Mentally, Penrod was quite ready for the conflict —nay, he welcomed it—though, for the first few moments, Sam had the physical advantage. < However, it Is proper thqt a neat distinction bp drawn here. This was a conflict, neither technically nor in the intef. fin of the contestants was it a fight.* gnrod and Sam were both in a static j high exasperation, and there was 1 great btfterness; but no blows fell and no tears. They strained, they wrenched, they tested, and they panted, and muttered: “Oh, no, you don’t!” “Oh, I guess I do!” “Oh, you will, will you?” “You’ll see what you get in about a minute!”. “I guess you’ll learn some sense this time!” Streaks and blotches began to appear upon the two faces, where color h;rd been heightened by the ardent application of a cloth sleeve or shoulder, while ankles and insteps were scraped and toes were trampled. Turf and shrubberies suffered, also, as the struggle went on, until finally the wrestlers pitched headlong into a young lilac bush, and came to earth together.

among it* crushed and sprawling branches. <•' "Ooch!’ and “Wuf!” were the two exclamations which marked this 'episode, and. then, with no further comment, the struggle was energetically continued upon a horizontal plank. Now Penrod was on top, now Sam; they rolled, they squirmed, they suffered. And this contest endured. It went on and on, and it was impossible to Imagine its coming to a- definite termination. It went on so long that, to both the participants, it seemed to be a permanent thing, a condition which had always existed and which must always exist perpetually. And thus they were discovered by a foray of the4ilostlle party, headed by Roddy Bitts and Herman (older brother to .Verman) and followed by the bonded prisoners, Maurice Levy and Georgle Bassett These and others caught sight of the writhing figures, and charged down upon them with loud cries of triumph.

“Pris’ner! Pris’ner! Bonded pns*ner!” shrieked Roddy Bitts, and touched Penrod and Sam, each in turn, with his saber. Then, seeing that they paid no attention and that they were at his mercy, he recalled the fact that several times, during earlier stages of the game, both of them had been unnecessarily vigorous In “touching” his own rather plump person. Therefore, the opportunity being excellent, he raised his weapon again, and, repeating the word? “bonded pris’ner” as ample explanation of his deed, brought Into play the full Strength of his good right arm. He used the flat of the saber. Whack! Whack! Roddy was perfectly impartial. It was a cold-blood-ed performance and even more effective than he anticipated. For one thing, it ended the civil war instantly. Sam and Penrod leaped to their feet, shrieking and bloodthirsty, while Maurice Levy capered with joy, Herman was so overcome that he rolled upon the ground, and Georgle Bassett remarked virtuously: “It serves them right for fighting.” But Roddy BJtts foresaw that something not within the rules of the game was about to happen.” “Here! You keep away from me!” he quavered,! retreating. “I was just takln’ you pris’ners. I guess I had a right to touch you, didn’t I?” " ‘ Alas! Neither Sam nor Penrod was able to see the matter in that light. They had retrieved their own weapons, and they advanced upon Roddy, with a that seemed horrible to him. “Here! You keep away from me!” he said, in great alarm. “Tm goin’

to give up this ole game and go Imkm| He did go home—but only quently. What took place before. jj||| departure had the singular splidftjß and completeness of systematic violence; also, it bore the moral beauty ; of all actions which lead to peace friendship, for, when it was over, and the final vocalizations of Roderick Magsworth Bitts, Jr., were growing faint wltU increasing distance, Sa*|| and Penrod had forgotten their

ferences and felt well disposed toward each other once more. All their animosity was exhausted, and they were in a glow of good feeling, though probably they were not conscious of any direct gratitude to Roddy,—-<c’hose thoughtful opportunism was.really * cause of thia ■

“You Get hi There, Verman.”

“Oh, You Will, Will You?”