Evening Republican, Volume 22, Number 35, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 11 February 1919 — A BLUNDER [ARTICLE]

A BLUNDER

By LIZZIE M. PEABODY.

(Copyright, 1919, by the McClure NewapaperSyndirate.T— Rivertown’s two remaining veterans of the Civil war met and passed euch other without a sign of recognition; and Dolly D.'s pretty face wore a puzzled look as from her window she gazed after each in turn. Both were of medium height, but Uncle Eb’s kindly blue eyes were faded, he was thiu, and his hair was snowy white, while Uncle Zeke was of stockier build, his dark eyes were still bright and Tils liair was an iron gray. "Why, they didn’t speak!” the girl gasped in- dismay, and added softly, "And they've always been such good friends. I hate to think that they may be unhappy.” , Still thinking of the veterans she was soon on her way to the far end of the village, and accepted Uncle Eb’s cordial Invitation to come and sit with him on the tiny porch of his little old weather-beaten house. The newspaper he had brought from the post office was still unfolded, and Tie appeared depressed. She waS troubled when Uncle Zeke passed by and said softly, “JHe didn’t look up, Uncle' Eb.” "Huh!” he snorted, “He. doesn’t have to! I don’t care if he never speaks to me again." “Now! Now! Uncle Eb! And you have always been such good friends," slie said, protestingly. After a silence Uncle Eb spoke. “I know,” he said softly. “And always we have lived here side by side. We began going to school the same day, enlisted in the army together, and in the same company fought side by side. “After the war,” he continued reminiscently, “Zeke ran a little grocery store and I cobbled shoes for a living until we settled down here to putter around and keep hens.” With a soft little sigh the veteran paused. “Whoever first said that an old dog won’t learn- new tricks?” he inquired resentfully.

“Rover surprised us both one day by going over to Zeke's and killing his chickens.” “Then it became a habit, but the day he killed four of Zeke’s best pullets Zeke lost all patience and shot him. Don’t think I blamed Zeke. I didn’t. But I -missed old Rover, and somehow I couldn’t feel so friendly again toward the one who shot him. Perhaps Zekb knew it. Anyway he sold his poultry and went over to Wingfield for a while. You remember, Dolly?” She nodded and he continued: “When he came home again ’twas toward night and I was out in my yard. I was glad to see him, and he seemed so friendly that I hoped for a return of the old happy times.” Again Uncle Eb paused and then burst out wrathfully. "And that very night that sneaking, revengeful,—well, anyway, that night he shot the major." “The major?” she asked. “My cat !” he explained. “I thought you called him the corporal,” she said smiling. Uncle Eb straightened. “He wasn’t a common cat,” he declared proudly. “I taught him many tricks, and the best ones earned him well-deserved promotions.” “How Zeke would have roared at some of Major’s tricks,” Tie said regretfully. “He was great company, Maje was.” he resumed. “He’d wait patiently on a limb of the old elm tree, and on my return home he’d drop down mn-miy = sJtmtldei--as,.l-came-.tlu-oiiglidhe -gate———— —■ — —

“But are you sure Uncle Zeke shot him?” she asked. “Yes! By the moonlight I had seen Major in his yard a short time before and when I heard the report of a gun I ran to the window of my unlighted room just in time to see Zeke enter his house. Then I went looking for my cat and found him dead.” “Did you ask Uncle Zeke to explain?" “Not I. When he me the next day I turned away. We’ve never ppoken To each other since.” “I’m very sorry." Dolly said, as she rose to go, “and I wouldn’t have believed it of Uncle Zeke.” “I am provoked; but still I suppose I must ruh over to see him.” “HellM Dolly !” greeted Uncle Zeke as he placed a chair for her. “I thought you’d never get away from I2)>. —lie’s Some’buzzer whenTfF“get*T started. All talk or no .talk. Eb is,” he said bitterly, “and as full of whims as an egg shell is of yolk and white.” “Why do you think that?” she asked coldly. “He's more than friendly one day. and for no reason at all refuses to speak the next or afterward,” he returned hotly. Her c blue-gray eyes flashed. “You shot his pretty black and tfhite trained cat!’’ she cried. “That’s news to. me!” fie said "Think!” she urged. “The night you came from Wingfield.” His face grew troubled. “Wasft Eb’s cat 1 shot that night?” He sighed as he said ruefully:. “I thought it was a .skunk after Eb’s chickens, and Tve been well punished for my blunder.' “WO are seventy-seven; and we've traveled down the long trail together. How I’ve missed Eb, no one will ever know —-unless Eb does” he added thoughtfully. Hastily he patted Ids pockets; His pipe and tobacco pouch were there. “Come, Dolly! I’H explain and then I'll tell him I II get a cart load of klt'eps and train them all for him if he sgys so,” he said eagerly. Uncle Eb saw them coining, their, faces alight with happiness: and ralsed his white head as a parched and drooping plant raises itself at the coming of the blessed rain.