Richmond Palladium (Daily), Volume 46, Number 51, 8 January 1921 — Page 16

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THE RICHMOND PALLADIUM, SATURDAY, JANUARY 8, 1921

MARTHENE'S BURGLAR

: "l've had a perfectly "thrilling evening," said Jean Lawman, risJng from her chair, "Mary certainly can tell the most interesting , stories." " - ' , . "1 agree with you there," said Ronalda, "She makes things seem real. While she was telling that ghost story I was almost sure that 1 saw a real ghost peeping 'round the corner of the veranda." "Oh, but really and truly, you didn't?" superstitious Marthene asked. "1 hardly think so," laughed Ron- . alda. But you might go and look." "No thank you," returned Mar- . thene. - "There Is only one fault that Mary has when she tells ghost-stor-les," Rena Bolden ventured to eay. "And what is that?" asked the girls In a tone of surprise. "She doesn't demand that the porch light be turned off," Rena replied. "Which I am mighty glad of," remarked Marthene. "Me, too" said Jean and Ronalda. "How do you feel about it Mary?" asked Rena. ' "Well," said Mary, "I admit that I would much rather have the surroundings fit in with my story. A ghost story is not one unless it is told or read on a dark and silent night. It gives a thrill to the story, I think." "The trouble Is," Marthene said, "It gives me too much of a thrill." "Anyway I'm thankful we have ,JUary to entertain us," Jean said, trying to change the subject, "for : Marthene and I are poor entertain-. rs. Why, girls, If Mary hadn't . been here you would go home saying to each other, "The Watson girls are poor- hostesses.' , Now . don't shake your heads for you cer- - tainly would and you'd have a good reason for saying so, too.". . . ' The "Watson girls,' Jean and Marthene .were hostesses for a week- , nd party , given in honor of Rena Botden's fourteenth birthday. The girls were enjoying the affair all to - themselves. Dick, the trusted chauffeur of the Watsons, was al- ' ways on hand for anything. Maggie, their cook was there only during the day. : 1 move we adjourn to our comfy feed until morning,", said Ronalda. "And I second the' motion," Rena aaM. - "Then I thrice It or third it or oh,' bother with ; the good English right now," Jean said, Any way, I want you to know I favor the sec---nfjon enough to make it a third." - - ; "IH venture to say that the moHon la v carried without further SONS OF CHINESE Left to right, back row: William, ' Tie fo.T sons and grandson of Yuin Shin Kai, second president of the Chinese republic, are receiving their firtt taste of American s.lool life at Middkbury falkgs, MidrfUbar, VL TLey

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'question'" Mary said, and they must have agreed with her. for already they were ascending the stairs for bed. About' midnight Marthene awoke, probably because the room was stuffy. She hopped out of bed to raise the window higher. Glancing out of the window she was sure she saw the shadow of a man coming around the house! Fear seized her, but instantly she cast it off. Whoever that man was or whatever he wanted he must not be permitted to enter the house. She would have no time to waken anyone not even Dick. In her bare feet she bounded down the stairs, three steps at a time. She had left the back door unlocked and she must hurry and lock it! From the outside one would have to go through a small vestibule to get to the kitchen. As Marthene reached the kitchen door she saw the dim outline of a man on the Outside, pull a bunch of keys from his pocket This burfjlar then, had a way of getting In, n spite of a locked door. There was only one thing left to do, and it must be done quickly. She crawled out into the vestibule, pulled aside the small rug which lay over a trap-door. Unlocking the trap door she pushed the rug over it and then ran back into the kitchen. The man on the outside did not seem to notice that the door was unlocked for he inserted a key and turned the lock, thus locking the door. Discovering his mistake he unlocked it again and entered the vestibule. As he stepped on the rug the trap-door opened, and dropped him in the- recess below. Marthene ran back into the vestibule and locked the trap-door again. Not a sound did she hear from the man below. Now to wake up Dick and get the sunposed burglar out Of the miserable place in which he was. But she could not arouse Dick, and so decided to leave the burglar where he was until morning. She did not waken anv of the girls and went

back to. bed herself. But she had' no rest for her dreams were full of treacherous burglars. . -The next tnornlng the girls waited impatiently for Marthene to summon Dick. But when she did she got no response. After knocking at his door loudly for several times and still no answer, Marthene entered. But no Dick was there. "Dick hasn't been home all night," announced Marthene. " "Why, where could he be?" Jean asked. ' . . "Do you fiuppose-his mother has taken ill again and he had to go to her?" asked Marthene. "That might be so," Jean said,

PRESIDENT ENTER AMERICAN COLLEGE

Alexander and Henry KaL -Front Charles is the president's grandson. are delighted with American custom!, and have entered heartily into participation in . outdoor, sports, skiing appeal i.e to them more than any other sport. They are voted "great pL" and "good

"but he usually leaves word when he's going." "What are we going to do with the burglar, then?"llena answered. "Let's get Mr. Jenks and Mr. Thorton to come over," Marthene suggested. "Who are they?" asked Ronalda. "They are our neighbors," Jean said, "I'll go get them." Soon she was back with the two neighbors and they opened the trapdoor. As they did so, who should spring up from below, but Dick! "Is that your burglar? asked Mr. Jenks, "I thought Dick was your chauffeur." "Burglar!" said Dick, "Where's a burglar." "Dick,' 'asked Marthene, "What time did you come in last night." "About 11 o'clock," Dick answered. The girls were nudging each other. Mr. Jenks and Mr. Thorton exchanged amused glances. Dick's face wore a puzzled look while Marthene's face was full of mortification. "Oh, Dick," she said, "Are you hurt? I didn't mean to do this, really I didn't, but you see I thought you were a burglar and I opened the trap-door in order that you could not enter the house. Oh, I'm so sorry. . "No, I'm not hurt a bit," Dick assured her, "So don't worry, Marthene. I certainly did not know what to think when I found myself going through the trap-door. Mr. Jenks and Mr. Thorton I'm so glad you helped Marthene get the burglar out. It wasn't a very nice bed to spend the night in, nevertheless I did." " As the two neighbors left they said to Marthene. "Remember, Marthene, next time you call us to get a burglar out, be sure you've got a "good catch." We had hopes of seeing a real burglar this time, but you've disappointed us. "I'm so sorry," Marthene said and lowered her head. Julia R. Burr.

Christmas oms It was near Christmas. Tom was a very naughty boy and would not mind his mother. His mother told him she did not think that Santa would remember him because he had been so naughty. Tom paid no attention to this and went on with his playing. The next day was Christmas; when Tom awoke he found no pretty Christmas tree and toys awaiting him. Then he felt very sad that he had not been a better boy; So he went out and played. When he came in for dinner he found a pretty tree and lots of toys. Then he was very happy. That was a good lesson for Tom. Written by Opal Martin, 11 years old, 5 A grade, Vaile school. row: Thomas and Charles Kai. scouts" by their fellow students. They range in a - Aom twelve to eighteen years. American celebrations of Christmas and New Year's they said "were wo derfaL"

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THE BLACK MASK

Chapter V. Mary was kidnapped and Buck goes to rescue her. He followed the outlaws' tracks to a cave. When he had gotten inside three men jumped on him and at the last he was knocked senseless. The outlaws bound Buck's hands and feet and dragged him into another part of the cave. Then they carried Mary through a secret door into a little room. This cave is made of nothing but secret doors. That is how it happened that Buck was caught. It happened in this way the men with Mary saw Buck coming and so prepared to give him a hot welcome. Behind one of these secret doors there is a large room in which the Black Mask holds his meetings. It happened that this was a meeting day and the large band of outlaws were seated in this room waiting for the meeting to be called to order. Finally it was called to order by the Black Mask. After the minutes were read, a motion was made to discuss what they should do with the girl and Buck. "Mr. President," said one. "Mr. Reed," said the president. "I move we git rid of this guy we knocked brainless." "In what way?" asked the Black Mask. "Hang him," said the man. "How many . agree?" asked the Black Mask. Almost every hand went up. "Then it shall be 'hang him'" said the Black Mask. During this meeting Buck was trying to get the rope3 off which bound him but without success. "I must get Mary away from here,' 'he said, "I have promised her father at his death that I would take care of the family." Again he made a desperate struggle to take the ropes from his body but in vain. At last he fell on the floor out of breath. .Mary too had been trying to take the ropes from her body. Finally the men came out of the meeting room and three of then went in and carried out Buck. "Prepare to se your last," said the Black Mask. "Kill me if you want but please let that girl go free." said Buck looking over towards Mary. Mary on hearing this, said, "If you kill him, you shall kill me." At this the outlaws laughed and then one of the men said, "I think youll be all right where you are." "I'll not stay here," yelled Mary.1 At this they all laughed again and went out carrying Buck with them. Mary looked around and saw a nail in the side of the cave where the outlaws hung their lanterns. She got up and started rubbing the ropes that tiese her hands In it, which slowly cut the rope. j Soon it was cut in two and she 4 m hh(!a tlia wnnaa that bound her feet when a man came in. The man did not see her getting the ropes off andvMary quickly put her arms behind her so he would think she was still tied. The man sat down on a block of wood and started cleaning his gun. Mary, seeing that he did not look at her. began to untie the ropes and soon had those untied. Marv looked around and saw the same board that was used on Buck. She picked it up and was about to bring it down on the man's head when be turned around and pointed a gun full in her face and said, "No" you don't try any sech tricks as that,', 'and then he rushed at her. (To be continued.) Lloyd Slifer, Junior High School. f RESOLUTIONS j (Continued From Last Weeit). When Calvin Percival Moore had made the flying leap down the back porch stairs of his home and joined the impatient Tom Jones, the boy from down the street, Tom's first words were "Bring some taters along, did you, huh? Le's see 'em." Whereupon he scrutinized, the taters in Calvin's pocket with a criticising eye and grunted. "I and Pete's got some bigger n them." That remark did not sound good! to Calvin, and it, with the memory! of the unnecessarily hard poke In the ribs Tom had given him two days before' while they were play-, Ing knights and battles, did not make him feel any warmer toward the boy. He secretly nursed a longing to get revenge. The two boys plodded through the snow In silence until they reached Pete Porter's house, where

that young gentleman stood at the gate, waiting their arrival. Greetings in the form of shouts and flying snowballs were exchanged, and the party of three continued the journey to the cave. It was yet early, in the morning, 9:30, perhaps, and the boys wero in no hurry. They arrived at the cave after an hour's tramp through snow covered fields, and soon had a crackling fire going, and the potatoes nestled snugly In the glowing embers, roasting. When the boys believed the potatoes sufficiently roasted they scraped them from the fire, and immediately fell to. Everything was peaceful. The potatoes were exceptionally good and the three boys were in good spirits. Then suddenly, Tom Jones, sitting across the little fire trom Cal Moore, drew back his arm and with a shout of "Lookout across there!" let fly a large piece of burnt potato skin. The blackened crust plumped squarely on Cal's left eye. Tom and Pete roared with laughter. Cal spluttered. Then, as suddenly as the black crust had been thrown, Cal jumped to his feet, tossed aside the potato he bad been munching and yelling shrilly "You better lookout yourself!" leaped across the fire and landed on the shoulders of the sitting Tom Jones, bearing him to the ground with a thud. Calvin Percival Moore was about to get his revenge. Fists flew fast and wildly. Whacks filled the air as the fists landed. There were no shouts, only an occasional grunt as the two boys rolled over and over in the snow. First Cal was on top, then Tom. There was no particular order nothing seemed against the rules. Pete Porter stood off to one side starring open-mouthed. This was the best scrap he had witnessed in many a day. Finally Calvin Percival twined his legs about the body of his opponent and squeezed. That squeeze sapped the strength from Tom, who was now below Cal. Tom grew weak; tears came to hla eyes. "Say when you're licked," muttered Cal, breathing hard. . But Tom Jones wasn't going to give In until he had to. However, try as he would, he could not break Cal's hold, and so, after a long silence and waiting he muttered, "Aw right, le' me up." "Say you're licked." insisted Cal. "Aw aw aw right, lemme up." "You licked?" Cal tiehtened his Krin and squeezed his legs together harder. Tom Jone ra.sned. He couldn't stflnd It any longer. "I'm I'm licked." he whispered with big tears streaming from his eyes.

When ymng Calvin Percival Moore, his ghirt and rants in shreds, his face bloody and scratch ed, arrived home an hour or so later, he was a sight to behold. His mother rasped as he wearily stamped Into the house. "Why why what on earth! Calvin Percival Moore! Oh Calvin, what!" And so it came to pass that when Calvin's father came borne that night and . Mrs. , Moore related the day's hapnenings, laving spftcial stress on Calvin's battle with Tom Jones, Calvin Percival was sent upstairs and to bed supperless. In his room he threw himself on the floor and sobbed loudly. His mother, turning the key and locking the door, stooped to the key hole and with tearful eyes, listened. "Shucks," Calvin was saying "between mourful. drawn out sobs, "shucks, and them doggone (sob) resolutions why - gee whiz, and they wasn't even s'posed (sob) to (sob) go into effeck (sob) till New Year's (sob) nohow." And then came a long, hard sigh. The End. It takes sixty-four muscles of the face to make a frown, and only thirteen to make a smile!

a v teem 'To A BO uN A IN AN tXAM' wen