The Oregon daily journal., December 13, 1908, Page 39, Image 39

TRED
LYNN ROBY MEEKINS.
BY
I WONDER what Walter, is doing," said Mr.
Rogers, as he laid down his newspaper. "It 's
been fully two hours since he went away."
"Walter 's all right," relied Uncle Tobias.
"I'll go on his-bond for good conduct."
"Oh, you are boys of one feather, and I hard
ly think your bond would be worth much,"
Uncle Tobias swas rather an old-looking boy. His
head was nearly bald, and what little hair he had was
gray. He was Walter's uncle, and he was. fully three
years older than his brother, Walter's father. But he
was one of those bright, sunshiny natures that do not
care for the increasing years as long as they are able
to make somebody happy. Uncle Tobias had come to,
the Rogers farm for a stay of several months, and had
brought a fine horse to Walter, his nephew, aged four
teen. The two "boys," as Mr. Rogers called them,
often went off for a day's riding, and beyond the fact
that they entered the big strip of woods called Piney
Forest no one knew their travels. Sometimes Walter
would go alone, and an hour or so afterward Uncle
Tobias would ride out and come home with him.
"I believe I "11 go and find him," said Uncle Tobias,
looking at his watch; and he called the negro servant
t'phraim to get his horse ready.
Before the horse came three girls ran out on the
porch.
"Where 's Walter?" they asked In chorus.
"Gone away to escape from you, girls," replied Uncle
Tobias.
"What have we done?" asked Miss Bartie.
"What have you done? ho- put chesnut-burs in
his bed last night? Who sewed up his pockets? Who
set his alarm-clock at two in the morning? Who " ,
"Well, please tell us who sent 4is a box of caramels
made put of soap, and who put the pumpkin scarecrow
at our window?"
"Yes; who gave him cotton muffins for breakfast?"
continued Uncle Toby. And who yes, you young
beaufies who woke Uncle Toby poor old Uncle
Toby at four o'clock in the morning and told him
that there was fire in the house?"
"So there was in the kitchen range," said Mary.
"Oh, was there ? I have a great mind to punish you
all right here and now."
With a scowl he walked toward them, as they
huddled together for & moment in mimic dismay, and
then with shrieks of laughter scattered, and fled away
from him in different directions.
"Now don't you feel ashamed of yourselves ? Don't
you ? If you don't If HI punish you again I will in
deed," he called after tthem. "But here 's my horse.
I 'm 1 going to find 'Walter. Out in the woods we 'II
have some peace, and maybe we 11 build a hut and
stay there."
The three girls waved their handkerchiefs and threw
unnumbered kisses at '.Uncle Tobias as he rode down .
the lane. When he got to the big gate, he turned ami
shook his riding-whip at them, but they greeted his
action with a great; flourish of their big hats, and one
or two screams which were lost on the air.
Uncle Tobias used to say to Mr. Rogers that these
three girls were enough to make any man love the
entire female sex. He was never happier than whelk
joining in their merrymaking or threatening them with
all sorts of terrible things. He seemed to feel neglected
unless they teased him or played some little prank upon
him at least once a day. And they "adored" him.
The girls were just suited to one another; Their
ages ranged from twelve to -fifteen. Mary was Walter's
sister. Bartie, her school friend, and Lucy, her cousin,
were making her their usual autumn visit of two weeks.
When they got together in the house, and had Uncle
Tobias and Walter irfs their subjects, they took complete
charge, and Mr. and "Mrs. Rogers quietly submitted
to their rule.
The two boys did not submit; they carried out their
part and added to the jollity of the home. Walter
thought he was ahead of Bartie, -but the night before,
when he jumped into bed and found he had tome
chestnut-burs forcompany, he sahfto himself that he
would have to get even for that or his reputation
would be ruined.
"Girls," asked Mr. Rogers, after Uncle Tobias was
gone, "why do you and the boys make so much noise?"
"They have a secret," said Bartie, "and we want to
know it."
"What makes you think they have a secret?"
"Oh, we are sure of it. They go away to Piney
Forest every day and stay there for hours, and when
thev come back uncle's horse looks as fresh as ever,
while Walter's is tired and worn out."
"Walter rides more, that 's all."
"Oh, no, it is n't. Uncle always knows where to
find .Walter, too. And they won't tell us anything.
They 've got some secret, and we are going to find out
what it is."
At supper the girls tried their best to get the secret
out of the'two boys, but the more they tried the worse
they succeeded. Then, giving it up, they turned the
conversation on the tournament which was to take
place the next day. , It was the great event of the
fall. It was not a mere exhibition given by outsiders,
but a real contest of the horsemanship of that section.
The young men who were to take part in it belonged
to the leading families, and the sharpness of the
rivalry made every home excited and interested long
before the date for the riding. For years the tourna
ment has been a pleasant institution in Maryland and
Virginia, and to-day it is as much of a social event,
with all the chivalry of the olden times, as it ever was.
The tournament at Tred Avon was particularly at
tractive because Tred Avon is tlje center of a splendid
grazing section, and the horses are noted for their
speed and beauty; and, what is more, the handsome
young men are there to ride the horses, and to crown
the "Queens of Love and Beauty" who reign so de
lightfully in the neighboring homes.
The Rogers household had been fully interested in
the tournament, and bad discussed it for days. This
was the night before it came off. They talked it all
over, and the girls spent the evening in guessing about
it and trying to name over the people they would meet.
The morning came. Everybody was up earlv. The
servants had the baskets loaded with fried chicken and
cake and Maryland -biscuits and pies and fruit and a
lot of other things, for there must be an abundance
not only for the party, but for the friends whom they
would invite to share the luncheon. The girls came
forth looking, with their new dresses and rosy cheeks,
as beautiful as fresh flowers. Walter was. there, too.
-He went up to Bartie and asked to look. at her scarf.
AVON
TOURNAMENT.
As soon as he got hold of- it he quietly wound it
around jiis arm and marched-, off.
"Bring that back," she commanded.
"Oh, ot now. Let me have it awhile."
Just then the othersmembers of the family appeared,
and Mr. Rogers, 'who -was always particular to be on
time, called out : -
"Here, girls, get on board or we shall be late. Help
them P, Tobias. There, mother" he always called
'THE KNIGHT OF PINEY IOREST
Mrs. Rogers "mother." "Now, Tobias. Walter!
Where is that boy?"
"Master Walter told me to tell you, sah, that he was
goin' to ride down on his hoss, sah, and not to wait for
him, sah !" :Sard Ephraim.
".Very -well," said Mr. Rogers. "Go ahead, Eph."
They .arrived at the tournament ground in good
time, and secured a fine position. "What a crowd it
was ! All the neighborhood was there fathers,
mothers, cousins, uncles, aunts, families, sweethearts,
children, and city lolks.
There were .hundreds of -carriages, hundreds of
horses all the people -dressed in their best, and all
chatting and tahemg away and guessing at the results
of the contests. In front was the level field with the
three arches, from the center of each of which hung
a little Ted ring. The knights were to run their horses
full speed through this course in turn, each trying to
take all three of the rings upon his lance. The sky
was bright, the air glorious, and the crowd ready and
eager for the riding.
"Here they come !" shouted somebody down the line.
There, over the crest of the hill several hundred
yards away, rode the knights, mounted on the finest
horses of the country, wearing brilliant colors and
waving plumes, and ' balancing their long spears with
graceful precision.
Slowly the knights came, two by two, while the band
played stirring music. A pattering of applause accom
panied them. . Suddenly, fas they reached the stand,
they wheeled in one long line, and, with caps off,
saluted the orator of the day.
But before he began his speech, which was the charge
to the knights, something happened to our party.
"Do my eyes deceive me, I wonder?" exclaimed
Uncle Tobias. "Who is that little fellow near the end
of the line?"
"Why! it 's Walter," cried the others, in a chorus,
and a quiet laugh rippled over the face of Uncle Tobias
as he enjoyed their surprise.
"He 's wearing my scarf," said Bartie.
"Quiet over there, please," said some one across the
way. "Listen to the speaker."
Yes ; the gentleman in the frock-coat is getting elo
quent. He is telling the Sir Knights about the chivalry
of the olden days, about the fair fame they must main
tain, and about the lovely young ladies whose beauty
must spur them on. And at last, with a great flourish
of adjectives and a shower of compliments, he bids
them ride to Win.
The band plays. The knights salute and wheel into
parade. Slowly they march to the lower field and take
their places in one long line,' the horses side by side,
eighteen noble beasts with eighteen gaily costumed
and athletic riders. - Walter gets plenty of attention,
for he is a boy among young men, and his handsome,
manly bearing merits comment and praise, while the
pretty scarf fluttering in the breeze makes him a bit
more picturesque than his rivals.
'The Knight of Northampton, prepare to "charge f
shouts one of the judges.
The knight's horse jumps from the long line into tha
open field with his head turned toward the arches.
"Charge, Sir Knight 1"
Down he comes through the course at full speed;
He misses the first ring, gets the second, misses the
third, reins up his horse, and takes his position at the
right of the third arch. Then other knights make trial
for the rings, w!fh varying success, but none taking
two rings until the Knight of No Name is reached.
He is the most famous rider in the country, and every
body is watching him. He justifies his fame for he
secures all three rings. The next knight gets two, the
next one ; and then the big man with the big voice
calls out :
"Knight of Piney Forest, prepare to charge 1"
Walter's horse leaps forth. The girls tremble with
excitement. Uncle Tobias risks -a broken limb by
climbing to the highest seat.
"Charge, Sir Knight 1"
Ah, how splendidly the horse responds ! There is no
halting, no shambling, but a -clean, swift, steady run.
Like a flash he darts toward the first arch, Walter
erect and cool, the scarf flying, and the lance straight
I
4 MS
yaw C U 9 SE-&H
TAKING THE THIRD KING.
and firm. All eyes follow him.'
"One !" counts the crowd in chorus.
On thehors4 goes Walter calm, the scarf flying,
the lance steady.
"Two!" counts the crowd, louder than before.
Swifter sweeps the steed Walter calmer yet, the
scarf in a straight line, the lance firmer than ever.
"Three!" shouts the crowd, and the applause breaks
forth from hundreds of throats and resounds in a
thousand clapping hands.
"Good for Walter!" bellows Uncle Tobias.
"Oh, I 'm.so glad!" "Is n't it lovely?" cry the girls.
"The boy can ride," remarks Mr. Rogers.
"I 'm really proud of him," says his mother.
"Don't get too proud yet awhile," answers Uncle
Tobias. "It is n't quite over."
Walter's good start might mean a bad ending. In
fact, it looks very much that way in the second tilt.
The Knight of No Name takes three, rings again.
When Walter's turn comes there is the same excite
ment. He starts down the course superbly.
"One!" Yes, he gets it.
"Two!" No, he misses it. Uncle Tobias groans.
"Three !" He takes it ; and the crowd cheers again,
although not so loudly as before.
"What a shame!" grumbles Uncle Tobias.
"I think he rode very well," said Mrs. Rogers, com
ing to the rescue of he boy.
"Of course he did, of course he did; but he had no
business to miss that ring."
"I believe they put it on crooked," says Bartie, and
the girls echo her sentiments.
"Well," says Uncle Tobias, "let us be quiet and hope
for something next time."
They hope. The Knight of No Name misses a ring
and takes only two, making his score eight. When
Walter's turn cames everybody is in a hubbub. Will
it be a tie? LTnclc Tobias forgets all about the people
around him. His eyes and ears are all concentrated on
Walter.
"Knight of Piney Forest, prepare to charge!"
"Steady, now, my boy, steady," mumbles Uncle
Tobias.
"Charge. Sir Knight!"
At full tilt comes the horse, with Walter the coolest
person on the field. .j,
"One !" counts the crowd
"Two !" it says again.
Three !"
"I knew he 'd do it!" shouts Uncle Tobias.
"A tie !" exclaims the crowd.
And. the cheers go up and the applause. drowns all
conversation, as Walter and his opponent ride up to
the judges' stand.
Of course the tie causes great excitement. Sixteen
knights retire from the field. The Knight xf No Name,
a handsome man of twenty-seven, and the Knight of
Piney Forest, a manly fellow of fourteen, are the con-
COPYRIGHT BY THC CENTURY COMPANY
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BY TUDOR
T was a wonderful shop that T went to to-day;
I don't like to think it was nothing but play,
For I was so rich I could buy what I chose
Whatever in Asia or Africa grows.
There were rings, there wore toys, there were sugar
and tea,
There were rich silks and laces all offered to me.
And the price? At the mot 't was a penny or two;
Failing these why, a bit of white paper would do!
The merchant va young, not seven years old,
But for manners and graces one could not have told
That the storekeeper was not a time-honored dame
Whose ancestors proud in the "Mayflower" came. -
HOW DO
There's a boy in tlw house?
By the cap that is hanging downstairs in the hall
By -the gun and the pistol, the bat and the ball;
The Indian war-dance, the toy-cannon!s roar,
That are heard, now and then, through the nursery
door ;
By the engines and drums and the tool -chest and naiis,
'fire steam-cars and tracks and the boats with trim
sails ;
By the volumes of Cooper which from cover to cover
Have been read and re-read by an Indian-lover.
"But you must lake care, if you value your head.
When you go to the nursery,"' declares Uncle Fred.
"When 1 open the door there's a scramble and shout;
I'm .attacked by a brigand, and ' never doubt
Who clutches me fast, as a cat does a mouse
Well, these are good signs there's a boy in the house !"
testants. Walter has the larger share of sympathy, but
the crowd is disposed to encourage both with plentiful
applause.
The Knight of No Name rides again. He gets the
first the second and misses the third. Uncle Tobias
remains perfectly still, and the girls hope aod hope.
The Knight of Piney Forest prepares -to charge. A
thousand eyes are upon htm. He is -as calm as a
statue. Like the wind his horse 'dashes -down the
course. The scarf flies straight, the lance is steady.
"One !" says the crowd."
"Two !" it almost shouts
"Three!"
And now there a wild cheer sure enough. Uncle
Tobias pounds with his big stick and cheers with his
hearty voice. The girls clap their hands until they are
red as the roses in their cheeks. Mr. and Mrs. Rogers
look very happy, for their friends crowd around to
congratulate them on their sen's riding.
When Walter reaches the stand he is in -the midst of
JF J m ' . 0 j- . V
A CENVI.M VIRGINIA CREEPER.
JENKS.
T was "What will you have, Hf ?" Ar)! Whn T said,'
"Well.
I 'd like first to know what you have here to sell," 1
She replied : "We have candy (here, papa, this rice),
And beautiful dolls, at a very high price!
"And, wait till I think yes, I know some fine coal
(that is, the building-blocks, piled in my bowl):
And here 's a glass slipper that was Cinderella's
(I mean this doll's shoe), and some tiny umbrellas;
There 's teavery strong and some coffee, all ground.
And real sugar lumps but they 're two cents a
a pound;
And oh, lots of things! Please buy something do!
Don't laugh, papa dear! please f lay it 's all true!"
YOU KNOW
There's a girl in the house?
By the beautiful doll with the movable eyes
A French doll that sleeps, and that talks, walks, and
cries ; '
By the toy-house and trunk and the Stove and the
chairs;
By the needle and thread, in the nursery upstairs;
By the doll-hats and furbelows made very day
For Annie and Sallie and Bessie and .May;
By the soft little laugh and the sweet .'little song,
Which never to grown folks or boys coukl belong.
"And if you run up to the nursery floor,
And go to the room, and then open the door," ,
Aunt Dorothy says, "Well, when take a gep,
And see a wee mother a-rocking to sleep
Her own little dolly, as still as a mouse
Why, then I am sure there's a girl in the house P
a babel of compliments. All want to shake hands with
him, and his schoolmates almost pull him off his horse.
For the first time in the day he begins to get flustered,
for he cannot take all this praise half so well is he
could take the rings.
After a while, with many handsome words,' the
judges give him the first prize, a pretty arrangement
of white fancy-work, and he makes his way over the
field to join his party. He holds the wreath behind
his back in one hand and carries Bartie's scarf in the
other. His mother greets him with a good, sound kiss..
"Well done, my boy," says his father. "Oh, Walter,
who would have thought it !" exclaims his sister. Uncle
Tobias says nothing, but stands behind the girls and
winks.
And then Walter says to Bartie, "I d like new to
pay you back for those chestnut-burs," and he holds
the scarf toward her; she reaches for it, and Uncle
Tobias quickly removes her big hat, and almost before,
she knows it Walter has placed, the wreath upon her
head, and she is crowned Queen of Love arid Beauty,
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