The Thread Man recited more of the
wonderful poem for Dannie's benefit, and told jokes and stories.
They laughed until they were so weak they could only pound the
table to indicate how funny it was. And at the close, just as
they were making a movement to rise, Casey proposed that he bring
in the coon, and let all of them get a good look at their night's
work. The Thread Man applauded, and Casey brought in the bag and
shook it bottom up over the floor. Therefrom there issued a poor,
frightened, maltreated little pet coon of Mrs. Casey's, and it
dexterously ran up Casey's trouser leg and hid its nose in his
collar, its chain dragging behind. And that was so funny the boys
doubled over the table, and laughed and screamed until a sudden
movement brought them to their senses.
The Thread Man was on his feet, and his eyes were no laughing
matter. He gripped his chair back, and leaned toward Jimmy. "You
walked me into that cattle-guard on purpose!" he cried.
Silence.
"You led me into that boiler, and fixed the oil at the end!"
No answer.
"You mauled me all over the woods, and loaded those sandwiches
yourself, and sored me for a week trying to chop down a tree with
a pet coon chained in it! You----! You----! What had I done to
you?"
"You wouldn't drink with me, and I didn't like the domned, dinky,
little pleated coat you wore," answered Jimmy.
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