A STRING OF FISH
"Let me alone and I'll die myself," cried Alene who, after a vigorous
rocking in the big swing, was coming to a leisurely stop which Kizzie's
appearance threatened. The latter, seeing that her good intentions
were not necessary, stood inactive until the swinging died away.
"Kizzie's mad and I am glad," sang Alene, noticing a cloud on the
girl's usually good-natured countenance. "What's the matter?"
"Oh, the fish wagon didn't come and Mrs. Major says Mr. Fred can't do
without his fish. I have to go round to the big gate to watch for one
of the boys to come along from the river, and I had just finished my
work in a hurry, so's to have an hour at the sewing machine, to finish
my waist."
"If that's all, I can watch for the boys and buy the fish, so just give
me the basket, Kizzie darlin'!"
The girl's face brightened.
"If you would--if you're sure you ain't puttin' yourself out!"
"Why, it will be fun for me! So run in to the machine and make it run."
Alene took the basket on her arm and went singing along the walk toward
the big gate, while Kizzie smilingly re-entered the house calling a
thousand thanks upon the head of the obliging little maid.
Tired of racing with the shadows cast by the swing on the sunny spots
amid the trees, Prince lay sunning himself on the front door steps. He
now came forward with a merry barking and joined his young mistress.
He rubbed his nose against the basket and looked up inquiringly into
her face.
"You want to carry the basket, old fellow? Well, here it is!"
Prince wagged his tail and took the basket, and then they had a merry
race along the wide pathway to where the double iron gate between thick
vine-covered posts opened upon a short flight of stone steps leading to
Forest Street, the finest residence avenue of the town.
Alene ensconced herself upon the shaded upper step with Prince keeping
guard over the basket at her side, and fell into a pleasant reverie.
Presently she heard boyish tones; and the group of lads for whom she
was waiting came in sight. Bare-legged, with trousers turned up at the
knees, coatless, wearing a variety of hats, some having brims minus
crowns and others crowns only, they came along carrying fishing-rods
and tin cans for holding bait.
Several had strings of beauties yet moist from the river, whose scaly
sides glittered in the morning sunshine.
Alene rose hurriedly at the first sign of their coming, intending to
parley with the first comer, but her courage oozed away when a nearer
view of him disclosed the boy who had rushed to strike her at the
picnic.
Perhaps the others were his partners in the raid of that memorable day.
This thought kept her standing mute and inactive while the boys filed
past her up the street.
"What will Kizzie think of me? Mrs. Major will scold her, and I
promised!" Alene gazed forlornly up the street as the lads got farther
and farther away, bearing the precious freight which she had made no
effort to buy. They were all gone but one, a tall boy who was almost
at her side when she glanced around.
Noticing only that he had a magnificent string of fish, she held her
basket toward him in desperation, feeling that she must redeem her word
to Kizzie, and save her from the housekeeper's wrath, and Uncle Fred
from a meal minus the fish, for which he had a special liking.
Her eyes were fixed upon the fish which she felt were the only ones she
could get now. If she let them go, her opportunity would be lost and
her good offices in Kizzie's behalf fruitless, so she gasped hurriedly,
"Say!"
The boy had noticed the little girl standing like a statue gazing up
the street. He had given her a glance as he approached but her eyes
were intent upon the fish; he was going on his way, half glad to escape
notice when he heard her feeble call.
He came to a standstill.
"Did you speak to me?"
His voice sounded strangely familiar to Alene. Hastily looking from
the fish to their owner, she encountered a pair of frank, gray eyes,
whose rather deep setting and coal black brows gave the whole face an
odd, but singularly attractive expression.
She recognized him at once.
"Why, is it you?" she exclaimed, in a startled voice.
The boy flushed.
"Don't be scared--I won't rob you," he said, with a note of vexation
that recalled Alene to herself.
"I must have appeared ridiculous standing here looking half scared to
death," she thought.
"I never dreamed of such a thing! I guess I did look funny but it was
because of those other boys," she replied with an expressive nod up the
street.
"The rascals! I came near giving them up that day! I hope it didn't
spoil your fun! How the rest did guy that fellow who tried to strike
you! I bet he'll never try to strike a girl again!"
His tone giving assurance that he had effectually disposed of the
delinquent caused his hearer a thrill of satisfaction.
"But I'm jolly glad you weren't afraid of me!" he concluded with an air
of relief.
Then the humor of the situation seemed to strike Alene.
"The idea! No, I wasn't a bit afraid. I knew you didn't mean to rob
me but I intended to rob you!" she said in a mischievous tone.
He gave a ringing laugh and looked very much relieved.
"Well, say, I would never have suspected it! What did you want, the
fishin' rod or bait?"
"No, not those ugly, squirming things. I've seen Hugh digging for
them!" she drew back from the can with a look of disgust.
"Well, I've nothin' else worth takin' 'cept the fish!"
"That's it. Mrs. Major wants them."
"Mrs. Major wants my fish? Why, I never heard tell of the lady!"
"Yes, it's for Uncle Fred's supper! She's the housekeeper, you know,
and the fish-cart didn't come round to-day! So I told Kizzie I'd come
out and get some from the boys, you know!"
"Oh, I see! Well, it won't do to disappoint Uncle Fred, the
housekeeper and Kizzie and you--especially you!" So saying, he
tendered her the big string of fish.
As Alene reached for it, one of the fishes gave a sudden jump. She
recoiled.
"Oh! Do put them in the basket, won't you? Their tails wriggle up so!"
He laughed, and while he busied himself to obey her, Alene opened her
little silver purse. When the boy glanced up from his task she offered
him a silver dollar.
"They're not for sale, thank you!" he said, turning away.
"Oh, then I can't take them!"
"Turn about's fair play!" he cried, quickening his steps; a beam of
mischief shone in his eyes, lighting up his face.
"What do you mean? Come back and get your fish," cried Alene, swinging
the basket as far as she could reach. She rushed up the street a short
distance but, seeing the hopelessness of overtaking him, came to a halt
while the dog stood barking beside her.
"Here, Prince, take the basket and follow him," cried Alene excitedly,
but Prince failed to understand why he should rob his master of the
supper they had procured for him. He took the basket in his mouth and
waited for Alene to lead the way.
"Oh, Prince, you--you idiot! Boy, boy, say!" she screamed with such a
sharp, insistent treble that it reached the lad's ears. He turned
around and waved his hat.
"Highway robbery!" he cried, making a trumpet of both hands, and then
with a parting wave he passed from view, leaving the exasperated and
almost tearful Alene to return to the house, with the disobedient
Prince at her side proudly carrying the spoils.