The Jack-Knife Man

the horse, and Booge, robed in one of the blankets, was playing the part of a badly scared Indian after whom Buddy was riding in violent chase. For a week Buddy had been well,

nd on the rockers he had mounted four willow legs, with the bark still on them, and on these a section of log for the body. With his ax he ha

Buddy riding recklessly over the prairies of the shanty-boat floor. "So that's why you been

d at Peter

" continued Peter. "I saw a right good one up at th

back there at that pleasant occupation. But I hated to ask you, you 're so dumb jealous of everything. It's be

hanker to-morrow,

d Booge. "To-morrow's just the one day I

ing to make me a w

rm while he saws wood," declared Peter. "Uncle

-morrow," Buddy insisted. "He said he wou

into it,"

and make a wagon, then," but that night when Buddy w

your valise and get out of here. I don't want to seem inhospitable or anything, but when a visitor gets permission to stay over night to dry his boots, and then c

n' to have me go a

t," answered

inkle in Booge's

dy up and ask h

. I'm Buddy's uncle, and I've got to look out for how he's raised, and I don't want him raised by no tramp, and that's how he's being raised. Every day I think I'll chase you out

jealous of me. Yep, that's what I was just thinkin'. He's jealo

the boy. I heard you swear this morning when Buddy stuck a fork into you to wake you

e with Peter. Day after to-morrow was a distant future for a man who had lately lived from one meal to

hile, and it's liable to crop out strong any time. If it wasn't for the boy I'd let you stay until the ice goes out. I'd got

odded a

I'd change into ever since I come here. I ain't quite decided whether to be an angel cherub, like you-or a bank president. I sort of lean to being a bank pr

s, my mind's made up," said

ut of this here uncle competition and leave it all

der it'll be to get you to go. I'm givin' you 'til day after to-morrow because I've got' to g

ein' Gran'pa Booge, or Aunt Booge," proposed Booge gr

said Peter firmly. "You'll b

y for sale. The farmer was going to town and Peter had at first decided to take Buddy with him, but the spoon peddling ex

e. For one thing Booge was sure to stay with the boat as long as food held out and work was not too pressing. The ri

n't get my spoons all sold out to-day. If I don't I'll stay all night with a friend up town and get back somewhere to-morrow. And

him there ain't nothin' to happen,

you to bed, if I don't get back, Uncle Peter will bri

're going to brin

ter, thinking of the jack-knife. "We both

the boy and

going to bring me, Uncle Booge!" sai

r!" sai

ause I know! Uncle Peter's go