Adventures of Pudge

HALLOWEEN

It was Halloween and Pudge had been invited to a party. He wasn’t sure he wanted to go but maybe he would go if Dan did.

That way, at least, there would be someone there he knew. What he really wanted to do was go out with the bigger boys and

build a bonfire. Dad wouldn’t let him do that; the older boys were too wild.

Pudge decided to call Dan on the phone. “Hi Dan, this is Pudge. Are you going to the Brennans’ party tonight?”

“For a while, but I have to be home early.”

“I think I’ll go too, then. But that’s kid stuff. I want to go out with the gang and help them build their fire but Dad won’t let me.

He thinks I’m too young. Anyway, I’ll see you at the party. What time are you going?”

“About eight.”

“See you.” With that Pudge hung up the phone and went to finish his chores.

Promptly at eight Pudge rode his bike to the Brennans’ house. Dan was already there when he arrived as were 5 or 6 other

boys and girls he knew from school. “Why did they have to invite girls?” Pudge grumbled to himself. Then he remembered, the

one giving the party was Mary Brennan and she was a girl. The party hadn’t started yet as they were waiting for a few more

arrivals.

Dan saw Pudge as soon as he entered and sauntered over to him. “I wish I hadn’t come,” were Dan’s first words.

“Me too, but as long as I’m here I guess I’ll stay a while; maybe we can have some fun. I just hope the girls don’t want to play

kissing games. If they do, I’m gonna leave.”

Dan agreed with that and together they wandered over to the rest of the group to wait for the party to begin. There was

punch to drink and cookies to eat, and masks to wear for anyone who wanted one. Pudge and Dan thought that was kid stuff.

In a short time Mrs. Brennan came into the room and told everyone the party was beginning and that they would start on the

back porch with games, then they would bob for apples. After several gsmes Pudge became bored and whispered this to

Dan.

“Why don’t we go find the gang and help them with the bonfire,” Pudge suggested.

“I can’t, I have to go home soon,” was Dan’s reply.

“We won’t be out late. They were going to meet on Elm Street at nine o’clock and it’s only quarter after now.”

“I know, but I’ll get in trouble if I go with you. My dad told me you get in trouble too much.”

“I do not.”

“You do too.”

“Well,” Pudge retorted, “I’m gonna go. Stay her if you want but I wanta have some fun.” With that Pudge left Dan and went

out the door.

“Wait for me; I’m coming.”

“O.K. Let’s go by your house and get your bike.”

It took only a few minutes to ride to Dan’s house and quietly retrieve his bike. Dan knew that if he was seen he would have

to go in the house and that would end his evening. From Dan’s house the boys began a search for the gang in the neighboring

streets. It didn’t take long before they saw several of the older boys ahead of them riding bikes and carrying or dragging old

tree limbs or fence posts. Pudge and Dan soon caught up and asked if they could help.

“Go home kids,” one of the other boys replied. “We don’t need your help; wait until you grow up some.”

The two younger boys held a whispered consultation and decided they would follow the others at a discreet distance and

watch as they built the fire. The older boys led them to a steep hill a few blocks away where a huge pile of burnable trash had

been gathered about half way up the hill.

“Throw that stuff on and let’s get started,” one boy said. “I think somebody already called the fire department. Building it on

the hill was a swell idea though; they’ll have a tough time getting the fire trucks up here.”

Several torches were then ignited and used to light the fire. In only a few minutes the whole pile was ablaze, lighting up the

entire street.

About five minutes later Pudge heard the siren of a fire engine. Quickly the gang dispersed but Pudge and Dan were so

fascinated by the fire they decided to stay and watch the firemen extinguish it.

When the fire truck arrived it was accompanied by a car driven by a captain. Immediately, the captain got out and walked

over to the two boys.

“Are you responsible for this?” he questioned.

“No sir,” Pudge replied. “We were just watching.”

“Do you know any of the boys who were responsible?” continued the captain.

“No sir, we don’t live near here,” was Pudge’s answer. “We live on Chestnut Street, near the school.”

“Do your parents know where you are?”

“No sir, we were on our way home from a party and saw these two boys with a load of stuff. We were curious about what

they were doing so we followed them.here."

“Well, I suggest you take yourselves home if you want to stay out of trouble.”

“Yes, sir.”

In the meantime, the firemen had put out the fire and were beginning to stow their gear. Pudge and Dan hopped on their

bikes and rode home quietly, yet exultingly. Maybe they hadn’t built the fire but at least they had seen it. Next year would be

different.