Peep-Chick Mountain
Over in that funny state called New Jersey there is a mountain called Peep-Chick Mountain, or something like that, and this is the story of how it got the name:
There was once a band of robbers who lived in a cave on the side of this big mountain. They stole sheep and pigs and chickens from the farmers who lived in the valley. Once they had no bread, and the chief robber said: “Go and steal all the eggs you can find and we will trade them for bread at the store.” So they all went out to steal eggs except one. He was a red-headed robber and he said: “I think I am for Direct Action. I don’t believe in this roundabout business of stealing eggs and then trading them for bread. Besides I should like to have some pie and cake also.” So he went down to the road and hid in some bushes.
Pretty soon a big automobile came whishing by. “Go along whisher!” said the robber, “I can’t eat you.” Then a truck came rumbling by. “Get along, rumble bumble,” said Red Head. Then along came a baker’s cart. “Hi!” said Reddy, “Here’s the Staff of Life!” So saying, he pulled out his pistol and fired at the tire. There was a bang and rattle, just as if a pane of glass had fallen on the sidewalk, and the baker’s cart began to wabble and pound on the road. “Ho!” said the baker’s boy who was driving, “there goes a tire.” He got down and went around the car. Just then Reddy came rushing up.
“Hands up for pie!” said he.
The baker’s boy was so frightened that he ran and jumped into the canal, swam across and hid behind some trees. The robber fired several shots after him but they only splashed the water and scared the boy. Then Reddy unfastened a bag which had been wrapped around him and shoved in pies, cakes, loaves of bread and doughnuts as fast as he could. When this was full he filled another bag. Then he tied the two together, flung them over his back and made off as fast as he could.
Presently the watchman spied Red Head coming up the hill with his bags of pies, bread, cake and doughnuts. It was misty and he loomed through the fog like a donkey carrying sacks.
“Hey, Jack!” called the watch, “Ohe, Ohe!”
“Ohe yourself!” said Red Head fetching him a slap over the head. But he struck hard and lost his balance, fell and rolled down the hill. The other robbers rushed out and grabbed him, but soon discovered that it was Red Head and let him go.