The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1876-06-28
WHO WAS THE COWARD I?
&C You lie 7"

"You ie!"
The speaker was Norman Webb, a
burly built, fashionably dressed young
man, who had come to college to spend
his fathers money, and do as little work
and have as good time as possible.
The words were addressed to Allen
Ward; the provocation being an express
sion of opinion by the latter touching a
recent hazing affair planned and headed
by Norman Webb.
Aliens eyes flashed, and his hand
some face flushed, as with clenched fists
he made a step toward his insulter.
Every fiber of him was at its utmost
tension, and every nerve tingled. 1t
would not have been we'll for Norman
Webb, big and strong as he was, had the
two encountered at that moment. But,
as if suddenly recalling himself, Allen
stopped.
Webb, insolently-"you lie and
more-it is not the province of beggar
to criticise the conduct of a gentle
man" -.
A tinpe of the flush which had left
Aliens face came back at these words,
but disappeared on the instant, snd
turning from the crowd of students.
who had heard them, be walked calmly
away.
"Tbe coward" more than one NUT
tered. -. 2&&e -@-.s... - = ~.
Allen Ward had widowed mother
and a. sister dependent on him. At
soho0fshe had won prize scholarship
which gave him his college tuition free;
and by teaching in vacations, and CIV
ing lessons out of college hours, he was
managing to scrape along till he could
enter the profession he had set his heart
on. 5 : g
The discipline of the institution was
strict. A blow was ground for expul-
sion. To resent Norman Webb's insult
as he felt impelled to do at the moment,
he knew would lead to his prompt dis
missal, and he had not the means to
enter another college. he thought of
his mother and sister, and of the career
he had planned. He could not afford to
sacrifice all these to crafty passing re-
sentiment. But the effort his self-re-
straint cost was little appreciated by
those who called him "coward."
To "give the lie" at that day in that
community, was regarded either Us the
signal for blow, or the precursor of a
summons to deadly combat. To take it
tamely was thing not to be tolerated
among gentlemen. Personal difficulties
had become so common among the stu
dents of the college, that the new presi-
dent had determined to use the severest
measures to repress them. Among his
rules was one that blow, or other act
of violence, except in strictest self-de-
fense, should be punished by summary
expulsion.
But college law could not change pub.
lics sentiment and it is not probable
that Allen Ward, with all his patience,
would have brooked so gross an insult
from sheer motives of obedience. In
deed, could he have foreseen an-that
his former companions would shun him,
, and even Mabel Gray would turn away
her head when they nett may be
doubted if all restraints would not have
1dll6Q, duU NOGuldI w CDU . USCI
met with quick resentment.
It was plain that everybody thought
Allen a coward, Mabel Gray among the
rest, and this hurt him most. He and
she bad long been friends ; and he had
secretly looked forward to time when
he might declare to her sentiment
more tender than that of friendship.
Now, she not only turned her back upon
him, but begun to tolerate the attentions
of Norman Webb, whom she had before
slighted.
One night an alarm of fire was heard
in the village. Everybody ran in the
direction OF a blazing light which shone
out against the sky.
"It's Mr.. Gray's house!" shouted
those who first approached the scene.
A heartrendipg spectacle met the
sight of the crowd that quickly as
sembled. The flames were blazing from
the roof and bursting from most of the
windows. Old Mr.. Gray, a helpless
invalil, who had escaped from one OF
the lnwer apartments, stood wringing
his hands, aid beseeching the spectators,
in pit2ous accents, to save his daughter,
who, pale and terror stricken, leaned
from the window OF an uprer chamber,
whence leap to the ground would be
certain death.
Men. ran in search of ladders, but
found none, and every moment made
the chance of rescue still more difficult.
"Mr. Webb Mr.. Webb will not you
save ler ?" appealed the frantic father,
laying his trembling hand on Norman
Webb's arm.
"The attempt would be madness" p"
the latter answered; "the staircase is
wrapped in flames, and no one can
reacn that chamber save at the peril of
his life."
With piercing shrek Mabel fell back
fainting from the window.
Norman Webb made movement as il
to enter the door, but recoiled at the
sight of the fiery path before him, and
stood aghast and helpless. His bur]y
form was brushed aside like feather
by one who shot past, and darted up
the blazing stairway with the speed OF
an arrow.
Tie daring act filed the crowd with
afnazement, which had not time to abate
before the intrepid stranger reappeared
on the burning steps, now crumbling
under his feet, bearing in his arms the
insensible form of Mabel Gray, care
fully wrapped from head to foot. His
hat pulled over his face, partly shielded
it from the sheet of fame through which,
amid encouraging shouts, he once more
forced his way, and wild cry of exul-
tation rose when Mabel YVES safely
placed in her fathers arms. Then came
three times three Of the widest cheers