Connecticut western news., 1876-06-02
WHO WAS THE COWARD |?
ss You lie l"

"You lie |"
 The speaker was Norman Webb, 8 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 expres- sion of opinion by the latter touching recent hazing affair planned and headed by Norman Webb.
 Aliens eyes flashed, and his hand some face flushed, as with clenched fists he made 8 step toward his insulter. Every fiber of him was at it's utmost tension, and every nerve tingled. It 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.
 "I repeat my words," said Norman Webb, insolently-'' you lie !-and more-it is not the province of beggar to criticise the conduct of gentle man l"
 A tinge of the flush which had lett Aliens face came back at these words, but disappeared on the instant, and turning from the crowd of students, who had heard them, he walked calmly away.
 "The cowardl" more than one mutt tered.
 Allen Ward had widowed mother and sister dependent on him. At school he had won prize scholarship which gave him his college tuition free; and by teaching in vacations, and giv- ing lessons out of college hours, he was managing to scrape along till he could enter the profession he had set his heart on.
 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 gratify passing re- sentiment. But the effort his self-re- straint cost was little appreciated by those who called him "coward."
 To "give the le," at that day in that community, was regarded either as the signal for blow, or the precursor of a summons to deadly combat. To take il 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 Io I-1 expulsion.
 But college law could not change pub lie sentiment :; and it is not probable that Allen Ward, with all his patience would have brooked so gross an insul from sheer motives of obedience. In deed, could he have foreseen all-tha his former companions would shun him and even Mabel Gray would turn away her head when they met-it may bl doubted if all restraints would not have failed, and Norman Webb's insult beer met with quick resentment.
 It was plain that everybody though Allen coward, Mabel Gray among thu rest, and this hurt him most. He anC she had long been friends and he hat secretly looked forward to time whel he might declare to her 8 sentimen more tender than that of friendship Now, she not only turned her back upo1 him, but begun to tolerate the attention of Norman Webb, whom she had hefor slighted.
 One night an alarm of fire was hear, in the village. Everybody ran in tn direction of blazing light which shon out against the sky.
 "It's MT. Gray's house!" shoute those who first approached the scene.
 A heartrending spectacle met tn sight of the crowd that quickly as sembled. The flames were blazing fro1 the roof and bursting from most of tn windows. Old MT. Gray, helples invalid, who had escaped from one ( the lower apartments, stood wringin his hands, and beseeching the spectators in piteous accents, to save his daughter who, pale and terror stricken, leane from the window of an upper chamber whence leap to the ground would b certain death.
 Men ran in search of ladders, bu found none, and every moment mad
 the chance of rescue still more difficult "M MT. Webb MT. Webb will not 70 save her ?" appealed the frantic father laying his trembling hand on Norma
 Webb's arm.
 "The attempt would be madness. the latter answered; "the staircase 3 wrapped in flames, and no one ca reach that chamber save at the peril (
 his life."
 With a piercing shriek Mabel fell bac
 fainting from the window. Norman Webb made movement as
 to enter the door, but recoiled at th sight of the fiery path before him, an stood aghast and helpless. His burl form was brushed aside like feathe
 by one who shot past, and darted u the blazing stairway with the speed ( an arrow.
 The daring act filled the crowd wit
 amazement, which had not time to abat
 before the intrepid stranger reappeare
 on the burning steps, now crumblin
 under his feet, bearing in his arms tt
 insensible form of Mabel Gray, car,
 fully wrapped from head to foot. H
 hat pulled over his face, partly shielde f it from the sheet of flame through whicl
 amid encouraging shouts, he once mol 1 forced his way, and wild cry of exu