The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1881-11-18

J
when Tom, going nearer, said kindly, " We
won't hurt you, don't run away. What's
the matter what are you crying fOT?"
He's took my berries" she said, while
the boys followed Tom to hear what she
was saying.
who's asked Tom. "Who was it
took your berries?"
There he is now, over there" She
pointed to a great boy in another part Of
the field, who was STOPPING down, hunting
for Strawberries on the other side of the
brook.
Wait a minute; tell US how it hap
pened,' - said Tom eagerly.
." | came here early to pick some berries
for mother; she is sick and likes something
nice to esx | tried all the morning and
nearly filed my basket, and then that big
boy over there came, and said l hadn't any
right here, the berries were on his uncle's
field.
ITS lie" exclaimed one of the boys.
"Thats Mike, the butchers SON."
$50 he took them away, and said i could
hunt for more one this side of the brook, if
l pleased, but | mustn't cross over on the
side where he is nOw.n
"The stingy, mean feIlOwl" exclaimed
another boy, while the others looked at
each other, and Indignantly at Mike, the
butchers son, who quietly went on gather
ing his berries, and adding them TO the
store he had taken from the child.
q say, Mike" called Bill in a very loud
voice. and with very red face. The big
boy stopped his work and looked over at
the group, who eyed him suspiciOusly. 3" /
say" shouted Bill, you bring those berries
back to this little girl, or III make youl"
VIII you, DOw?" said Mike, with
broad grin.
Hes an awful big boy" observed the
smallest of the party, apprehensively, look
ing at Bill with alarm.
Yes, | WILL" cried Bill.
Mike stood up; he put his hands in his
pockets.
Come on, yOungster; if you want 'em,
why, come take en-
1t seemed something like the combat
between Goliath and David, Mike was such
a big burly fellow and Bill was very slim
and much younger. He did not wait to
think of this difference, or the odds against
him; he sprang over the stones in the
brook, and in a moment more he was at
tacking the giant boy nimbly enough, but
with very little chance of success.
Won't he get it. thought" said the
smallest boy, trembling, and very much
From their post of observation the group
on the opposite side saw that Bill would
probably get the worst of the battle for
Mike dealt out blows like sledge-hammers
with his thick fists, and, though Bill danced
about him and lodged them, escaping
some, he felt the full weight of others, and
fairly staggered under them.
" Pm going in this too" said Tom.
Taking off his coat, he jumped over the
brook and ran behind Mike, making an
attack in the rear Just as the butchers son
was saying, "Ah, youngster, you've got
most enough of this, haven't you, I'd like
to know, nOw?"
No he HASN'T screamed Tom: "vhat
rant do ms ha 20
The unexpected assault from an unpre-
pared quarter startled Mike, and threw him
OFF his guard and on the ground in few
moments, when the two boys, securing the
basket Of berries, returned to the opposite
bank with their spoil, the trophy Of their
victory.
Three cheers for Bill three cheers for
Bill" called the little boy, while all joined
in heartily. He had not been cheered
since the day he fought with Tom, and the
sound was not unpleasant to Bill.
And three cheers for Tom !" he added.
"Ah, you little wasps," cried Mike shak-
ing his fist at them angrily from his scat
on the ground; "cOme on one at a time,
you young scamps, and III shake you we'll"
We ant coming one at a time though" !"
called the small boy, as Tom handed the
d berries to their owner, and, fearing Mike
might wreak his vengeance upon her, they
formed a guard and marched with her IN.
. I'll she was safely home, Tom calling out
/ 60 the Crestfallen Mike as he left, If YOU
. dare to touch this little girl I'll tell Squire
Morse you said he was your uncle"
Mike made no answer. He was a boy
! who, if once put down, did not get up
again easily.
/ Mr.. Smith did not hear of this occur.
renee until long afterward, and then he
said, have heard of your fighting again.
William"
There was no severity in the tones of the
voice and no reproach in his glance when
Tom added, " Yes, and l helped him fight
that battle too
And by this time you have learned
that a violent spirit and passionate temper
Can be Curbed and held in and not broken
q violent temper can become furious, i'm.
pcriOus master, but if controlled NAV be
trained into a useful servant Let US al.
ways try to be very certain that we are not
on the side Of wrong before we indulge in
what we may consider as righteous zeal"
lie wasn't on the wrong side in that
battle. The fellows all call him the cham.
piOn OF filc school ever since his fight with
Mike" said Tom.
The champion of right would be q bet
ter and more desirable title for one" an.
swercd Dir. Smith, kindly. In this case
. he honestly earned it however; we will
not DISPUTE his right to the title, and trust
( he may always be able to maintain il
throughout life When we have gained
the great victory over ourselves and have
learned to rule our own spirits, we will
find ourselves better prepared to battle with
the wrong and protect the Tight"-THE END,