San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1881-10-13
WHO WAS THE COWARD!
~You lie!"

burly built, acknowledgement 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 ex-
preston of opinion by the latter touch
ing recent practical joke planned and
headed by Norman Webb.
Aliens eyes flashed. and his hand
some face flushed, as with clenched fists
he made step towards his insulter.
Every fibre OF him was at its utmost
tension, and every nerve tingled. It
would not haye 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.
II repeat my word" said Norman
Webb, insolently-"you lie!-it is not
the province Of beggar to criticise
the conduct of gentleman"
A tinge of flush which had left Aliens
face came back at these words, but dis
appeared ON the instant, and turning
from the crowd of stu tents who had
heard them, he walked calmly away.
"The coward" more than one NUT
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 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. .
The discipline of the institution was
strict. A blow was ground of 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 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
resentment. But the effort his self
restraint cost him was little appreciated
by those who called him coward"
To "give the lie," at that day in that
community, was regarded either as
signal for blow, or the precursor of
summons to deadly combat. To take
it tamely was thing not to be toler-
ated by gentleman. Personal diff
cutie had become so common among
the students Of - College, thai the
new president had determined to use
the severest measures to repress them.
Among his rules was one, that blow,
or other act of violence, except in strict
est self defense, should be punished by
summary expulsion.
But college law could not change
public 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 all-that
his former companions would shun him,
and even Mabel Gray would turn away
her head when they NETT may be
doubted il all restraints would not have
failed, and Norman Webb's insult been
met with quick resentment.
1t was plain that everybody thought
Allen a coward. Mabel Gray, among
the rest and this hurt him most. He
and she had long been friends; and he
had secretly looked forward to a time
when he might declare to her a serti-
ment more tender than that of friend
ship. Now, she not only set her back
upon him, but began to tolerate the at
tentions Of Norman Webb, whom she
had before sighted.
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.
Its Mr.. Grayis housel- shouted
those who frs; approached the scere.
A heartrending spectacle met the