New Ulm weekly review., 1882-04-26
THE SAVING MATCH.
A Hint for Boys.

A Hint for Boys.
In one corner of the old academy
playground a group had gathered about
two boys, Sandy Jardine and Max
Guerney. Sandy was a tall, strong,
large-featured lad, as opposite as the
poles to the little, 1.-THE, dark youth who
stood near him looking up in his face
with>laughing black eyes.
They were leaders, these two, each of
his particular clan; and respecting their
popularity, the school was nearly equal
ly divided. A strong rivalry existed be-
tween them, good-natured enough for
the most part, though sometimes verg-
ing toward unfriendliness. Just now,
Sandy was evidently excited, almost an
cry. In foot-race the preceding Sat-
urday, Max had beaten him, gaining q
supremacy which he possibly mi ght
hold.
eyes, you did whip me, fast enough"
Sandy was saying, while q dull red
mounted to his cheek; s'but, all the
same, I'll whip you to pay for it, and
any day you've mind to set.''
''The track was took Short" cried one
of Sandy's champions. That's what's
the matter! By the time Sandy got un-
der headway, he had to turn. The walk
was laid out for little fellows"
Considerable laughter followed this
sally, and the ''little fellow" Max, joined
in it heartily.
..Come, III match you in any way you
like continued Sandy. ''Come, now!
rowing, riding, running, wrestling
which shall it be? Come! I dare you,
Max Guerney!'
A little murmur of approval ran
around the group, and then the boys
waited for Max's reply. Well they knew
he would never refuse dare.
II, as the challenged party, have .
right to choose the weapons?'' interro-
gated Max, with a side-glance from his
laughing black eyes. ''Well. then, I'll
neither ride, nor row, nor run, nor wres-
tie; but I'll saw wood with you, Sandy,
and you may beat me if you canr'
What clamor of high, boyish voices
met him!
''Oh, no fooling now!'
''Whose wood?''
''Ha! ha! har'
'I'n tell you." Max's voice rose clear
above the tumult. ''I'm in earnest
enough. There's old uncle Nathan
Blines and his wife, poorer than double
distilled poverty, and nobody to do a
hand s-turn for 'em since 'Siah died.
saw uncle Nathan out chewing at his
wood-pile. You know they hauled him
some cord-wood last winter, your faith
er, Sandy, and mine, and two or three
others; and l made up my mind to 20
over and saw for him SOME Saturday,
any way, poor old fellow! There 8
pretty near five cords of the wood,
guess; and we'll have somebody divide
and measure it for us. Then we'll saw
to win; and if you whip me in it, Sandy,
the next Saturday III lmatch you in split
ting and housing it for him. What do
you say?''
Sandy joined in the cheers and laugh
ter with the utmost good-nature.
':Done!'' nodded he. ''Tll do it,"
Up spoke blue-eyed, wiry little fel-
low at his elbow: s4
'You shan't do the whole of it! Say,
Charley Bugbee, I'll split for Sandy and
you for Max!''
''Agreedr' said Charley.
':And we'll wheel in for you two, Art
Humphrey and IT, declared Sandy q
brother Jack. '.Won't we, ArtP''
''Whew! How far my little candle
throws its beams!'' laughed Max. ''I'u
tell you, boys: we might have the match
in uncle Nathan's back yard, charge ff'
teen cents or so admittance, and give
uncle Nathan the money!
'sHoorayr' shouted Reub Story. 'tMY
brother Bob works in the Clarendon
Star office, and I'll get him to print our
hand-bills. He owes me ten cents, any
how"
"Good for you, Reub" cried Max.
.'Grand saving match! Ditto splitting
ditto! Ditto wheeling ditto! Fifteen
cents admittance! Children, full price!
Gate open from 10 A. M. to 5 P. M.
Good enough!'
Next day the prospective saving
match was noised about the town, and q
day or two later the handbills were out
It made great deal of talk, both sport
i've and serious, in the little village.
''It's q good idee-a fust-rate idee!''
That was Capt. Winty Coolidge, you
might know. 1T rarns the boys that
mixin' kindness to other folks with their
fun don't hurt nothin'. It's wuth a
quarter, and Pm a-going to pay it! I'm
a-going to pay it!''
There was every indication that the
saving match would be grand success
financially.
II don't believe the back yard will
hold 'em all,'' laughed Max to the half
dozen boys who, with him, were taking
their homeward way after school Friday
night. ''Have you got the tickets,
Reub?''
Eyes; hundred and fifty of 'em.'
''Good! Now all we want is fair
day"
The day proved to be all that could be
desired.
Hazy clouds yelled the burning face
of the sun, and there was brisk, cool
breeze blowing. The saving was to be-
gin at nine o'clock; and before that
time the board benches ranged along
the backyard fence were filled with mer-
ry }ookers-on. Uncle Nathan sat in his
low, vine-draped doorway, beaming at
everybody over his brass-bowed specta-
cles. There were Max and Sandy, fresh
and smiling, with their saws; Dick and
Charley with their axes, and Jack and
Arthur with their wheelbarrows. Max's
father stood near, watch in hand.
''Go!' said he.
Instantly both saws cut with tune
full shrek into the wood, nearly drown
ing the sound Of Peleg Toothacre' $