San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1882-04-27
THE SAVING MATCH.
BY ADA CARLETON.

In one corner OF the old academy
playground group had gathered
about two boys Sandy Jardine and
Max Guerney. Sandy was 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
" divided. A strong rivalry existed
between them, good-natured enough
for the most part, though sometimes
yerpinp toward unfriendliness. just
now Sandy was evidently excited, al
most angry. In foot-race the proceed
ng Saturday, Max had beaten him,
gaining a supremacy which he possibly
might hold. =,
"Yes, you did whip me, fast enough,
Sandy was saying, while dull red
mounted to his cheek; "but all the same,
I'll whip you to pay for it, and any
day you've a mind to set"
"The track was too short" cried one
of Sandy's champions. THAT'S what's
the matter BY the time Sandy got
under Roadway, he had to turn. The
walk was laid out for little fellows"
Consi ,erable laughter followed this
sally, and the "little fellow" Max,
oined in it heartily.
"Come, I'll match you in any way
you like" continued Sandy. Come,
now! running, rowing, riding, wrest-
ling-which shall it be? Come, dare
you, Max Guerney!"
A little murmur of approval ran
around the group, and then the boys
waited for Max's reply. Well they
know he would never refuse dare.
81, us the challenged party, have u
right to choose the weapons?" interro-
gated Max, with side glance from his
laughing black eyes. "Well, then, I'll
neither ride, nor row, nor run, nor
wrestle; but I'll saw wood with you,
Sandy, and you may beat me if you
can"
What clamor of boyish voices met
him!
ooh, no fooling nowl"
"Whose wood?"
"Ah! hal hal"
"Ill tell you" Max's voice rose clear
above the tumult. Pm in earnest
There's old uncle Nathan Blines and
his wife, poorer than double distilled
poverty, and nobody to do hands
turn for 'em since 'Siah died l saw
uncle Nathan out chewing at his wood
pile. You know they hauled him some
cord-wood last winter, your father,
Sandy, and mine, and two or three
others, and made up my mind to 60
over and saw for him some Saturday
anyway, poor old man! There's pretty
near five cords of the wood, 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 match you in splitting
and houseing it. What do you say?"
Sandy joined in the cheers and
laughter with the utmost good-nature.
"Done!" nodded he. I'll do it"
Up spoke blue-eyed, why little
fellow ut his elbow:
"You shan't do the whole of it Say,
Charley Bugbee, I'll split for Sandy,
and you for Maxi"
"And we'll wheel in for you too, Art
Humphrey and II" declared Sandy's
brother Jack. wont we Art?"
whey! How far my little candle
throws its heams!" laughed Max. "I'll
tell you boys: we might have the match
in uncle Nalnan's back yard, charge
fifteen cents or so admittance, and give
uncle Nathan the money"
"Hooray!" shouted Reub Story.
my brother Rob works in a printing
office, and I'll get him to print our
hand-bills."
"Good for you, Reubl" cried Max.
Grand saving match! Ditto splitting
ditto! Ditto wheeling ditto! Fifteen
cents admittance! Children full price
Gate open from 8 a. m. to 8 p. m.
Goodp
Next day the prospective saving
match was noised about the town, and
a day or two later the hand-bills were
out. 1t made a great deal of talk, both
sportive and serious, in the little village.
ats a good idea fust-rate ideel"
That was Capt. Winty Coolidge, you
might know. 1T Farms the boys
that mixin' kindness to other folks with
their fun don't hurt nothin'. Its vuth
a quarter, and I'm going TO pay It'll"
There was every indication that the
saving match would be q grand success.
Il don't believe the back yard will
hold EN- all, laughed Max to the half
dozen boys who, with him, we're taking
their homevard Wy. af.er school Fri