The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1882-03-23
THE SAVING MATCH.

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
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
angry. In a foot-race the preceding
Saturday Max had beaten him, gaining
a supremacy which he possibly might
hold.
Yes, you did whip me, fast
enough Sandy was saying, while n
dull red mounted to his cheek; . but,
all the same, L II 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 un-
der headway, he had TO turn. The walk
was laid out for little fellows" p"
Considerable laughter followed this
sally, and the . little fellow" Max,
Joined in it heartily.
Come, I'll match you in any way
you like continued Sandy. "Come,
now! rowing. riding. running, wrest-
ling-which shall it be? Come! | dare
you, Max Guerneyr'
A 2ittle murmur of approval ran
around the group. and then the boys
waited for Max's reply. Well they
knew he would never refuse dare.
q, as the challenged party, have a
right to choose the weap0nsP" 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't
What a clamor Of high boyish voices
met him.
"Oh, no fooiing nowp'
"Whose woodP'
Ha! hal har'
I'm tell you.'' Max's voice rose
clear above the tumult. Pm in earn
est. There's old uncle Nathan Blines
and his wife, poorer than double-dis-
titled poverty, and nobody to do n hand s.
turn for EN- since 'Siah died. / 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 9TH
ers; and made up my mind to 20 over
and saw for him some Saturday, any
way, poor old fellow! There's pretty
near five cords of wood, / guess; and
we'll have somebody divide and meas
ure it for us. Then Wen saw TO win;
and if you whip me in it, Sandy, the
next Saturday I'll match you in split
ting and housing it for him. What do
you sayP'
Sandy joined in the cheers and laugh
ter with the utmost good nature.
Doner' nodded he. "rll do it,
Up spoke b1ue-eyed, wiry little fell
low at his elbow:
You shant do the whole of it! Say,
Charley Bugbee, I'll split for Sandy,
and you for MAXI
"Agreedr' said Charley.
"And Wen wheel in for you two, Art
Humphrey and To declared Sandy's
brother Jack. Won't we, ArtP''
'Whewl How far my little candle
throws its beamsr' laughed Max "Pll
tell you, boys; we might have the match
in Uncle Nathan's back yard, charge
fifteen cents or so admittance, and give
Uncle Nathan the money"
Hoorayr' shouted Reub Story.
- My brother works in the Clarendol
Star office, and I'll get him to print
our hand-bills. He owes me ten cents,
anyhow"
SGood for you, Reub!" cried Max.
" Grand saving match Ditto splitting
dittoi Ditto wheeling ditto! Fifteen
cents admittance! Children, full pricei
Gate open from ten a. m. to five p m.
Good enoughp'
Next day the prospective saving
match was noised about town, and n
day or two later the hand-bills were out.
1t made a great deal of talk, both
sportive and serious, in the village.
ITS a good idee-a fust-rate ideep
That was Captain Winty Coolidge, you
might know. IL Farms the boys that
mixin' kindness to other folks with their
fun don't hurt nothin'. It's wuth quar-
ter, and I'm a-goin' to pay i. I'm
a-going to pay itn'
There was every indication that the
saving match would be grand success
financially.
Il 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 tick
cts, Reub?'
s.Yes; hundred and fifty Of EN-
"Goodi Now all we want is a fair
day"
The day proved to be all thatoould be
desired
Hazy clouds yelled the burning face of
the sun, and there was a brisk, cool
breeze blowing. The saving was TO
begin at nine o clock; and before that
time the board benches ranged around
the backyard fence filed with merry
lookers-on. Uncle Nathan sat in his low,
vine-draped doorway, beaming at ev-
erybody over his brass-bowed specta-
clcs There was 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.
i" Cor said he.
Instantly both saws cut with a tune
full shrek into the wood, nearly drown
ing the sound of Peleg Toothacre' 4
cracked fiddle, which had been engaged,
with Peleg. to make music for the oc-
casion.
At precisely the same instant the two
logs across the two saw-horses fell in
twain.
How everybody cheered, sending lit
tie tingles of excitement thrilling along
every bOyish nervel And Uncle Nathan
waved one Of the eyes out Of his spec
faeles; and Aunt Nabby, over his shoul-
der, huttered her big calico apron, and
bobbed her gray corkscrew cuTls, TO the
tuns Of Pop Goes tbe Weasel. which