Seattle daily post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, W.T. [Wash.]) 1881-1888, 1883-09-23
rnE LITTLE COWARD.

"Count your money, Child, and see il
it's all right" said Mr.. Parrish, kindly.
And the treasurer of School District
No. l glanced over the top of his glasses
and smiled as he watched<he dainty fin
gers of the little teacher as they closed
over the treasure so eagerly.
Two twenties and two tens. Yes, sir,
it is right responded the girl, smiling
in turn.
II wonder what the boys will saw now"
she thought, AZ, tying the bills securely
in her handkerchief, she started for
home, refusing all invitations to stay
fer tea.
mo. thanks; must walk home to-
night" she said. The boys are 80 busy
with their hay; andI must hurry, for its
five miles, you know"
No one had noticed pair of evil eyes
which peered through the crack of the
open door, Watching every movement of
the weak little hands AZ they folded the
II oney away, nor had they seen a form
stealing away on tiptoe as the girl said:
must walk home tonight"
Lazy and good-for nothing, AL Par
IRISH had ever been called at home aud
abroad; hut no one, not even little Mat
ttU ANoOtct tub tGaCuJk WIO i0stIeu HfIi SD,
would have believed him capable OF the
dastardly deed he meditated.
Il kin skeer her plum TO DEATH" he
muttered, for he knew how cowarlly she
was. "An' | kin jest as we'll have that
xGOas not"
And he crept stealthily out through the
orchard and across the olrnfeld. and
was well on the way toward the woods
before Matte got started.
If Is wasn't for passing that Indian
burying -groand," she said TO herself An
abe was hurrying along. al shouldn't
mind II It Was dusk before reach the
woods"
Matte Noble was the only girl 10 a
family Of boys, and though they loved
their little sister, they felt all of a boy "a
contsu,pt for girls; and when It was an
nouuced to them that Matte was going
TO teach school in the parish district,
there was no end Is their good natured
ieers and taunts.
"a brave teacher" said Charlie, one
year her senior. "She's afraid Of her
own shadow"
Matte returned smiling rejoiuders to
all their SCOTS, and only one thing re-
manned in Ter memory, 10 rankle and
make her afraid.
"rhey bury Injuns q settin' straight
mp. with their faces to the west" said
Gus.
Aud whenever she passed. the burying-
ground. Friday nights and Monday morn
lngs, his words we're before her.
She thought Of them tonight, and, as
she nesrea the strip OF heavy timber in
which the dreaded spot lay, her eyes
grew dark and her heart throbbed with
terror.
"To think of every one Of those dead
and buried Indians sitting bolt upright
In their graves, with their dead faces
faces staring at me-" she thought; aud
instincsively she picked up stout stick
which lay in her path, though she
smiled little a. she imagined what
the boys would say II they should see
her.
Sometimes they did come TO meet her,
and would hide in the trunk OF an old
hollow tree thai stood by the side OF the
road. and which. marked the beginning
Of the graves.
"Oh. il only some one would meet me
touightw she whispered. IL being the
last day, school closed late. aud il was
nearly dark.
Scarcely were the words spoken when
the shadow Of mans head protruded
for an instant from behind this very
tree. bat WAS a. quickly withdrawn FROM
sight.
Charlie thinks he's going 20 brighten
me" she theught. snilingly, phiie q glad
light shone in the eyes 80 lately full Of
terror. "Iil throw away nay stick be-
fore he secs II, abe murmured.
And. coming even with the tree, she
peered around il to SO which of the BOYS
had Q me to meet her.
There's some one there. snre," she
said, "bnt--"
Her sentence was never finished; for.
instead Of the laughing face of Charlie
or Gus. the villainsus Que Of Al Parrish
vas turned toward her. and. before abe
had time 10 stir, be clusched her BY
the arm.
Just hand over that little S6O.- said
be. while bus grasp upon her arm WAS
like thai Of visa.
Frightened for the moment. and
yes Matte did some rand
thinking, and the very farshest from
her thoughts was the. idea Of giving ~,
har hArd-eArned mousy.
Come. now. no fooiishness,- be said. |
while be eiArtd at her fiercely.
Oh, II l had only kept NV STICK
Mo mnrmursd; then aloud slse said:
Parrish. would you rob mo because |
roo are stronger than l.
She felt sure that tho boys were some
where on the road 10 meet her even then.
Oncs she thought she would scream, bat /
hat would only hasten matters. and /
nov 10 just psoiong the interview "A /
onG - passible became her desperate
'6jsct