The Red Cloud chief., 1884-08-08
True COURAGE

E~uOpi-Ecu~r lsss-iH'bs
Look out. Ross tarson.' shouted
Tom Lane. In \ ionc u pretended alarm.
THERE'S 4 spider on the pumphAndle.
Run. quick, il NAV bite YOU"
There was = roar OF laughter NJ this
would he witty remark. and the eyes o.
n score or more thoughtlcss boys were
bent upon tie figure VI u slender. deli
cate-looking lad who had been q o:
the first 10 get out, and who had ap.
preached the pump for h purpose of
getting a drink.
His face flushed painfully rs Toms
Jest fell on his ear. and the hand tha:
held the tin drinking-cup trembled per
ceptibiy. and his lips scarcely touched
the water.
.-Oh. he'll stand anything rather than
double up his little fist" cried Tom. and
crowding close Ia Ross he deliberately
Knocked the books from under his arm.
The slender lads face flushed at the in
suit, but he said nothing. He stopped,
picked the books up. and then walked
on again.
He was quite aware OF Tom Lanes
great anxiety To pick a quarrel with
him, but was determined to give him no
excuse for doing So. tor Ross knew
that he could noi with safety enter into
any trial Of strength with 4 boy 80 much
older than himself. His lungs were
weak, and the doctor had said thev
could zeal no strain whatever. But il
was hard To- be- sailed a coward. to lear
insults of every description without open
resentment, Ia feel that he was looked
upon with contempt by his companions
because no taunts or sneers could induce
him { o fight. And he va too sensitive
and shy To explain 10 them his reasons
for not doing so, knowing well that his
explanation would be greeted with rid
icule and laughter. So he bore his VA
rious trials in silence. and not even his
mother knew what he endured. lie did
not know that this ~forbearance showed
him possessed Of a true heroism. Tor.
like most boys. he had a strong admira-
ton for deeds Of daring, and saw little
merit in silent endurance.
Tom Lane was the most daring boy
among them all. He boasted that he
had the coolest head, the strongest arm
and the greatest amount Of courage Of
any fellow Of his age in Hillsboro'. and
none disputed his claim. He was al
ways ready for a fight. and generally
came oil victor in any contest He mad
no pity for weakness. no charity for
timidity and thought all those who
feared him fair game for his powers of
teasing. Ross might have been fairly
treated by the other scholars but for
Tom, who was never weary Of exciting
enmity against him and. understanding
how to magnify the veriest triiles. was
eve showing him up a 1.-The bigges,
coward in Hlllsboro' Academy
But retributiOn was neal at hand. and
Tom was to be strangely punished for
his sins in respect 10 Ross.
A new town hall was being built in
Hillsboro', and n very high. imposing
edifice il was To be. with n steeple sec
ond to none. Tom Lane heard his faith
or, who was the contractor for the
building, say that n magnificent view
could be obtained from This half-com-
pleted steeple. and the next day at the
noon recess Tom proposed to half n doz-
en- of his young friends TO 20 up and
take a look for themselves.
Il have a pass from father he said.
land the carpenters won: make any
fuss"
The ascent 10 the stecple was easily
made, for a narrow, winding stair led
up TO it: and the boys soon attained n
height that made their heads swim as
they looked down. breathless. and saw
how small appeared the people on the
pavement below.
"A good place for 4 suicide" said
Tom, as he leaned out
do be careful said q low voice in
a one of entreaty, and looking around.
the BOYS saw Ross Carson standing
near. He had come up the stairs IN
perceived.
'.How came you here. you little cow
ard?" asked Tom. rudely.
the carpenter gave me leave 10
come up" answered Ross, quietly. IL
did not know any one Wa up here. and
| was anxious To- see the view. But II IS
q dangerous place"
Its Likely YOU think So" sncered
Tom. YOU'D find the head Of n barrel
a dangerous place. As for me. | Ike
to see the place where | wouldn't GO
Bows, do YOU see that
He pointed to n scafolding which had
been erected about the steeple for the
use of the workmen. Il projected sew
eral feet. and oyerhung the vast ehasm
below"
I'VE see it but Whist Of it," asked
Louis RAYMOND
You'll see what Of it." answered
Tom. Its \ jolly place 10 dance .
hornpipe:" and before his companions
could realize his intention. he had
climbed out upon the scaaoiding and
was walking fearlessly about t.
The bows stared in sheer amazement
NJ such recklesspess. and begged him 10
be careful
But .heir fears for his safety only
made Tom nOre anxious 10 show hrs
toas;ed courage and he began \ rather
q feeble imitation of = sailors horn
pipe. -
Wouldn't it be a long jump to the
pavement he said
As be SPOKE he looked down. fatal
thing: for his head. which had until
now beea so cool and steady, began To
whirl strangely. He could not remove
his eys from the a.fnl chasm below
him. II seemed to fascinaie him.
Inc BOYS looked at each other IN
horror. They Saw the terrible danger
which menaced him; they knew IL wss
only q question Of moments now before
he must fall and be dashed TO atoms on
the pavemen. below. He stood in .
kind of stupor. looking down into the
fascinating gull. his eyes wild and star
inc. his lace white with terror. he,
too. knew the awful danger in which be
ssood. bot he was Poweries 70 hetp