The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1884-08-01
TRUE COURAGE.

Shouting, laughing, pushing against
each other, the boys rushed out of the
school-house pell-mell.
''Look out, Ross Carson" shouted
Tom Lane, in a tone of pretended alarm,
''there's spider on the pump-handle.
Run, quick; 1t may bite you"
There was roar of laughter st this
would-be witty remark, and the eyes Of
score or more thoughtless boys were
bent upon the figure of a slender, deli
cate-looking lad who had been one of
the first to get out, and who had APP
preached the pump for the purpose of
getting drink.
His face flushed painfully as Toms
jest fell on his ear, and the hand that
held the tin drinking-c cup trembled per-
ceptibly, and his lips scarcely touched
the water.
"Oh, he'll stand anything rather than
double up his little fist, /" cried Tom, and
efoWding close TO 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 quarrel with
him; but was determined to give him no
excuse for doing so. For Ross knew
that he could not with safety enter into
any trial of strength with a boy SO much
older than himself. His lungs were
weak, and the doctor had said they
could bear no strain whatever. But it
was hard to be called a coward, to bear
insults of every description without open
resentment, to feel that he was looked
upon with contempt by his companions
because no tauntS or sneerS could induce
him to fight. And he was too sensitive
and shy to explain TO 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. He did
not know that this forbearance showed
him possessed of q true heroism, for,
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 boosted 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 fight, and generally
came off victor in any contest. He had
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 trihes, was
ever showing him up as ''the biggest
coward in Hlllsboro' Academy"
But retribution was near at hand, and
Tom was to be strangely punished for
his sins in respect to Ross.
A new town-hall was being built in
Hillsboro', and very high, imposing
edifce it was to be, with a steeple Sec
ond to none. Tom Lane heard his faith
er, who was the contractor for the
building, say that a magnificent view
could be obtained from This half-com-
pleted steeple, and the next day at the
noon recess Tom proposed to half doz-
en- Of his young friends to go up and
take look for themselves.
Il have pass from father" he said,
'and the carpenters won't make any
fuss"
The ascent to the steeple was easily
made, for a narrow, winding stair led
up to it; and the boys soon attained
height that made their heads swim as
they looked down, breathless, and saw
how small appeared the people on the
pavement below.
ga good place for a suicide said
Tom, as he leaned out.
''Do be CAREFUL" said low voice in
tone of entreaty, and looking around,
the boys saw Ross Carson standing
near. He had come up the stairs I'M
perceived.
"How came you here, you little cow
ardP" asked Tom, rudely.
tine carpenter gave me leave to
come up" answered Ross, quietly. Il
did not know any one was up here, and
was anxious to see the view. But it is
dangerous place.
LII D 1lh0ly yOl1 GuIHk So Su00I6u
Tom. ''You'd find the head of barrel
q dangerous place. AS for me, I'd like
to see the place where L wouldn't go!
Boys, do you see thatP"
He pointed to scaffolding which had
been erected about the steeple for the
use of the workmen. 1t projected sew
eral feet, and overhung the vast chasm
below"
''We see it but what of it?" asked
Louis Raymond.
you'll see what of it, answered
Tom. cts a jolly place to dance a
hornpipe;" and before his companions
could realize his intention, he had
climbed out upon the scafolding and
was walking fearlessly about it.
The boys stared in sheer amazement
at such recklessness, and begged him to
be careful.
But their fears for his safety only
made Tom more anxious to show his
boosted courage, and he began rather
a feeble imitation of a sailors horn
pipe.
.'Wouldn't it be long jump to the
pavement" he said.
AS he spoke he looked down-a fatal
thing; for his head, which had until
now been so cool and steady, began to
whirl StranUelv He cOu1d NOT ram owe