The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1885-08-20
WAS SHE A COWARD7
How Jennie Proved Her Bravery In the
Face OF Real Danger.

Jennie Carter was a very bright,
good-humored little girl, about twelve
years old. Being the only g.rl in tie
family, she was naturally great pet.
indeed, her brothers had but one fault
to find with her; but they managed to
give her great many uncomfortable
moments on account Of that one fault.
The fact was, she was afraid OF the
dark, and this her two elder brothers
could not understand.
Little George never had anything to
say on the subject, but as he was only
two years old, he could hardly be ex-
|. pected to have an opinion about the
matter. Rob and Max, however, the
older boys, seldom lost an opportunity
of teasing Jennie about being coward.
and of submitting her 10 very I'm
pleasant ordeals, in order to teach her
not 10 be afraid. As, for instance, once
she and Rob were in dark room, when
he suddenly ran out, holding the door
shut on the outside, so that she could
not follow; and another time he and
Max coaxed her down a dark, narrow
passage to a little room at the end,
where they lett her, and ran away.
Poor Jennie, in running after them.
fell and sprained her ankle, which was
not what they had expected. All this,
however, only erved to make her more
timid, if possible, and did no good.
10 al N IA, ri tip,n 1yith tho faQs-
ing of her two brothers, which she
sometimes received with temper and
sometimes with tears.
"Its Us bad to be a cry-baby as a
coward" said Max, one day, after teas
ing her until she cried.
This reused Jennie's temper.
I'm not cry-baby," she said. in
dignation drying her tears; land am
no more of coward than You, Master
Max. Ilet Doctor Smith pull my tooth
without word, and you would not
even let him look at your mouth, and
came home and cried all night with the
toothache."
Max looked rather sheepish at this,
and had nothing to say. He was very
glad at that moment to hear his mother
call him. She had been sitting at the
window, and overheard the children.
Il wish you would not tease your Sis
ter so constantly, Max" she said, as
he came in the room. 1T does no
good"
''She is such q cowardly baby" he
said, by way of an excuse.
"She is not baby. You boys tor
ment her 50 she can not help crying,
and l am not at all sure she is such q
coward as you imagine. Many people
who are afraid Of imaginary things
are brave enough in the face OF real
danger" was his mothers reply.
Max was not 10 be convinced, but re-
Trained from teasing Jennie any more
that day because his mother expressly
forbade it.
Mrs. Carter felt very sorry to have
} her little daughter afraid of the dark,
because she knew it was foolish, but
she did not see any way to help it, and
, hoped in time Jennie would Outgrow
, IL. She felt quite sure the boys could
do no good with their teasing, and pu,
q stop to it whenever she heard them
, One day the children were all in
vited. with their mother and father. tc
take tea with their grandmother.
II OF course they were in a great hurry
| to set OFT, and their mother allowed
| them to 90 some time before she did
} Jennie had charge of George, and he
mother gave her many charges abou
him.
: II am so afraid something will hap
pen to him. think he had better wal
and 90 with me-" she said, anxiously.
r But at this time Master Georges lii
} began to poIt, and there were signs 0
5 coming tears-an event always averted
if possible, in the Carter family. fo
Georges ''crying fits were apt to b.
stubborn things,
don't worry, mother dear, I vii
! take good care of him, said Jennie.
t And when she made a promise, he
mother knew it would be Kept, and le
them 60.
l They walked along the street YER,
: happily, the two boys in front, and Jen
e ME few steps behind. with Georgia.
e Suddenly they heard great noise
t and people calling. Looking back the,
e saw horse with q wagon attached t
him coming furiously toward them o.
A the sidewalk.
: Run, run!" shouted Rob, as be an
g Max started for the steps of q hous
r near by.
Z Jennie could not run with her littl
|, brother, and she never thought of leay
0 ing him. In fact. she never thought Q
, her elf al all. She had promised +
1 take care of little George, and sh
would do her best
y Stepping quickly behind him, 50 tia
I she should put herself between him an
! the danger, she threw her arms closet
: about him; q il, poor child! her httl
. frail body could save him from the fat
z that was coming.
III She shut her eyes. There was raj
: ding crash. She was conscious of
h sharp pain somewhere about her, an,
. then knew no more.
. When she came TO herself she wa
, lying in bed, with her head bandage
: and q queer, stiff feeling in one arm.
just then her mother csme To he