St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1890-11-15
Which Was the Coward?

chievous glance at her cousins 1dle shovel'
"Well, not exactly tired, but like bet
ter to watch the'sports of the little peopie
over on the island" replied Dick. shading
his ewes to obtain better view. /
"There are the Fisher boys, Dick ana
Ada Clark and the Murray children.
know them every one," looking in the
direction of the island.
81 mean to get papa's boat ana 70"
across to the place where they are play
ing. You, must come along and get &C
auainted with them"
"All right /" exclaimed Dick. 81 am
always ready for sport, and If we can
manage the oars we'll have Jolly time.
81 must run up to the house Tor tne
boat-key. and to tell papa that we are
going" said Gertrude.
Soon she came back, looking somewhat
gloomy, with the key dangling from her
finger. -, Nil, ohasrfu11v
eyes, I suppose we can if we choose,
answered Gertrude GROSSLY. come on
and help ma get the boat out.
"What did uncle sayE'' queried DICK,
rather anxious to find out what mao
clouded his cousins sunny lace 60 quickly.
"Oh, Dick, what a bother you are re-
torted Gertrude impatiently, papa was
out-there-! -somewher9 But Know
he would have said Yes and III ask him
when we get back"
"Let US wait until he comes back, Uer-
trnds. am sure he would not like our
stealing away without his permission
said Dick:
"He won't care" snapped Gertrude, un,
locking the boat house door. why don
YOU help me to get the boatT
"Neyer mind about the boat now" SAID
Dick in a coaxing voice. 81 am sure
uncle would be angry, AMI do not WISH
todisplease him." NH
al am going to have boat-ride, DICE
and YOU must do as bid you. CLIMB IN
there and hand me the oars BE quick
toow
mands: and when she found how resolutt
he could be when he took a stand, she ex
claimed in loud, angry voice, ~ GU r.
afraid: that is why you won't go-afraie
Of mana and afraid of the water. Yot
can't swim the least bit, you know, ant
you boy, too"
Dick turned very red at this thrust, Tor
bow though he was, he had never Learned
tn swim. while his little tormentor coult
float and dive like fish.
81 am not afraid, Gertrude, but sinai
not 90 without uncle's consent, he SAT-
quietly yet firmly as he turned toward Tn
house. :,
You're lust as mean IS you can BE- jus
think of q great boy allowing girl to ge
such heavy boat out by herself !! :,
During the rest of the afternoon sh
scarcely noticed him. and in the evening
when he asked her to take a stroll, sd
turned up her little nose and said with
the scorn she could summon, y 90 III
choose to walk with towards. How DO
know but you may get frightened at SOIL
shadow and run off and leave me
Dick bit his lips to keep back the n
words that almost choked him, and, Il
stead of going to the woods as ne intenoe
he turned into the lane that leo TO u
railroad. He soon came back, looKll
flushed and excited, but as lie tald NOT
ing, Gertrude was afraid he was still ang
at the cutting words she had uttered.
little later the spoiled child ran dow
the gravel-walk 70 meet her parents, WI
had inst come off the train. For once
father turned away from her caresses
clasp Dick to his heart, and she was su
his voice ouivered when he said, "1'
are brave bov, Dick, and your name W
be remembered in many prayers &c. n1gn'
Then, with Dicks hand still in his, N
Frew told Gertrude and her mother ht
he had crept over the dangerous trestl
work to warn the express, then due, II
there was danger ahead, and how t
train had come to standstill just in I'll!
to prevent being ditched by an obstructi
that some one had placed across the trac
"Oh, papa" cried Gertrude. GIVE be
calling him coward all day Just beca'
he would not disobey you. but see
that he is the hero, while am the cowa
III had done right I would have b.
with him when he saw the rocks on
track, and might have helped him 81
"You see, my DEAR" said her fail
s.people must have both physical
moral courage if they wish to be heroe
B. Y. c., IN the Occadent.