Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1890-11-26

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from the bigger boy made him alter bis
mind. and in another moment tie two
youths. wish clencbed fists, stood facing one
another in the roadway. They eyed each
other for space, while you might coun,
twenty, and then closed in an upscentifc
scuff1e, loudly applauded by the crowd ol
youthful onlookers.
Now, as have already told you, George
was small end Ben was big, so that it was
foregone conclusion as to which would
win the day, and l am sorry to have to say
! that the victory was Ben's, and that he
finall, walked off nightly pleased with
himself and covered with dust and glory,
leaving our hero to bathe his swoolen and
muddy face in the horse trough.
George put brave face on his defeat,
which, after all, had done some good, for
during the excitement of the scuffis Tiny
had escaped home, so our hero tried to feel
satisfied, knowing he had not been beaten
by much and that he would be even with
Ben Rogers yet Then be picked up his
| satchel and made the best of his way into
school.
Now there had been somebody looking
on at the fight whom neither of the boys
noticed-s very small somebody, too-no
other, in fact. than Master Cyril, the
Squire's six.year-oid son. He was taking a
morning ride on bis little Shetland pony,
in charge Of one of his fathers grooms,
when suddenly they had come upon the
scene.
Cyril had asked Trace, the groom, to in
terfsre, but Trace said:
Why, Master Cyril, boys will be boys;
bit of fist cufing more or less is what they
delight in. Don't 60 for to spoil sport, sir,
and 80 Cyril waited TO see the end and then
rode on.
But all the same he could not forget
Georges brave interference, and after rid
lug silently along for some while lie turned
to Trace and said:
say, Trace, think that small boy was
the brave one, don't you3
Dunno, sir; t'other got the best of it.
Yes, SO he did; he was much bigger, but
the little one looked brave even after he
was beaten, Cyril said thoughtfully; and
my fathers been q soldier, you know,
Trace, and he said it's much harder to bear
defeat bravely than to win a great victory.
Now think that little boy won his defeat
very bravely.
Maybe, sir. maybe, answered the groom,
cnly half understanding. and on they ro.e.
Now two or three weeks after this there
was cub hunt in the woods near the vii
lage. Cubs are baby foxes, and these are
found by the hounds, and dug out of their
holes and taken away, because otherwise
they would grow up and eat all the geese
and chickens belonging to the farmers, and
so set these good folk grumbling more than
ever.
Among the people locking on at tie sport
was the Squire, riding his big gray horse,
and close at his heels, following his fathers
footsteps wherever he moved, rode Cyril,
his tiny gathered legs gripping hard the
fat sides of his rough named pony, his pIet-
ty face flushed with heat aud excitement,
watching anxiously for the unearthing of
the cubs.
Suddenly one of the gamekeepers who
was digging called;
Here they be, sir, snug as dormice.
Oh, father, mayn't I get off Browney
and have look? asked Cyril. Il
Yes, if you like, his father answered.
Here, one of you boys catch hold of this
pony.
Two boys out of the small gathering col.
lected on the edge Of the coppice, stepped
forward at the 'Squire's word, and the
smaller boy was the first to reach the rein,
when the other roughly snatehed it from
him and stood at Browney's head. Now
this rough boy was Ben.
Here, stand back there, the squire said,
angrily; thslittle chap was first, lot him |
hold ii; so Ben, looking very sheep faced,
let GO, and George, for it was he, held on
to Browney's bride, feeling as proud as
possible to be doing service for the young
squire.
When Cyril had satisfied his curiosity
the cubs he came back and |
then locking at George, he said I:
Why, father, this is the brave boy I WAS
telling you about who fought for the dog,
and do declare if that isn't the same boy |
who was wanting TO pelt it with mud, hear
ing which, Ben hung his head and grew |
very led in the face.
The Squire grew much amused at Cy- |
rl's excitement, and speaking kindly to |
George, he asked his name, and whether |
he worked for anybody.
Not yet, sir, answered George.
Well, Trace wants lad in the stables;
perhaps lie could find you something He
could be Of some use to you, Tracer
Ay, sir, that he could; answered Trace;
and he's got pluck besides, as Master Cyril
here and me knows. I could soon make ;
something of him.
And so It fell ont that within month |
there was no happier, prouder boy than |
George, and if you could only have seen
him in his tight breeches aud stiff shirt
collar riding behind Master Cyril, you
would have said SO, too.
AS for Ben, he looked on with envy, and |
for orce in his life wished he was small |
and plucky instead of bigand a bully, though |
ne will hOps he learned lesson.