Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1894-05-06
WHAT is A COWARD.


I Am ~
II Was one 81 the crowd OF boys who were
pouring out Of the public school who made
the statement, another who asked the ques-
ton. Then closely cropped red head aud
curly blond bead, gray Jacket and a
black one. four fists. four knickcrbockered
legs and two book-bags seemed TO mix
themselves up in the centre Of the street,
and crowd Of other boys closed in about
them.
Not being acquainted with the rules Of
"the ring 1 cannot tell you Of the nght. but
believe that whatever the little blond fellow
who had been called a coward could do with
his fists to prove that he was not one, he did
In 10 Interim between the first blow aud the
arrival Of very large policeman. who lifted
tho pair apart az a giant Of the fairy tales
might pair OF Tom Thumbs, aud inquired,
sterniy.
SAY, what's the mattor with yousf"
There was 50 much the matter in the shape
Of bruised foroheads. black eyes bloody
noses and pulled lips that imagine that
inothery tears were shed over both red and
blond heads, and am sure that both
these boys were told never 20 nght again,
because It was both wicked and ungcntle-
manly
But what can a boy do when he is called
coward And II he will not fight he Il "a
coward and the worst Of l'l things is to he
that, argued Johnny. And ho is right. A
boy who is that is worthless. And II It is
necessary to fight In defense OF honor, Of
country or weaker folks let him be ready 20
DO t.
But there are other things necessary, too.
and great many fighting characters are
urrnnt towards at heart; men who. whom
you come 10 get at tho root OF the matter,
are only braggarts who delight In terrifying
peaceful people.
In many western country plnces are men
known as "Jim the Terror" or Sam the
Shooter" who are spoken Of as having
painted the town red one day last week"
and being dangerous TO tho community. I've
no doubt that some boys faucy that, however
bad these fellows are, they must be brave
men. On the contrary they are tho most
contemplate cownrds-a record OF their ex-
ploits will prove IT, Two Of them will rush
through the town armed TO tho teeth, raid
the saloon and drink some mild old Germans
boer without paying him for 1t, smash the
sashos Of the candy store. roar hideous oaths
AZ the window Of the parsonage oyerset an
old man with "a basket OF eggs, doyour the poor
fruit wonun's apples and oranges. threaten
10 shoot the polite. respectable elderly tailor
on his way home with new suit Of clothes.
demolish things In the Chinese laundry aud
cut Oh Chung zoos precious pigtail despite
his mild petitions for mercy, and insult
country ladies who have driven IN to shop,
but will wilt like spinach In boiling water when
faced by three stout townsmon with good 10.
volvcrs.
remember seeing one VI those men who
had boon supposed to threaten II certain vii
lnge vita destruction at noon. hanging out Of
tho lookup window at dusk, weeping and
begging somU good Christian" for heuyen's
sake to give him 80 chaw OF tobacker" Hu
was u coward Of course.
There IL another person you think very
brave, perhaps Your cousin John who "a AT
college. He looks such tine fellow US he sits
telling you littlo boys OF the fun they have
'hazing the freshmen" and you think that
when you are as old Us no you will ''haze
freshmen also.
Now there are few more oowardly deeds
done In this world thnn much OF that same
college hnzing and the fact that bows have
been at II here and in England, for two huu-
drod years makes II no better, 10 heap In
suit aud Injury ON some unofionding young
stranger, 10 cover him with modification
whom he naturally wishes 10 appear his best,
TO pain his heart and harm lln physically.
can hc fun TO no one hut q coward. Now and
then tragedy occurs aud hazing takes an
other shape and becomes murder, and tho
public learn plainly that tho ringlondors OF
college hnzing nro coarse, brutal and con-
temptiblu towards. a boy who tcases a
gIrl Is sort OF coward. | do not like
tho lIttlc fellow who wlliully upsets his
sisters work basket or throws her doll down
the well, or laughs at her whom she practices
her music lesson. | like a little boy to whom
his sisters come TO SGT him to mend their toys.
or show them the how to do their sums. to
take caro Of them when a dreadful dog banks.
and who Is always ready TO help thom. That
shows that he has the spirit Of the protector
IN him, and ono who has that il never "a
coward
Another thing Is very cowardly -to toll lies.
You may light all tho boys IN your county.
but II you habitually tell falsehuods YOU are a
coward all the same. Sometimes It Ia the
bmyest Of all brave things to tell the truth.
Do ittor that reason. Do not have It ON your
soul that YOU have lied to save yourself from
roproof or even punishment; do not know
III your heart that YOU are S,eoward.