The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-08-25
After supper, Mr.. Holland said to his

MIR Holland had been gone about thfec
hours. and IL was now 10 o'clock. !erry
had been rcaiing unitei S,a.es d'' az
i'm which he was greatly interested TIE
mother was seated In her rockinS chah
doing 4me light sewing. the weather
being pleasant, the front door ieauns "
the veranda was not closed, althousn lno
orening was projected by a screen 1oo,,
Witch Terry had cautiously fastened on
the inside He was deeply engrossed IN
tho story Of Washington's trials at var
lev Forge. when voice suddenly prohe
i'm upon his absorbed attention.
II came from the front steps OF the
house. Mrs Holland turned in her chair
toward the door and said:
What do you want?
Your sister. Mrs. Dawson. has been
badly hurt. Her horse ran away ana
threw her out OF the carriage, and they
want you to come down TO the house at
orce." -
~. Throw a shawl over your head ana
hurry down 70 Aunt L!da's and I'll lock
the door and come down in minute.
Mrs. Holland rushed out OF the door,
and at the steps passed the man VINO
had brought the message, but in the uiin
light OF the street lamp she did not
recognize him Indeed. she was too much
excited 10 give him more than passing
eis nee. Then she ran down the street 20
ward her sisters house, which was ioir
blocks distant.
II wonder who the messenger is; 1
didn't recognize his voice" Jerry mutter-
ed 10 himself, as he hurried to the Closet
for his rat.
Having secured It. he stepped across
the sitting-rOom toward the dinng-roonl'
intending 10 see If the rear door was ioch-
ed. He had just reached the dining room
| door. when stern. ,gruu voice at '"'
front door commanded:
The how stood still as if riveted to the
| spot. Then he saw "A large burly man
| cren the screen, enter the slttins It'll It'll
| ard quickly swing the door smut. iheFe
| was ? look of fierce determination Oh
| his face. e,
Here. boy. tell me where your father
has hid them there hundr ID dollars ne
cot to-day. Tell me this minute, sir l
| can't stay with you long; ii amt sale.
/ Seeing that Jerry hesitate1. the man
broke out: III You don't tell ne this IN
| slant you'll wish y)u had and he TOOK
| 4 step nearer the boy, scowling saVaSey.
| Jerry w9s sOrely frightened almost
| panic-striken. indeed. The lump In his
/ throat choked him. his mouth became
| dry. and his knees fairly knocked tog@tn-
/ or The boy was Just on the point OF
J yielding TO his fear and telling the roDoer
| where the money was concealed, Wneh
/ tie thought Of his fathers maxim in the
/ time of peril flashed through his mind:
! Keep your wits about you! NO, ne
/ would not give up that precious naid
/ earned money without making an enort
10 save il. The moment he resolved 10
keep cool his fear left him, and he quick
| ~ thought what 70 DO.
"Are you, going 10 tell me where That
/ money Is yOungster2' muttered the man.
| adding an OATH and starting with
| threatening gesture across the room to-
| ard the place where Jerry stood -,
mo. l WON'T" cried Jerry, in LOUD.
| defiant voice.
Al The same moment he made a spring
for the rear door. which. fortunately, mas
| not locked. The robber rushed atter nm,
| ana almost grasped him by the shoulier
as the boy slippel out OF the door. jerry
| ran AZ the top Of his speed along the
walk for a few yards. the robber in swift
| pursuit and then Jerry turned suddenly
| 10 the right and bending his head low,
! dashed across the yard which was quite
| DARK His Dursuer also turled ana sp,u
| after him. But a moment later Jerry
heard sound that struck almost IKE
| muse on - ear As the boy had cal
| culated the rOt Der had dashed his face
against tho strong wire clothes line
| which had been stretched acr)ss the yard.
| with such force had be struck It that
| he fell back heavily upon the ground
Jerry's heart gave a great bound Of
relief when he saw that his scheme had
| succeeded. but he did not stop . see II
| me robber was hurt: He wheeler about
| ard sped around the corne- 10 the iron,
| of the house. and In "a minute more III
reused several of the neighpors. beiS,e
senses-for i'm falling his head had struck
a stone-he was seized by strong nan Is
| and securely bound, ready 10 be denNet,u
| over 10 the officers of the law. AS Inc
ncghbors were leading their captive ' ou'
of the front gate. MIS-. lioiianu e''i"-
rrrning up and asked breat1lessly.
What does this mean2'
Your boy there can explain" answered
ore of the neighb0rs Hes got piu,h
cr ough for half dozen boys
Mrs Holland could hardly believe her
ears as Jerry recounted the evening ia
| VENT re.
well. YOU are a brave boy" she cried
when the story was ended. putting ne.
arms around his neck I'm proud oil
You've got reason to be-" mutterei
the rohber. forced out of his sullen mood
by admiration of the lads bravery. He
no slouch. ma'am l can tell We that. lie
has got his wits about him. 50 he mas.
wish he hadn't been quite so sharp j
would. "a been better for me Py a Ions
As ne spoke the last words he was nus
tied away by his capt0rs toward the pc
lice station. After the men had gone
Jerry said.
NO" Mrs. Holland replied. 'I'h'
whole family was in bed and sound asieei
when | reached the house. and so. atte
nuzzling over the matter few minutes
+ susnected that something was won!
from the message. and hurried home
at was all trick of that rascal to ge
Won away from the house, and force m
to give up the money" asserted jerry
growing angry. ,,e
When Mr.. Holland came home his VIII
AT once told him how jerry had outWlt
ted the rObber.
..That was bravely done. my boy sal
Mr.. Holland you saved the money
and proved at the same time that yol
have a cool head. That's the secret
| courage i'm every emergency"
keeping his wits" has stood jerry u
good stead in more than one time IN III
| fffo praehvforian Banner.