The morning times., 1896-11-29


ditch was wide and stout and its beams
were large, for the little stream that ran SO
quietly along, though twenty feet below
in summer, surged like torrent when the
sun of spring melted the SHOWS in the
mountains. 1t was near the county school
and was popular with all the boys, who
played beneath it and upon II, before and
after the session and during the interns-
sions.
oman afternoon OF early fall dozen boys,
who had fingered after school on the bridge
to play, stood aghast and angry, gazing at
the bully of the mining camp. He was bal
anced on plank that projected further
than its fellows on side OF the bridge,
and was holding, head downward, by the
heels, a slip of a boy, and swinging him
slowly back and forth over the rocks that
made the bed of the creek below. The lad
was screaming, his brain swan dizzily,
blood had rushed to his head, and his piteous
appeals to be lifted back were rapidly
growing fainter.
-Oh, the coward! He'd never dare to do
il il Forest Kitson was hcre.'' said one OF
the boys.
..wnat shall we do? Can't we do some
thing-;he crowd Of us? It's awful. Look,
look at that-poor little Bricky"
The bully was raising and lowering the
lad and ori nning at his agony in heartless,
cruel manner that made the blood OF the
other boys boil with anger.
Lets make "A rush, said one, stepping
impusively forward.
cit away or I'll drop him. cried the
rowdy. His arms, indeed, were weary al
ready, but he meant TO continue the tor
ture a moment longer. Got enough?'' he
mockngly called at his victim, looking
down in tile purple face. Then, becoming
frightened when no reply was made, ne
added, 'Well, III leave ye up
But his strength was gone for the me
ment, the effort failed, his grasp relaxed,
the fingers slipped and downward shot the
boy.
With a cry of horror the crowd ran
forward to look below The sight they
saw was a wonderful surprise, for there
In the shallow water, holding Bricky IN
his arms. was Forest kitsnn. He had
come along Gown the Toys path, that
ran by the edge Of the stream and, see
ing the boy who was dangling from above,
hurried quickly ahead. Just as lie got
beneath his tiny friend the bully's grasp
had loosened, and / oiest, at the greatest
risk, had caught the lad as he fell.
kitSOn now cane stritling up the
bank and placed h:s charge On the grass,
where he quickly revived. The rowdy,
whose face had whitencd with fear, was
grnning now and making much of his
trick.
I'D like to know what coward it was
that came so near killing Bricky," said
Forest.
Don't yeh call me no coward, kitson.' y
II do call you a mise ratle sneak, COW
ard and bully, Ramirez" Forest replied.
He was calmly removing his coat. And
what is mere l am going 10 give you Il
thrashing.''
-Yeh can't do it Come on.' sneered
pn He
was taller than Forest, strong and fierce,
a Mexican by birth and hot for fight.
Forest stepped TO the front. prepared u
haitie fair Tut tie Mexican made Il
rush. they closed and the struggle on the
bridge Logan. Hither and yon they pressed
and labored, the Mexican, as quick as a
cat. avoiding the hug OF Forests splendid
arms and preventing blow from the
powerful fist. Rising suddenly Ramirez
threw his hand about young kitson's neck
and fastened lis Clutching. hony talons on
the latter's throat. II locked like a ter
rible moment for Forest. But he whirled
about instantly, presenting his back to his
foe, grasped the wrist that was thus
brought across his shoulder, and bending
his back gave IA giant tug and lift. fetched
the bully fairly over his head. and dashed
him down upon the planks Of the bridge.
The Mexican lay there stunned and
limp, unable 10 move and hardly breathing.
Water! Bring hIm water. uuick, crrrd
Forest, In moment he had dashed the
ashen face, and the eyes slowly opened
Fifteen minutes later Ramirez got upon
his feet, staggering and sullen, and with a
treachous, threatening CLEAN in his eye.
There, said Forest. 'nctter go home.
Ramirez You've got all you can stand.
Just remember hereafter To pick on someone
your size
The hully answered nothing at all, but
went his way. and the crowd at length
dispersed. Forest, bidding his friends
good-by, and dusting his clothes as lie
went, proceeded on his way down to
Lower Bcnd,' which was part of the
mining camp, and went to building over
the door Of which appeared the sign,