The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1898-10-30
HIS MOTHERS
TRUE CHAMPION
BY MARIE ALLEN kiM8ALL,
MARYSVlLLE.

MARYSVlLLE-
II lex NELSON and the Johnson
boys were going on a camping
trip up the river. They were
intending to hunt and fish and
have a jolly time. Dick was
out on the porch getting his traps to-
gether, when he heard his mother and
the Chinese cook talking in the dining
room.
you must sweep better than that,
Cow" his mother was saying. look at
the dirt in those corners"
No care" answered the Chinaman,
GROSSLY; him plenty good. No catchee
much money; work ale time
Cow, you know better!"
You no likee him, you fix him you
self Me go town; no likee work for
you. You heap meant" growled the
cook slamming the chairs about.
Dick flung open the door. and str,d-
ing up TO the Chinaman seized him by
the shoulder.
See here!' he cried; do you know
you are talking to my mother?'''
Cow threw up his hands and caught
the boy by the front of his loose shirt,
pulling it tight around his neck.
Out flew Dicks fist squarely in the
Chinamans face. His grasp relaxed
and down he went, knocking over a
chair and coming to the floor With a
tremendous bump.
Dick stood over him, the picture of
fury Mrs. Nelson ran to her son.
Richard. Richard." she cried; what
do you mean"
y don't care. I'll teach that old
heather not to be saucy to you"
Cow picked. himself up and looked
dazed. Blood was dropping from his
face. He muttered something that
sounded like Me no stay. me go town, p"
AM went eff through the kitchen to his
cabin.
Mrs. Nelson sank down on the near
est chair, white and trembling. Dick
looked rather shamefaced, though the
flush of anger was still on his cheeks.
Il didn't mean to be quite so rough
on the Old fellOw-just to teach him
his place he muttered
suppose you had killed him, my son.
That you did not mean to would not
have counted them" said his mother
graveIy.
Dick turned confusedIy away.
What shall / do?" his mother went
on. He will not work any more and
there are all those men to get dinner
for Your father has gone to town
and ! am nearly sick with the head
ache"
'Tis pretty rough" said the boy
But We'll have to make the best OF
1t, " finished his mother, trying to smtln
and rising YEARLY to go into the
kitchen. But Dick" she went on,
you must feed the pigs and water the
calves before you start. Cow always
does and l cannot"
Dick picked up the pals and went out
to the pen. The pigs came grunting up
and began eating their breakfast with
swishes of delight. The boy leaned on
the fence thinking uncomfortably If
he went away this morning his delicate
mother would be left alone with the
work and that ugly Chinaman. He had
heard that they had terrible tempars
What If Cow should aVenge his hurt on
her? Yet how could ne give up his trip?
He had promised the others and they
would be as disappointed as he He
had everything ready, too, and the boys
could only be spared to go now. But
would he take any pleasure if he
thought something dreadful might have
happened at home?
"Pshaw," he said TO himself, China
men are too big towards to do any
thing" but the distrust and suspicion
would not be quieted and the boy had
e sharp fight with himself.
It's no use" he determined at last,
giving himself a mental shake as he
heard q shrin whistle announcing that
the boys had come, 4 made this mess
and I've got to see it through
a pang went through him when he
saw his young friends, with their fish
poles and blankets, but he held rigidly
to his determination against their dis
appointment and persuasions, for Dick
was a most-sought-af companion
He waited until they drove away and
went into the house. His mother was
sitting in the hot kitchen holding her
aching head.
Here. mother" called out Dick.
cheerfully, you go to bed and I'll set