The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-07-24

flOuclu0ed utAI week..
Little Castro Zanga stood outside the
gate pecping through at the party on the
other side.
10 was the Fourth of July and Johnny
Webb was entertaining several young
friends. just then they were playing
base-ball-a Kind of base-ball-0n the
lawn. This was 70 particular privilege
because the children were not generally
allowed 90 run over the smooth, Deautl-
fully kept lawn. But the grass had just
been moved the warm sun had made it
dry as "a floor, and for once the merry
boys were free to run ANA play where
they liked
Back of the house was q large plot OF
land. where trees grew beautifully, and
grass tried 20 grow but this open grove
was the Webb boys usual playground
because their parents were kind sensi-
bic people who knew that children must
play somewhere. and, as the lawn was
kept smooth and fresh. here I'm this shad-
ed larger spot am the running and
r0mpug in which boys delight. could Doe
enjoyed to their hearts content.
AT the far end of the grove a board
was stretched across from two stout bar-
rel-. aud sheet covered the board and
Norah the cook and Mrs. Webb were
busy getting ready the holiday treat.
Mrs Webb was fastening more securely
the strong cords that kept in place %
fine large A3g.
This Dag was waving brayely and
erandly above tho table. but just q lit-
tle distance from lt There had been
great shouting and cheering when tho
beautiful, banner was run up 20 the top
Of the stout pole. and Mr. webb said
very few words. only very feW-lc-
cause you know boys don't ike long
speeches. they cali DC Preceding the
words were few about the value and
meaning of what the children had learu-
I'd quite proudly To- cali cold Glory"
After the nlg-raisng. the llJtie crew
had rushed % the lawn. and my. How
gIbiy they ratified ON about Slide bases.
the fellow at the bat a good hit. % wild
throw. q mu0 dead ball, and q home
run"
And Castro Zanga stood peering with
wide, dark eyes through the gate. That
was all very well. but as the boys went
further up the lawn. as the game pro-
ceeded Castro. eager 10 watch it. siyly
slipped through the gateway. standing
close to- the hedge at IT'S side. by and 10y
DO crcpt mp behind tree and all at
once Perry Gates spied him.
"Hull0o. cried Perry what are you
doing hero?"
Johnny webb looked IN surprise. but
did not saw anything He was the son
of "a gentleman and some instinct held
back any rude words DE might have
said on his own grounds.
But from the first day Of Castro en-
teriug the public school Freddie Nye
had despised him. And now as tho boy
not over dressed stood his ground beside
the tree. Freddie's hot little temper far
Ell mp suddenly and he called out:
you clear OUT We don't want any
son of a Spaniard here"
Castro grinnod "a kind OF an anxious
grin it was but no didn't STIR
ARE you goin' 90 clear out' screamed
Freddie.
But Castro still grinned. and shook his
curly head. ale NOT go yet" he said
Freddie Nye's fierce temper-which
often got him into trouble at home
made him forget it VAS not his lawn, not
his party. and not at all his affair. but
much more quickly than IL can be writ
ten. on he darted In Castro direction
OF course tho others followed And
then such a race as began. In and out
OF trim shrubbery before and behind
trees. round and round raced the little
Spanish boy the others after him In fun
cry. lie lodged them IN an astonishing
manner. yet never ran IN the direction
OF the gate. Plainly Castro did not in
tend 10 leave the grounds until 10 was
ready.
Pretty soon Il began 10 look as IL he
was running for some particular spot.
After a hot. exciting chase the agile
boy sprang up the piazza steps, rushed
around 10 the rear steps flew, cap In
hand. toward the garden, passed the
playground with the swiftness OF a cat
sped like a shadow past the table, and
nearly fell with the length Of his strides
as al last he stood. eyes flashing his
car twirling high above his head. and
n wide. fearless smile on his dark little
face-directly under the nag.
.You no hurt me now," he painted. but
his voice ringing loud with confidence.
You no hurt me now! l get under our
fagr'
What was this? The excited boys had
stoned In sheer wonder when the little
fellow they were chasing suddenly stop
ped and swung his cap in sign Of yicto-
~.
Mr.. Webb also was looking on in as
tonishment. as one forlorn child came
tearing along. pursued by Johnny's en-
tire Marty lie TOO. saw the spanish
chpd's face as II lighted up with
smile that was all gladness with not a
trace OF fear.
..Bovs. what does this all mean?' he
asked.-Exchange