The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1899-04-20


taken the short cut across the moor. 1t
was clear. summer afternoon. week
since his parting with Nancy. A part
ing in earnest it had been, for the days
had gone by without meeting or com
municati ton between them. The curate
was sad young man, though the anger
in his heart still burned 6ercely To
have been called coward by the WON
an he loved was a thing not likely to be
forgotten His recent visit, too. had
been particularly trying In his soul he
felt that his words of comfort had been
unreal; that. for all he had striven, he
had failed in his mission TO the bereaved
mother. So he trudged across the moor
with slow step and bent head. giving
no heed to the summer beauties abound
him
He was about half way home when
bis somber neditations were suddenly
interrupted A man rose from the
heather, where he had been lying. and
stood in the path. barring the curate's
progress.
Now, Mister Parson p he said, with
menace in his thick voice and bloated
face.
Good afternoon, my man, returned
st. John, recognizing the brute of a
week ago and turning as red AS a turkey
cock
"I'll good afternoon ye Mister Par
son MOI Ye don't pass till I'm done
wi yel cried the man, who had been
drinking heavily, though he was too
gait
The curate drew hack. What do
you want2' he asked. He was painfully
white now.
What do l want" repeated the
bully. following up the question with
volley of oaths that made the little man
shudder. ON tell ye what want. |
want yer apology fumbled with
the word apology fer interferin
ween father an his kid. But | licked
him more'n ever for yer blasted inter
fern.
You internal coward" exclaimed
st. John.
His opponent gasped.
"Let me pass said the curate.
mo, ye don TT cried the other, re-
covering from his establishment at hear
ing a strong word from the parson
St. Jchn gazed hurriedly about him.
The path wound across the moor.
through the green and purple of the
heather, cutting low hedge here and
there and losing itself at last in the
beat haze They were alone.
The bully grinned. I've got ye
now
"You have indeed, said St. John,
peeling off his black coat and throwing
it on the heather. His soft felt hat fol-
lowed Then he slipped the links from
his cuffs and rolled up his shirt sleeves,
while his enemy gasped at his proceed
ings.
Now. I'm readyl' said the CITRATE
gently.
Are ye goin to fight burst ont the
other looking at him az Goliath might
have looked at David. Come on. yes-
But the foul word never passed his
lips, being stopped by a carefully plant
ed blow from small but singularly
hard fist The little curate was filled
with wild. unholy joy. He had not
felt like this since his college days He
thanked Providence for his friends. the
Indian clubs and dumbtells which had
kept him in trim the past three years.
The blood sang in his veins as he circled
round Goliath. guarding the giant's
brutal smashes and getting in stroke
when occasion offered 1t WAS not long
ere the big man found himself hopeless
ly outmatched his wind was gone; his
jaw was swollen. and one eye was use
less He madr final effort and SLING
out terrific blow at David. Partly
parted it caught him on the shoulder.
Telling him 10 the earth. Now, surely,
the victory was with the Philistine.
But. no. The young man recoiled to his
feet like u young sapling and the next
that Goliath knew was. ten minutes
later. when he opened his available eye
and found that his enemy WAS bending
over him. wiping the stains from his
face with fine linen handkerchief.
Feel better2" said the curate
"Well, I'm -
Hush man; it's not worth swear
ing about, interposed his nurse.
Now. get up
He held out his hand aud assisted the
wreck to its feet.
"You d better call at the chemist q
and get patched mp. Here s money.
The vanquished one took the silver
and gazed stupidity at the giver, who
was making his toilet
please go away and don't thrash
your boy any more said ST. John per
euasively.
Goliath made a few steps. then re
traced them, holding out grimy paw
"Mister Parson. I'm-p m
Don't say another word. Goodby.
And the curate shook hands with him.
The big man turned away Presently
he halted once more. al IN beatI' he
said 1t bad to come. Then he shambled
homeward.
ST John adjusted his collar, gave his
shoulder rub and donned his coat and
hat Az he started toward the village a
girl came swiftly to meet him.
"Oh, John, John, You are splendid H.
she gasped as she reached him. 81
watched you from the hedge yonder.
Il am exceedingly sorry, Miss Ed
mission, said the curate coldly, raising
his hat and making TO pass on.
Nancy started az though he had
struck her Her flush Of enthusiasm
i "a. IL L. II