The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1899-04-22

lance out OF the village, and be had
taken the short cut across the moor. 1t
was a clear, summer afternoon, a week
since his parting with Nancy. A part
ing in earnest it had been, for the days
had gone by without meeting or COM
munication between them. The curate
was a sad soung man, though the anger
in his heart still burned fercely. To
have been called a coward by the wom-
an he loved was a thing not likely to be
forgotten. His recent visit, too, had
been particularly trying. In his soul he
week ago and turning as red as a turkey
cock.
AI'll good afternoon ye, Mister Par
soni Mol Ye don't pass till I'm done
wi YER cried the man, who had been
drinking heavily, though he was too
seasoned to show any unsteadiness in
gait.
The curate drew back. "Wha do
you want p he asked. He was painfully
white now.
"What do I want?" repeated the
bully, following up the question with a
volley of oaths that made the little man
shudder. s.I'll tell ye what / want. I
want yer Apologize fumbled with
the word-tapology fer interferin
tween a father an his kid. But licked
him more'n ever for yer blasted inter-
ferin."
..You internal cowardi'' exclaimed
st. John.
His opponent gasped.
stLet me passI'' said the curate.
"No, ye don'tl'' cried the other, re-
covering from his establishment at hear
ing a strong word from the parson.
st. john gazed hnrriedly about him.
The path wound across the moor,
through the green and purple of the
heather, cutting a low hedge here and
there and losing itself at last in ths
heat haze. They were alone.
The bully grinned. GIVE got ye
nowl"
.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.
tNow, I'm readyl" said the curate
gently.
care We goin to fight % burst out the
other, looking at him az Goliath might
have looked at David. Come Oh, ye"-
But the foul word never passed his
lips, being stopped by a carefully plant
ed blow from a small but singularly
hard fist. The little curate was filled
with a wild, unholy joy. He had not
felt like this since his college days. He
thanked Providence for his friends, the
Indian clubs and dumb6elIs, which had
kept him in trim the past three years.
The blood sang in his veins as he circled
round Goliath. guarding the giants
brutal smashes and getting in a stroke
when occasion offered. 1t was not long
ere the big man found himself hopeless
" outmatched; his wind was gone; his
Jaw was swollen, and one eye was use
less. He made q final effort and slung
J out a terrific blow at David. Partly
parried, it caught him on 10. shoulder,
telling him to the earth. Now, surely.
the victory was with the Philistine.
But, no. The young man recoiled to his
feet like a 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 a fine linen handkerchief.
.sFeel better p said the curate.
"Well, I'm
ssHush, man it's not worth ewear-
ing about" interposed his nurse.
CHOW, get up.
He held out his hand and assisted the
wreck to its feet.
YOU'D better call at the chemists
and get patched up. Here's money.
The vanquished one took the silver
and gazed stupidity at the giver, who
was making his toilet.
s'Please go away and don't thrash
your boy any more, said st. John per-
suasively.
Goliath made a few steps, then re-
traced them, holding out a grimy paw.
.'Mister Parson, I'm-I'm''-
Don't say another word. Goodby,.
And the curate shook hands with him.
Inc DIX uldu tuIu0u away hCoSheAy
he halted once more. sI'm beatF' he
said. 1t had to come. Then hesnambled
homeward.
st. John adjusted his collar. gave his
shoulder a rub and donned his coat and
hat. AS he started toward the village a
girl came swiftly to meet him.
"Oh, John, John, You are splendidF'
she gasped as she reached him. -
watched you from the hedge yonder.
81 am exceedingly sorry, Miss Ed
mission, . said the curate coldly, raising
his hat and making to pass on.
Nancy started as though he had
struck her. Her flush Of enthusiasm
paled out. In her excitement she had
forgotten that event Of a week ago, but
the cutting tone of his voice reminded
her. She bowed her head. and he went
on his way. He had gone about so
yards when she called his ame Her
voice just reached him, but something
in it told him that he had not suffered
alone.
He turned about and FASTENED to her.
Exchange.
Millions or Wfnks.
A scientist hHs calculated that the eye