Hopkinsville Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1889-1918, 1901-01-11

"AhlS again; then, suddenly: You
may 60 to my study
And Philalmost staggered out,
shaking in every limb
"What a coward to be scared into
tellinep Jud whispered to his nearest
neighbor
Mr.. Garnetts cars were sharp.
"a coward, did you say, Judson
Clarke? Yes, you are right. Philip
Rowe is a great cowardo Then he
turned abruptly upon the boys before
him. Gle needs to be cured Of such
Weakness boy afraid of everything,
as he is--and this is a good opportunis
ty Boys, / leave his punishmsTy
with you. What shall it be?" was the
unexpected ending.
Boys are queer beings. A moment
ago they would have been ready for
any plan--in fact, as we know, they
had been waiting for an opportunity
for days, and, now that one had come,
and it was theirs to openly mete out
any cure as punishment, not one was
ready to seize it.
How easy it was to bring about that,
trip to Willow swamp in the gloomy
night Or other plans fully as Sc
we're could be tried. But they hest
tated still. Boys are strangely in
consistent creatures sometimes.
Come, comeFg Mr.. Garnett cried.
eve must make an example Of him.
Dangerous diseases require dangerous
remedies, you know" The boys
moved uneasily now. The master
went on: "And boy who is too COW
ardly to shield himself from punish
ment when no eye saw his mischief
but the Father above-a boy who
would, in your opinion, take that VIII
low walk rather than get others into
trouble by telling of tricks played
upon him-such boy is dangerously
afflicted with cowardice. Do you not
chink SOP"
That question was not answered,
for Jud Clarke sprang to his feet
"Make it light, please, Mr. Gar
nett" he said.
"Aye, aye, make it lightp' all the
boys joined in
"Whatl what" the master ex-
claimed. "You want to make it easy
for nina coward among brave
boys?"
"He is Drawer than | could have
beenp Jud declared, frankly.
"Or any of us, added Ern.
Despite the stern look, something
suspiciously bright glistened in the
masters eyes.
'Is this your decision?" he asked.
"Aye, aye, sirl' every voice re-
sponded.
Then followed some earnest words
concerning Pills hereditary physical
weakness, which the delicate boy had
been unable TO overcome; the neces-
sity of proper sympathy from those
who were blessed with strong nerves
and sound health, and then Of the
cruelty which would attempt to com
pei physical bravery
The boys heard it all with burning
cheeks, though 70 further word indi-
Gated a knowledge Of any of their acts
or plans Then he concluded:
"AIuch as priced my orchid, had
rather lost so such than find one of
my boys guilty of moral cowardice.
Better be physical coward like Phil,
and have moral bravery, than to be
the most fearless in nerve and too
morally weak to own the truth under
all circumstances"
Phil had his reprimand-a sharp
one, too. for Mr., Garnett tolerated no
carelessness to go unheeded; then
there were a few wise words concern
ing bravery and cowardice which
stimulated the boy wonderfully.
The bridge plan of cure was never
tried. 1t would have been hardly safe
for anyone to have suggested it after
this.
Phil never knew Of it, either. He
noticed one thing, howeyer-that the
boys no longer tried to aggravate his
physical fears nor showed contempt
for them
He yentnred more and more be-
cause Of this, and did succeed in over
coming them in some degree. And
ono day trhpn on "a little pvnaditioD