New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-12-07
THE SNOWFALL FIGHT
HOW THE T L C,S BY CLEVER
STRATEGY MON BACK THE FORT

STRATEGY WON BACK THE FORT
The Linden Streets are going to challenge Us to
= SNOWFALL fight" said Buck Art Sawyer told
me So And a. he spoke ne helped Diff roll over
a SNOWFALL that had got too big for one
How many in the gang" asked Dii. Sh"F"H-
Fifteen answered Buck
Il like their nerve" exclaimed Haller, who had
overheard
They'll beat Us won't they" queried Chunk
anxiously-
Dock.
What Of it, said Din sturdily. Well give
them good stand. and we'll have the advantage
,,f being behind breaStwork and having plenty OF
ammunition at hand. and they'll have 10 stop ana
make theirs
Then YOU think we'd better accept il asked
Chunk.
Accept it, said Diff. That's for you fellows
10 say but I'd hate like fun to have gang like
tina. going around and Dragging that the T. L. C
We're afraid Of EN-.
The first deep snow had jus; fallen in the town
where these boys lived. and the snow had begun
10 pack. 1t after school on Friday. and bin
and his fellow club members were busy making
snow fort edge OF the slope behind Din :
grandfatheI's house. The fort was oval in shape
about Icing and five feet wide. and con
sisted OF wall Of three feet high and thick
To make it stancher the boys proposed turning The
hose on it and letting It freeze, and then, Diff
said that would make il O. X
The fort finished and sprayed. they made lot
or snowbalis. which. Tor greater convenience. they
arranged IN ave piles.
The challenge early hour Satur
day morning and The T L. C.'s in special session
Immediately a formal acceptance.
The fort stood a the edge OF a long slope which
vas quite but for 4 scattered apple tree
the right. halfway down about hundred feet
away. stood the old barn which given 10
;he boys = 2 playground
tie left. way down the OF the place.
where streets lntersected. it expected that
the opposing force would enter.
Our heroes. Diff. Halter Dock. Buck and Chunk.
stood inside the fort and awaited the coming Of the
chaengers. The club flag, white square with 7.
l. c. IN red letters, 1oated proudly them. Dir
cool and collected and gave his orders with his
usual elaboration
Now. felIers.r said he make every shot tell.
Don't waste any ammunition. Mark your man and
hit him every time Don't lose your heads and
never give in
The boys Strengthened up under such forcible and
heroic advice and just then the Lindeas in at
The lower gate. At sight Of boys they stopped
a moment and gathered in a group 10 discuss the
situation. There only after all. Din
counted 10 his satisfaction. and each had provided
himself with = shield of barrel slaves which was
strapped TO his left below the elbow
After few minutes during which The jangle OF
their voices could be heard nothing better seeming
TO have occurred TO them than carry the fort by
assault they turned and in body came running
TIE hill, making snowballs as they
q,
awaiting the attack.
Wait til they get within range" commanded
Diff. in low tone. then give il 10 EN- straight.
and keep il up as long there is a snowfall left
Some scattering snowbails were thrown at our
boys. but these they lodged.
Steady said Diff quietly
Now said he grimly when the Lindens came
within range. and like P pistol shot rang out the
order, Fire.
And fire they did and they gave it TO the Lindens
nd halle Adv
from the fort like shower OF hailstones. and the
Iindens were kept al bay tin they got discouraged
and convinced that nothing could he gained by
that form OF attack. Withdrew the shadow OF the
barn to talk the s3tua
Our boys could hear their voices raised In loud
debate. but could not Them. At last there
4 moments silence then \ word OF command
Here they come" said DIM excited as snow
balls in hands and heads well protected by their
sbleld they rushed out from around the corner O
the barn and came pemell up the slope.
They were met by a binding IRE which they re-
turned win Vlgor and stubboIny held their ground.
Keep your heads. commanded Diff as with an
exclamation he put his hand up his eye. which
Just then he and two OF the Others we're grasped
detached themselves from the main body and "reen
ing behind the barn had under cover of the blind
and Ieaped over the wall '''' Up Oei"'' 'he loft
vantage drepd their paps our boys at dis4d-
wild Indians piled into the fort from the front
Then followed a OF the widest CONFUSION
while the boys Joined in hand TO hand scrimrnage
oar boys fought like tigers; but. outnumbered "a
they We're, II Was only little while b.for. th-,
were overpoNered. pitched head over rhe VII
aBc sent sprawlag into the They scr.rnI,l.d
and returned 10 the charge. ii was MOI I'M
Dim Buck Knocked out and discovered thai
Haller's bleeding stream that he c;,iIsd
them of.
Enough" he shouted. and 10y hIs orders they
vent TO the barn TO hold q Coun I'll war
they repaired damages and tried to think OF some
TO outwit the victors.
Matters seemed hopeless when Bucks eyes
lighted their old ire engine. which stood an
disturbed in a corner.
Say. ,feiiers," he said excitediy. I've got a
scheme"
What IL it, exclaimed the oihcr~
Il move said he s-We''-- nh was
The very thing said Diff slapping him on the
hack approrinsly- and 10 Chunks feeble is il
fairg" he replied:
Alrs fair in war
did take a minute
which sii wound garden hose. The boy 8
shrf carried IL down around barn where they
could oe from the fort. Fortune favored