The Bellefontaine Republican. [volume] (Bellefontaine, Logan County, Ohio) 1855-1905, 1902-05-16
40.
A LESSON
In COURAGE
tOriginal.1


and was lieutenant in a militia reg
iment, averred that unless a man were
constitutionally cowardly he would not
feel fear under any circumstances.
Scovill who belonged to that class, the
sophomore, whose members consider
it an inherited duty to keep the college
in an uproar. declared that discretion
was the better part of valor and If
man got into a tight fix it was better
for him to yield gracefully than to
fight senselessly.
That's nothing less than cowardice."
said McCracken.
"Then we would all better be cow
ards at times" replied Scovill. ''If
man We're to send me word that he
was going to shoot me on sight, I'd
send back word that hoped he would
not see me-"
81 should tell him that / would be
prepared for him. said McCracken.
do you mean to say" pursued Sco-
will. that if you cringed to a man
who had the drop on you you would be
a coward?"
That's my conviction" said the 9TH
er. twirling young mustache resolute-
Iy.
''Then you'll prove yourself coward
some day, you may bet your boots"
THAT remains to be SEEN"
With this the speaker left the party
to go to the regular Wednesday evening
drill at the armory
81 tell you what. fellows" said SEQ
will. 81 have a mind to prove Mack Q
coward on his own theory"
TRY it." said several students. "We'll
give you supper if you succeed"
Every WELL" replied Scovill. I'm do
it,
"Whenf"
"As to that I'll let you know here
| after. In the meantime I'll do a job Of
thinking on it,"
| In the university grounds was an old
plaster cast of Washington that had
been there from time immemorial. In
| going from his room to the armory Nc
| Cracken was obliged to pass this
statue. One Wednesday evening be-
tween dusk and darkness he was bur.
rying over his accustomed walk, for
he was a trifie behind time, when be
came face to face with the statue
standing silent and rigid in the waning
light. Suddenly the Father of His
Country, in q tone that was evidently
meant to be obeyed, called "Halt.' Al
the same time the right arm was raised
1 81, 81 -
hand.
McCracken stood still as suddenly a.
IL he had run up against stone wall.
Throw up your hands!'
The order was obeyed with alacrity.
Fright facer'
/ BY this time McCracken's equipoise
had somewhat reasserted itself, and he
did not obey the order. A bullet sang
disagreeably near to his ear. Not TAX
ing note of the fact that the bullet
passed quicker than he could act, he
involuntarily ducked.
Right facev
This time the lieutenant turned on
his heels without waiting for another
bullet, which might possibly hit him.
Forward, march. Halt! About
face! To the rear. march! Halt! Front
facev'
The lieutenant obeyed these orders
with minute exactness. Once during
the drill, thinking that it might be
students joke. he again stood still
when ordered to march. but another
bullet. comm. closer than the first, ad-
monished him that if a joke it was q
serious one. 1t was certainly amusing,
this drilling of an officer Of the nation
/ al guard by the statue Of General
George Washington, but McCracken
saw nothing in it to move his risible
muscles in the slightest degree. In
deed he was quaking lest he should
, make some blunder and the general
:, shoot him down on the spot. Finally
the drillmaster directed the lieutenant
, | to stoop and perform the ducks
march, which he did. not daring to
lower his hands. There was smoker
behind bush. another behind tree,
| which. acting like a lighted fuse on
i, gunpowder. brought about an explo-
sion of laughter from every surround
, ing hiding place. Then the generals
. Threatening arm fell to its proper place
! and Scovill stepped down from behind
the statue. At the same time a dozen
students emerged from behind trees,
= bushes and other available screens.
"Well, Mack. what do you think OF
your theory now?" asked Scovill.
81 think my theory is all rot"
'Pm glad of that. We don't want to
, consider you coward Any Of us
| would have obeyed under similar cir
cumstances."
"But how did you work the statuer
asked McCracken.
This white sleeve was all that wal
needed" And Scovill pulled of cot
/, ton sleeve cut the same shape as the
generals Continental uniform coat
Boys. meet me at the Beefsteak aft
@ er drill. and I'll blow you off to a sup
!. per-"
NJ That's provided for. but Wen b<
"A there"
T. That night private room at thu
T. Beefsteak rang with Come. landlord
+, fill the flowing BOWL" and other sou
n. stirring songs McCracken was tn,
q merriest of the party. He had beer
n. taught a lesson but to learn lessons
m not only from books. but from associa
m ton, was. what he WAS at college for
ia He is now with the army in the Phil
n. iippines doing good service.
ARrHuIs HUNTINGTON.