Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1902-05-13
THE DAILY
SHORT STORY.
A LESSON
IN COURAGE

was the better part of valor and IL
man got into n tight fix it was better
for him to yield gracefully than to
fight senselessly.
That's nothing less than cowardiee,"
said McCracken.
Then we would all better be cow
ards at times" replied Scovill. If n
man were to send me word that he
was going to shoot ME on sight, I'd
send back word that 1 hoped he would
not see me-"
Il should tell him that 1 would be
prepared for him." said McCracken.
"Do you mean TO say" pursued SEQ
will, that if you cringed to man
who had the drop on you you would be
q coward?'
That's my conviction said the 9th
er. twirling young mustache resolute-
ly.
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 ut the armory.
II tell you what, fellows" said SEQ
will, Il have a mind to prove Mack a
coward on his own theory"
"Try it," said several students. We'll
give you a supper if you succeed
Very WE'LL" replied ScovilI. IN do
it."
"When?"
..As to that I'll let you know here
after. In the meantime I'll do n job of
thinking on it,
In the university grounds was an old
plaster east of Washington that had
been there from time immemOrial. In
going from his room to the armory Nc
Cracker was obliged TO pass this
statue. One Wednesday evening be-
tween dusk and darkness he was hur-
rying over his accustomed walk, for
he was a trifie behind time, when he
came face to face with the statue
standing silent and rigid in the waning
light. Suddenly the Father of His
Country, in a tone that was evidently
meant to be obeyed, called. At
the same time the right arm was raised
from the side, Il revolver grasped in the
hand.
McCracken stood still as suddenly us
if he had run up against Il stone wall.
Throw up your hands,"
The order was obeyed with alacrity.
Right facer'
BY this time McCracken's equipoise
had somewhat reasserted itself. and he
did not obey the order. y 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 facer
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
facer'
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. coming closer than the first, adj
monished him that if Il joke it was a
serious one. 1t was certainly amusing,
this drilling of an officer of the nation
George Washington, but McCracken
saw nothing in it to move his risible
muscles I'm 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 q smoker
behind a bush. another behind a tree.
which, acting like lighted fuse on
gunpowder, brought about an exDlo-
sion of laughter from every surround
ing hiding place. Then the generals
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.
Il think my theory is all rot"
I'm glad of that. We don't want to
consider you a coward. Any of us
would have obeyed under similar cir
cumstances."
But how did you work the statue?"
asked McCracken.
''This white sleeve was all that was
needed" And Scovill pulled of a 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 sup
per-
That's provided for. but well be
there"
That night a private room at the
Beefsteak rang with "Come. landlord.
fill the flowing BOWL" and other soul
stirring songs. McCracken vas the
merriest of the party. He had been
taught a lesson, but to learn lessons,