The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1902-05-29

maid in all Christendom he stood pre-
pared to prove his claim with lance
and battle ak. If he conquered the fall
len foe acknowledged the ladys su-
premacy." Durham paused and looked
around at the open-mouthed group.
Again the faint smile crossed his face.
"For the fair name of my grandfather,
for the upholGing of the family pride,
l will run with Mr.. Slocum myself"
YOU" cried the landlord
But the others We're too dazed for a
moment to speak.
There is to be but one condition."
Durham continued. "If ] beat Mr..
Slocum he must agree to acknowledge
that my grandfather was the better
man.
do it, Bob: do it, cried the spokes-
man. and then there was wild burst
of laughter.
"I'll do it," said the eminent sprinter
with a broad smile
And the two men solemnly shook
hands.
Say. does this really mean a race?"
cried the spokesman.
Its what mean" said Durham.
What distance?'
"Ill leave that to Mr.. Slocum."
His choice is 22O yards
"very veil"
"When?"
1T must be this afternoon, replied
Dunham Il have a business engage
ment in Cleveland early in the morn
ing"
What do you say to 4 o'clock?"
1T suits me-" replied Dunham. He
looked around. Il will have to ask one
of you to lend me Il pair of Shoes he
said.
That's all right" cried the landlord
"I'll fix you out. I've got all of my
boys running togs here, an you're well
come to 'em."
"Thank YOU" said Durham. THAT,
think, settles all Details
The spokesman looked him over.
Ever run before?' he asked.
.. Yes, in college"
Anywhere else:''
No"
The spokesman looked him over
again and Dunham fancied there Was
pity in his glance.
Come. boys" he said: lets go out
and stir up Il crowd" He looked back
from the open door. See you later,
Mr.. Greer" he called.
Il think" laughed Dunham. that
you will see me first"
Whereat they vanished with a gust OF
noisy laughter.
The landlord looked up at Dunham.
Say, you've got the spunk. all right"
he cried admiringly "Derned il I don't
most hope you'll Win"
THANK you again." said Durham.
"And now one other thing. Have you
a college man in the village?'
'"rheres Parson Giddings," said the
landlord. He's a college man. Amt
much older n you, either. He's good
deal of an athletic fellow, too. Goes to
all the races. and everybody in town
swears by him."
II want to meet him before we run,
said Dunham. "I want to explain to him
who ! am. ] don't want them to think
I'm professional ringer"
The landlord laughed.
"They ain't afraid of no ringers here"
he said.
1t was il beautiful afternoon. and it
seemed as If all Eagleville had come ont
to the fair grounds TO see the race.
No doubt the novelty of the challenge.
as we'll as the desire to see the local
champion pitted against a city fellow.
and what the village was pleased to
call "a dude at that, helped to swell the
attendance.
Dunham himself standing in the little
room beneath the judges stand. with
his racing costume covered by blank
ct. smiled, too.
And then shadow in the doorway
cut short his amusing reflections.
A pleasant faced young man in IA suit
Of sober black was intenty regarding
him through pair of shining specta-
cles.
II am Mr., Giddings," said the strang-
er. arthur Giddings Amherst"
"Dunham Greer. Princeton"
And they solemnly shook hands.
~ wanted to have II little talk with
you" said Durham. II feel that need
somebody to vouch for me. trust you
can do it, ] want you to represent me
here"
II will do it with pleasure" said the
young pastor. But you need not be
afraid of these people. There will he
no trickery. They are as honest as the
day"
1T isn't that" said Durham Quickly.
"But I want them to understand that
] am square, too. Have you ever heard
my name before?"
II have often heard the name of
Greer" the young pastor said. "They
called him the railroad king, l believe"
mo" said Durham quickly, ITS the
younger Greer this time" He turned
and drew his pocketbook and gold
watch from the garments that hung on
- a.UI 4l..x.
charge of these. But first look at the |
inSpripti ion IN The watch -