Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-08-15
THE SAVING MATCH.


| boys. Sandy Jardine and Max Guerney.
| Sandy was tall. strong. largefeatured
chap, as opposite the poles to the little,
1.-THE dark youth who stood near him look
ing up in his face with laughing eyes.
They were leaders, these two, each of his
particular clan; and respecting their popu-
larity the school was nearly equally d.
vided. A strong rivalry existed between
them, good natured enough for the most
part, though sometimes vergfng toward
unfrendliness. Just now Sandy was evil
IDENTIFY excited, almost angry. In a foot
race the preceding Saturday Max had beat
en- him. gaining a supremacy which he
possibly might hold
Yes. you did whip me fast enough"
Sandy was saying. while dull red mounted
to his cheek: but all the same I'll whip
you to pay for it, any day you've a mind
to set" -
THE track was too short" cried one Of
Sandy's champions. "That's what's the
matter. BY the time Sandy got under
Roadway he had to turn The walk was
laid out for little fellows
Considerable laughter followed this sally,
and the little fellow" Max, joined in it
heartily
Come. I'll match you in any way you
like" continued Sandy. Come, now-row
ing, riding, running, wrestling-which shall
it be? Come. I dare you. Max Guerney."
A little murmur of approval ran around
the group, and the boys waited for Max's
reply. Well they knew he would never
refuse a dare.
Il. as the challenged party, have a right
to choose the weapons?" interrogated Max,
with a side glance from his laughing black
eyes We'll, then, I'll neither ride, nor
row, nor run. nor wrestle; but I'll saw
wood with you, Sandy, and you may beat
me if you can.
I'm tell you." Max's voice rose clear
above the tumult. I'm in earnest enough.
There's old Uncle Nathan Blines and his
wife poorer than double distilled poverty.
and nobody to do a hands turn for 'em
since Slab died l saw Uncle Nathan out
saving at his woodpile. You know they
hauled him some cord wood last winter.
your father. Sandy, and mine. There's
pretty near five cords of wood. guess, and
we'll have somebody divide and measure it
for Then we'll to win. and If
you whip me In it, Sandy, the next Satur-
day I'll match you in splitting and housing
1T for him. What do you say?"
Sandy joined in the cheers and laughter
with the utmost good nature.
Done" nodded he. 'I'll do it."
Up spoke slim. wiry fellow at his elbow.
you shan't do the whole of it. Say.
Charlie Bugbee, I'll split for Sandy, and
you for Max"
agreed" said Charlie
"And Wen wheel in for you two, Art
Humphrey and l." declared Sandy's brother
Jack. Wont we. Art?
"Whew what fine thing going
to make out of it," laughed Max. I'll tell
you, boys, we might nave the match IN
Uncle Nathan's back yard: charge ID cents
or admission and give Uncle Nathan
the money"
"Hooray," shouted Reub Story. my
brother Bob works in Clarendon Star Of
flee, and I'll get him to print our hand
bills. He owes me 10 cents anyway.
Good for you. Reub," cried Max.
Grand saving match! Ditto splitting!
Children full price. Gate open from 10
am. to pm"
Next day the prospective saving match
was noised about the town, and a day or
two Ater the handbiIls were out 1t made
great deal of talk, both sportive and
serious. in the little village.
Its a good idee-fust rate idee." That
was Captain Winty Coolidge, you might
know. at larns the boys that mixin' kind
ness to other folks with their fun don't
hurt nothin'. It's wuth a quarter. and I'm
a-goin' to pay it,
There was every indication that the saw
ing match would be success financially.
II don't believe the backyard will hold
'em ALL" laughed Max to the half-dozen
ward way after school Friday night. Have
you got the tickets, Reub?'
Eyes, a hundred and fifty of EN-"
t'GoOd; now all we want Is fair day.
Hay clouds yelled the burning face of
the sun. and there was cool breeze blow
ing. The saving was to begin at o'clock.
and before that time the board benches
ranged along the backyard fence were
filled with merry lookers-on.
At precisely the same instant the first
two logs across the sawhorses fell in twain.
How everybody cheered. sending little
tingles of excitement thrilling along every
boyish nerve.
The hours wore on. The crowd came and
went surging in and out of the backyard
with jolly chat and laughter. The saws
shrieked, the axes flashed in the air, the
wheelbarrows trundled from woodpile to
woodshed. Peleg. who had been engaged
to make music for the occasion, ffddled
through and through his repertory of tunes.
from Yankee Doodle to Money Musk"
and at length came high noon. with TWEEN
ty minutes of refreshments.
In the afternoon the excitement waxed
stronger. The boys sawed steadily ON with
scarcely any symptoms Of fatigue.
Everybody was laughing and talking of
the sport. Even Mrs. Coli Grosvenor, the
great lady of the village. drove up to the
backyard gate in her carriage, bringing
demijohn of delicious feed lemonade for the
young sawyers and their friends. Captain
Winty Coolidge walked around rubbing his
pudgy hands together. and sprinkling in
encouraging remarks between the shrieks
Of the saws and the squeaks OF the fiddle.
TITS good thing to strengthen the mus
cles-the muscles. A long chalk sensibler
than walking ten hours to the stretch, so