The Intermountain Catholic. (Salt Lake City [Utah] ;) 1899-1920, 1904-05-07

met mad dog, and he had a strong suspicion that
he would be very much frightened if he should
meet one His knees shook at the very thought
Rosy came, and Ned strutted along beside her
with a very important air, while Johnny meekly-
walked behind and looked atmiringy at them. He
thought Ned the braYest boz he had ever seem and
Rose the prettiest girl
At the edge of the wood they stopped to cut
some sticks. Ned knew exactly how and he cut two
long, stout sticks, with little knob at the end
where the spreading branches were trimmed off
'Fm pretty brave / guess" said Ned as they
walked on. I'm not afraid of anything. Why, if
runaway team should come tearing down the
road; I'd as lief out in front of em as not and
if bear should come growing out of those bushes
I'd hit him over the head, and he'd drop dead [
speet"
Johnny looked tearfuly at the bushes and
prickly feeling crept from the top of his head down
his back
Now it happened that Mr. Green, who lived just
over the hill, had gefc to town chat day and had
left poor old Bose shut up in the woodshed Bose
howled and growled and flung himself against the
door until the latch gave way; then the big dog
darted out the door and joyfuly few downward
net round by the road. but straight through the
woods-straight toward two little boys and little
girl, who were gathering acorn cups under big
burr oak. Down the, hill he tore with his tongue
hanging out and his eyes fixed fearful thing to
see. He scarcely noticed the children. He was
thinking only of overtakng the wagon as quickly
as possible; Dut IfeS saw MIN.
Johnny was so scared that he never knew how
it happened, but when he came to himself he found
that he was standing III front of Rosy with his
stick raised and Bose was gone-and Ned. too.
Ned crawled out of the bushes presently look
ing very white and shamefaced
you see [ didn't know whether he was m-mad
not" he stammered. Of I'd been sure he was
mad I'd have-Fd have
They strolled OH again, with their faces toward
home, but Rosy walked by Johnny this time, and
Ned walked alone,a little head and strutting more
than ever. Just to show that he was not afraid.
oh, not afraid of anything-not he-he ran up and
thrust his stick into a cump of bushes. With a
thump and bump and a snort dreadful creature
sprang out. For moment Rosy and Johnny chung
together with their eyes Shut too frightened to
speak or
'M-a-a-a" said the dreadful creature
Then Rosy and Johnny opened their eyes and
the dearest little red and white wobby legged
calf that ever was.
On the way home Rosy and Johnny met Ned
just at the edge of the woods, coming slowly and
fearfuly back.
"W-what was it ~ he gasped
"a teenty, timely calfe," cried Rosy, rather Sc
verely.
They walked on, Ned little behind the others,
with his hands thrust very deep in his pockets and
his head dropping.
After while he said in small voice 81 guess
I'm not very brave, after ALL" But surely that
a brave thing 10 say. Tor 1T was always hard .tor
Ned to admit that he was in the wrong
Johnny smiled brightly. "Pshaw" he said
you're brave l am, L was awful scared. [
spect I'd have run, too, but my feet wouldn't go"
1t was kind thing to say, but we doubt it,
We doubt if Johnny would ever run away and leave
smaller, weaker thing than himself in danger
Ned doubted it, too.
After this Pm going to try not to run when
am scared" he said very slowly and humbly.-r
Selected.