The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-09-30

1 'so you won't come out at recess and l play with us fellers. eh2' exclaimed Henry, menacing Speed with his fists.
 No, reckon you feel too fine, you dern Lizzle," spoke up one of Henry's confederates. "Weil, we're a-goin' to give you the worst lckln' you ever had In your life, my baby boy"
 Say. boys" said Speed, turning round and facing the group, .'I ain't fighting boy: my mother taught me better than to be like an animal. but if you force 1t on newly. I'll give as well as take. Pm willing to let you all alone if you'll do me the same favor. But l won't be run over"
 "oh, hear little Mss Lizzie bluffG' cried one of the boys. ''Say. little baby, does your mamma know you're out?" And the three roughs laughed at their own wit. Let's try his muscle" said Henry, edging close to Speed and scowllng In his face. "I'm for gittln' even with him for tellln that about me to the teacher. I'm ready to lay him cold. I am." And he bristled up and shook hls fists under | Speeds nose.
 "All right, you fix him. Hen," said one of the other boys. "Then If he wants to btFup any uoIt buhs hSASp | finish him up"
 Speed looked out to see if any help was near, for he felt himself unequal to handle the three at once, and he knew they were dlshonorable enough to all at- tack him at the same time, giving him | no show. But to hls disappointment he saw the school grounds deserted, all the children and the teacher having gone to their respective homes for dinner. And the town was cut of from tho school 1 house by a row of low, bushy trees whose lower limbs mingled with the tall weeds and grass, thus cutting off all view l of that part of the ground from tho few | villagers who might be walking about the streets.
 ''Take off yonr coat an git ready for me-" warned Henry, jerking off his own coat as he spoka- "I'll manage you with out much trouble, an give you the first blow. Here-readyP'
 Speed threw off hls coat, and before the astonished Henry-who really thought he would take to his heels-coud realize what his antagonist was about he had struck him q blow in the face and sec ond under the jaw that sent him sprawl ing on the ground, blood oozing from his nose. Upon seeing their friend down, the
  grabbing for his throat; but they miscal- culated their foe Like a flash Speed 8 1 long, strong right arm swung ont and caught Dan under the chin, throwing him across Henry, who was beginning to struggle to his feet. Then Speed grappled with the third boy, and they exchanged blows fiercely for a minute, when Speed, by sheer force, threw him to the ground and sat astrde his shoulders, cuffng him
 right literally in the face. 'Nough- ,nough!" cried the whipped fellow, the blood squirting from his nostrlls, for Speed had struck harder than he hal meant to on the enemys proboscis.
 By this time Henry and Dan had got to their feet and came to pull Speed of their friend. Don't touch me" said Speed, looking so determined at Henry | that the latter drew step backward, .for 1 know when to stop. l never strike after my fellow cries 'nough But you | fellows had not so much honor, for you 1 all meant to jump on me at once and overpower me by your number. See what you got for it2'' And Speed got off the shoulders of the whipped boy and stood bravely, fearlessly up before the cowardly pair who confronted him. Nov go, or | I'll give you another round,' he added. as the prostrate form slowly got 10 his feet.
 Well, are we to be friends?' asked