Daily Kennebec journal., 1907-11-09
A BRAVE COWARD.
Mrs. AShtcn-JOhnSOn.


Coward! Coward" rang out from
4 dozen jeering voices.
It's a lie! and every one of you
knows it. Jack Hunter is the bravest
boy among US Because he refuses
To fight is all the more reason that he
is not coward. I'm proud to count
his rs NY friend, and | am 50 ashamed
Of you, l shall have nothing to
say to YOU until you have apologiZed
TO Jack. I've half a mind to report
you TO papa. You need not expect any
more favCrs from: me very soon"
Come, jack she added, turning
her back on the others; I'VE are go
ing after the mail, and ! came to ask
YOU to go with US, when l heard what
those rude boys We're saying to you.
papa said l could choose which
ever hoy | pleased to go this morning.
There are a good many errands to do,
and We are to have dinner in town.
Went that be fine?" and the little
lady Smilrd d her sweetest on Jack.
r.lmWood Hill was the name OF a
HON" school for boys Here from
twenty to thirty boys, whose ages
ranged from fourteen to eighteen
years We're fitted for college. Mr..
and Mrs. LennoX had charge of this
school, and were like father and
mother to the boys They believed in
Individual training and were very wise
Their only child, MadGe. was twelve
years old. and IL universal favnrt"
with the entire school and the worst
punishment that could befall them
was t. be under her disple;tsurr She
was a sweet WinSome little maiden.
who radiated sunshine Wherever she
went. 1t was seldom that she lost
her temper hut here sense of Just ice
was so strong that she could not keep
still when she heard Jack Hunter
called a coward.
Ii she only could. wouldn't she tell
those boys a few things which would
open their eyes, But she had no right
to tell other peoples secrets. 1t
fairly made her blood boil with right
eIuS Indignation when she cOntraSted
Jack with the other boys. They were
ali the sons of wealthy men except
Jack. and had an unlimited amount of
money TO spend. They often called him
Stingy. because he wore Old clothes
anG never treated as the rest did
They knew his uncle was educating
him and sent generous allowance
every month, and saw no reason why
he should spend so little on himself.
Only Mr.. and Mrs Lennox and
Madge knew his secret. or why he
pinchCd and went without all the little
luXures 50 dear to a boys heart. and
many things that he really needed
His father had died when Jack was
IN, IoI nd J.,
or had strained every nerve to make
the ends meet. Jacks grandfather
was wealthy man. but n proud one,
and because his son married 4 poor
girl. he had disinherited him and left
, the bulk Of his large estate to an elder
When Jack was twelve years old
his uncle sent mis- lawyer to saw that
he desired the boy to be given a first
class education at his expense but
that he had no desire to meet or have
anything to do with his brothers
widow.
Elmwood Hill was decided upon as
the most suitable school for Jack. and
fortunately it was less than a hun
dred miles distant from Jacks modest
home. 1t was not long before the
quiet, manly lad had won his way into
the hearts Of Mr.. and Mrs Lennox and
their little daughter, and when he told
them of his life and his poor. brave
little mother and his dear sister. they
We're even more interested than thew
had been before. When the first check
was handed the lad with his uncle's
letter stating that he desired the boy to
be as well dressed as his companions.
and that he should send him an allow
ance every month. the lad broke down
completely. and putting his head in
Mrs. Lennox's lap. wept bitterly.
After the storm was over he asked
Mrs. LennoX il she thought it would
be wronging his uncle if he sent the
greater part of his allowance to his
mother. When she told him he had
perfect right to use it as he saw fit,
his face frightened and he said: ITO
know that mother can have some of
the comforts she actually needs and
that sister Margaret can be dressed
like other children will do me more
good than all the new clothes and
spending money in the world"