Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-07-13
the Lakeville Weekly News and Courier,
printed the following paragraph:


I'VE have followed the progress of our
contemporaries. the Star and the Wilston
Weekly. with much interest, and up to the
present they have been in a neck-and-neck
race. But this week the Star is away
ahead. We congratulate it's young editors
on their clever work.
The News and Courier was read by the
editors of both the Star and the Wilston
Weekly.
II don't understand it, said Cranston to
Willis.
took more pains this week than ever. and
/ am sure it's better than ever before. Let's
go over it bit by bit together and find out
where the trouble is
CranstOn took a copy Of that weeks is
sue from his desk. Slowly, word by word,
they read 1t over.
I'm quite positive that's better than
any first page we've had yet" said Willis.
turning to the next sheet. Gee! What's
the matter with this-Bertie's mixed the
sheets up somehow. Here's another copy"
same. "Thunderation!' he exclaimed why,
Widths isn't our stuff Then he whistled
and frowned. DO you know what this is?''
he asked. ''It's-it's part of the Star! And
1t looks to me like put-up job too. 1t
must have been a joke. They never could
have been low enough to try to steal 1t!
You know Stacy borrowed the mimeo. and
l guess the sheets must have been in it.
Let's go settle it at once" cried Willis.
Il m ready to thrash the whole lot. It's
dirty mean trick if it was intended as
IL
They hadn't far to go, for Archie and
Rand were just turning into Trow's yard.
Il shouldn't think you'd dare show your
face u said WILLS WILLS Rsgs
Your dastardly mean trick, that's all"
said Willis. You feIlows'll have to stand
thrashing within an inch of your life to pay
for IT.
Archie breathed hard and his eyes glinted
like steel He couldn't stand such talk.
Come on, he said. starting to pull off
his coat. I'VE don't stand such language
for minute. Willis Cobb"
In moment coats were off. and Archie
and Willis stood facing each other like
It was at this critical moment that Ber-
tina turned the corner and came upon the
scene.
"Why-why--what's the NATTER" she ask
ed. and she placed herself directly between
the two boys. her eyes frightened and the
color bright in her cheeks
Get out of the way. Bert" ordered Gran
Her brother took her arm to pull her away.
Hands Off! she cried. i've as much
right here you have. Cranston Trow.
What is the matter. Willis?'
Matter enough" said Willis. you read
what the News and Courier said? Well.
those fellows stole our best sheet and
used it. You may call it a joke If you
like. but say It's a mean. cowardly-"
Wait minute" said Bertha. Il gath
cred those sheets together myself-and-oh,
Willis. 1t was the night Of the gym. you
for you or Gran had left them In the box
with the Monograph. Eliza went over
and got them And-boys. what is the use
OF fighting, with your best friends when
there may be mistaken"
What's the matter?' asked Stacy. saun-
tering up. Then, when he had heard he
cleared his throat.
Il did read your paper when had no
business to-" he said slowly. land 1 did
think for a minute that 1t would be a good
joke on you and serve you right for being
so careless. but. Bertha and fellows, as
sure as love my mother and as sure as I
hope to be as good and brave as my IA
ther. Stacy's voice broke, for his father
had been killed year before while trying
to rescue some people from a burning build
Ing. I resisted the temptation. 1 left our
sheets. with slip on top marked one. two
and three. same as yours Willis, and they
were all lying there together when left
to go to the gym. l never looked at 'em
next day when 1 sorted 'em out, as 1 al
ways do them upside down.
And you boys didn't know a word about
1t until nowT' asked Bertha.
Honor bright declared the three
Willis and Cranston looked at each other
They could not doubt the story; and In
further proof Of the innocence of the &C
cused boys Eliza gave testimony that she
had seen the six piles Of sheets and had
chosen a-one. two and three at random.
The trouble is in our own camp" said
Bertha gravely. land I think we owe the
Star an apology for suspecting them"
ASK EN- all to stay tonight" suggested
Eliza. Sure the big people is all goin
out, and I'll give you timdandy spread"
And so they did.
The truth OF the matter never leaked
out. because the Willston Weekly refused
affair or explain the matter to any one
except me.
A paper is to be regularly printed next
year and to be called the Wilston-Star