The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-12-13
By ". B. MAXWELL, Author q .sTAs csarAed Fia1s.- The Ragged MessengetsS


the builders yard where his father had sent him to learn the trade. he had been fond of his mate--the good strong mate with whom he worked shoulder to shoulder. who could whistle and smile and clap you on the back. and make the toughest job seem smooth and easy be- cause you were doing 1t with him. This young man was like that. And he thought of all the words that were sweet as music. "As between good pals" And the solid truth behind the pleasant sound---words proved true now by deeds. His pal would not leave him in the lurch--would stay with him against seif-interest: deaf to the chink of gold, blind to the prospect of ease. his pal must stand by him though all the world were beckoning.
 As between good pals. Perhaps. crunden thought, in all his long life he had never been understood so well as by his good pal. Jack. His rough outer case seemed no barrier. his coarse brtstles struck no fear---to Jack: to all the careless crowd, hedgehog; but to Jack. pal Wonderful to think of-- with gratitude yelling warm from the heart beneath the hedgehog's ugly coat
 And he thought of the historic fight on Guy Hawkes. day--had thought of 1t quite as often at Mrs. Price, thougu he never by any chance spoke of 1t. And why? He couldn't trust himself to speak. Might let fall with his re- marks something else--a few tears. It had happened in solitary thought: sud den moisture in the eye$ demanding weep? Thinking of 1t now. as he stramped across his empty fields, he brought a clenched fist with loud smack into the horny palm of his other handN Take that" he growled, and that-and that; Thatll teach you to mock my pal for a hedgehog. @
 A son could not have done more for a loved father, Jack was what hewould have wished his own son to be--in all things. And he thought of the great Sir John and envied him; not for the rank. the prestige. the respect of bow ing men, which even poverty could not take, and, in fact, had not really ta- ken. from him-but for the son who called him father.
 Lizzie. too. was grateful to Jack for sticking to the ship. Although Jacks presence or absence was now of course --as with f1rmness, even with defiance she had asserted,--indifferen to her personally. she. nevertheless, felt im- mensely grateful to Jack for his fidel- ity to her father. It was fine trait- something calling for candid acknow- ledgment as worthy and solid. Candid ly acknowledging merit, wherever met with, she took occasion to thank MT. Vincent-on her fathers behalf. With out hurry, in due season when the op- portunity came. she shyly. thanked him.
 "Oh. it's nothing, Miss Lizzie. Noth- to thank your father. He has done everything for me. I was a dreamer and I am awake Of course couldn't go--after what he said"
 While he talked, he was fumbling in drawer of his table. and presently he
 
 to unpack it.
 'I never wanted to go. Only thought I ought to go-but never wanted to- really. =" Miss Lizzie, it's such a rotten little thing-that hardly like hardly dare, don't you know~-to ask you to accept it": and, tearing off the last paper wrapper, he disclosed and opened cardboard box. "But I wish you would. Seems silly to throw It away-and silly to ask you to take such a rotten little thing
 Then with considerable difldence he offered Lizzie the plain gold bangle out of the box.
 I bought it, you know, when I. thought was going away and per haps might never see you again. Just souvenir-you know. When I say goodbye to people--I always want to think they'll remember me-"
 Tt is too kind of you. But really L."
 When I wasn't going. I thought I'd throw it away--but that seems so sil- Iy.. I got Osborn to engrave 1t in side - you'll see. if you look. Hill Rise-and the two dates-while I was here. don't you know. Rotten little thing"
 No. I think it's very pretty"
 Its quite the worst bangle I ever bought-but it's paid for; and he smiled. "I used to tick things. you know. I don't now. Couldn't get tick if asked for 1t. suppose. In the old days bought quite different ban gles-pretty colored stones-and all that
 "oh. this is nicer, as 1t is.'
 "Is 1t? Don't chaff. Miss Lizzie. But I didn't want to get anything better,