Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1907-03-14
q Snowfall Eioht.

a SnowbaI! Fight.
THE Linden Streets are going to
challenge us TO SNOWFALL fight" said
Buck. AIT Sawyer told me So" and
as he spoke he helped Diff roll over a
SNOWFALL that had got too big for one.
How many in the gang?" asked Diff
shortly.
Fifteen" answered Buck.
81 like their nerve." exclaimed Haller
| Tlo had overheard.
They'll beat US, wont they?"
quericG Chunk, anxiously.
They're bigger'n we are, too,' spoke
| UP Dock.
what Of it?" asked Diff sturdily
well give them Z good stand and
We II have the advantage of being be-
| mind a breastwork and having plenty
of ammunition at hand and they'll
| have to stop and make theirs
| "Then you think we'd better accept
it," asked Chunk.
| accept it," said Diff. that's for
You fcllcrs to say, but I'd hate like fun
to have a gang like that going around
and Dragging that the T. u. C.'s was
afraid of en-
| The first deep snow had just fallen
in the town where these boys lived and
| the snow had begun to pack. 1t was
| after school on Friday and Diff and his
| fellow club members were busy max
| ing 4 snow fort at the edge of the slope
| behind Diff's grandfather's house. The
| fort was oval in shape, about ten feet
| long and five wide and consisted of q
| wall Of snow three feet high and thick
To make it stauncher, the boys pro-
! posed turning the hose on it and letting
| it freeze and then, as Diff said, THAT
| would make it o. X"
| The fort finished and sprayed, they
made a lot of snowballs which, for
| greater convenience they arranged in
| five piles.
| TIE challenge came at an early hour
on Saturday morning and the T. L.
| C.s i'll special session Immediately sent
a formal acceptance.
| The fort stood at the edge of a long
slope which was quite bare but fer
few scattered apple trees. At the
right, half way down. about hun
dred feet away stood the old barn
| which was given over to the boys a
| playground.
| At the left, way down at the corner
| OF the place where two streets inter-
| seCted, it was expected that the oppos-
ing force would enter
| Our heroes, Diff. Halter. Dock, Buck
and Chunk, stood inside the fort and
awaited the coming of the challengcrs
The club flag, white square with
7. L. q. in red letters foated proudly
over them. Diff was cool and collect
cd and gave his orders with his usual
elaboration.
"Now fcllers,' said he make every
shot tell. Don't waste any ammuni-
ton. Mark your man and hit him
| every time. Don't lose your heads and
| never give in
| The boys Strengthened up under such
forcible and heroic advice and just
then the Lindens came in at the lower
gate. At sight of our boys they stopped
a moment and gathered in a group
| to discuss the situation. There
were only ten after all, Diff counted
to his satisfaction. and each had pro-
vidcd himself with a shield of barrel
slaves which was strapped to his left
arm below the elbow.
After a few minutes, during which
| the ianSlc of their voices could be
heard. nothing better seeming to have
| " tii'iii ticli " Cdli tlit'
fort by assault, they turned and in a
body, came running up the hill, max
ing snowballs as they came
Our boys stood breathing hard, snow
bail in hand, awaiting the attack
Wait till they get in range" com
mandcd Diff, in low tone, then
give il to EN- hot from the bat and
keep it up as long as there's a snow
ball left
Some scattering snowbals were
thrown at our boys. but these they
| lodged.
steady" said Diff quietly.
"Now." said he grimly when they
came within range. and like a pistol
shot rang out the order. Fire"
And fire they did. and they gave il to
them stubornly and persistently. The
snow balls from the fort came like a
shower Of hail stones and the Lindens
were kept at bay until they got dis
couraged and, convinced that nothing
could be gained by that form Of attack.
| withdrew to the shadow of the barn to
talk over the situation.
Our boys could hear their voices
raised in loud debate, but could not see
them. At last there was a moments
silence, then word of command.