Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1908-07-17
STRONG AND STEADY
BY H0RATIO ALGER JR
BY h0RATI0 ALGER, JR.

CURED to him that Walter might have a
supply of ready money, part of which he
might borrow. He accordingly took an
opportunity one day to sound our hero on
this subject.
walter, have you couple of dollars
about you to lend me for a day or two"
lie asked in a tone of assumed careless
ness.
"Yes, / have that amount of money,
but l am afraid | must decline lending.
You know my circumstances, Joshua, and
that am in no position to lend anybody
money"
Joshua stalked away in a fret, angry
that Walter would not permit himself to
be swindled. From that time he cherished
a dislike for our hero, and this he showed
by various little sights and annoyances,
OF which Walter took little notice. He
thoroughly despised Joshua for his mean
ness and selfshness, and it mattered very
| little to him what such a boy thought of
him.
This forbearance Joshua utterly misin-
terpreted. He decided that Walter was
deficient in courage and spirit, and it en-
ccuraged him to persevere in his system
Of petty annoyances until they might al
most be called bullying Though Walter
kept quiet under these provocations there
was often warning flash of the eye
which showed that it would not be safe to
20 too far. But this Joshua did not no
tice and persisted.
Joshua" said his mother one day, 81
/ lI, ;nlr 1np't Woltar riOht
You are not polite to him.
"Why should be? What is he but
bcggar?"
"He is not that, for he works for his
living"
"At any rate, he's a mean fellow, and l
shall treat him as | please"
One afternoon there were a few young
fellows standing on the piazza in front of
Mr. Drummond's store. Joshua was one
of them, and there being no customers to
wait upon, Walter also had Joined the
company. They were discussing plans for
picnic to be held in the woods on the
next Sunday afternoon. 1t was to be
quite a general affair.
"You will come, Walter, won't you?"
asked one of the number.
NO" said Joshua; 'he can't come"
81 didn't authorize you to speak for
me-" said Walter quietly.
"You didn't authorize me to speak for
you ~ repeated Joshua, in mocking
tone. big words for a beggar"
What do you mean by calling me a
beggar?" demanded Walter, quietly, but
with rising color.
II don't choose to give you any expla-
nation" said Joshua scornfuly. You're
only my fathers hired boy, working for
your board"
THAT may be true, but 1 am not a
beggar, and | advise you not to call me
one again."
Walters tone was still quiet, and
Joshua wholly misunderstood him; other
wise, being coward at heart, he would
have desisted.
I'll say it as often as l please" he
rcepated. You're a beggar, and if we
hadn't taken pity on you, you'd have had
to go to the poorhouse."
Walter was not quarrelsome; but this
last insult, in presence of half dozen
boys between his own age and Joshua's,
reused him.
Joshua Drummond," he said. you've
insulted me long enough, and I've stood
it, for | didn't want to quarrel; but
will stand it no longer"
He walked up to Joshua, and struck
him in the face, not hard blow, but still
blow. Joshua turned white with pas
sion, and advanced upon our hero furi-
ously, with the intention of giving him,
as he expressed it, the worst whipping he
ever had.
Walter parried his blow, and put in an
other, this time sharp and stinging.
Joshua was an inch or two taller, but
Walter was more than match for him.
Joshua threw out his arms, delivering his
blows at random, and most of them failed
of effect. Indeed he was so blinded with
rage that Walter, who kept cool, had
from this cause alone a great advantage
over him. Joshua at length seized him,
and he was compelled to throw him down.
AS Joshua lay prostrate, with Walters
knee upon his breast, Mr.. Drummond,
who had gone over to his own house, ap-
peared upon the scene.
whats all thisW he demanded. in
mingled surprise and anger. "Coprad,
what means this outrageous conduct?''
Walter rose, and, turning to his en-
ployer, said, manfully, Joshua insulted
me, sir, and have punished him. That's
ALL"
CHAprER VII