The Charles Mix new era. (Wagner, Charles Mix County, S.D.) 1???-1911, 1908-07-10
STRONG AND STEADY

e 1T Walter would not permit himself to
IN NwsnAled. From that time be cherished
j dislike for onr hero. and this he showed
| hs various little sights and Annoyans%s.
"a which Waiter took iittis notice. lie
f~hcronghsy ds~pisel Joshua for his mean
ness and selhshnrxs. ard Il mattered very
little 10 him what snch = boy thought Of
nifn.
This fcrh%Arnne~ Joshua utterly mistn-
terpv~ted. IL decided thar Walter was
iea@sent In courage and spirit, and II en-
rx ur~red him 10 r~rsevere In his system
nc r~.sy aunoyance~ until they might al.
| .r,ns1 H. called bullying. Though Waiter
| kers ani~s under These provocations. there
| was often 4 warning fash of the ere
| i hteh allowed thnf II would not BE- safe 10
70 too Tar. Hut this Joshua did mol no
| tier. and persisted.
.Io~hra." sAid His mother one day. Il
really think you don't treat Walter right.
| You are not polite to him."
"why should ! b<s What = BE- but .
bessHry~
tie i NOT that. Tor h. works for his
living"
AT any rate. he's ! mean fellow. and I
] shall treat him ~ l please"
One afternoon there were Z few young
fellows standing On the piazza in front Of
| Mr. Drummond's store. Joshua was one
/ of them. and there being no ustomer to
wait urson, Walter also had joined the
| company. They were discussing plans for
! picnic 10 BE- held In the woods on the
mxt Sunday afternoon II was to be
| quite Z general affair.
You wiil come. Walter. won't you?'
asked onc Of the nE-sber.
"No." said Joshua he CAM come"
II didn't authorize you to speak for
me" said Walter quietly.
-You didn't authorize me to speak for
| you =. repeated Joshua. in q nockin.
tone. big words for = besgar
what do you mean by calling me 4
Leg-arf" demanded Walter. quietly. but
with rising color.
II don't choose to give yon n expia-
nation" said Joshua scornfully. you're
only my fathers hired boy. working for
your beard"
THAT may be true, bat I am 0 a
hexxar. and I advise you NO to cali me
enc again."
Walters tone was still quiet. and
Jcshua wholly misunderstood him: other
wise. being . coward at heart. he would
have desisted.
"In say IL ~ often as I please," be
repeated You're . besgar. and II we
hadn't taken pity on you. you'd hare had
to 80 to the poorhouse."
Walter was not qnarreseome 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
inrulted mn long enough. and I've stood
X, tor ] didn't want to quarrel; but I
will stand 1t no longer"
He walked up to Joshua. and struck
him in the face. not a hard blow, but still
4 blow. Joshua turned white with pas
sion. and advanced upon a hero fnri-
| oux!y, with the intention OF giving him.
~ he expressed II, the worst whipping be
over had.
Walter parried his blow, and put in an
other. this time sharp and stinging.
Joshua was an inch or two taller. tut
Walter vas more than Z match for him.
Joshua threw OUT his arms, delivering his
blows at random. and most Of them failed
of effect. Indeed, he was 70 blinded with
rnse that Waiter. who kept cool. had
from this cause alone . great advantage
oves him Joshua at length seized HIM,
and be was compelled to throw him down.
As Joshua lay PROSTATE. with Walters
knee uoo his breast. Mr.. Drummond.
~ho had gone over to his y house, ap-
pcared upon the scene.
-What's al this:" be demanded, In
mingled surprise and anger. Conrad.
What means this outrageous conduct1~
Walter ross. and. turning to his en-
pseyer. said. manfully, Joshua insulted
me-. sir. and / have punished him That's
all"