The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1909-03-03


Sword and pistol by his side.
And Gusty Baker IL be his bride.
"What's the matter. GusT he added
mockingly.
what is the matterW repeated
Bradley.
"None Of your bus'nessw snapped
Gus, who was in no mood to be friend
ly with any one. You Jest wait, Sam
Hammond! I'll fix you! Got whipped
In school! Ha, ha! Cry babyw And
she gave an exaggerated imitation of
her enemy's facial contortions during
the 'feruling' that morning.
Come on, Gus" interposed Clara
Hopkins. HE isn't worth talkin' to.
Come on, I've got somethin' to show
you"
Gus reluctantly suffered herself to be
led away amid the derisive hootings of
Sam and his friends.
"Ain't you goin' with her?' asked
Sam provokingly. 'She wants her
Brady, SOS to take care Of her II Win.
field comes to school again."
Bradleys temper was slow to rise.
but 1t was rising now.
"Who are you talkin' TOT" he de.
manded.
"You. Who do you sposew
"Well, you'd better shut up."
II had? S'pose don't want tor
Then I'll make you-thats whatr'
"You willr'
eyes, WILL"
"You amt the size. Takes a man.
not monkey"
"I'll show you whether I'm the size
| or not.'
"You willT"
Jaw. gee" said one of the bigger
boys. II wouldn't take that from no
Wellmouth kid, II was you, Sam"
Nor l, neither" said another.
Thus encouraged, Sam bristled up to
his opponent and looked down at him
sneeringly. Bradley didn't give way
an inch. and the two boys rubbed
| jackets as they moved slowly about
each other. The surrounding group
looked delightedly expectant.
"Stop your shovin'v' commanded
Sam, giving his enemy a push with
his shoulder.
"stop yourself" said Bradley. push
ing back
"T.. put head on you SOS the old
maids won't know YOU"
"Tll make you snivel worse n you
did in school this mornin'."
| "Well, SAM" exclaimed q spectator
in huge disgust, "'fore I'd take thatv'
The Hammond boy did not really
want to fight, but, thus goaded, he sud-
denly gave Bradley violent push
with both hands. The next instant
both youngsters were clasped tightly
together, gripping each other about the
neck and wrestling savagely. In q
moment they fell with a thump and
rolled over and over, pounding, kicking
and scratching. The snow few, and
the crowd whooped and pushed and
strained to see better
Then there was q rush, q frightened
scurry. and both combatants were
pulled apart and jerked to their feet,
while Mr.. Daniels, holding each by
the coat collar, glared down upon them
"You may come with me-" he said.
| with chilling calmness.
| The scene In the schoolroom that fol-
lowed was brief, but exciting. Bradley
held out his hand and bit his lip stub
bornly while the ferule descended
once, twice. twelve times.
There" said the teacher. "Now,
you may take your seat. For q new
scholar you begin extremely we'll.
Now, Samuelr'
The Hammond hand having received
Its share Of beating and it's owner also
sent to- his seat, Mr.. Daniels said
Both of>you will lose your afternoon
recess. / shall also give each Of you
a note, telling Of your punishment, to
take home"
At half past that afternoon Brad
ley, with the note tightly clasped In
his hand, walked dismally up the walk
to the Allen back door. The thought
! that he had disgraced himself forever
In the eyes Of his protectors burned like
fire under his new cap; also there
was bitter feeling that Gus, the cause
OF all his trouble, had not been near
him to console or ask pardon.
1t was typical Of the boy that he had
not thought Of destroying the note. He
handed 1t to Miss Prissy the moment
he opened the door. She read It and
sat heavily down In the chintz rocker.
MY soul and body!" she walled.
"Tempy Allen, come here this minute!
Here, for mercy's sake. read thisv'
| Miss Tempy's agitation was even
more marked than that Of her sister.
"Oh, oh, ohv' she cried, waving the
condemning sheet Of paper like a dis
tress signal. How could you? How