The Lee County journal. (Leesburg, Ga.) 1904-19??, 1909-03-26

81
ground any place but in the limits OF
the real one Their favorite place was
in the shadow of an old church some
little distance away, parallel with the
schoolhouse, and easily seen from its
windows. In top and marble seasons
the boys played on the side next the
schoolhouse. In fouler weather when
such amicables sports were not in vogue
they took the other side. This morn
ing the crowd went round the church.
and the girls at the schoolroom win
dows decided suddenly that it would be
nice to take walk down that way
Jack was among the first on the field
and, a little heavy-hearted, but out
wardly calm, listened to the advice at
his friends and constituents. After
little waiting, around the corner an
peared the likewise confident, bland
face of Willie Perkins. Long irnmun-
ity from danger made the Orphan step
boldly into the midst of the silent.
frowning crowd of boys. His very as
surance seemed to radiate from him.
Jack, somewhat to his dismay. when
he turned to say something to Billy
Boyd, found that the latter had moved
back d little with the other boys. Jack
tried hard not to feel deserted and pro-
pared for fight. The two boys faced
each other-Jack, dark, sturdy, and a
little "chunky'-the new boy taller.
slight, pale-faced, and rather agile look
ing. After the fashion of the times
they prepared to begin with a wrestle.
Eye can have yer holts,' said Jack,
contemptuously, and the new boy grip
ped him. A flash of joy burned up in
to Jack. Just as he had expected, his
magnanimity was to do him no harm.
He could manage three or four boys
like this. He felt the strength in his
hands. The new boy was making some
desperate and annoying wriggles, but
they wouldn't last. long. Jack swung
round leisurely and prepared to land
his antagonist on the ground in a way
to be proud Of But in the moment
in which he waited to take a firmer
grip he had suddenly queer new SEN
sation. 1t was of the silence about him.
Now, however, though he knew he was
the favorite, yet there was no applause
to show for it. The silence was heavy.
There was a wall Of quiet figures round
about. After all, the spirit Of the boys
was against this fight. The moment
it took Jack to think ali this was the
moment for his grip and throw, and he
let it pass. The next moment he threw
the new boy rather weakly to the
ground and sat on him. In the order
Of things it was next for Jack to pum-
mel his victim till he cried for mercy;
Jack gave the Orphan one blow in the
chest and then another. Then a kind
of self-consciousness came over him,
and to save his life he couldn't strike
again. He took moment to feel this
too, forgetting that such position is
not conducive to thought, and that
minute all was lost. For 1.-the, light
figure wriggled out of his grasp, and
the next minute the tables were turned.
The new boy had no. qualms about punl-
melting, and his clasp was like that of
the Old Man of the Sea. Jack didn't
cry for mercy, but the boys dragged the
victor'off at last. They were unfriend-
ly as ever to him, but they took care
not to be rough. Billy brushed Jacks
coat ruefully. Il knowed how it would
be, jack" he murmured in a gloomy
aside. "You can't lick an Orphan"
II tell We | could have licked him.
blazed Jack, pulling away. eff hadn't
let him Off" Billy shook his head sad
ly. tits all the same thing" he said.
The bell to take up recess" rang
sharply, and the boys dived toward the
schoolhouse. Jack fingered minute
to complete the brushing, and to pom
der sadly upon the cause of his defeat.
And suddenly round the corner of the
church was poked a head with black
braids, and MirabePs brown eyes fash
ed at him.
"Ain't you ashamed, Jack Gresham!
Amt you now-to whip an orphan!"
Jack stared uncertainty He would
fam have posed as a naughty victor
but he knew that she would find the
truth out soon enough. Desperately he
caught at the lasts straw, which was the
truth.
II didn't lick him, Mira" he said,-
pleadingly. Il could have, but | let
him lick me cause he is an orphan. I
hope to die l did,
In the long moment that followed
fopoinina ipcoy cictn,, oxy no, NO m tho tOn
Mira's expression changed from re-
proach to disgust and amazement.
"You let him lick you!" she said,.
with growing scorl at last. did he
win? WE'LL never!" She turned
away and ran toward the schoolhouse.
L. 4. L. = L. ,inI,l