Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-10-08

HERO JACK AND COWARD TOM


| stroll?' Then he boldly approached them.
They looked startled and made as If to
rise and depart. But before they could
do so Tom had stepped close beside the
| elder and had said in a f1attering way:
You're as pretty as peach. May l
stroll through the park with your
What the startled girl was about to
say no one but she ever knew. for be-
dignation, Jack had leaped to the spot
his eyes blazing as he took in Toms
| hgure from head to toe. Say he said
holly. addressing himself to Tom
aren't you ashamed of yourself to insul,
unprotected girls? If you don't make
yourself scarce about here-Tll-'And
he doubled up threatening fist
oh. thank YOU said both girls in a
breath. looking their gratitude at Jack
| for his timely appearance But Tom
Jacks face: "Oh. and so our country
! clod hopper is playing the gallant. Ell?
Well, take the pretty misses for an ice
cream soda. You'll find a refreshment
finish. for Jack had made use of hi-
strong fists, and before the insolent Tom
could realize what was coming he lay
prone on the earth, a sorry figure. for his
face struck soft place in the path and
the loose dirt covered it. For few sec
onds he lay where he fell, fearing to
rise. for Jack stood over him with clencE-
ed fists and face full of rage. You
dog. Jack was saying to the fallen fell
low, you deserve a better beating than
intend to give you. But-never while
l am in the same school with you must
you dare to speak to me, or to address
either of my cousins. Do. you hear?"
We hear. if he doesn't" spoke girls
saw Mabelle and Rachel. They had come
up just in time to see their brave "coun-
try cousin fell the impairment Tom.
and although they had not arrived in
%ivvN4 ~ TT
led to the sorry climax. they knew that
in any case their cousin was in the right.
1t took Jack only few seconds to ex-
plain his conduct and for the pretty
strange girls to verify all he said. HE
came in time to resent that boys insult
to u.s. said the older girl. Then. while
Tom was picking himself up and looking
very much embarrassed and crest fallen.
Mabelle learned from the two strange
girls that they had been invited to join
spot. and to be her guests on a little
excursion into the country that after
noon.
"Oh, and you are Hattie's new cousins
Just come to town." cried Mabelle,
We'll, we are OF the party and will be
SO happy to have you with u.s. Wasn't
1t terrible that-that-one of the invited
guests should-should-make himself so
offensive to your" And Mabelle's eyes fell
on the culprit, who was rubbing the dust
from his face.
Then. like the mean fellow that he had
proven himself to be. Tom turned away
from the group. whose eyes followed him
from the group with Implying glancee.
Jack. you're a hero"' cried Mabelle
and Rachel. You may be a country
boy. but you are brick
and that fellow who has just gone
Sinking oh-he is a coward" said the
elder cousin of Hattie Wilson.
Indeed he is, and from today he shall
never be cOuntenanced by any of us
again." said Rachel vehemently. '1Hs
good looks and style can't cover his
multitude of sins. I'm glad we found
him out"
But I'm sorry I had to spoil his hand
some face to teach him a lesson" calmly
remarked Jack. "And-I did hate to show
my country manners by knocking a boy
down-in the presence of girls-but had
to do It in this instance. There was no
other course"