Los Angeles herald., 1910-12-11
= OILY BROWN did il"

eS, he 0lQ. we saw Iulll Lie luulNi-
vidual at whose head these and multitude
of similar exclamations were hurled was
lad who at the moment seated on the
gate-post in front of pretty cottage in the village OF
Browntown, industriousy engaged in whiting
He was surrounded by half dozen or more
smaller and younger boys whose costumes varied,
from the country boys accepted summer style of
cotton shirt pair of buternut trousers held by one
suspender and bare feet, to that of well-dressed
and booted city lad
In one respect at least these boys were alike
the hair of all was soaking wet Proof positive that
they had just returned from swimming.
Ned Saunders, for our whittier was named
was city boy and not product OF Browntown'
but he had spent so many of the summers OF his
short life there-he just past fourteen-that he
regarded himself half native, at any rate, and IN
fact was SO regarded by the villagers.
The whole river the banks of which Brown
town stood was a magnet strong enough to draw
anv boy; and fishing and swimming formed the
principal occupation of all the village lads
In these sports, especially in swimming Ned
Saunders was an acknowledged leader among the
boys OF course he did not claim to vie with
George Brush who was eighteen years old. But
within the limits of boys strength even George
could not view Ned as anything but an equal
When we say however, that Ned leader
we do not mean that he the leader of his mates
There was another the Polly Brown whose name
opens our story.
What "Polly" stood for no one knew. 1t might
be Pollux or Polyphemus or Appoonlus. The nick
name certainly was not given for any trace OF girl
shness in his character, for II there ever was
strong manly, boy he one.
Born in the village, the son of boatman, Pollys
life had been spent in the open air. and, straight as
a lanceshaft and 1.-THE hare, he was danger
ous competitor at any sport, and divided with Ned
the swimming honors.
Such were the rivals, both self-respecting boys,
who also each respected the prowess of the other
Ned's brain then was continually racked to stunt
Polly in swimming, and the latters lngenultes were
no less taxed to down Ned.
Up to the day our story opens the accounts were
even between them, each having safely ac-
complished every task set by his mate
well" said Ned, finally when the babel of voices
had ceased "yvhat did he do?'
"He went off the cedar pile!" shouted the chorus
Jump or diver" quered Ned.
Jump"
He inwardly heaved great sigh of relief, Jump
sno into the water from height is thing and
diving is quite another.
Ned like most boys, had figured out all
the reasons why it easier to jump than to dlve
he only knew that it was and it was'a relief to him
to know that if Polly had really set any new stunt
for him it was jump and not dive from the cedar
pile.
He turned to Bob Spencer and said: Nov, Bob
tell me honest Did he jump off the cedars?
"Yes he did, Ned, but are you going to try 1t!
1--WE got to" gravey answered the older boy, as
long as Polly has"
The next morning, just as the first rays of the
sun began to tighten the sky, the back door of the
Saunders house was stealthily opened and Ned
emerged. Hastily proceeding along the deserted
streets he soon reached Smiths Dock. With him he
took some twenty-five thin wooden wedges made of
old shingles which he had found in the woodshed
the day before. Hastily climbing the pile of logs
from which Polly jumped, he inserted the wedges
under the logs in such way that firm path was
made to the very edge of the pile-f you knew just
where it was
Now, there was more than ordinary reason for
Ned's taking all these precautions; he intended
only to take up Poly's dare" but to- give good
measure and dive instead of jump. But of this he
said nothing to his friends. Two hours later Ned
answered the bell which summoned him to break
fast.
Breakfast over he stroled out of doors He
too absorbed to play game of tennis with his sister
and her friend, who their guest
SO after stroll about the grounds he wandered
out to the street and had barely mounted to his
familiar seat the gate7post when he spied little
Spencer and Rodney Foster coming down the street
together,
to them
Without moments hesitation Ned walked over
Rodney" he said, abruptly, "you friend of
Polly Brown, aren't you?"
eyes, sir-ee," responded Redney.
"Well, you're the fellow I want" continued Ned
''Will you come Down and be witness if do ite"
"When% asked Redney, sarcastcay.
Fright now replied Ned.
Let her CO." assented Redney, with ready slang
and they then started off for Smiths Dock
walk of few minutes brought the three boys
to their destination and the two witnesses stationed
themselves the string piece at the outer end, while
Ned, after carefully measuring with his eye the dis
tance from the pile of logs to the edge of the crib
dock, climbed to the top.
lie walked carefully his pathway, testing it
to see that it was undisturbed and then hailed his
waiting companions.