The Mathews journal. (Mathews C.H. [Court House]) 1903-1937, 1910-11-17
THE HOLE IN THE CAP

get pleasure in doing thing if in any
way he takes an unfair advantage.
That's being a sportsman. And. af-
ter all. that's all ! can teach YOU If we
hunt together ten years. Do you
think you can remember that?"
Nes. sir replied Bobby soberly.
There's only one other thing" went
on Mr. Kincaid. that is really impor-
tant, and IL isn't necessary il YOU re-
member the other things I've told
YOU. It's pretty easy sometimes TO do
thing because YOU see everybody
else doing II. Always remember that
true sportsman in every way is
about rhe scarcest thing they make
and the finest. So, naturally the
common run of people don't live up
TO IL II Nou-not the thinking you.
nor even the conscience YOU. but the
Way-doWn-p deep -yOur-heart you that
you can't fool nor trick nor lie to
~ that YOU IS satisfied, it's all right"
ne turned and grinned humorously at
ms small companion. i've nothing
but iittlf income and an old horse
aAu Two Dogs and few friends.
Bobby. lYe lived thirty years in that
| lttie place There and "A great many eX-
! celient pe'fple call me a good-for
nothmg ol II loafer. But I've learned
the thinSsl I'm telling you now, and
m Just conceited and stuck-up
! enough tol think I've made a bowling
success OF it,"
1 don'j think that" said Bobby,
/ laying hi5 cheek against the mans
threadbarA sleeve.
OF ofrse. YOU don't. Bobby" said
ME- kincjRid cheerfully, and I'll tell
4 you why It's because YOU and
} speak the same language. although
you're little boy and I'm a big man"
A few days later the Ordes left for
Redding To spend sometime with Mr.
Orde's parents. on this visit a sue
cessful friendship developed between
Bobby Orde and Johnny English-so
successful that next autumn johnny
English was invited TO visit the Ordes
at MonroVia. He accepted very
promptly, and, as the distance was
short, brought him with his cart and
his pony. which he had named Bobby
Junior. The country around Monro-
via was very interesting to Them. The
boys, armed with their Flobert rifle
! wandered far afeld.
At first some doubt was expressed
as to the wisdom of that Flobert rifle
To turn two small boys loose with a
deadly weapon seemed to Mrs. Orde
a rather strong temptation of Provi-
dence- Mr.. Kincaid spoke for them
In the end it was decided, though with
many misgivings and more admoni-
/ tionS
Keep the muzzle pointed up; never
get excited; never shoot at anything
unless you know what it isl was Mr.
! kincaid's summing UP.
] These three precepts were so con-
stantly impressed that to the boys
their practice ended by becoming sec
ond nature.
It's not only dangerous to do 9th
erwise,' said Mr.. Kinceid, ''but it's a
sure sign of a greenhorn man
ought TO be deadly ashamed to con-
1esS himself such an ali-around dub"
reward the end of the fall, and
nearing Thanksgiving, the boys drove
Bobby Junior out the old east road
After a time they turned off into a nv
way, deep with sand. They hitched
the placid Bobby JuHior to the tor
ram OF snake fenae." climbed it.
ana headed toward al scrub oak and
Poppie thlcket. Both Buys trod on eggs
Scrutlnizlng every Incl of the ground
before them.
It's too late for Hsm," whispered
Bobby in discourageAnent There's
not enough sun. They've gone In TO
feed.
But Johnny seized his arm.
There" he breath ed. See him!
He's sitting in that liktIe scrub oak
Just to the left of the) stub"
Bobby peered along his friends
arm. After a moment he made out a
mottled spot of brown
IT see him." said he. cooking his
rife. TITS his breastt / wish / could
get att his head"
He'll be gone in |m1nute!" warned
Johnny.
1t ivas Bobby's tutn to shoot. He
raised his Weapon. aimed carefully.