The Ogden standard. [volume] (Ogden City, Utah) 1902-1910, 1910-07-23
\ OILY BROWN did it."

II
FL yidual at whose head these and a multitude
of similar exclamationS hurled was a
lad who at the moment seated on the
gatcpost in front OF pretty in the village of
Browntown, ndustriouSly engaged in whiting
He surrounded by half dozen OF more
smaller and younger boys whose costumes varied
from the country boys accepted summer style of a
shirt, pair of buttcrnut trousers held by ono
suspcndcr. and bare icct TO that OF well-drcssed
and booted city lad
In ono respect at least these boys were alike =
the hair OF all soaking Proof positive that
they had just returned from swimming
Ned Saunders, ior whittier was named
city boy and product Of BrowntoSn
but he had spent many of the summers of his
short life there.-hc just past fourtccn-that he
regarded himself half native. at any rate and IN
fact regarded by the villagers
The whole river the banks. oi which Brown
town stood was magnet strong enough draw
any boy; and fishing and swimming formed tho
principal occupation OF all the village lads
In these sports. especially swimming Ned
Saunders acknowledged leader among the
boys. OF he did claim TO vie with
George Brush, who eighteen years old. But
within the limits OF boys strength George
could not view Ned anything but equal.
When say, however, that Ned was 4 leader
VIC do not mean that he the leader of his mates.
There another, the Polly Brown whose name
opens story.
What Polly" stood for, knew. 1t might
be PolluX or Polyphemus Appolouus The nick
name certainly was not given Tor any OF girl
ishness In his character, Tor ii there ever was a
strong, manly boy he one
Born i'll the village, the of a boatman, Polly's
life had been spent in the open air, and, straight
lanee-shaft and as 1.-the hare, he danger
Gus competitor at any sport, and divided with Ned
the swimming honors.
Such the rivals. both self-respecting boys,
who also each respected tine prowess of the other.
Ned's brain then continually rackcd to stunt
Polly in swimming and the lattcrs iugenuties
no less taxed to down Ned.
Up to the day story opens the accounts
even between them. each having safely ac-
compshed every task by his
Well" said Ned, finally. when the babel OF voices
had ceased. what did he dor"
"He went of the cedar pilcl" shouted the chorus.
Jump or dive queried Ned.
Jump"
lie inwardIy heaved 4 great sigh OF relief Jump
ing into the water from height is one thing and
diving quite another.
Ned like most boys, had never figured out all
the reasons why it easier to jump than to dive
lie only knew that was and it relief to him
to know that if Polly had really any Stunt"
for him 1t was a lump and not dive from the cedar
pile
He turned TO Bob Spencer and said. NOW. Bob
tell me honest Did he jump OFF the cedarsl
Yes. he did, Ned, but you going to try it,"
I've got to-" gravely answered the older boy, 'as
long as Polly has"
The next morning just as the FIRST rays OF the
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 such way that firm path
made TO the very edge OF the pie-if you knew Just
where it was
Now, there was more than ordinary reason for
Aed's taking all these precautions; nc intended not
only TO take up Polly's dare" but to give good
measure and dive instead OF jump. But OF this he
sad nothing his friends. 1wo hours laer Ned
answered the bell which summoned him 10 break
fast
Breakfast over he strolled out OF doors lie was
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 gate-post when he spcd little
Spencer and Rodney Foster coming down the street
together.
TO them.
Without moments hesitation Ned walked over
"Redney," hc said abruptly you are a friend OF
Polly Brown, aren't YOU"
Yes. Stree" responded Rodney.
Well, you're the fellow want continued Ned.
''ill you come down and be witness II | do ii:
When" asked Rodney, sarcastcally.
Right now, replied Ned
Let her 60 asscnted Rodney, with ready slang.
aud they then started off for Smiths Dock
walk OF a few minutes brought the three boys
TO their destination and the witnesses stationed
themselves on the string piece the outer end while
Ned after carefully measuring with his eye the dis
tancc from the pile OF logs to the edge of the crib
dock, climbed TO the top.
lie walked carefully his pathway testing 1t
to that undisturbcd and then hailed his
waiting companions.