Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1910-07-07

y
there who was earning his own edu-
cation.
The day after the fight Tom Blake
saw Russell Sherman coming across
| the campus toward him, but Sherman
| when he reached fork In the cement
| walk turned aside, going in another
direction. Blake saw plainly that the
boy he had fought for shrank from
meeting him. At first he didn't like
this action on the part of his protege
He thought that Sherman should have
come up to him frankly and thanked
him for standing by him SO far as to
fight for him. But Blake was think
ing sort Of boy, and 1t occurred to
him that If the tables were turned. If
some boy bigger and stronger than he
had fought for him, how would he
feel toward that other boy? He could
not quite put himself in such a posi-
ton, for he had good strength for his
age and was not fearful Neverthe-
less he could excuse Sherman on the
ground that he had needed protection
from Il bigger boy, had secured it and
would naturally feel demeaned by ac-
cepting 1t.
Blake went on to his room and, glanc-
ing at his study table saw something
on 1t, fiat and round. wrapped in white
paper. Taking off the cover, he came
to some oil paper, which contained
something soft. Removing this wrap
per, he uncovered pie.
by Jovc.' he exclaimed. 81 won
der how that came here"
He ate half the pie, then bethougm
himself who had left it there. MI
merous inquiries failed to elicit the
donor. He racked his brains to dis
cover what friend he had that would
thus favor him. but could not think
Of any one. One person occurred to
him as the possible giver-that was
Russell Sherman. But the pie had
been tied up with very narrow blue
silk ribbon instead of a string, the
ends being tied in bow. Blake knew
that no boy would ever tie up any
thing with a bow. No; some of his
aunts, sisters or cousins must have
sent 1t to him.
He thought that when he met Sher-
man again he would say something TO
make him feel easier about his posi-
ton. He found an opportunity one
day when coming out of recitation.
Hello, Russellr' he said.
Hello, Blaker' was the reply.
"Going to win the valedlctory?
81 don't know"
81 hope you will"
"Why?"
"Oh, think you're pretty good sort
Of felloww
81 don't believe you respect me
much"
Yes, do. Why do you think 1
don't?"
ooh, don't fight my own battlesw
you would with boys of your size"
81 haven't had chance before this
to thank you for that fight you had
with Potter. 1t was mighty good Of
you"
Blake felt Russell's hand feeling for
his and saw a pair of grateful eyes
turned upon him. Thinking the affair
tense Of wishing to catch up with an
other boy and ran away. When he
went to his room to prepare for sup
per he saw another gift on his table
This time 1t was a cake.
Again Blake questioned the maids
and others in the house, but no one
could, or, rather, would, tell him who
had left the gift.
Meanwhile Russell Sherman was dis
tinGuishing himself in his classes. con-
tinually gaining honors.
Graduation day came, and the boys
made their speeches. Last came Sher-
man with the valedictory. He had
fulfilled the expectations of his teach
ers. his standing being higher than had
ever been reached in the school before.
AS soon as he started to speak persons
in the audience began to whisper to
each other: How young he is! His
voice hasn't even changed" The boy
acquitted himself we'll and received
more enthusiastic congratulations than
are usual on such occasions. The
world admires strength but loves
weakness.
The graduating class separated.
some to so the next autumn to college,
others into business. During the sum-
mer Tom Blake went to a farmhouse
where boarders We're taken. On ascend
ing the steps he saw a girl In white
dress dart into the house. He thought
nothing Of this, however. till supper
time, when he saw the same girl sit
ting ut an opposite table and trying to
hide her face from him. After supper
he met her In the hall He stopped
her and asked:
81 beg pardon. Aren't you a sister
of Russell Sherman"
81 am Russell Sherman"
And then 1t all came out that Edith
Russell Sherman, having been denied
admission to the normal school, had
donned boys apparel and entered as
boy. AS soon as she had been grad
uated she returned to the dress of her
own sex.
Tom Blake and Edith Sherman are
now studying at a coed college. 1t
looks as If they would study in prox-
unity for the rest Of their lives.
AMERICAN MOTHER DEFENDED
tt