The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-07-17

had been invited to the diversions of the
night before had gone home. not to re-
turn until evening. It was proposed that
the others take a walk in the fields.
Harry, who began to feel the pride Of in
jured friendship, disdained to offer Tom
my any explanation of his conduct of
the night before since his friend was not
sufficiently interested to ask for one. As
they strolled along, the others talking
and laughing, poor Harry cut but a
sorry figure, for he seemed, by mutual
consent, to have been sent to Coventry.
Suddenly they saw a great number
of people hurrying in the direction OF a
neighborfng common. They learned that
there was to be a bull batting, and
some of the boys at once proposed to
go and see 1t. Harry demurred. as he
knew that tn err parents would object
to their attending this sport" The
other boys vituperated him roundly in
most insulting terms. and one said he
supposed that If they did go Harry
would tell when they got home.
Harry replied that II he were asked
where they had been he certainly would
not tell a lie. Marsh, who was the
largest and strongest boy of the party
came up to Harry threatentngly and
said: 80, all the return you make to
Master Merton for his kindness to you
is to play the spy and informer, is 1t,
you dirty little blackguard?" To Har-
RVS relief, Tommy. who OF late had
shown decided GOODNESS toward him,
not only did not take his part, but
seemed TO take a malicious pleasure
In these insults. But Harry replied
spiritedly that he was neither an In
former nor a biackguard and he want
ed as little of them as they did of
him.
"one of you called me beggar."
said he, but If | should ever be reduc-
ed to beggary l should know better
how to employ my time than to ask
charity of any one here" This sarcastic
answer had such an effect upon the IT.
ritabie temper of Master Merton that
he strutted up to Harry, and. clenehing
his fist, asked IL he meant to insult
him, Thrash him for his impudenoe"
cried the boys. and Merton hit Harry in
the face, Harry did not return 1.-THE
was too much grieved at this action Of
his friend to be angry but when Mas
ter Marsh, thinking that Harry's for
bearanoe showed cowardice, attempted
to strike him, too, fight issued which
was long remembered by those who
witnessed it, Marsh was older and
stronger than Harry and several times
he knocked him down, But Harry had
staying qualities" and at length Mas
ter Marsh was sent to grass in fine
shape.
Bows are boys the wide world over
and have been 30 in all ages. AS soon
as the fight began they gathered
around the combatants and watched The
cont est with intense interest. The pluck
Will ch Harry displayed, the manner II
which he stood punishment and his
final victory aroused their enthusiasm
All thoughts of difference in rank
and those artificial habits of thought
which were the offspring of their false
system of education were swept away
before the fact that here was brave
youth who had stood insult until he
could stand 1t no longer and had then
turned upon a larger and more power
erly. An involuntary shout OF triumph
arose from the spectators when Harry
was finally victorious.
Harry, however, when he found his an
tagonist was not able to arise from the
ground. kindly assisted him up and said
that he was very sorry for what had hap
rened. But Marsh. oppressed at once with
| ot, Ap he cf
of his defeat, maintained an obstinate
silence. Then the boys went on to the
hull batting.
A large bull was fastened to a ring by
a strong rope, which, though It confined
and cramped his exertions, did not en-
tirely restrain them. Although possessed
of almost irresistible strength he seemed
unwilling to exert It and looked around
upon the multitude of his enemies with q
gentleness which should have disarmetl
their animosity. Present q dog of the
largest size and most rerocious courage
was let loose, and, as soon as he saw the
bull, he uttered a savage yell and rushed
upon him with all the rage Of inveterate
amino sity. With the GOODNESS Of deliber-
ate courage the bull suffered him to APP
proach. But Just as the dog was sprnig-
ing up to seize him he rushed forward to
meet his foe, and, putting his head to til
ground, tossed him into the air several
yards. Had not the spectators run and
caught him upon their backs and hands
he would have been crushed to death In
the fall.
The same fate attended another and an
ether dog which were let loose success
sively-the one was killed on the spot,
while the other, who had broken leg in
away The bull, in the meantime, behaved
with the calmness and intrepidity of an
experienced warrior--without violence
without passion he awaited the attack OF
his enemies and then severely punished
them for their rashness. While this was
going on, to the diversion not only of a
rude and illiterate populace but OF many
of a higher station. a poor. half-naked
negro came up to the group around Mer-
ton and humbly importuned charity He
had served. he told them, on bo.rd an
| English vessel, and showed his discharge;
and now without friends. without assist
awe, he could hardly find food to support
his wretched life or clothes to cover him.
He even showed them the scars of several
wounds he had received in battle, Some
of the young gentlemen babe him begone,
but Master Merton, who, though lately
corrupted and changed from what he had
been with Mr.. Barlow. still had good IL
| i'm, h lie bof, inf 10 To