Arizona republican., 1910-07-26

E vidual at whose head these and a multitude
 T of similar exclamations were hurled was a
 lad who at the seated the gatepost in front of pretty cottage in the village of Browntown, industriously engaged in whiting.
 He was surrounded by half dozen more smaller and younger boys whose costumes varied, from the country boys accepted summer style of a cotton shirt pair of butternut held by one suspender and bare feet, to that of well-dressed and booted city lad.
 In one respect at least these boys alike.- the hair of all was soaking wet Proof positive that they had just returned from swimming.
 Ned Saunders for so whittier named, was a city boy and product of Browntown but he had spent so many of the summers of his short life there-he just past foureen.-that he regarded himself half native, at any rate, and m fact was so regarded by the villagers
 The whole river on the banks of which Brown town stood magnet strong enough to draw any 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 anything but an equal
 When we say however, that Ned was 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, one knew. It might be Pollux or Polyphemus or Appolonius. The nick name certainly not given for any trace of girl ishness in his character for if there ever was strong, manly. boy he was one.
 Born in the village, the of boatman Poly's life had been spent the open air, and straight a lance-shaft 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-respectng boys, who also each respected the prowess of the other Ned's brain then continually racked to stunt Polly in swimming, and the latters ngenuities were no less taxed to down Ned
 Up to the day our story opens the accounts were even between them, each one having safely ac- compshed every task set by his mate.
 Well" said Ned, finally, when the babel of voices had ceased, what did he do?'
 "He went of the cedar per shouted the chorus.
 Jump or divei" queried Ned.
 Jump"
 He inwardy heaved great sigh of relief, Jump ing into the water from height is one thing and diving is quite another
 Ned like most boys, had figured out all the reasons why it was easier to jump than to dive, he only knew that it was, and it was 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: "Now, Bob. tell me honest. Did he jump of the cedars"
 "Yes, he did, Ned, but you going to try it?"
 Five got to" gravely answered the older boy, "as long as Polly has,"
 The next morning, just the first rays of the sun began to tighten the sky the back door of the Saunders house stealthiy 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 away that firm path made to the very edge of the pleif you knew just where it was. e
 Now, there than ordinary reason for Neds taking all these precautions; he intended not only to take up Pollys 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 strolled out of doors. He 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 the gate-post when he spied little Spencer and Rodney Foster coming down the street together.
 to them.
 Without moments hesitation Ned walked over a "Redney." he said, abruptly, you are friend of Polly Brown, aren't you?"
 .. "Yes, sir-ee," responded Rodney.
 Well, you're the fellow want" continued Ned "Will you come down and witness if 1 do it?'
 "When?" asked Rodney sarcastically.
 Right now" replied Ned
 Let her go, assented Rodney, with ready slang. and they then started off for Smiths Dock.
 A walk of few minutes brought the three boys to their destination and the two witnesses stationed themselves the string piece the 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.
 He walked carefully over his pathway, testing it to that it undisturbed and then hailed his waiting companions.