The Newport miner. [volume] (Newport, Wash.) 1899-current, 1910-08-04
ALESSON IN COURAGE

One evening while parry OF stu
dents in one Of our large universities
we're at supper the conversation turn
ed lrson courage. McCracken. who
took great interest in military matters
and was a lieutenant in militia reg
fment, ayerred that unless man We're
constitr.rionally cowardly he would not
feel fear under any circumstances.
Scovtll. who belonged to that class-the
sophomore-whose members consider
it an inherited duty TO keep the college
ia an uproar, declared that discretion
was the better part of yalor and il
man GOT into tight fix it was better
for him to yield gracefully than to
fight senseiessly.
That's nothing less than cowardice."
said McCracken.
'Tben we would all better be cow
ards at times replied Scovill. IL a
man were to send me word that he
was going TO shoot me on sight I'd
send back word that hoped be would
not see me-"
II should tell him that would be
prepared for him." said McCracken.
DO you mean to say" pursued SEQ
viii. that If: you cringed to a man
who had the drop on you you would
be a coward?' !.
That's my conviction said the 9TH
er, twirlIng a young mnstache reso-
lutely
Then you'll prove yourself cow
ard some day, you may bet your
boots ~ :.
THAT remains to be seen.''
With this the speaker left the party
to go to the regular Wednesday even
ing drill at the armory.
Il tell you what. fellows said SEQ
vill-T have u mind to prove Mack a
coward on his own theory"
TRY it," said several students. I'VE
will give you a supper IL you succeed"
VERY we'll replied Scovill "Pll do
it." -.
"When:"
AS to that III let you know here
after. In the meantime I'll do job of
thinking on 1t.
In the university grounds was an old
plaster cast of Washington that had
been there from time immemorial. In
going from his room TO the armory Me-
Cracker was obliged to pass this
statue. One Wednesday evening be-
tween dusk and darkness he was hur-
rying over his; accusto met walk. for he
WAS d trifie behind: time when he came
face TO face with the statue standing
silent and rigid in 4he waning light.
Suddenly. the Father OF His Country
IN a tone that was evidently meant
to be obeyed called Halt" At the
same time the right arm was raised
from the side. revolver grasped in
the hand
McCracken stood still as suddenly as
1t be had run up against stone wall.
Throw up your hands,
The order was oheyed with alacrity
fright facer' S..
By this time McCracken's equipoise
had somewhat reasserted itself, and
be did not obey the order bullet
sang disagreeably near to his ear. Not
taking note of the fact that the bullet
passed quicker than he could act. he
involuntarily ducked.
Fright face,' -
This time the lieutenant turned on
his heels without waiting for another
bullet. which might possibly hit him.
Forward. march. Halt! About
face. To the rear march. Halt.
Front facet
The lieutenant obeyed these orders
with minute exactness Once during
the drill. thinking that 1t might, be a
students joke. he aga in stood still
when ordered to march. but another
bullet. coming closer than the first. ad-
monished him that If joke it was a
serious one 1t was certainly amusing,
this drilling of an officer OF the nation
al guard by the statue of General
George Washington. but McCracken
saw nothing in it to move his risible
muscles in the slightest degree. In
deed. be was quaking lest he should
make some hlunder and the general
shoot him down on the spot. Finally
the drillmaster directed the lieutenant
10 stoop and perform the ducks
march," which he did. not daring to
lower his hands. There was smoker
behind bush. another behind tree,
which. acting like a lighted fuse on
gunpowder. brought about an explo-
sion of laughter from every surround
ing hiding place. Then the generals
threatening arm fell to its proper place
and Scovill stepped down from behind
the statue. At the same time q dozen
students emerged from behind trees,
bushes and other available screens.
well. Mack, what do You think OF
your theory now% asked Scovill.
Il think my theory is all rot"
I'm glad OF that We don't want to
consider you coward. Any of us