Holbrook argus., 1911-12-05
Placing the
 Responsibility

Chester Albury Fletcher strsddled his coaster and patiently waited for he old lady who was descending tic steep hill to reach the bottom.
 Chester did not like old ladies-st least when they were on the Gardner treet hill
 Gardner street had gutter covers at the street corners and one could coast the whole three blocks of the hill. and run a,ong on the level sidewalk for perhaps another block. The Rcd Rater could go further than any other coaster when the axles were greased-which was whenever Ches- ter could find 2 wagon and no drivey watching.
 Mrs. Halsey finally reached the bot tom of the hill and turned into Sut- ton street, so with 2 whoop Ches er 1rew up his feet and the Red Racer was off. The coaster gained speed with every revolution of the wheels and at the end of the second block was tearing along finely. Chester had lately encountered coal wagon freshly greased and the axles of his 1wn wagon were now well supplied
 He yelled 3 warning as he neared the corner of Sutton street. Ben Travis was crossing the street In strangely absent minded manner. He lid not seem to hear the shouts DOT he rattle of the wheels, and Chester. being but eight and yet to experience his own first touch of the master pas sion, could not know that Elsie Bay ard, coming along Sutton street in the opposite direction, was responsible for Ben's abstraction.
 It is rather embarrassing to come lace to face with a girl who only the night before has passionately declared that she never wants to see you again. Travis was wondering whether to bow or to act as though he had never seen Elsie before. In the face of such an absorbing prob lem it was not strange that he should not hear the coaster.
 Elsie herself was equally engaged in trying to decide whether she would bow coldly if Ben did bow and so 1t happened that, unconscious of the rat le of the wheels, she stepped almost directly in the path of the speeding coaster.
 With a quick twist of the wheels Chester essayed to pass between the two He could have made 1t had not Ben sprung forward 10 push Elsie out of the way and had come himself d. rectly In the path of the machine.
 There was a crash, a cry and Ches- ter rolled over into the gutter while Ben Jay still and white at Elsie's feet
 Unmindful of her dainty dress, Elsie threw herself upon her knees beside the unconscious man. A little crowd soon gathered and proffered aid. One brought a glass of water and with this Elsie restored Ben to consciousness and assisted him into the drug store on the corner. He had been badly shaken up. but Elsies rinistrations were more potent than the stimulant that the druggist proffred. and pres sntly be rose weakly to his feet and announced his ability to get home un- assisted
 "I am going with you" declared FL
  self"
 To not trouble" urged Ben. though his eyes twinkled. You have done tar more than have 3 right to expect from g stranger"
 Don't" cried Elste with little shudder. T was thinking of that when YOU lay there so still and white. Had vou died I never could have forgiven myself"
 Then you mean-?" questioned Ben.
 q mean that 1 am sorry for las night" she confessed. But if it ha' not been for the accident I should DO have realized It."
 Funny didn't hear the cart com ing. l saw you and l was wopderini whether you would recognize me
 q was wondering if you woul' low" admitted Elsie. Then the frs thing that I knew the cart was com ing toward me and you sprans t' save me and got hurt yourself. ThS Fletcher boy ought to he given goo' spanking"
 ] think that we owe him great des' I wonder what became of him?
 There's the cart" suggested Elsie pointing to a battered wheel and splintered plank by the roadway.
 Behind the tree they discover Chester. bravely blinking back th tears as he regarded the remnants his once cherished possession.
 What did you jump that way for he demanded of Ben, as he looked LII to encounter Travis gaze. 1 coul' have steered between you easy not"
 But we didn't want anything t ! come between us" explained Travi with the twinkle Tn his eye.
 He was trying to save me from he Ing run down. added Elsie proudly
 'I could have made It easy" dc