Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1911-05-02


isn't house near. My best hat will
be spoiled.
Wen have to run for it, l guess"
jim declared
Couldn't we make a short cut
through Farmer Chords pasture?"
Jessie suggested. His creatures are
all in the other pasture now, you
know"
The very thing" Jim agreed.
He let down the rickety bars, and
the two started across the field.
When they reached the middle OF
the pasture Jessie came to a full
stop. clutching her companions arm
frantically. and shrinking close to his
side.
"Oh. Jim, look" she breathed
The dim outline of member OF the
bovine family doomed up huge and
startling. in front OF them.
Its that dreadful animal of Henry
Potter's," Jessie shuddered. "Qh,
wha[ shall we do?"
TINS face blanched beneath its tan.
shudder of fear swept through
aim. He covered back step or two.
Terror was on the point of over.
mastering him. Then thought
flashed into his mind He remem-
bered having seen a couple OF men
at work in this very lot that after
noon
Courage filed his heart.
Here was the very chance he had
longed for-well, not exactly that,
but one that would answer as a make
shift, he reasoned-to show Jessie
that he could be brave on occasion.
A look of grim determination
settled upon his face as he smothered
a slight feeling of shame for what he
was about to do
Then he called out, Run for the
fence, Jessie. won't let him hurt
you
"Oh, Jim, I can't go and leave you"
Jessie faltered.
Run" Jim commanded In a tone
that she could not refuse to obey.
She ran as she had never run be-
fore, stumbling over hummocks with
out needing them. and sobbing aloud
like child, from sheer excitement.
How cruel / have BEEN" she
thought. And to think he, in spite
| of his fear. was ready to risk his life
for me! Oh, how ashamed l ami"
Jim did not move from the stand
he had taken before the huge, gloom
| shrouded figure. until Jessie oed
reached the fence in safety. and lad
F, climbed over it.
| Then he did curious thing.
He deliberately turned his back
upon his adversary, which. by the
way, had apparently not moved a
muscle since Jessie had first gpied
it, and ran.
The great form still stood like a
craven image where he had left 1t.
With bound Jim vaulted lightly
over the fence.
Job you are brave" Jessie sobbed.
clinging to him I'll never forgive
myself for calling you coward. You
were splendid Oh, jim, l take every
ching back-everything. / do love
you"
Again Jim smothered a feeling
akin to shame, as he stopped and
kissed the sweet tear-wet face, up
raised to his.
On his way home, little later Jim
stopped in at Farmer Gifford's.
There's an animal in your south
pasture I'd like to buy" he said with
assumed carelessness.
why, there amt any animal there
except that COW sign-board Potter's
men put up there this afternoon. -
twelve year-old Willie Clifford burst
out wonderingly
"You shut up, bub," his father com
manded sternly.
Then he gave Jim an understand
ing wink.
saw you and your girl going
through there awhile back" he re-
marked 81 guees nothing serious
would happen IL the thing disap-
peared right now Potter didn't even
ask leave for putting it there. Only
uOH leave any hluulluSS iyluS
around"
Just as the town clock struck
u long drawn-out strokes supreme
ly happy man climbed the fence OF
Farmer Chords south pasture, and
soon, by the light of lantern. an
ak was singing to the tune of "Alrs
Fair In Love and War"
But the man would have been con-
siderably surprised could he have
heard a blushing faced girl whisper
ing 10 herself, in the seclusion OF her
own room:
ooh / hope Jim will never find
out that l saw Henry Potter's men
putting that sign-board up. He
would never forgive me for know
ingly playing him such trick But
couldn't help 1t. had to have an
excuse for accepting him"