Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1912-02-03
HIS COURAGE
PUT TO The TEST
Boaster Discovers the Value
of Discretion.


took great interest In military matters
and was lieutenant in a militia regi-
ment, averred that unless a man were
constitutionally cowardly he would not
feel fear under any circumstances.
Scovill, who belonged to that class, the
sophomore, whose members consider 1t
an inherited duty to keep the college
in an uproar, declared that discretion
was the better part of valor and If
man got into a tight fix 1t was better
for him to yield gracefully than to
fight senselessly.
"That's nothing less than cowardice,"
said McCracken.
"Then we would all better be cow
ards at times" replied Scovill. eff a
was going to shoot me on sight I'd
send back word that hoped he would
not see me-"
II should tell him that would be
prepared for him." said McCracken.
do you mean to say" pursued SEQ
will, that If you cringed to man who
had the drop on you you would be a
coward?"
"That's my conviction" said the 9TH
er, twirling young mustache.
''Then you'll prove yourself coward
some day, you may bet your boots"
"That remains to be SEEN"
With this the speaker left the party.
II tell you what, fellows" said SEQ
Will, IT have a mind to prove Mack a
coward on his own theory"
"Try it." said several students. "We'll
give you a supper If you succeed"
every WELL" replied Scovill. 'Tll do
It."
"When?"
"As to that I'll let you know here
after. In the meantime I'll do q job of
thinking on it."
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 Nc
Cracker was obliged to pass this
statue. One Wednesday evening be-
tween dusk and darkness he was hur-
rying over his accustomed walk, for
he was a trife behind time, when he
came face to face with the statue
standing silent and rigid in the waning
light. Suddenly the Father of His
Country, In a tone that was evidently
meant to be obeyed, called "Haltr' Al
the same time the right arm was raised
from the side, revolver grasped in the
hand
McCracken stood still as suddenly as
II he had run up against a stone wall
'"Throw up your handsp'
The order was obeyed with alacrity.
Fright facey'
BY this time McCracken's equipoise
had somewhat reasserted itself, and he
did not obey the order. A bullet sang
disagreeably near to his ear. Not tax
ing note of the fact that the bullet
passed quicker than he could act, he
involuntarily ducked.
Fright facep
This time the lieutenant turned or
his heels without waiting for another
bullet, which might possibly hit him.
Forward, march, Haiti About
facet To the rear. march, Halt! From
facel'
The lieutenant obeyed these orders
with minute exactness. Once during
the drill, thinking that it might be {
students joke, he again stood still
when ordered to march, but anothel
bullet, coming closer than the first, ad
monished him that IL joke 1t was {
serious one. 1t was certainly amusing
this drilling of an officer Of the nation
al guard by the statue of Genera
George Washington, but McCracke1
saw nothing In it to move his risibl'
muscles In the slightest degree. In
deed, he was quaking lest he shoult
make some blunder and the genera
shoot him down on the spot.
Finally the drillmaster directed tn,
lieutenant to stoop and perform tn,
ducks march," which he did, no
daring to lower his hands. There wal
a smoker behind bush, another be
hind tree, which, acting like light
ed fuse on gunpowder, brought abou
an explosion of laughter from ever,
surrounding hiding place. Then tn,
generals threatening arm fell to it
proper place and Scovill stepped dow
from behind the statue. At the sam,
time a dozen students emerged from
behind trees, bushes and other availa
BILE screens.
"Well, Mack, what do you think o
your theory nowT asked Scovill-
''I think my theory is all rot"
'Tm glad of that. We don't wan
| to consider you a coward. Any OF u
would have obeyed under similar CIR
| cumstances."
'But how did you work the statuer
asked McCracken.
@grhis white sleeve was all that wa
needed" And Scovill pulled or cot
ton sleeve cut the same shape as tn
generals Continental uniform coat.
"Boys, meet me at the Beefsteal
after drill. and I'll blow you or to {
supper"
'That's provided for. but wen b
| there"
That night a private room at tn
Beefsteak rang with stirring songs
| McCracken was the merriest OF tn
| party. He had been taught a lesson
but to learn lessons, not only from
books. but from association. was wha
he was at college for. He is now witt
the army in the Philippines. doing goo,
service.