The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1912-01-20
HIS COURAGE
PUT TO THE TEST
Boaster Discovers the Value
of Discretion.

/
feel fear under any circumstances
scoviIl who belonged to that class, the
| sophomore, whose members consider IL
| an Inherited duty to keep the college
| in an uproar, declared that discretion
was the better part of valor and If a
man got into 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. 'If a
man were to send me word that he
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 ssean 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 a 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.
81 tell you what, fellows" said SEQ
will, Il have mind TO prove Mack a
coward on his own theory"
''Try It," said several students. 'We'll
give you a supper If you succeed"
Very WELL" replied scovill. "Pll do
It."
"whenT
"As to that I'll let you know here
after. In the meantime I'll do 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.
rylng over his accustomed walk, for
he was a trife behind time, when he
came face 10 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
IL he had run UP against stone wall.
Throw up your handsr'
rybn n,..1n,. ,,.n = nhn,n5 .x@stt,
"Right facew
BY this time McCraeken's equipoise
had somewhat reasserted itself. and he
did not obey the order. A bullet sang
dlsagreeably near TO his ear. Not tax
ing note of the fact that the bullet
passed quicker than he could act, be
Involuntary ducked.
Right facer'
This time the lieutenant turned on
his heels without waiting for another
bullet, which might possibly hit him.
Forward march, Haiti About
facet To the rear, march! Halt! Front
facet"
The lieutenant obeyed these orders
with minute exactness. Once during
the drill. thinking that it might be q
students joke, he again stood still
when ordered to march, but another
bullet, coming closer than the first. ad
monished him that If joke it was
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, he was quaking lest he should
make some blunder and the general
shoot him down on the spot.
Finally the drillmaster directed the
lieutenant TO stoop and perform the
ducks march," which he did, not
daring to lower his hands. There was
n smoker behind a bush, another be
hind tree, which. acting like light.
ed fuse on gunpowder, brought about
an explosion of laughter from every
surrounding hiding place. Then the
generals threatening arm fell to its
proper place and Scovill stepped down
from behind the statue At the same
time dozen students emerged from
behind frees. bushes and other availa.
BILE screens.
"Well, Mack. what do you think OF
your theory now?' asked ScoviIl-
81 think my theory is all rot'
"Im glad of that. We don't want
to consider you a coward. Any of us
would have obeyed under similar cir.
But how did you work the statueT'
asked McCrncken.
This white sleeve was all that was
needed" And Scovill pulled Off cot
ton sleeve cHt the same shape as the !
Continental uniform coat.
Boys, meet me at the Beefsteak :
after drill, and I'll blow you Off to
supper"
That's provided for. but Wen be
here"
That night a private room at the
Beefsteak rang with stirring songs.
McCracken was the merriest of the
party. He had been taught a lesson.
out to learn lessons. not only from I
books, but from association. was what e
lie was at college for. He is now with 1
he army in the PHILIPPINES. doing good
ervice. n
A CARD