The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1912-11-10

He found It in the shape of two lit
tie girls, neighbors of his. They were
Mamie and Fanny Jackson, and they
little bags of candy in their hands.
Ned followed them to a vacant lot
which they crossed. and then cried
out behind them: run for your
livesl I'm a warrior bold I'll take
you prisoners and carry you back to
the king. I'll rob you of your
candy"
But the little girls, In a Wild panic.
ran into nearby yard, crying: Ned
Hanley's after us with a sword. He
wants to carry U.S.
But their voices were drowned by
fresh. boyish voice behind Ned. 1t
said: I'm lookin' for you. kid. Me
big brother Mike told me that you've
turned Injnn Brave. Now. If you
wants to scalp any one. come ahead.
Ady hairs red and5ii make d iifie keep
sake for the Warrior Brave. Hep
hup, hopl" And Art O'Toole came al
Ned with doubled-up fists.
At first Ned hesitated and began to
retreat, for Art was some heavier than
himself. and he knew the strength of
Arts fists. He had felt it once at
school when he slipped some snow
down Arts collar. But as he didn't
want to be named a coward. he bris-
tied up and grasped his sword in both
hands. With one lunge, he met his
foe. Art gave him clip across the
ear, grabbed his tin weapon from him
and twisted it up into coil. Neds
face flushed, tears came into his eyes.
L a
that for, Art?" he asked sadly, look
ing at his ruined weapon.
Cause I'm the victor--ain't that
what you calls the best man? And
say, you'd better run to home and
muver and ask for a slice of bread
and jam. You're no warrior. kid.
Warriors are all dead long ago. There
amt no such things these days. So
run long home"
And turning on his heel. Art
O'Toole sauntered off while Ned
turned his face homewards. Reach
ing there, he had reformed somewhat.
and had decided to become just a
plain little boy again. So he asked
his mother if he might go and play
with Chubby and Birdie. Getting her
consent, Ned ran off to join his friends
WnOin lie saw pioSyth5 Ii tAiSAA y " -
yard. But when Chubby and Birdie
saw him at the gate they grabbed
up handfuls of gravel and sand from
their sand-pile and threw it at him.
and when he got the sand out of his
eyes, Chubby and Birdie had sought
the shelter of the porch.
"Go way you're not our friend any
more!" cried Chubby. I've got some
new skates. too, and you shan't see
them And we're going skating as
soon as the ponds frozen over"
Ned turned away and sought out
the Jones boys. They had come from
their papa's store and were playing
ball on the open lot. AS Ned APP
preached them, they ran away from
him, yelling back: Don't you come
near us! You're a wicked, fighting
boy. We don't want to play with you
any more. Go away!"
Ned stood irresolute for a moment.
and then seeing Mamie and Fanny
jackson coming along the pavement.
he ran to meet them, calling out:
Come play with me, girls. I've got
some new marbles and big new pic
ture book"
But the little girls fed from him.
Mamie hurlng back as she ran:
you're bad. wicked boy. Well tell
our mamma on you"
And then Ned found to his sorrow
that he had lost every friend during
his warriorship and he went slowly
home. tears running down his cheeks.
and told his mother all about it. And
she--like all mothers-said: We'll.
dearie, I'll help you out this time. But
never again must you play at being
such fierce person. Little boys are
happier when they're peaceful and
yleasant. I'll go and explain to the
children how it happened that you
wanted to be a warrior. and that it
was only play But-never, never
again, my little son."
And Ned said from his heart: II
wouldn't be warrior again for any
thing, Mamma. 1t makes all the chill
dren hate me. So I'll be good boy
after this, I WILL"