Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-07-19

pOOI lIILlS Jill ndu lluIQCN painfully Az
many months. Ned really did not know
what to do, and was having har'
fight, when Jim broke the silence:
"Why don't you say yes, Ned?
want you to; and then, when you &c
the prize, you can buy them easy, AM
have lot left over"
Jimmie, you're a brick; and JUS
will try! My! but won't 1t be fun? II
get that wheel that's for rent at Muir
rays, and If I don't Zip along! Yo,
won't be able to see me for the dust.
For days after that Ned was In .
fever of excitement. When 1t came t.
be bedtime every night, Jimmie set
tied himself comfortably at the 700
of the bed and Ned was rubbed. The
weak little hands seemed tireless al
they pinched and pounded at the
muscles of arms and legs.
I'm the trainer" Jim declared, "anc
my mans got to WIN"
He was the housekeeper besides, anc
at the end of the first day he gave Ned
back the most of the money which
was usually spent for food.
We'll Just have bread and milk this
whole week, Ned. That's the way fel
lers trains. guess know. And Their
you'll have more money for the wheel
"But that makes you train, too, Jim
ME: and that amt fair" .
Ills fair, so! Milk's good for Grip
plies same as strong fellers like you.
The night before the race poor lit
tie Jim was very restless. and Ned
was up nearly all night The RUBBING
and the fasting, the constant strain OF
excitement. had made inroads on Jim's
small supply Of strength. AS the two
sat at breakfast, heavy-eyed, pale
faced and very tired, they looked at
each other half despairingly.
IT'S no use, Jim. can't 90. I feel
rocky, and you aren't tit to be left"
Then Jim burst into tears All the
WEAKNESS and nervousness came OUT
in the torrent of sobs that shook his
frail body. Ned was frightened.
Jimmie, don't cry now don't!
will race, and I'll win, too. Chirk up
now. Jimmie! Don't be such kid!
I'll take you down myself, and you can
sit on the stand and yell when go by
"Ye-es, will" choked Jimmie, con-
soled. It'll yell fer all I'm worth"
Two hours later the ladies on the
noticed childish figure
with pale, eager face bending over
the railing; and, as the half-clad con-
testents whirled into place blow. Jim
leaned far out and waved his hand
It was time for the start.
All was silence, then a ringing note
and they were off. The yellow colors
on Ned's arm flashed In the sun as he
sped past, the rented wheel kept pace
with the others. Around once more,
and Jim's face was white. Ned was
falling behind. Two, three, had passed
him; and the others were gaining
steadily. A cheer went up for the blue.
for the red. Then the little trainer
gathered himself together, and In shrill
treble called:
"Yeller, yeller! Rah, rah! Go IT,
Ned!"
Ned glanced up. His face was set,
and by glance he lost ground. But
his courage was renewed, and ne
struggled on. Jim turned in despera'
ton to the crowd behind.
"Please. won't you yell for Ned?" he
half shrieked. "Yell for my Ned, the
one with yellow, yellow, yellow! Rah.
rah. rah!" He pounded with his
crutch, he clapped his hands he
and the crowd caught his
enthusiasm. One good-natured youns
man started it.; and little by little the
whole stand appreciated the situation,
and in q moment was on its feet, CIV
ing deafening shouts for "the yellow,
vellow!' 'interspersed with Brace up,
Ned, Go 1t, Ned! Rah, rah, rah!"
It came to Ned in dream as he
whirled past. He heard his name, he
heard the cheer. Perhaps he was win
ming, He did not dare to look. Once
more around. He bent over the bar,
and his muscles turned to steel. He
passed the red with a sudden squirt,
and the blue was just ahead. He Is
gaining: his handle reaches the others
saddle. passes it, and with desperate,
awkward, unscientific plunge the rent.
ed wheel has cleared the line, and Ned
has tumbled off in dead faint.
The hurrahs were sounding in the
air: and the little trainer was sobb1ng
with his head on the shoulder OF the
good-natured young man, who WASH
ashamed Of the tears In his own eyes
It was this new friend who took both
boys home, the exhausted victor and
little Jim, still trembling and sobbine
for Joy. .... =,
And this Is not quite all. Because II
is true story, must tell you the rest
The prize money bought the crutches
and now, If you will 60 some day tc
Ned's house, the good housekeepe1
will let you in. Jim himself will show
you Ned's fine new wheel, which the
little brother -pollshes and oils daily;
and you will be told that it came from
the great factory where Ned and the
good-natured young man are both al
work. Jimmie is sure that the factory
belongs to Ned, and the young mar
only smiles.