Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-10-18
FOR THE CHILDREN
True Courage

It was Q cold day. Dicky and
Dorothy started on to the kindersar.
ten together. Their home was ON ono
corner OF the block. and the school on
the other; and, since they did not
have to cross the street, they some
times went by themselves.
They walked along, hand in hand.
They never Quarreled and they always
shared their games. Dicky was . year
and half older than Dorothy. but
she was stronger.
When they were not far from the
school. q large. playful dog ran toward
them. He had none but friendly feel
ings for the two little people: but,
alas. he knocked Dfcky down!
Fortunately the teacher was 1ust be-
hind them, and she picked up the little
boy, brushed his knickerbockers and
dried his tears. But, as she did 80,
she said. with laugh:
Why: Ncky Dodd! Don't be :
Two or three Of the children heard
what she said. and looked at Dicky
with scorn. -.l,s
"Dicky Dodd's coward! He. cried
when the dog knocked him down."
they said.
Ncky was unhappy. And when, at
dinner, Dorothy said, in all sympathy:
"A big dog threw brother down, and
brother cried,'
Ucky knew before his father opened
his lips Just what he would say:
"Oh, Dtcky mustn't cry for q little
thing like that. He must be a brave
boy, not a coward"
The next morning Dicky looked out
for the dog. With leaps and bounds
he came running toward them just as
he had before. Dicky squeezed him
self up against the wall.
Coward! Coward" he heard two
tears, and then they laughed at his
tears. Dicky was ashamed of him
self. He felt that he was cry-baby
and coward, but he could not help
1t. The dog was big and heavy.
Dorothy was indignant. She looked
at the big boys, and said: Brother
is not coward! He only wants to
give the dog plenty Of ROOM"
How Dicky loved her! Dorothy al
ways made him feel little happier
when things were going wrong. But
he knew that he was afraid of the
big dog.
The next morning no dog was In
sight. Dicky drew deep breath Of
relief. And the next day there was no
dog, nor the next, and then 1t was Sat
urday and Sunday, and no school!
By Monday morning Dicky had for
gotten hts enemy. He took Dorothy's
hand. and went down the street to
school.
They had not walked half a block
when the dog appeared, and began
to caper about; for he was full Of life
and energy. He made straight for the
children, waggfng his tail joyfully.
"Oh!" cried Dorothy, in alarm. Gen.
orally she was afraid Of nothing, but
this morning she was not her bright
little self
Dcky saw the dog. but he heard
Dorothy's cry, and thought >only OF his
sister. He ran In front Of, her and
faced the dog.
Don't you touch herr Dicky shout
ed in his loudest voice. "she's my
sister,"
The dog wagged his tail, and licked
Dcky's face. Then he bounded on.
Dicky had his arm round Dorothy's
neck. But the teachers hand was on
his shoulder, and the boys were watch
ing him with respect
'l'll carry DOrothy's books" said
one. M
"You scared the dog" said another
"Dcky can be brave when some ono
else is in danger" said the teacher.
"After all, boys, that's the true
courage" 1lfS
And Dicky gave little whistle. He
was so glad that he was not coward,
after all."-Frances Hammer in Youths
Companion.