Grand Forks daily herald. (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1914-1916, 1914-09-14
Ae

Inc cup naQ just peen pldCeu III
the centre Of Mr.. Blake's window.
afternoon. and the Cup had obviously
only just arrived. 1t had been UNI
packed speedily by Mr.. Blake. and
Lord Morston's gift to the Rifle club
was displayed in tremendous splen-
dor, so that all who passed up and
down the High Street could look and
long.
The news soon spread through the
little town. The Cup had arrived at
last, and all the members Of the local
Rifle club, together with their friends
stationer's shop. What a splendid
Cup.' We'll, Lord Morston has really
shown his interest in the Rifle club at
last" "A bit of all right These
We're the calculations of the crowd.
Mr.. Augustus Pearson, head sales
man Of the boot shop which supplied
footwear for all the villages around
Observation-Disclosures, was told that
the Cup had arrived, within ten min
utes of shutting up the shop. He af-
fected a quiet disregard of the news
while, at the same time. his eagerness
was throbbing through him.
Augustus Pearson meant to win the
Cup, as some doughty Irregular in the
war might have determined to dc
something which would achieve the
Victoria Cross. -.
Augustus was a leading member OF
the Rifle club, but he was not the
most popular person in the little town.
He had IDEAS" so the people said,
He thought too much of himself; his
life was occupied in far too strenuoue
a way with Augustus Pearson.
At the same time, he was somebody
In the town and thnlI0h he ryo~ ~rf
generally liked. he still had a position
One which he was determined to
maintain and even to improve.
At half-past five Mr.. Pearson saun-
tered out Of the Boot Emporium, and
strolled down the High Street. His
duties for the day were over; he had
waxed his moustache with great care,
and he was now a young gentleman at
large.
When he got opposite to the bril-
liantly lit window Of Blake's shop he
stopped. and, hoping that nobody OBJ
served him. Joined the little knot OF
loiterers in front Of the plate-glass
window.
Certainly the Cup was a desirable
trophy for anyone. 1t stood a foot
and a half high. 1t was obviously, so
Mr.. Pearson deduced, hall-marked In
side and out, and the four rifiemen in
solid silver" which supported it upon
the plinth were a %quarduple incentive
to patriotism and greed.
Lord Morston had certainly fulfilled
every promise, and Morston-on-the-
Wash could undoubtedly congratulate
itself upon a beneficent patron and an
excellent opportunity.
MI. Pearson turned into the shop.
and asked Miss Blake If the London
evening papers had arrived or not.
He knew perfectly we'll that the Lon
don evening papers lever did arrive
there, but he felt it his duty to say
something of the sort. ~
"Oh, Mr.. Pearson" said Miss
Blake" surely you are going to win
this trophy. His lordship's butler
brought it down this afternoon, and,
talking with him, he mentioned your
name"
Mr.. Pearson twirled his moustache
and looked kindly at Miss Blake, who
was a dear, wizened old thing. "Well,'
he said, "of course Miss Blake, sport
is SPORT
Miss Blake nodded. "1t is, indeed
she answered.
I'm so glad you agree with me,
Miss Blake" Pearson continued. But
what you say about winning the cup
is, Of course, Orwell, on the knees
OF n gods, you may say"
Indeed, Mr.. Pearson" answered
the lady who presided over the sta
toners shop, Indeed, it must be so
But if I know anything of our noble
defenders, you, Mr.. Pearson, will win
it,"
IF I do. Miss Blake" replied Mr..
Pearson, II hope
AS he was framing a pretty speech
a short, thick-set man hustled into the
shop, and asked roughly for a penny
packet of notepaper and envelopes.
Halo. Gus the man said to the i'm
maculate Mr.. Pearson. What about
tomorrow"
That remains to be SEEM" said
Miss Blake. Here's Your packet OF
n%otepaper, Mr.. Jarvis"
We'll, I'll say goodnight said
Augustus Pearson, and left the shop
followed toe upon heel by the new.
conner.
1t was a quarter to six in the even.
ing, n the lights in the few shops
in the High Street did not illuminate
that somewhat dingy thoroughfare
sufficiently to make it plain to the
casual spectator that Mr.. Pearson and
Mr.. Jarvis Immediately, and without
a word dived down a side street, anc
into a small p~ublichouse known al
1.-The Rifieman." They sat down to,
gether in the odd little panelled place