Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1914-05-28
CHAPTER III.
WITHOUT FEAR

WITHOUT FEAR.
The glider was at work gliding the
great hall on top Of the church stee-
pie. Every 20 years this had to be
done and 1t was IN event in the viii
lage. 1t was said that 1t cost much
money; there were rumors that 1t cost
as much as 1000 francs. The glider
knew. OF course. and the cure knew. but
neither OF them told. Moreover, 1t was
dangerous. and, like all dangers. fas-
cinadng.
The boys Of vicques stood in CLOUDS
in the street with their heads bent back.
watching the tiny figure OF a msn that
crept up an invisible ladder far in the
air. lashed to the side OF the steeple. Up
and up IT went like a fly. crawling on
the fleche. and there was a sinking feel
Ing In each boys stomach which was
delightful. to think how at any momen
that creeping bleck spot, which was the
glider, might fall down, down, and be
dashed to pieces. They wished no i'll
to the glider. who was a stranger not
OF their village. nevertheless 1t would
MIN killed. Life and suffering mean
nothing to q boy. but an event is a
pleasure. Many of the girls turned
away their heads and cried out, II can
I'm afraid he will be killed" And
at this the boys felt superior. because
they We're not afraid but rather hopeful
81 q catastrophe There are points Of
oiIerence between boys and girls.
Francois however did not think about
the glider at all. yet his mind was on
the gliding Of the ball every minute Of
the day. He wished earnestly. pas
sionately. to crawl up thai ladder and
be himself that fly against the Afleche.
He felt that he could not possibly go
on living with sdf respect, that feat
being INA CCnmr1fohoH u 1D --.
lad and an obed1ent one normally. and
ne knew that his father and mother
would forbid such an attempt with hor-
ror, but that counted for nothing
against the strength of his desire. It
was q possession. an %obsession; the
thought drew him az m~artyrdom draws
9 fanatic Three days he watched the
work. startling With the other bows. all
their dark little heads bent back as
their eyes followed the invisible brush
which was noiselesaly, slowly turning
the dull surface OF the ball into a golden
amp ming on the blue sky. The boys
talked among themselves about It.
when am e man I shall do such
work" Achill- Dufour announced In q
bold voice. Probably I shall be up
there some day where the glider is
now. and all Of you down below watch
ing me"
And the other 1eersd frankly. You
You who fall over a fence-you In
deed!" said his cousin Henri scorn-
FULLY. But az o me. I would not be
afraid to climb up there today" and
at that thAre q chorus OF protest.
Who was II. tell me, who was AFRAID
to climb h dagpole by the church ?
Who wa that boy. Henri Dufour?"
demanded Pte-rot Tremblay, and the
embryo Frenchmen Joined In a r
castle "Ah!" and pointed grimy fingers
at tie mortified Henri.
That nothing" Henri threw back
sulkily. And I was not the only one
who was afraid. I offered to climb the
pole. and wis afraid after-but none
OF the Others even offered. And 1t was
mo great shame to me, for It Is dan
gerous to climb that pole. Il - 90 feet
TO the cross bars. n beyond that 1t is
SO feet yet to the small cross bars at
the top--it IN very high In the air
20 feet Only Francois Beaupre OF ali
the village has yet climbed that flag
pole. and all the world knows that
Francois - different His stomach il
different; he has no e Of things. In
side him-Francois."
There was amurmur OF assent, and
tho hero put friendly hand on the
shoulder Of the dlscredited Dufour.
It's nothing" he agreed. TITS only
that i N born different. I do not fee
inside my stomach that thing which
you 9 - being afraid. Ido not know
that feeltnsss 80 y is easy. = wal no.
just that l could do IL"
And tho boys, seeing their honor
saved. agreed heartily.
"All the same" Achills Dufour sur.
gested un~gratefully. Francois would
not dare climb that ladder to the ball
Dare you? r.
Tho great brown eyss Of Francoil
turned about ths group:S the boy
waited eagerly for his answer. Il d,
1dar0d it WaS( klmodt - etfg they shoul,
all DO It: # NAs always this one VIII,
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