Metropolis weekly gazette. (Metropolis, Ill.) 1???-19??, 1915-06-04

It were better to have drHnfard
and q wife-beater for . husband.
They drove to her father'p house
and parted without a word. They both
knew It was the end. Il was not until
he reached the privacy OF his room
that Mr.. Drew awoke from his stupor
Then he. who had scarcely ever used
an oath, fell to cursing. He called
himself names He longed for some
one to kick him.
II am coward "a poltroon "a
thing" he shouted at himgalf. II
have debased myself until men ought
to kick me out of their company. II
had pistol here | wouldn't wait a
minute before shooting myself"
By and by the young man grew a
bit calmer, and he sat down and
asked himself: why did act the
craven? Was afraid of the man?
Even coward would have put up a
fight under the circumstances. There's
something wrong with me. and am
going to find out what It is"
He went down on the street and
called In at the first Doctors Office
he came to. Fortunately for him. the
doctor had studied something besides
illness. He let the young man tell his
story without interruption. but lis
tened very closely.
Il have seen several cases like
yours. You should have fought when
a boy, to give you confidence In your
self as man. Your muscles are not
as well developed as q woman cooks.
You have been a peaceful young man.
You have thought peace alone. You
have not exercised your arms. You
hare never swung the clubs nor had
the boxing gloves on. You have gone
through life thus far thinking the time
could never come when you would
be insulted and have to resent II or
run. Because you were peaceful
minded. You argued that all others
we're the same. Am not right7"
You are q doctor"
We'll. In the frss place, you were
taken by surprise. You saw and
heard what was taking place. but you
could not credit II because 1t had
never happened before. and IL hap
pened now without cause or warn
ing When the time came to use your
muscle you didn't have Il ssith you.
and that gave you a helpless feeling.
Young man. you are not natural COW,
ard. but you have been a very foolish
person co and see the boxing master
of club"
"And learn to hght?" asked Mr.
Drew.
Learn that a man who goes only
to hunt with an unloaded gun Is an
idiot. You may never be called upon
to fight. but II you are then you want
to lick the other fellow"
Mr.. Drew left the doctors ONCE for
club. and that evening took his first
lesson at punching the bag. In time
he put on the gloves with the instruc-
tor and others. and In time again was
called fair boxer
But this doesn't prove that you
have grit" said bis master Il want
you to put on the gloves with a slam
bang and give him a licking. He has
been guying you ever since you be-
gan. He says you are a miik-and-wa-
ter Sissy. and that boy ten years old
can make you quit"
For almost the first time In HIS life
young Drew few mad and wanted to
hit someone. He soon had his chance.
He was knocked down the first thing.
but he got up and put up such fight
that his opponent took OF his gloves.
Meanwhile, he had employed a de-
tectiYe 10 find out all about the man
who caused his downfall He lived
about three miles from the spot where
he had been encountered and drove
into the town regularly every Satur-
day afternoon. Not a word or line
through the long weeks, but he did not
hope nor expect How could he? He
must first rehabilitate himself ia her
esteem.
One day an auto approached the
Thorn residence from the north, and
buggy from the south. Miss Dora
sat on the veranda. The two vehicles
met In front Of the house and the girl
saw and heard all that followed.
Hello, here Is the liar and coward
again." sneered the driver OF the
buggy.
Mr.. Drew moved his auto out Of the
road and got down.
This time he Is going to run
away"
Drew removed his hat and vest and
rolled up his shirt sleeves.
Maybe he's going to pick daisies"
He Is going to lick you, you loafer.
II you dare come down here!"
The next moment they were at II.
and in her excitement the girl stood
up to see. 1t took her lover just ten
minutes to give the fellow the best
licking of his life. and as the victor
was nursing bleeding ear and
skinned nose hand was laid upon
his arm and Miss Dora said: II saw
1t all, Clyde. and am proud OF you,
Father said you would do IL some
day. Come in and let me dress your