The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1916-08-12
SEVENTH STORY
Truth Crushed to Earth.

The champion, sword In hand, wal
defending his lady love from the muir
derous attack Of the dragon.
The group OF nurses lounging on the
park bench saw only five-year-old
Tommy Blake and fouryear-old Mar
1orie Lampson. playin3 with a verJ
big and very friendly collie. But Tom
my. the champion, knew better. He
knew the dragon would surely swaI.
low Marjorie o. drag her away to its
lair, unless her defender could fright.
en- away he monster with hi. sword
So while Marjorie squealed with de.
light, Tommy welded the wooden
sword right doughty. shaking It in
front of the barking collie's nose and
assuring his little playmate he would
save her.
1t was a wonderful game. But pres.
emily the collie tired OF It and trotted
away. Tommy thrilled at the tri.
umphant thought that he had van.
quished the dragon) gave chase. He
had not run three steps before his
foot slipped and he tumbled face
downward In a very large and very
sloppy mudpuddle.
The nurse swooped down upon him
and dragged him homeward.
Mrs. Blake was at this moment en-.
gagged in preparing an address which
she expected to read two nights later
before the Parents club.
A shutting door, a sound Of weep
ing, the hurry of footsteps checked
her iow of inspiration. She laid down
her pen and turned with a frowp
toward the library doorway.
On the threshold appeared the
nurse half leading. half dragging the
fearful and muddy child. At sight OF
the havoc wrought on Tommy's new
suit Mrs. Blake called in sudden loss
Of temper:
you bad, bad boy! See what you've
done! You ought to be whipped and
sent to bed! How did this happen?n
why, you see, ma'am," began the
nurse. "he was"
81 asked Master Tommy not you.
nurse" interrupted the vexed mother,
Tommy, tell me how this happened!
Tell me the truth, mind you, or Ill-'
Tit was this way" faltered Tom.
my, manfully choking back his sobs
Il was playing Stint George and the
Dragon. And Mart'ric was being ths
Maiden In Distress-like-like the
way you read to me. And Laddio was
the dragon. And I made him run
away. And ] chased him. And I fell
down and got all muddied up. And
I'm awful sorry, mamma I didn't
mean to fall down. And"
Mrs. Blake interrupted his pititul
defense by catching his shoulder in
her strong hand and Jerking him
along in her wake as she marched
across to the library book closet and
locked Tommy in.
Tom Blake had reached the mature
age OF eleven. Marjorie Lampson and
her brother. Harry, had come one at.
ternoon to the Blake house to talk
over a matter Of tremendous import
to all three Of them-no less an event
than Toms birthday party which was
to take place on the following week,
"Sayl" Tom greeted them. "Im go
ing to have q bicycle for my birthday!
Honest / ami"
mol" exclaimed Harry Lampson
in open-eyed envy.
Eyes, l am, too. Papa says I am.
Isn't that grand?"
isn't It wonderful that you're going
to have q bicycle?" laughed Marjorie
In delight. I'm going to ask papa
to get me one, too. Then we a take
rides together"
HUH" grunted Harry in derision.
You're too much of a cry-baby to ride
a bicycle. Marge. You'd SWIVEL every
time you fell OF"
Leave her be-" commanded Tom.
IF you don't I'll!
Harry showed his disregard for the
warning by giving Marjorie's curls a
sharp tug. The little girl cried out
In pain. With a yell Of fury Tom
launched himself on her tormenter.
Around the library table dashed the
pursuer and the pursued. Harry
lodged as Tom caught up with him
and ducked under the latter's %outiuns
arm.
Toms fist, missing its mark, struch
full against the side Of an antique
cloisonne vase that stood at ons
end OF the table. The vase-worth
Its weight in sold-was the pride Of
Mr.. Biake's heart.
At the impact Of Tom Blake's fist
the vase few into the air, crashed
down upon the hardwood floor and
lay there. smashed into fragments.
Mr.. Blake, drawn 'thither by the
crash, sauntered into the library IN
h%ousecoat and slippers. There on the
floor lay his priceless vase in atoms
who did that?" he demanded
pointing dramatically at the ruined
vase.
II did. slr!" said Tom. Il was chas.
ing"
L he 20. no further, HIS lathe,