Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1931-07-24
Greater Courage
Won His Love
By JACK wooDFoRD
xxx%#%x*~xxxx

"a, by Mcclure Newspaper svndieatsN
tWNU ServiceN
TT WAS right In the middle OF Main
I street that Cory Harden walked up
to Joe White and Melissa Anyone
could see that he meant business. He
wore the scowl that had been dreaded
by many town boy for years.
Dreaded since grammar school daysJ
because Cory could, unquestlonably.
fight He was natural born fighter.
He loved to fight. And so far
as the records went he always won his
fights.
Joe quailed inwardly. It was no Sc
cret, In town, that Cory wanted Melis-
sa wanted her badly.
Hello, Joe." Cory greeted. "Nlce
tie you're wearing this evening" He
reached forward and flicked the tie,
quick as lightning, out Of Joe's vest.
The boys hanging out down In front
of the Silver Spoon restaurant snick-
cred audibly. The constable. a lover
If q good fight himself, discreetly with
drew into Barnum's feed store, where
he could watch what might go on over
the top Of the desk in the front WIN
dow, without having to assert himself
as the law. Joe put his tie back Into
his vest He tried to pass on. But
Cory added:
"And that's right cute straw hat,
too, buddy" He knocked the hat or.
It rolled few feet away. Melissa
was furious. Spoke her mind
as Joe went to retrieve the hat.
"You big bully" she said. You're
twenty-five years old now. and you
act like brat Of ten"
ayes, Melissa" he said earnestly,
I'm twenty-five, and I've worked hard.
It's true | still like to fight now ana
then I'm sorry. promise you, though,
that this will be my last fight, no mat
ter how 1t turns out. I've worked hard,
Melissa. Dads just made me part
ner In the business, and I've saved up
nearly FIVE thousand dollars. Enough
to buy peach of a home for us.
Wouldn't have worked so hard, though,
Melissa, II I'd known you was going
to take up with fool soda clerk, from
out OF town; when you and have
been sweethearts for years." Cory
could say no more; for there was
crowd of young people surrounding
them now, who might hear.
Joe is at least gentleman" Me
LISA retorted scornfully. Joe returned,
at this juncture, busting off his hat.
He attempted to pass on with Melissa.
That Cory could lick him he very well
knew. Cory was stronger and larger.
But when Cory now pushed him clear
off the sidewalk, and took Mellssa's
arm, while the boys down the street
laughed aloud jeeringly, something
within him famed to life. He sprang
at Cory and struck him. Cory squared
off. Melissa scolded and backed away.
The boys came running up the street
.dellghtedly, yelling: "Flghtl Fight !
Eighth The constable chuckled at his
post over in the feed store.
Cory sailed in. Joe threw himself,
a batterIng fury, at him, striking Wild
ly. Cory backed away and threw up
a better guard. Joe followed him, rain
ing futile blows upon his guard.
Cory slashed out at him with q
strong right. Missed Joe by inches.
Joe slashed back with left, and CON
.nected with a heavy "sock" as his
fist met Cory's face again.
Back and forth across the walk they
danced and swung at each other. Time
and again Cory missed his blows. Joe
began to take heart. He settled down
to apply something of intuItive boxing
science. Instlnctlvely he pretended to
hit, without actually striking out; and
then, thus felntlng, catching Cory of
his guard, he whipped in blows that
took heavy effect. Cory went down
Got up. Fought back desperately
went down again. And then
suddenly, It was all over. Cory could
not get up. He tried weakly to raise his
arms. Failed The boys surrounded
Joe with new respect and awe. Like
mobs everywhere they viewed the de
posing of their erstwhlle hero, Cory
with derlslon and scorn. Their Jeers
| runB IN MS edrb. JOe was ueibhiSu
Too delighted to notice or care whal
Melissa was doing. His victory wal
such balm to tlmid soul rs he hat
never known. Melissa was kneellng n
Cory's side.
~ always thought you were a COW
ard" she whispered to Cory, "becaus'
you bullied other young men with you
superior strength. Don't thlnl
you're foollng me. I've seen yo'
fight before. You thought II you go
licked, my sympathy would bring m
back to you. do love you Cory, AM
did; and now always will, your
brave. You deliberately let him llcl
you In front of all your friends. an
you did II for me that wa
Drawer, and more beautiful than win
ming a thousand fights. It's not sym
pathy for loser I'm feeling; It's Low
for winner"