Smyrna times., 1931-06-24
WEEKLY SOCIETY STORY FOR
EVENING ROUND THE LAMP
READING TO WHILE AWAY
TIME AFTER DAYS CHORES
'eErstwhile Hero Deposed," An
Interesting Short Story, Writ
ten by Jack W00dford

ten by Jack Woodford
TT WAS right in the middle of
L Main street that Cory Harden
walked up to Joe White and Mells-
sa. Anyone could see that ne
meant business. He wore the
scowl that had been dreaded by
many a town boy for years. ::
Dreaded since grammar school
days; because Cory could, unques-
tionably, fight. He was a natural
born fighter. He loved to light.
And so far as the records
went he always won his fights.
Joe quailed inwardly. 1t was
no secret, in town, that Cory want
ed Melissa wanted her badly.
Hello, Joe," Cory greeted.
mice tie you're wearing this eve
ming" He reached forward and
fiicked the tie, quick as lightning,
out of Joe's vest The boys hang
ing out down in front of the Silver
Spoon restaurant snickered aud
IDLY. The constable, a lover OF a
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 window, 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 a right cute straw
hat, too. buddy" He knocked the
hat off. 1t 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."
.'Yes, Melissa" he said earnest
ly, I'm twenty-five, and I've
worked hard. It's true l still like
to fight now and then. I'm sorry.
| promise you, though, that this
will be my last fight, no matter
how it turns out. I've worked hard,
Melissa. Dads just made me a
! partner in the business, and I've
saved up nearly five thousand dol
lars. Enough to buy a peach of a
home for us. Wouldn't have
worked so hard, though, Melissa, If
/ I'd known you was going to take
up with a fool soda clerk, from
/ out of town; when you and / have
/ been sweethearts for years" Cory
/ could say no more; for there was
| a crowd of young people surround
ing them now, who might hear.
"Joe is at least a gentleman"
Melissa 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 Melissa'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 delightedly,
yelling: Eight Fightl Fight ~
The constable chuckled at his post
over in the feed store.
Cory sailed in. Joe threw him
self, a battering fury, at him, strik-
ing wildly. Cory backed away and
threw up a better guard. Joe fol-
lowed him, raining futile blows
upon his guard.
Cory slashed out at him with a
strong right. Missed Joe by
inches. Jos slashed back with a
left, and connected with a heavy
asock!" 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. Instinctively he pretend
ed to hit, without actually striking
out: and then, thus feinting, catch
ing Cory off 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. Failedl The boys sur.
TOuHutu JOt with hCM AtsPONb anu
awe. Like mobs everywhere they
viewed the deposing of their erst'
while hero, Cory, with derision and
scorn. Their jeers rang in his
ears. Joe was delighted. Too de.
lighted to notice or care what
Melissa was doing. His victory
was such balm to timid SOU
as he had never known. Melissa
was kneeling at Cory's side.
Il always thought you were 9
coward" she whispered to Cory
"because you bullied other young
men with your superior strength
=. Don't think you're fooline
me. I've seen you fight before
You thought If you got licked, my
sympathy would bring me back tC
you. / do love you, Cory, and did
and now / always will, you're
brave. You deliberately let hin
lick you in front of all YOU
friends, and you did 1t for me
that was braver, and more
beautiful than winning Thousand
fights. It's not sympathy for {
loser I'm feeling; it's love for
winner"
fNhv Mce,iura Nawsnaner SvndIcateN