The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1931-03-05
Billy Was a
He-Man
By GENEVRA COOK

Billy was standing In the mlddle OF
the roadway in front of Grandmoth-
er's, lifting with the sturdy strength
of an eight-year-old the frail body of
little Lou Ellen, and swinging her
high over his head, while she made
triIls Of delighted laughter. A breath
taking man in a khaki uniform with
shiny silver on the front swooped
him up in strong arms, and called
loudly: "MaryI Mary" Then Moth
.er came running with funny crying
sound, and Billy jumped up and down
and shouting, my fathers captain
in the army. He's come home from
China. My father :" and little
Lou Ellen sat forlornly on the side
walk, quite forgotten.
After that they went to the Fort
to live. Lou Ellen, who was sort
Of second cousin of Billy's, and whose
Daddy was only a lieutenant, went
there to live. too. One night, when
he was lying awake, he heard his
father saying his name.
"It's a shame, Mary" Father was
saying, "the way you've been bring
ing that boy up to be such a sissy I
Why, he doesn't swim, or play foot
ball, or anything! Just plays hour
after hour with a three-year-old baby
and girl, at that"
Mothers voice was low, and Billy
couldn't hear her answer, but Father
said, "Well, I'll take hold of him, and
before long teach him to be regular
herman"
It was the next Saturday that Bill
ly's father took him over to the rid
ing hall and began to give him lessons
In horseback riding. Billy went with
out question or comment, but he I'M
derstood that this was the beginning
Of his being made into regular he
man." He watched wistfully for every
sign of approval from his hero, his
sober face breaking out into a de-
lighted smile when Father would look
down from his horse Ginger and say
briefly, "Goodw On the way home,
when he saw Lou Ellen waving at
him from her front steps, he pretend
ed to be busy with a button on his
Jacket, and he did not make any
reply.
All summer Billy worked hard at
his riding. And finally he was al
lowed to ride Chesty, and to learn to
jump! And only when Father had
gone away from the Fort did he
swing Lou Ellen over his head, or
play tag with her.
He felt a little guilty about Lou
Ellen, she was such plucky little
sport about It. When he saw her
playing all alone on her front porch
(she was the only child at the Fort
under seven) he felt like deserter.
But he hardened his heart He knew
his father wanted him to be "regu-
lar herman"
At the end of the summer there was
a big horse show. Billy's fathers
eyes shone as he told Billy about 1t !!
Look here, Son." he said, IF you
get to be really good horseman, I'll
let you ride with me in the Pair Jump
ingw And when 1t came time for the
entries there were their names post
ed together: pair Jumping: Captain
Lester Captain Drummond; Lieuten-
ant Glenn, Miss Rowen; Captain Bur-
ton, William Burton"
Day after day they put Ginger and
Chesty over the fences, over the post
and rail. And 1t was up to Billy to
win, really, for of course Father
would easily be the best! Up to
Billy to win, for his father!
Every one at the Fort came out to
the horse show. When the six horses
in the Pair Jumping came into the
ring, every one applauded and shout
ed, especially when they saw Ginger
and Chesty, with Captain Burton and
Billy up. Billy sat proud and intent !;
he had to win for Father, to show
Father he was "he-man."
They had to take four jumps, two
going away from the wide, open door
that led to the street, two going back
toward it. Riding easily side by side,
they cleared the first! The second !
1t was Just as they turned to face the
door that Billy, eyes for moment lifted
from the course saw through the open
door Lou Ellen come dashing down
the street, clinging wildly to the
name of running pony. Just as
they came opposite the door, the
pony gave a lurch, and Lou Ellen
spilled in little white heap on the
road.
Billy's mind working wildly. He
would lose the race for Father! He
would be a sissy to stop being he
man to pick up a baby! The crowd
gasped to see Billy Burton's horse
make sudden smooth dash for the
door
Without pausing in his stride, Ches-
ty reached the still figure in the road,
heSitated just long enough for Billy
to dismount The WAS too small to
reach down., gather the limp Lou Ell
len in his arms, and mount again,
= and went off at smooth canter to-
; ward the Fort hospital.
Twenty minutes later Eilly Burton
came Slowly out onto the hospital
steps to face his father He had not
heard the doctor say: Five minutes
later, Captain Burton, and it would
have been too late to operate. Your
son, :" Billy, raising his brown