Jasper County Democrat, Volume 11, Number 34, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 26 August 1908 — Saving Jimmie. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Saving Jimmie.

By LULU JOHNSON.

Copyrighted. 1908. by Associated Literary Press.

“Paste her on the trademark, Skinny,” urged the captain of the team. And Skinny, otherwise Master James Treadgear, being ever mindful of advice, “pasted” the sphere with such good effect that the ball sailed ovef the stone wall at the far end of the lot. 1 This changed jubilation Into regret, for not even three scores brought In by the home run offset the fact that Skinny had knocked a fifty cent boll over the wall Into the colonel's garden. Billy Sniffen, who had been cajoled into lending bis new ball to the “big fellows,” some of whom were all of twelve years of age, let out a roar at the sudden disappearance of his property. Balls tbat went over the high stone barrier which surrounded the property of the peppery Colonel Moulton were regarded as good as lost. None of the boys dared brave the wrath of the retired officer in search of lost property. Colonel Moulton would have been regarded as an ogre by mediaeval youth, for tie stormed and raved at children. The smaller lads firmly believed tbat he liked to kill children, and when Jflusk had fallen they hurried past his house lest he spring out and seize them. Now, at the disappearance of the ball, the outfielders followed t lie bass runners up to the home plate and joined in the volley of reproaeh directed toward the unfortunate Skinny. ! “You told me to paste her,” he reminded the scowling captain. I “I didn’t tell you to knock her over the wall.” was the scornful retort. “Poor Billy’s ma’ll lick him when he goes home without that ball." This was an angle from which the unfortunate William had not hitherto viewed his loss, and it caused his grief Ito double. ‘“You better skip over the fence and get it,” decreed the captain, and the gang shuddered. Like a true despot, the captain could I not be induced to alter his command, (and, though he weakened perceptibly tos they drew near the fatal wall, be affected a nonchalance he did not feel,

and, bending over, he formed his hands into a stirrup, in which the trembling Skinny placed his spot. With a heave the boy shot up until his fingers grasped the wall, but he could not hold and came tumbling back, carrying the captain to the ground with him. | “I can't do it,” pleaded Skinny, but (the captain was adamant | "You gotter,” he Insisted, made {heartless by a skinned elbow. “Get up {there or we’ll throw you over.” f The threat had its due effect. Skin!ny clung shivering to the top of the wall for a moment; then he tumbled over on the other side, and in a moinrat the air was pierced by shrieks of agony so shrill and terrifying that the gang fled incontinently toward the Street, with the doughty captain well tn the lead. As they reached the sidewalk and turned to reconnoiter Skinny’s sister Lucy came down the street and paused to regard the boys inquiringly. “Where Is Jimmie?” she demanded of the captain. V The captain hung his bead. “That’s him.” he confessed, with a jerk of his thumb in the direction of the spot whence Jimmie’s screams still proceeded. “We boosted Jimmie over the wall to get a bail he lost, and I guess the colonel’s killing him.” The entrance to the stone encircled park of the Moulton place was on the other street, and with the gang trailing after her Lucy ran toward the gate. The boys were there before her, but made way that she might approach the dreaded portal. Every one of her attendants admired the courage and determination with which she pressed the Mtton of the electric bell. Her finger was still on the porcelaiu knob when the gate was thrown open and a young man. hatless and without his coat, appeared in the aperture. He Started back as he perceived the excited group. “Has any one gone for a doctor?" he iyiihyi'- -r. , ~ “la a physician needed V asked Lucy. With sinking heart. It was worse than •he had feared. The savage old colonel mast have carried his punishment for

trespass to an excess that bad resulted fan serious injbry. “Borne of you boys run for a doctor, quick,” commanded the young man sharply. “The little fellow has a broken leg.” The entire gang raced up the street after the physician, and Lucy was left alone with the stranger. “May I come In?” she demanded coldly. “It is my brother whom you have Injured." “You will be most welcome,” was the courteous reply. —<“My father’s household does not Include any women, and 1 was somewhat at a loss to make him comfortable. 1 am Lieutenant Paul Moulton," he added by way of Introduction. “My father is Colonel Moulton, and I am visiting him on leave.” “I am Lucy Treadgear,” announced Lucy In response. “It Is my brother. James, whom you hiive injured.” Moulton stepped aside to permit her to enter, and after closing the gate he led the way Into the bousp, where Jlmmle lay on a sofa In the library with the white haired old soldier leaning over him and trying to soothe his fear.

“He seems to be more frightened than hurt,” explained the colonel as he gave place to Lucy, “and a broken leg is no joke at that.” “No wonder,” was the indignant response, “when It is known that you have shot at several boys. It Is fortunate that you did no more than break his leg—fortunate for you, I mean,” she added in explanation. “Bless your pretty face, I had nothing to do with it.” declared the colonel. “As for the shooting, a few blank cartridges and ray consequent bad reputation haVe been the salvation of my fruit trees. This little fellow will tell you himself that neither Paul nor I was In the garden when he fell and broke his leg.” Lucy looked inquiringly at Jimmie, who nodded.

“The boys pushcjl me up too fast," he explained. “I went right on over. And I didn’t get the ball.” he added inconsequentially. "and Billy’s nut'll lick him for losing it. and Don Fraser said he’d lick me if I didn’t get If." “I’ll find it.” volunteered the lieutenant, and he slipped out, leaving Lucy with thp colonel. “My bark is worse than my bite,” explained the old colonel, with reddening face. "I had to do something to keep the boys from overrunning my garden, but I did not suppose that the grownups would take my threats seriously. I shall have to make Paul my deputy to clear my reputation.” The arrival of the physician Interrupted the conversation, and presently the colonel himself tenderly carried the boy to the waiting carriage and insisted that Paul ride on the box with the driver in case he might be needed.

It was perhaps only natural that Paul should call frequently to ask after the Invalid and that he should select Lucy as his first proselyte In his missionary work lit behalf of bis father. “Forty years In a garrison would ruin the temper of any man,” he declared, “and you cannot very well blame dad for wanting to be let alone when he had the chance. He loves gardening, and the boys were wrecking bis grounds. He simply had to Scare them off.” “He was very effective In his methods,” agreed Lucy, “almost too much so. For a moment I supposed that he really had broken Jimmie’s leg.” “I wish that I could make you realize what a splendid father he is,” said Paul, with enthusiasm. “I do not remember my father very well,” said Lucy reminiscently. “He died just after Jimmie was born. I was only eight.” “Let me share mine with you," offered Paul generously. “Will you, dear?”

From a coign of vantage on the far side of the street the gang watched the wedding procession emerge from the church and set up a shout as Jimmie, resplendent in white satin coat and knickerbockers, preceded the happy couple as their page. “Jimmie looks like a stick of candy,” declared the captain contemptuously, “but he’s got an all right sister. There ain’t many girls that would marry & man just to save their little brother from a man like Colonel Moulton. He was just goln’ to kill Jimmie when she rushed lu and said if be would spare Jimmie’s life she would marry the lieutenant” The gang looked with awe upon the brave bride, and Lucy, radiant in her new happiness, never realized that they were cheering her with such enthusiasm because she had sacrificed herself to fate to save her little brother.

"I HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH IT," DECLARED THE COLONEL.