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THE BOY SCOUT
Jimmie dropped the valise, forced his cramped fingers into
straight lines, and saluted. Page 10
THE BOY SCOUT
BY
RICHARD HARDING DAVIS
NEW YORK
CHARLES SCRIBNER'S SONS
1914
Copyright, 1914, by Charles Scribner's Sons
Published May, 1914
THE BOY SCOUT
A rule of the Boy Scouts is every day to do some one a good turn. Notbecause the copy-books tell you it deserves another, but in spite ofthat pleasing possibility. If you are a true scout, until you haveperformed your act of kindness your day is dark. You are as unhappyas is the grown-up who has begun his day without shaving or readingthe New York Sun. But as soon as you have proved yourself you may,with a clear conscience, look the world in the face and untie theknot in your kerchief.
[4]Jimmie Reeder untied the accusing knot in his scarf at just tenminutes past eight on a hot August morning after he had given onedime to his sister Sadie. With that she could either witness thefirst-run films at the Palace, or by dividing her fortune patronizetwo of the nickel shows on Lenox Avenue. The choice Jimmie left toher. He was setting out for the annual encampment of the Boy Scoutsat Hunter's Island, and in the excitement of that adventure even themovies ceased to thrill. But Sadie also could be unselfish. With aheroism of a camp-fire maiden she made a gesture which might havebeen interpreted to mean she was returning the money.
"I can't, Jimmie!" she gasped. "I[5] can't take it off you. You saved it,and you ought to get the fun of it."
"I haven't saved it yet," said Jimmie. "I'm going to cut it out of therailroad fare. I'm going to get off at City Island instead of at PelhamManor and walk the difference. That's ten cents cheaper."
Sadie exclaimed with admiration:
"An' you carryin' that heavy grip!"
"Aw, that's nothin'," said the man of the family.
"Good-by, mother. So long, Sadie."
To ward off further expressions of gratitu