Cinder Path Tales

A VIRGINIA JUMPER 155 incredulous, andwent so faras to remind me that it was not at all a joking matter, fora good ten-dollar note must change hands on my decision. At this, I repeated my state­ ment positively asbefore, andSam paid over the money withoutany further remark. It was altogethertoo good astory forhim to keep, and it soon became an interesting subject of discussion. Those who knew me best (and Sam among them, despite his loss) believed the tale,but there weremany "doubting Thomases." Some made it a subject for senseless jokes and witless ques­ tions, such as, "Was the tape elastic?" "Did he jump from the roof? " or " Did he do it very, very early in the morning?" Other "smart Alecs" declared the twenty- four feet was all right, butthe extraone and three-quarters inches they could not go. Now, I am not at all averse toa draw on the long bow when swapping lies with a sporting friend and both know thegame we play, but when I speak seriously Iwish to be taken in the same way. Beside, I had allowed money topass on it, and that should have settled the matter. It was partly due to my resentment at this banter thatDick finally made the team and little Jack Bennett did not. The latter certainly became better in practice, but I