The Boy Who Wasn't Alone

Illustration 20. A group of rough boys were demanding some evil deed of a smaller boy. He said, “I can’t do it.” Their leader said, “What’s the reason you can’t?

You will have to, I tell you. We are going to make you do it whether or not you 188 THE ILLUSTRATION want to. We are all of us against you alone and how are you going to help yourself?” The boy who was beset with such overwhelming odds was silent for a moment and then he replied, “I can’t do it; it’s wrong, it’s mean, and I can’t do a mean thing.

And I am not as much alone as you think Iam. There are two of us and the other one has always been more than a match for all that have come against him.” “Two of you,” sneered the other boy, “and where’s your partner, I’d like to know? Why don’t he show up?

He is a fine feller, he is, to leave you in the lurch this way. Much help you will get from him! I guess you will be pretty well used up before he comes.”

“No, I shall not,” answered the small boy, quietly, “for he is here now. It is just as I told you; there are two of us and the other one is—God.” The leader of the gang started back in amazement. He had not expected such an answer as that.

He looked for a moment into the determined face of the little fellow before him and then, casting a sheepish look at his companions around him, he said, “Come on, fellers, let him alone. There is no use foolin’ with such a chap as that.” And away they went, leaving the younger boy triumphant.