THE MASCOT OF ELMWOOD HALL.
LMWOOD Hall boys were in a fever of excitement.
The time was near at hand for the annual relay
races of the county schools and prizes were to be given to
the winning team.
The town of Benton was justly proud of her boys'
school, known as Elmwood Hall, and awaited anxiously the
momentous day that was to decide as to the best team.
Benton, being the most central town, was decided upon
as the scene of the contest.
The importance of the town was small indeed compared
with the importance of little Tim Lloyd, bootblack by occu
pation, but also holding the honorable position as mascot of
the Elmwood team. As he was hurrying along toward the
school one could hear hint tatlking earnestly to himself some
thing after this fashion----" Well, I've always brought 'ern
nothing but good luck so far, and oh, if they only beat 'em all
next Saturday I'll be a happy kid or my Hain 'aint Timothy
Lloyd."
He WM.) greeted by the boys ill their usual boisterous
manner
"Hello Tim! Clear sailing ahead for Saturday?"
"Far as I can see, you fellows will beat," Tim
answered in his shrill voice. ‘'l saw the new moon over my
right shoulder and killed two snakes so that means good
luck."
"That's right, Timmy, watch up all the signs," said
Tom Brooks as he swung the little fellow to his shoulder,
"three cheers for Elmwood Ball and Mascot Tim" and so
with wild cheering and their customary yell they made the
air ring around the old hall.
The important day dawned at last, and a bet ter one could