Show by Malcolm Wood Art by Fred Steffen What's that Pop?" John Craddock squinted across at the gaudy contraption its shaft festooned with lights and the names of comic characters from "Casper Milquetoast" at the bottom to "Superman" at the top "C'mon Son Let's go see" A barker was snarling at the crowd "Who's next? It takes more science than strength How about this young man here?" John Craddock was lanky but practicing law doesn't toughen muscles He edged into the crowd until he saw the barker was addressing a gangly ol boy and his girl "Show your girlie what it takes Bud Don't be afraid" the barker taunted The youth hesitated unable to decide John Craddock sympathized with him John was facing a decision himself perhaps the most crucial of his life A few minutes ago at the picnic table Jeremiah Phelps had challenged him point-blan- k: "John" said the old lawyer "now that Philpotts is dead and I'm retiring some of our clients are counting on you to open your own practice You could stay right in our high-scho- 10 Family Weekly September 22 1957 old office at Naturally it will be tough first —worthwhile things always are —but you can do it Have you decided yet?" Sheepishly John' confessed "Right now I'm considering some offers from corporations" Mr Phelps exploded with friendly contempt John looked at Helen hoping she would help justify his reluctance to launch out on his own But his wife looked away and said nothing She too sensed that for some reason John was afraid For several weeks she had seemed unable to bestow on him that special glance of love and confidence that was a foundation of their marriage And so John had left the picnic glade to struggle With his problem by himself At the last minute he let his son come with him Tommy alone had not been regarding him with reproach -T-- HE ' barker was still needling the skinny schoolboy "Afraid your sweetie will find out what you're made of Sport?" And the weasel-face- d man thrust the sledge at the youngster The frightened boy stepped forward hurriedly and landed a glancing blow on the striking plate The iron weight rose a short distance and the light went on at "Little Orphan Annie" Someone in the crowd laughed The boy flushed and took another recklesls swing This time he missed the plate altogether and the sledge flew out of his sweaty grip The barker smirked "Want to try again?" But the crestfallen youngster had begun to slouch away A jaunty man about 40 years old and barely five feet tall promptly took the sledge He balanced on his toes and then swung in a perfect arc from the ground behind him over his head and down squarely on the striking plate "Bong!" went the bell' The light went on at "Superman" Twice more the man casually rang the bell Then he' picked out a prize an expression of boredom" on his face John was annoyed "He's probably a blacksmith or a railroad hand" he told himself and started to leave Noticing that Tommy was not following he turned back toward the machine He looked squarely into the crafty eyes of the barker "Here's our next man" the barker blared and the spectators looked toward John "Show your son what red-hair- ed red-hair- ed his Dad is made of" he went on ruthlessly "A little man did it Now let's see if a big one can" John muttered "Not a chance Pal -- I don't bamboozle" But Tommy didn't move "Yessir the little man did it Let's see the big one" He knelt beside Tommy "You want your Dad to win a prize don't you Sonny?" The boy turned from the barker to his father His face shone with expectation and perfect trust John Craddock went weak with fear: he had no choice His heart pounding like a er John handed the barker a quarter and took the sledge He confronted the apparatus without thinking and recklessly tried to imitate the man's full-a- rc swing But the sledge was heavier than he expected and when it finally landed sloppily on the striking plate the weight only rose to "Skeezix" "Not so good" the barker cried Panic clutched John Craddock's heart The barker was leering at him and suddenly other faces seemed to appear: Helen and Mr Phelps and old Mr Philpotts who was dead and clients of the firm and the Judge of the District Court—and Tommy jack-hamm- red-hair- ed |