Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1848-06-02

why Frank how in the world did yor
get such black eye p
Tom Elliott gave me hit, sir, because
| took away bird he was tormenting.'
well, and what did you do when he
gave you the hit
The boy looked from one 10 the other o
his parents, and hestated to reply. Blu
catching his fathers good.natured expires
sion, he answered boldly:
why, father, | pounded him till he was
black in the face
Il warrant you did. should think the
boys would find out that it is not very safe
to NEEDLE with you,' said the father ap.
provingly; while Mrs. Davis looked at hel
son with sorrowful and reproachful ex.
preston. The boy saw it, and rising. threw
his arms about her neck Whispering
Dear mother pray forgive me. was
wrong, but how could | stand tamely and
allow myself to be beaten for doing what
was right p
yes my son, answered Mrs. Davis aloud
6 acknowledge that it was right for you to
defend the poor bird but | think the good
act was overbalanced by the wrong one
Nonsense, Ellen interposcd her hus-
band, as Frank left the room. How is
Frank ever going to get along in the world,
if he allows every body who chooses to
take the trouble, to beat him and trample
upon him.
He will have the satisfaction of know
ing that he does his duty, and is obeyng
the precepts of his divine Master answer
ed the mother.
ooh, that is all very good, but then this
sentimental religion won't help man to
get his living in the world. If Frank was
to be Missionary or a Methodist minister,
it would be very well to give him these
ideas, but as hope to make him into a
shrewd, clever man of the world, they are
quite misplaced. And besides that, it is
useless to try to alter him. You might as
well try TO teach fish 10 walk, as to give
that boy your own sweet, enduring tenn
per-
Ellen smiled family at the compliments,
but the smile was drowned by the fast
gathering tears.
Time swiftly, and silently sped on, and
the boy had become almost man. Twen-
ty summers had rolled over his head, and
each one had added new force to the strength
and quckness of his passionate temper.
lie was very handsome, but there was
something too indicative of the fierce tenn
per within-in the bright and flashing eye,
in the large veins upon the forehead, and
in the curving nostril. So thought his
mother, but his father said
Frank is a fine dashing fellow, and if
there is spice Of the devil in him, | like
him all the better for it. 1t shows that his
spirit never was broken by tyranny, as
that of many CHEZ high strung boys has
been.'
Ellen did not agree with this, but she
did not choose to dispute with her husband,
and so she contentcd herself with praying
and hoping for the best. Frank was
highly intellectual and talented young man,
and was already in his senior year at col
lege.
With his open, pleasing manners, Frank
made many acquaintance among his fellow
egians.-OHe of these was Frederic
Ainslie, young Southcrner, to whom
Frank soon became very much attached.
They had been intimate for more than a
year, ami had never had the slightest cold
ness, or misunderstanding, when all at
once, Ainsle became reserved and distant
to his friend, and when Frank implored him
to explain the cause Of this, he replied, in
polite astonishment, he was not aware that
he had treated Mr.. Davis in any ungente.
manly manner-that certainly nothing was
farther from his Intention
After so chilling an answer as this,
Franks pride forbade him to renew his en-.
treaties, and for some time they remained
esiranged but finally, affection conquered
pride in Franks heart, and he took an op-
portunity to renew his earnest inquiries of
his friend, as to the cause of his change.
For some time young Ainslie refused TO
answer; but at least he said
when tell you that Mr.. Bamford has
told me the opinion you expressed of me,
and the reason you gave for associating
with me, perhaps you will cease to WONDER
The opinion expressed to Mr.. Bam-
ford never expressed any
Do you hope to brave down my accu-
saton with this pretended ignorance Did
you not tell Bamford that was regular
blockhead and simpleton, and that the only
reason you associated with me was for your
own amusement, and that you might al
ways have a ready butt for your jokes
Frederic Ainslic, swear by the Lord
who made me, that such words never pas
sed my lips, and would not have believed
that you could for one moment listen to
Them
Have really been deceived-but what
reason should Bamford have for inventing
such falsehood 2
He hates me, because have refused to
associate with him; but as you do not
seem to be convinced, shall say no more.
| cannot prove that this man has lied, and
yet, | should have thought it would not
take so much to convince an old friend that
he had been too credulous.'
NAY, stop, Frank stop and forgive me.
| do not credit the story. see that it is
false. Give me your hand, and forgive
and forget
The hand was given, and the old friend
ship renewed the young men then went
in search Of Bamford. He was at last
found, walking alone in the college grounds.
Frank Immediately accosted him in stern
voice, and said
Mr. Bamiord, what apology have you
to make for your ungentlemanly conduct
toward me ;!
Il have been guilty Of none.
you have slandered and maligned me
to Mr.. Ainslie.
i have done no such thing"