The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1869-02-09
John Waiton's Revenge.
by noRATIo ALGER JR.

by noRATIo hLGER JR.
'Be off from here, you little bcggar J
said Oscar Ronalds, imperiously.
The speaker was wellSdrcssed boy Of
fourteen, and the words were addressed
to boy of about his own age and his sis'
ter of eight. The contrast between their
outward appearance was striking. Oscar
was of light complexion and looked like
a petted child Of the aristocracy. He held
a club in his hand, which it might be
judged from his scowling face he would
not be unwilling to use.
John Walton, who confronted him
without fear, was stoutcr boy than Os-
car. Ills complexion was dark his hair,
black as a ravens wing, hung over his
forehead His clothing was coarse and
wcll-worn, his pants were tucked up nearly
to mis- knees, and shoes and stockings were
luxurics which he had dispensed with.-
His little sister, terrified by Oscars
rude manner, clung to her brother in
alright.
Don't be scared of him, Lizzie, said
John. Sic won't dare to touch US,
Won't | though ? said Oscar, clutch~
ing his stick tighter.
'Not if you know what is best for
yourself, said John, looking Gxcdly at
him.
you have no business here, you beg
gar said Oscar, furiously.
q am no bcggar,' said the barefoot boy,
proudly.
This is my fathers land. Can you
deny that ? demanded Oscar.
Il know it is, and suppose it will BE-
yours some day.
Then why have you intrudcd here ?
Il did not suppose it would do any
harm to pick a few berries, which would
otherwise decay on the vines.
'Thcn you know it now. | don't
care for the berries, but don't want any
bcggers' brats on my fathers place
'Slop there, yonng master, said John
frmly. 'You called me bcggar, and
| did not care much, but if you call
my mother by that name, you'll be sor
ry,'
~ said Oscar, contcmptuously. -
What will you do 2
III beat you with that stick you hold
in your hand
Then do call her bcggar,' said OsS
car, furiously, 'What are you going to
do about ii ?
You'll sce.'
John Walton let his sisters hand fall,
and springing upon Oscar wrcnchcd the
stick from his hand, laid it over his back
with sharp emphasis three times, and then
flung it into the pool near by.
Leaving his young enemy PROSTATE, he
took his terrified sister by the hand, and
saying, 'Wc'll 60 home, now. Lizzie
walked quietly away.
Oscar picked himself up mortified and
furious. He would have pursued John
and wreakcd instant vengencc upon him
if he had dared, but in tho hands Of the
young savage. rs he mentally character
izcd him, he had felt his own utter ina
bility to cope with him, AMI resolved
that vcng,ncc should come in another
shape.
My father shall turn the bcssars out
of house and home, he mu'tcrcl. Il wish
they might starvc.'
The father of Oscar Ronalds WAS the
proprietor of handsome house and large
landed estate, including several tenemcnts
| which he rented out. In the poorest Of
these lived John Walton and his mother.
They lived poorly enough, how it would
bc hard to fell, but at all events they lived,
and never sought help.
When John told the story of his en-
counter to his mother, she was disturbed,
fearing that trouble might come OF it. So,
indeed, il did,
! The next morning Squire Ronalds, with
his stiff, erect figure, was seen approaching
the widows cottage.
Mrs. Walton opened the door.
wont you come in, Squire Ronalls,
she said uervously.
ne madam, have but word 10 say,
and that is soon said. Are you aware that
your boy grossly insultcd my son Oscar
yesterday
'He told me that O'c IT called me names,
and he knocked him down, lie has n
hasty temper.
your son is n rullian, ma'am.
Not so bad as that. lie is good boy
to me, Squire Ronalds.'
1T is pity he cannot treat others with
proper respect. =.
.Do you think he was wholly to blame ?
Certainly he was. My son caught
him trespassing on my land, and very
properly ordered him off | don't care
TO argue the matter. II he will apollo
gize 10 Oscar, will let it pass. Other
wise, as your months up to day, shall
require you to leave this tenement.
John who had been inside and heard
what had been said, came forward, look
ing resolute and self sustained.
Il shall not apologize TO Master Oscar
sir, he sail. At is he who sl.ould apolo'
gize TO me- ,
Apologize to you That would looE
well, would it not ? said the Squire scorn
fully.
II, ,,onIJ lao riuht said ,Iohn firmly