The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1869-11-04
Jhe @eafora Gazette.
JOHN wALrox,s REVENGE.

ly.
The speaker was well dressed boy
of fourteen, and the words We're adj
dressed to boy about his own age and
his sister of eight. The contrast be-
tween outward appearance was strik-
ing. Oscar was of light complexion,
and looked like the 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 un-
willing to use.
John Walton, who confronted him
without fear, was stouter boy than
Oscar His complexion was dark, his
ha!r, black as ravens wing, hung over
his forehead. His clothing was coarse
and well worn; his pants were tucked
up nearly to his knees, and shoes and
stockings were luxuries which he dis
pensed with. His little sister terrified
by Oscars rude manner, clung to her
brotherin alright.
Don't be scared of him, Lizzie"
said John. "He won't dare to touch
YOU"
won't l though ?'' said Oscar,
clutching his stick tighter.
''Not if you know what is best for
YOURSELF" said John, looking fixedly
at him.
''You have no business here, you
beggars, said Oscar furionsly.
"Pm no beggar," said the barefooted
boy, proudly.
"This is my fathers land. Can you
deny that?" demanded Oscar
81 know it is, and suppose it will
be yours some day."
"Then why have you intruded
here?
81 did not suppose it would be any
harm to pick a few berries, which
would otherwise decay on the vines"
"Then you know it now. l don't
care for the berries, but l don't want
any beggar's brats on my fathers
place"
''Stop there young MASTER" said
John, firmly. You called me beg
gar, and | did not care much but il
you call my mother by that name, you
will be sorry"
"I?" said Oscar very contemptuous-
~. "What will you do?"
"I'll beat you with that stick you
hold in your hand.'
Then / do call her a bcggar," said
Oscar, furiously. "What are you go
ing to do about it?''
you'll see."
John Walton let his sisters hand
fall, and springing upon Oscar, he
wrenehed the stick from his hand, laid
it over his back with sharp emphasis
taaree times, and then threw it in the
pond near by.
Leaving his young enemy PROSTATE
he took his terrified sisterby the hand,
saying
ssWen 60 home now, Lizzie"
Oscar picked himself up, mortified
and furious. He would have pursued
John and wreaked instant vengence
npon him had he dared, but in the
hands of the young savage, as he men
tally characterized him, he had felt hi:
own utter inability to cope with him
and resolved that vengeance shoulc
"My father shall turn the beggar
out of house and home" he muttered
e'I wish they might starve."
The father of Oscar Ronalds was the
proprietor of handsome house ant
large landed estate, including several
tenements which he rented out. Ii
the poorest of these lived John Waltor
and his mother. They lived poorly e
nough how, it would be hard to tell
but at all events they lived and never
sought help.
When John told the story of his en-
counter to his mother, she was disturb
ed, fearing that trouble might come o
it. So, indeed, it did.
The next morning Squire Ronalds
with his stiff, erect figure, was seer
approaching the widows cottage.
Mrs. Walton opened the door.
won't yon come in, Squire Ron
a!ds;n she said, nervously.
mo, madam, / have but word t.
say, and that is soon said. Are you g
ware that your boy grossly insnlted
my son, yesterday ?'
''He told me that Oscar called hin
names, and he knocked him down
He has hasty temper"
''Your son is a ruffian ma'am."
''Not so bad as that. He is gooC
boy to me, Squire Ronalds."
'It is pity he cannot treat other
with respect"
"Do you think he was wholly tC
blame ?"
Certainly he was. My son caugh
him trespassing on my land, and h'
very properly ordered him off. Idon'i
care to urge the matter. If he will a
pologize to Oscar, will let it pass
Otherwise, as your month is up to-day
shall require you to leave this tene
ment.
John, who had been inside aud hear(
what mad been said, came forward
looking resolute and self-sustained.
81 shall not apologize to Master O5-
car, sir" he said. 1t is he who shoult
apologize to me-"
"Apologize to you! That woulC
look we'll; would it not ?" said tn
Guuira ccornf1IIv