The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1874-10-08
Muf Meredith.
A STORY FOR YOUNG FOLKS.

said Raj ph Jenkins, tie lead boy OF Mr.,
Branson's private school hes so quiet. !
suppose he's one of the muff tribe"
Very little gives lad name, and young
Charles Meredith was instantly Dubbed
"Muff Meredith" by his school fellows He
had arrived from his home in the south OF
France late in the half-year, and the boys
Of before they separated for the holidays.
Two or three, however. were sure he must be
muff. since he amused himself when out
walking by botanizmg. He had said aloud
that he enjoyed the history lesson, and he
had twice been in conversation with Soft
Sammy, the butt of the school.
Two boys beside himself were left at Mr.
Branson' 5 for the holidays-Jack Travers and
Sammy Wilks. Jack looked very sad when
tie rest drove of, plying him for being left
with the Muff and the Softly but his spirits
were cbeered when dirty note was handed
to him over the school-gate by q grinnjng
rustic, to the effect that Mr. Greerson's school
in the next village, which did not break up
for some days, was to have paper-hunt
that morning through Brickley, Homewood,
&C., and requested the pleasure of any
gentlemsn's company who might be left at
Mr.. Branson's,
Jack politely passed the note to Meredith.
saying: u suppose you won't care %
Bnt Meredith said, Il should like it Of all
things, if Sammy doesn't mind being left ;"
Jack smiled scorntully at the idea of con
sultng the sof[y-just like the Muff, though!
"Come en- to tie study then" said Jack.
And off they went to ask permission.
Mr.. Brnnson wa quite willing TO let them
go.
ut viii be very firing for you, Meredith"
he said
'Pve lead Tom Br o,Cn, sir" said Meeditb
smiling, "aDd I should like to try"
"And you can drop off after field or two"
said Jack, patronisingly. II always stick to
it to the last"
''But the young fellows and tie muffs are
not expected to keep up" said Meredith
Jack looked hard at his comps Mon but.
no it was impossible the new iellow-tbe
Muf-could be laughing at him.
he was Their pleasant fellow, this Muf,
to begule the tedious highroad walk to the
place OF meeting. CT course he knew moth
ing about English sport. but he had Travelled
and seen queer things, Of which he spoke
mode5tly enough. He was far better than
the Softly to spend the holidays with, Jack
decided.
The paper-hnnt once begun, the Mufr began
20 show signs Of spirit, which surprised Jack
he often put them On tie right scent, and
grew intensely interested in the matter.
though Jack thought it foolish of him to
WaIS once to help very little lad over
high hedge, and again TO caution another
against taking long draughts of water from
an cold well.
The fun grew fast and furious. Jack, the
Mum, and the little lad of all, who was as
feet as deer, were all together, when the
small boy tripped and FELL rolling down
steep bank.
Forward every man for himself ~ said
Jack, running on. Come on ~ he shonted
angrily. for the Muf had stopped to pick up
the boy.
Come on he'll shake right !" said Jack
who did not want to lose the Mufl's company
he had snch capital nose for a scent
but just like him the Muff would stav
would pick up the boy. Jack saw no more;
he couldn't lose the fun, whatever happen
ed.
That evening, footsore, weary and faded.
Jack reached home to find no Meredith.
'He is at Fairholm CASTLE explained Mr..
Branson eft seems Sir John Fahbolm's
little boy met with an accident at the paper
chase, and Meredith picked him up and
carried him to the nearest farm house, which
happened to be on his fathers estate. LADY,
Falrholm has written to me requesting that
Meredith may remain with them for time.
as little Reginald has taken great fancy to
him. The boys arm is broken, and he is
much bruised"
"Poor little chap = said Jack sTrc11 for
Muf, if he knew how to use If y no odSad ~
himself. Sir John has splendid horses and
the trout stream at Fairholm is a simmer
wish was there. Regho and now I'm
left with Softly ~ -
Next morning however, came another
motel for Jack, less dirty than the one Of tho
previous day. It ran: = '''o
DEAR JAcK,-Ask Mr. Branson's leave "a
come over here for the day Lady Fairholm
wishes 1t. The little boy is better, and we
are to have some fun. w
"Yours, CHARLES MEREDrru
"P S.-The groom is to go tor YOU with
the pony and wait.