The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1875-10-15

they began talking very low indeed,
and the rain upon the roof made SO much
noise, | couldn't make out just what
they said, and, oh sir just at that mo
ment / found / was going to sneeze.
tried all could to stop it, but it would
come, and / really think, sir, il was the
loudest sneeze i ever gave. Then there
was nothing for me to do but to come
out.
See here, young one, have you
been listening to all this! said Decker.
ooh yes, Decker, L cried, and how can
You Now just stop that sniveling,
or I'll give you something to cry for,
and / saw that Decker had been drink
ing. Then Mullett said quite kindly,
although he was very much excited,
Now, little Miggs, we're bound to carry
this thing through, and we won't have
interference. We mustn't permit you to
leave this place tonight and interrupt
our plans. Yes, on one condition can
you appear mt the school this evening,
and that is that you will solemnly prom
ise, upon your oath, not to mention
what you have heard to a single soul un-
til our flight has been discovered
:" Mullett, Mullett, how can prom
Use you this9 L said. mo, no; don't
ask it. Oh, Decker, think of this awful
thing you are going to do, and to the
best master a boy ever had. Dear Null
lett, you saved my life last winter when
my sled broke through the ice, and
love you so / can't let you do this.
Listen to me. If only you will give up
these wicked plans now and forever and
ever, no one shall hear or know anything
about them; but if you will not-and
grew suddenly brave, sir-I will surely
tell master every word.
eve all stood very still for few min
utes, and the rain on the leaves outside
and on the roof fell with such lonely
sound that, l believe, sir, began to cry.
Mullett stretched out his hand toward
me and said, Little Miggs, I've half
mind when Decker, who, as 1 told you
before, sir, had been drinking, sprang
forward, and Selling me by the arm,
said: Miggs, you young, sLeaking
eayesdropper, you don't leave this hut
tonight; and as for you, Mullett, if
you re going TO back down I'll shoulder
the whole thing myself, but have a care
how you step out of it, for you've gone
too far to prove your innocence now.
"'Pm not going to back out, said
Mullett.
"Then help me bind NIiggs to the
center post. They'll be sore TO find him
tomorrow, and by that time we will not
care how much he blabs. / prayed
Decker not TO tie me there over night;
it was such a cruel, cruel thing, but he
did it, sir. Mullett insisted that should
not stand, so he brought box for me
to sit on, and then turned and looked
out of the hut while Decker tied me with
the measuring rope. | was faint and
dizzy, and but for the rope under my
arms | should have fallen over. Mullett
came up and said:
"' Little Miggs, can you forgive ne!
GO Yes, said. Il forgive you Null
lett. And that is all / remember, dear
master, until l awoke and found that
you and Crane were come to release
me.
"Boys, said the master, &c will con-
tinue the narrative. Last evening, just
after tea, was sitting in my study,
when Crane entered, breathless, with
the astonishing announcement that he
had discovered little Miggs bound fast
in the birch hut, and apparently dead.
! FASTENED to the place, and as | looked
in | feared that Crane was right, and
that little Miggs was indeed dead. Upon
examination, however, | found he had
only tainted, and even as we worked at
the rope he revived. Without question
! ing, / took him in my arms and brought
him up at once to the study. He lay
on the lounge long time without speak
ing. Presently he said
4" Master, there will be an attempt
made tonight to rob you. Please don't
put your purse under the pillow, and
then they will get nothing
who will get nothing, little Miggs 2
"'Oh, sir, cannot tell you tonight,
indeed
Z" He was interrupted by rap at the
door. 1t was the housekeeper.
"'Come to my room, quick, sir, Deck
er is very i'll, she whispered.
GO found him on the sofa, his arms
hanging lifelessly over the back, his
hair disheveled, his clothes in disorder.
In truth l found him not sick, but in
toxicated. Giving instructions that he
should not be removed until / returned,
left the room and was met in the hall
by Mullett, who asked to have word
with me.
"Not now, Mullett,' 1 explained
I'm very much occupied.
" If you please, sir, I know all about
it. Decker, little Miggs, and all and if
you'll only let me, I'll confess everything.
1 can't go to bed. / can't sleep. Oh,
sir I'm so miserable
"'Come to my study, Mullett,' /
said. Az / opened the door he caught
sight of little Miggs. Springing to the
lounge lie threw himself upon his knees
and buried his face in his hands, and
guessed much of the truth at once.
What i did not know was told me be-
tween the sobs of the contrite boy. But
the possibility of such crime in ouI
midst was too imminent not to demand
a severe and long aforementioned
punishment, and this morning placed
them both under arrest. Debauchery,
theft, perhaps worse, by two of the
most influential boys in school-could ]
do less than to make this an everlasting
example 2"
You can't, dear MASTER" cried little
Al