Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1875-03-24

"ruled the roost for-they could not tel
how long. Thus II happened that at the
same moment that Simon uttered the threat
/ with which he had 50 often terrified the
| younger Of his companions, am break your
/ bones" llarry's escape raised a wild shout Of
/ triumph.
"I'll make you pay for that, youngster, he
added fercely, and then turning 10 the beg.
| gar he cried, Why don't you get up out Of
that, You ragged old Lazarus DO you want
another persuader2 You'll find il won't pay
TO play 'pOssum with me. Get up, you vag-
abond, get up
Oh, come, Jet him alone, ST." said jim
Darleyi you'll never get the old mule 10
stir II you stay here week; let's 20 along"
oh, yes, there's Blake a coming, we'd
better leave, and I've got the greatest Joke
TO tell You about the boy that's going to
Hartford"
Who's going to Hartford ? cried half
a-dozen at once
Don't be in such a hurry. and III tell
you. In the first place, it isn't boy at all, it's
girl"
what did you say boy for then &"
asked one Of the smallest Of the listeners.
Simon broke out into coarse hollow
laugh, and said, Well done, my innocent :
didn't you know that he"-here he raised his
voice and pointed at Harry, who was little
distance In advance-" is the boy who is go
ing TO Hartford ;"
II the blow which Simon had aimed at
Harry two minutes since had taken full ef-
iect 1t would not have hurt so much as did
this cutting allusion. The maddened boy
turned about and said bitterly.
"I'm not going to Hartford, and told
you so yesterday, 81 Byttes."
"Oh, yes, you ioid me sol | know, but not
in the same grand style in which you told
me that you icds going, hey ?"
This was too much for Harry. and. know
ing what a torrent Of ridicule he would have
10 face II he remained, he suddenly took the
shortcut home. Simon was what is
called good story-teller, which means that
he could make a great deal out Of little,
aud add enough from his own Imagination
to make everything entertaining By the
exercise Of his usual skill, he kept his com
panions in the host Of humor all the way TO
the corner" where he stopped, to see
Blum, and hear the men talk business" in
the bar-room Of the hotel. Harry, mean
while, had come TO the sudden decision not
TO 60 to Hartford, at any rate. He thought
he could purchase a plaster for his con.
science by giving up the visit. He almost
choked when he thought of the disappoint-
ment but he saw no other way to get out Of
the trouble which he knew was in store for
him, both in his own heart and at school.
lie would rather lose almost ANYTHING than
be a butt for Simon Byttes, who had so
much influence, and who had already made
fun Of him for being girlish." lie would
give up the visit, and then he could make
the boys believe him and distrist his op-
pressor Wrapped in these thoughts, he did
not hear Aunt Amelia tap ON the window as
he was passing, and would have gone qu
city by her house had not the dog Carlo
brought him TO consciousness of his sur
by loud barking. The window
was raised, and clear, sweet voice said |
Is You must keep your promise, Harry" lie !
nodded and went on, almost wishing that he |
had not promised, and also wishing that he |
had told his aunt everything last night
When he reached home he was reminded, |
by the lateness Of his arrival, Of the scene |
which had detained him near the school |
house. He really pitied the man whom he
had joined others in pelting. Like James
Darly, who had spoken a timid word for
Ben he would have investigated the fallen |
victims condition more particularly, had il .
not been for the diversion created by Byttes. |
which had put everything but his own |
trouble out Of his mind. They both com
forted themselves with trying to think that
Ben was not much hurt, and that Mr. Blake, |
the teacher, would help him, if he really |
needed assistance. II was not unlike the |
wcGlds way-putting off upon some public
the showing OF mercy to those
whom il has thoughtlessly injured, and for
whom it does not like to take trouble Out |
Of sight, out Of mind