The Portland daily press., 1875-02-13

eC InlS Threw me Denlad the resi-, ahd
when I peted up to the next stile, there
arms on it; his breath was coming in alarm
ing gasps, bis face whittier than any sheet.
"Halloa, Van Rheyn! What's up? The
pace is too much tor you"
at was my BREATH said he, when the
gasps allowed him to answer. 81 60 now"
put my arm on him. "Look here: the
runs nearly over; we shall soon be at nome.
Don't go on so fast"
"But want to be in at what they call the
DEATH"
''Therell be no death to-day; the hare's
safe to win."
81 want to keep up" he answered, getting
over the style. ST said l could keep up and
do what the rest did," And off he was again,
full rush.
Before us, on that side of the stile, was a
tolerably wide field. The pack had wound
half over it during this short halt, making
straight for the entrance to the coppice at the
other end. We were doing cur best to catch
them up, when I distinctly saw a heavy stone
flung into their midst. Looking at the direc-
ton it came from, there crept dirty raga-
muffin over the ground ON his hands and
knees, He did not see us two behind, and he
flung another heavy stone. Had it struck any
ones head it would have done damage.
Letting the chase go, l stole across and
pounced upon him before he could get away.
He twisted himself out of my hands like an
eel, and stood grinning defiance and whistling
to his dog. We knew the young scamp well,
bat could never decide whether he was a
whole scamp, or half natural. At any rate,
he was vilely bad, was the pest of the neigh
borhood, and had enjoyed some short sojourns
in prison for trespass. Raddy was the name
he went by; we knew him by no other; and
how he got a living nobody could tell.
ssWhat did you throw those stones forf"
ashanti tell We. Didn't throw 'em at YOU"
''You had better mind what you are about,
Mr.. Raddy, unless you want to get into
trouble"
s'Yah-youp' grinned Raddy.
There was nothing to be made of him
there never was anything. should have
been no match for Raddy in an encounter,
and he would have killed me without the
slightest conjunction. Turning to go my
way, was in time to see Van Rheyn tumble
over the stile and disappear within the cop
pice. The rest must have nearly shot out of
its other end by that time. 1t was coppice
that belonged to Sir John Whitney. Once
through it we were on our own grounds, and
within field of home. t-
went on leisurely enough; no good to try
to catch up now. Van Rheyn would not do
it, and he haG more than half fields start
of me. 1t must have been close upon six,
for the sun was setting in a ball of fire; the
amber sky around it was nearly as dazzling
as the sun, and lighted up the field. So that,
| plunging into the coppice, it was like going
| into dungeon. For minute or two, with
the reflection of that red light lingering in
| in my eyes, could hardly see the narrow
| path The trees were dark, thick, and met
| overhead. ran along whistling, wondering
whether that young Raddy was after me with
| his ugly dog; wondering why Sir John did
| not -b4s-i5s
The whistling and the thoughts came to a
summary close together. At the other end
of the coppice, but yard or two on this side,
the side that divided it from the open field.
there was Charles Van Rheyn on the ground,
| his back against the trunk OF tree, his arms
stretched up clasping hold of it. But for
that clasp and the labored breath, might
have thought he was dying. For his face
was ghostly to look upon, blue all round the
mouth, and had the strangest expression l
| ever saw.
| "Charey, what's the matter?'
But he could not answer. He was painting
| ffightfully, as though every gasp would be bis
| last. What ON earth was to do? Down l
| knelt, saying never another word.
sTt-gives- me-much-hurt." said he at
| length, with long pause between every
word.
s'WLat does ?"
''Here"-ponting to his chest-toward the
| left side.
''Did you hurt yourself? Did you fall9"
s'No, not hurt myself fall because not
able to run more It is the breath. I wish
| papa was near mer'
Instinct told me he must have assistance
| and yet did not like to leave him. But
what if delay in getting it should be danger
Gus rose up to go.
'.You-you are not going to quit me-" he
cried out, putting his feeble grasp on my arm.
"But, Charley, I want to get somebody to
you," said in an agony. 81 can't do any
thing for you myself-anything in the world"
mo, you stay. I should not like to be
alone If 1 de-"
The shock the word gave me can recall
yet. Die! If there was any fear of that it
was all the more necessary should make
rush for DIR. Frost and Mr.. Featherstone.
Never had 1 been so near my wits end be-
fore from uncertainty as to what course
ought TO take.
All in a moment there arose a shrill whis-
tie on the other side the stie. 1t was like
godsend. knew it quite well for that VIC
ious young reptiles, but it was welcome to
me as sunshine in harvest.
"There's Raddy, Van Rheyn. 1 will send
him."
Vaulting over the stile, saw the young
man standing his back to me near the hedge,
his wretched outer garment-sack without
shape-hitched up, his llnds in the pockets
of his diapidated trowsers, that hung in
fringes below the knee. He was whistling to
his dog in the coppice. They must have
struck through the tangles and brlars higher
up, which was feat of difficulty and strictly
forbidden by law. 1t was well Sir Johns
agent did not see Mr.. Raddy, whose legs,
scratches and bleeding gave ample proof OF
the trespass.
sYah-yahp' he shrieked out, turning at
the sound of me, and grinning fresh def
ance.
"Raddy," 1 said, speaking in a persuasive
tone 10 proptiate him in my great need, II
want You to do something for me. Go to DIR.
Frost as quickly as you are able, and say
Of all the derisive, horrible laughs, his in
terruption was the worst and the loudest. 1t
drowned the words.
f'One of the school has fallen and hurt
himself" said, putting it in that way. "He's
lying here, and I cannot leave him. Hush,
Raddy! 1 want to tell you'- advancing a
step or two nearer to him and lowering my
voice to whisper, 81 think he is dying"
'None O. yer CANNON heres none o. yer
lies''-and in proportion as l advanced he re-
treated. "You've got ambush in that there
coppy-all the spicy lot on We waiting to be
down on me to serve me out! Just you try
it onp'
81 am telling you the truth, Raddy. There
is not soul in there but the one boy speaF.
Of 1 say fear he is dying. He is lying dow n
helpless; will pay you tc go,' feeling in my
pockets to see how much had there.
Raddy displayed MS teeth; it was a trick
Of his when feeling particularly defiant.
"What'n yer pay me ?'
STRENGTHENING it to him. "T will
give it to you when you have taken the mes
sc.ge."
"Give it first"
Just for a moment hesitated in my ex-
tremity OF need, but know it would be only
the sixpence thrown away. Paid before
hand Raddy would no more do the errand
than he'd fly. 1 told him as mich.
''Then be dashed if go?' and he passed
off into round of swearing.
Good heavens! if should not be able to
persuade him! IF Cha,les Van Rheyn should
die for lack of helpi
'eDid you ever have anybody to care for,
Raddy? Did you ever have mother ?"
"Her's sent ov er the seas, her is, and be
glad ont. Her heated of me, her did; l
warn't a-gointg to stand that"
s.If you ever had anybody you cared for the
least hit in tho world Raddv. if Won ever did