The Weston Democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1875-current, 1875-05-31
liItle rascal VAS pretty ven nael up,

little rascal was pretty well used up,
though" ..f+.f
"He's leyotee Of yours, I believe"
"Hei Why do you think sol"
30, it's the same fellow. I've seen
him standing about here, staring at you
Ikea littleowl.n
Windham laughed.
81 must send this morning and find
out how ho Is, jackson, here's your
soup. Snith-Arnitage -Wilbur-and
your health along with It. Here'sto our
victory to.dayl"
AT this Instant quick, staggering steps
were heard upon the porch without; the
door was pushed open, and q wild little
figure rushed in. 1twas Tom. . r.
"Stopl stopp he gasped, holding
his hand 10 his side. VStop | stop |
Don't eat don'tl" and Immediately he
fell down on the floor. n l{e.
The young men could mot account for
this strange visit. Was the boy crazyl I
His bare feet werecoyered with mud,
his clothing was torn, and his face and
eyes looked ghastly and terror-stricken.
Windlam sprang toward him.
sfwhat Is It, Tom I" and he passed
hisarms around him, and tenderly lifted
him up. ~ s-'-i'i. 4
"The broth b poisoned y
"Poisonedi I"
Every ono started to his feet, Il i.
Eyes, painted Tom. 9TH make you
sickl 'Twas put in o purpose-I-1'm
80 tired-I nan most all the way. Did /
get here in timer
"Timel'' cried Windham; "you're
right OH the dot, my boy. Aminute
more and It would have beenall day with
US. Fellows, look herel This little
chap ran all the way from his house TO
warn us against m enemy's neanness.
He has saved us the race ! Here's q hero
for you. Look at him.
The young men gathered round Tom
and shook hands with him, and praised
him for bis friendship and true grit.
Windham placed him in o chhir, and
they gayo him water 10 drink, and bathed
his face, In n few words he told them
what he knew about the drugged soup.
Just then another step wns heard on
the porch, and the evil face Of Toms
Uncle looked in. He was greeted with a
cry Of ragc, and two or three Of the
young athletes rushed iorwnrd, tas il
they would tear the man to pieces. But
he did not wait till they could lay their
hands on him (; for as soon as he saw
that his yillainy was known, he took
himself out Of the waywith all haste.
g Men,, said Windham, after they
had questioned the boy, and learned his
brief. story, little Tom has paid his
debt. He and / are quits. But we all
owe him good round reward. He Is
an orphan. That rogue Of an uncle
never has treated him docently, and IL
won't do nowto leave him in reach oi
Ills revenge, The man shall be indicted
for this business, but we'll take care Of
the boy. We can afford 10 start him in
the world. What say you-shall we
'adopt hint"
Aye, aye, ayelp burst out all the
crew In chorus. And fortunately the
generous purpose Of these bravo youths
did not end in boys play. lI.
Passing over tho day Of triumph on
the lake, that made Windham and his
classmates glad passing over tho trial
and conviction OF ihetwo rascally suffers,
again wo 500 our friend Tom, ten years
older, q senior at ST. GATHERINGS, aud a
member Of the University crew.
He proved ono Of the first men Of his
class, and Is to-day studying hard in his
profession. II industry and faithfulness
leseryesr reward, the world will yet hear
Of him in his chosen calling. Youth's
Conpali0t on t.alAaia