Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1878-12-20

him Of that trick Of hitchlng ut the waist
band, though"
That was a hard school, as everybody
knew. They had turned out their last two
masters and were just ready for a third,
though for once it did not seem quite certain
who would come out first best. Sets up to
be little extra laughed Sam Hebberton,
the tallast and stoutest rebel of last year, but
there was only an uneasy echo Of his laugh.
The new master had been staying week at
Squire Phillips's Neuetan-blinded porticoed
house that not one out of ten of the boys had
over seen the inside Of, and the squire was
trustee into the bargain.
"Yos.' add Il another tall rebel Hal Phil
lips himself "and lac told my father be in
truded % stay in that school-room, and that
If any one lett, it would be the first boy that
didn't behave himself
There was another uncomfortable pause,
and Sam turned from the stump he was kick
ing. "And what did the squire say to that
You get out" " ! suppose" lie returned with
u half-Augh.
Halls eyes flashed Everybody knew the
squire had been Il sea captain for half u life
time before coming back to take the old
homestead and family title together, and that
few quarter-docks had seen hotter temper
or heard hotter words than his But there WAS
a rumor that the squire had seen trouble in
ltn Ahg. lll1 WIG anu "a uhukultI " Lb " hH
the idol of his heart were gone, and some
mysterious change had come over him with
it ALL
ITS hard tussle though" said Deacon
Baybcrry one dny. Hes the proudcst, high
steppinos mau We ever had III our place;
but I've seen him fifty times, when a
thing riled him, wait full five minutes to get
a fair hold of himself aud then out comes that
terrible scape valve of hisn, You get out "
Aud the deacon laughed a satisfied little
laugh he should see the squire fairly in the
kingdom yet
But as Sam spoke there was new sensa-
ton in the crowd. A slight figure walked
toward them, giving an uncomfortable pull at
the wastband OF some very "slack" trousers
with only one hand while the other was
struggling to keep loose hat steady on
smooth -shaven, slippery little head.
"llaIloa. what's your name, youngster!
Oh, he's Miss Judy's boy! Judy, Judy,
where's the baby. judy
hot flush ran up to the brim Of the loose
hat but a sharp, quick ring at the school
bell sent the boys swarming in like bees into
hive, and the hum Of the first days work
began. The hum went on very quietly for a
week the boys were taking the gauge Of the
new masters eye and hand, and were too
busy for much notice of the newcomer cx-.
ceptmg that pull at the waistbaud, that Miss
Judy's boy couldn't seem to do without.
Glitch" Hal Phillips had whispered, with
an imitation such only he could give and
that was a signal for the rest. Miss Judy's
boy couldn't raise his eyes or speak to any
body. but there it was Was this the fun of
going to school:
Could the whispers have reached Miss Ju-
dy's ears At any rate She stalkcd grimly to
tho village store that night and came back
with a very small parcel in her hand and the
next morning the shrinking little face under
the slippery Lat shOne proud and triumphant
for once.
Feel a little extra this morning eh 2" said
Hal. as pair of brown eyes flashed up at
him with quiyer at the heart they belonged
TO. 1t had had n good many quivers since
school began, but this was new variety,
Joyful one, and could not be kept back
'Irs got some gGLi0t0s6s p
"Hliloa. Gallows,s Gnliowses! He's
got some gallowses. Now we've got Il name
for him - shouted Hal, and the cry went
round. Miss Judy's boy was named. For
an instant the wide pants and loose hat shrank
away as il from stab, but they We're out
again aud doing their share in the game,
when their turn came.
There was another quy-r that went pretty
deep, as Gallowses crept into Toms forsaken
bed, that evening, after Miss Judith's crisp
goodnight.
Are the boys going to call me that dreadful
name forever? But | will bear it am to
b. good and brave for her sake and fur-but
oh. why couldn't have gone with her: 1t
is 80 terrible here all the time :" and Gal
lows.s' trembling fingers drew out little
glistcniug something hidden at his neck, and
with one long passionate kiss h. laid his
check against it without another word
IL T,,.l.t l1rs.1,
~ in those foolish store suspendcrs had
rip already TO be sewed. The little figure ly-
ing in Toms bed gave her strange thrill.
She hesitatrd-there was no one to see her
and Miss Pophurst stopped quickly and
kissed the check on the pillow. But the
heck was wet there was something blue
around the neck, and Miss Judith's black
eyes shot piercingly under the other cheek.
Good land of our fathers where did the
child get that;"
The next few weeks were pretty dull times,
the boys thought The bullies made several
advances on the master, and retreated well
scared to their place Gallowses white hair
attempted to come out in crispy little yellow
curls, and was shipped back by Miss Judy's
scissors, and that was all. Look here,
boys" said Hal Phillips at last, they'll Oe
calling us spoonies, and serve us right, if this
thing goes on much longer. tell you we've
inst got to hang together in some move, and
lot the master have it when he can't tell
where it comes from. Do you say agreed?"
agreed :" went up in a chorus. GIVE us
programme, that's all"
''Well, there's that old donkey of Deacon
Bayberry's; what if he should be found
strayed into the masters desk some morning.
with the masters cap ON his head, and one Of
those law books he's always foolng with at
iutermission, under his nose How would
that do just for a feeler, you know Z"
A shout rose up for an answer, and Hal
went on. Shake hands, then! A pull all
together, you know, and then nobody is to
blame" and one by one the boys marched
up and gave Hal hand. Now, Gallowses !
You're the last !" But the wide trousers
stood motionless, and Gallowses shook his
close cropped head.
"What! You're afraid Pshaw, wen tell
Miss Judy we did it"
No, you needn't" said Gallowses, "but I
can't help you"
What, you little sneak !" said Sam
pouncing on him aud sei2ing him by the col
lar. You won't peach, will youI"
mo, l won't peach, Sam Hebberton, nor
do anything else that's mean, l hope. Let
go of my collar, please; you've no right to
it,"
''Will you lend hand then ?"
Gallowses head shook again. Not on
the donkey can't"
Coward coward Gallowses is cow
ard :" rose up the shout; and Sam frightened
! his grip with gruwl that meant mischief,
| but n sudden thought struck Hal
/ Hold on" lac said Somebody's got to
| open the scLooroom door for us. What's
| the harm if Galows,s slips through the ven
/ tilators and down ON the inside, and Just
draws the bolt of that back door? There
no oth,r Toy email enough, and what's that
to do with the duuk, y or with us 2"
"Wil you do it - asked Sam with threat
ening pull Lut Galiowses stood firm.
Il odHt l tell you, it wouldn't be good or
brave, and can't
1T wouldn't eh :" retorted Sam furiously
between his teeth and it was a dangerous
moment for Miss Judys boy. But the bell
rang again, aud Sam had found out that it
wasn't best to be late in his seat. I'm set
tie you !" he muttered with a scowl that
glowered more and more fiercely toward Gal