The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1878-02-21
top Of it, and when you've stood there an
hour or two, you'll absorb the learning
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I'm one leg, you rascal!" rOared Nu-
gent. "Stand on one leg, or I'll shy this
big book at your head, and knock you to
the floor"
Morton raised himself from his bench
marched deliberately to the bookcase and
took the trembling child down.
"a jest is jest" he said, sternly;
and as long as 1t is kept within bounds
l don't interfere. But I'm not going to
have this poor little fellow hurt or scared
to death.''
"You'd better not interfere, Morton
Elston!" cried Nugent, fairly foaming
with rage at this interference. "You're
not always around to protect him, and
he's going to fare the worse for this. I'll
bide my time, and it's sure to come"
Morton only answered by look of con.
tempt, and drew the boy, who was
trembling like leaf, to some distance
from the others.
Don't be frightened" he said, sooth-
ingly;" I'm going to take you under my
own wing, and nobody here braves me
Why did your mother send such weakly
little chap as you to such rough place
as this?"
"She didn't know answered Nor
daunt. Everybody told her DR.. Pal.
mcr was good and kind.:'
80 he is; but DR.. Palmer's bows are
not"
"And then I had kind of tit, and they
said a chainge of air and roughing il
would do me good"
GA fit! Whew!'' whistled Morton
Well, this is hard place to cure that
disease; but I'll stand by you -
''What an awful boy that big fellow
is?" whispered Mordaunt; he's just like a
giant l read about, with Goals of fire fo1
eyes. Why don't you tell DR.. Palmer
how he goes on!''
My poor child," answered Morton,
that why is a hard riddle to solve.
When you've been here longer, you'll
understand that an informer is hated
worse than tyrant. There are certain
laws which bind us with chains or iron,
and make US endure evils that we de-
spise. But never mind; you shan't sutf-
er"
"Agentleman in the parlor for Mr..
Morton Elstop,'' said servant at the door.
"Don't go! Oh, don't leave me!' cried
Mardaunt, clinging to his protector. "That
bad boy will kill me after you've gone"!'
"No, he will not. But I'll tell you
what will do. Instead of staying at
my uncle's all night, as I intended, III
merely take tea there and return. They'll
not try anything on you before night.
But don't tell them I'm coming back
AS soon as he had left the room, Perry
Nugent marched up to the trembling boy.
$50 your companions gone, has he?
Well, you better make your last will and
testament, for you'll need it before long. -
With scowl he then marched off.
Until tca-time poor Mordaupt sat alone,
his heart bursting with grief and terror.
At supper Dr.. Palmer seeing his pale,
nervous look, attributed it to homesick-
ness, and spoke to him kindly. How the
poor child dreaded the end Of the meal
After supper the boys assembled again
in the school room, and Mordaunt found
himself left alone in corner, while the
boys engaged in what seemed an impor-
tant consultation around the stove. They
spoke in low tones, Perry Nugent evi-
IDENTITY giving orders, and receiving sub
missive replies.
"Perhaps they have forgotten me-"
thought Mordaunt; "but I'm so cold-I
wish they would ask me to come near the
stove. I'm afraid to 60 there. Oh, if
mother could only be here!' And he
laid his head on desk and wept silent
ly.
Perhaps he cried himself esleep; but
he was awakened by rough hand on his
shoulder, and dreaded voice in his cars.
''Sorry to disturb your slumbers, young
gentleman" said Nugent; but you really
must wake up. We've something for you
to do.''
He was led into the center of the room,
and the boys gathered around him.
"You see, Master Mordaunt. we've been
so unlucky as to let the Governors cat
get out of the window-a large, white
cat with red eyes-and old Nosey he's
the Governor) will lick us oil when he
finds the cats gone. He's on the pave
ment, and we can't get him up. Now
we're going to tie rope round your
waist, and let you out of the window, so
you can pick him up for US. The rope
amt strong, but you're light weight, you
know. Maybe he'll jump at you, but
never mind that; shut your eyes and grip
him hard"
'Ob, don't send me, please!' cried
Mordaunt, the tears streaming down bis
pale face. "The windows SO high, and
the rope may ~break!"
you're bound to go. No squslling
about it.. Take off that heavy coat. Here
Lee, tie the rope under his arms, and let's
lower him. Look here, youngster, if you
whimper above your breath, I'll drop you
on the pavement!''
The boy was by this time rigid with
terror. They tied the rope around him,
put him out of the window, and jerking
him up and down landed him on the
pavement two stories below.
1t was dark and still storming. "We1l
leave him to cool off minute or two"
said Nugent chuckling; "pelhaps he'll
look for the cat. Hey, below there!'
jerking at the rope, "what are you do
ing?'
No sound. A lite frightened, they
drew up the rope, and to their dying day
the boys never forgot the sight which
greeted them. The child was in strong
convulsions-h face distorted, and his
limbs drawn up.
"He1e's pretty kettle OF fish," cried
Nugent, terrified. "Quick! unite the
rope before any one comes in! One of
you lock the door,"
But before the door could he fastened
Morton Elston rushed in.
~ saw what you were at, you villian!"
be cried to Nugent; "but l couldn't get
to the window in time. I've called DR..