The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1892-05-31
But HE WAS A HERO.

OOA4O, L dIl SURE.
Unless it was Denzil. Heis always
so soft hearted about such people. If
he looked as if he wanted to come YOU
may be cert ain Denzil gave him an in
vitation."
Yes" said Denzil, quietly. ~ did
ask him tocome."
q can't tell what you did it for,
then" responded the one who had first
spoken, "for of all ~disagreeable, stupid
creatures, Caleb Orion is the most dis
agreeable and stupid"
Never says a word all day long,
but Just sits and stares, for all the
world like one of those wooden images
before tobacco shops"
Yesterday" said a girls voice, Ct
was trying to cross the brook on the
stepping stones, which, as you know,
are very slippery. Master Caleb hap
pened to come along, and without say
ing a word he picked me up and car
ried me across as if | had been a bundle.
When he saw l was angry, he turned
very red, muttered something about
being afraid l might wet my feet,
and went off, looking more sheepish
than ever"
"He does nothing but ride around
the country On that bicycle of his,
and"
"Now, look here fellows, and you,
MOllie," interrupted Denzil, you are
all mistaken about Caleb Orion. Tell
me, did you ever know of his saying
or doing a mean thing?"
No." reluctantly, from several of
the party.
"Well, then, [ tell you that Caleb
Orion is a true gentleman at heart.
He may be slow and awkward I don't
deney that. You may not like his
looks. That is a matter of taste.
But in spite of his queer, shy ways,
he is n of the best fellows that ever
lived"
And all this this time Caleb Orion
himself stood in the shadow of the
hazel hedge, not ten steps distant from
where the party of girls and boys sat
upon the lawn. He had meant to join
them but had paused where he was
with an unhappy sense that he would
not be welcome among them; and
while debating with himself he heard
all.
He hesit ated a moment, drawing his
rough, red hand over hi. eyes, then,
without knowing very clearly what he
meant to do, he pushed his way
through the hazels and stood before
the party.
Instantly silence fell upon the group,
Those who had been talking against
him looked little uncomfortable; for
there was something in the boys face
which they had never seen there be-
fore.
"No," said Caleb, as Denzil beck
oned him to a place beside himself OF
the settee, mo, Denzil; 1 only came
to say that I know all. Ibid not mean
to listen, but l know now why none of
you like me. I'm not angry, only
very sorry. 1 am clumsy and dull.
l can't talk like the rest of you. l
can't do things that other boys can.
I wanted to make friends with you.
but somehow I couldn't. 1t wasn't
your fault. l suppose I am different
from other fellows. 1 am going away
to morrow, and-and I hope you will
forgive me-"
He spoke ~hurriedly, in a choked
voice, and broke down at the end.
He was ashamed of the tears he felt
s%pringing to his eyes, and turned away
quickly, without waiting for any re-
ply. He had taken a few steps when
he felt a hand on his shoulder and
Denzil Graham joined him. The two
boys walked on in silence, side by side,
for a short distance; then Denzil said
earnestly:
"Look here, Caleb, you don't mean
what you said about going away to-
morrow"
YES" answered Caleb. "You see
I didn't know they hated me, or I
wouldn't have stayed so long"
"They don't hate you," said Denzil.
Its just their talk. They don't know
you as I do, that's all"
"You spoke up for me like a brick.
Denzil," and Caleb's coarse, honest
face lighted up with an affectionate
smile: Ct thank you, but l must CO."
Il will come to your room this
afternoon" said Denzil. "Im going
back to the others now, bnt 1 think l
shall have something to say to you
then that will alter your feelings"
The two boys shook hands warmly;