The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1894-10-04


row." drawled Frank Chaplin.
"l'm not making a row." said Pey-
ton. "but 1 never have gone into the
water with the hotel servants, and L
don't propose to do it now. This
fellow might as we'll learn his place
now as at any time"
"Oh, let him alone; Stumpy is q
gool Sort" said Charles Colwell. "He
can outswim you any day. Peyton."
"Not much, said Peyton, who con-
sidered himself The best swimmer on
the beach.
"Take pull together and decide
it,, said Colwell.
"Thank you for the suggestion, but
/ don't enter any swimming match
with fellow not my social equal,
answered Peyton, snobbishly.
Ephraim by this time was an eighth
of mile from the beach. He re-
mained in the water his usual length
of time; then came out 10 tind Peyton
waiting for him, very dark frown on
his handsome face. The other boys
had all gone into the water
"I'll see that you are properly dealt
with for this impertinence, he said,
rs Ephraim started toward one of the
bath houses. ''You will hear from
this, and very shortly, too"
| Ephraim made no rejoiner. but he
couldn't help feeling little uneasy,
and almost wished he had obeyed
Peyton's order, insulting as it was.
| The Peytons occupied the best rooms
mt the hotel, and had the cream of
everything.
"lf it weren't for Aunt Martha and
Barbara. / wouldn't care" the boy
hected. "But if ! lose my place it'll
come hard on them"
BY the time he was dressed Eph-
rain had decided on the hardest task
he had ever set himself He would
apologize to Percival Peyton.
He gave himself no time to hesitate,
but went straight TO the point.
"Mr. Peyton, he said, perhaps j
was wrong not to come out OF the
water when you told me to. / hope
you'll overlook it and not report me
to Mr. Springer. l can't afford to lose
my place"
"You should have thought OF that
before" rejoined Peyton, haughtily.
cone of the first duties OF n servant
is to learn his place." and he turned
on his heel and walked away.
Ephraim went to his duties at the
hotel feeling as if he hated the cold
blooded young aristocrat, and it didn't
improve his temper to hear Peyton re.
lating the incident to Belle Towers
when they were on the porch togeth-
er after breakfast. and Ephram was
holding horse ~ the block. Bellies
rejoiner reached his ears with cruel
distinctness.
"rhe impudence of it," she said.
at all came OF Carries talking to
him. | told her he'd he getting ia.
miiar. The next thing we'll know
he'll consider himself privileged to 60
into the water when we girls are in.
hope Mr.. Springer will discharge
him."
i Ephraim's heart swelled with indig-
nation and pain. How these wealthy
people despised him His father had
been the captain of the Life Saving
Station, and they had lived in comfort
as long rs he had beeasspared to them
but he had lost his life one bitter
night in the performance of his ardu
ous duties. and dark days had com,
to the little family. Ephraim, who
had been attending school regularly
had been obliged to put his young
shoulder to the wheel ut once, ant
had taken any sort of work he coulC
find. As he heard the conclusion o
Bellies speech he wondered what h,
was going to do in case Mr.. Springer
acted on Percival Peyton's request
There was Ben Todd who would b,
only too glad to jump into his plac,
if the chance offered. And the chanc,
did offer. Just before noon Mr.
Springer sent for Ephraim, and a
, soon rs the boy saw his face he go
ready for the blow that he knew wa
about TO fall.
"Complaint of impudence and disc
bcdience has been lodged against you
Warner" said Mr.. Springer, as h
turned over the leaves of Il ledger ol
, his desk. 81 can't have any one her
who is obnoxious to my guests. So
q won't need you after to-day. | hay
, engaged Todd to take your place"
( Ephraim was too much stunned t.
e utter "a word in response. He simpl
9 nodded and left the Office.
Going outside he walked slowly to
t ward the rear of the building, tryin
a to think how he could break the new
a to his aunt and Barbara.
Suddenly he heard cry, and, look
- ing toward the beach, saw the peopl
n running excitedly to and fro. he un
y derstood at once that some perso
must he in danger of drowning, an
{ without hesitating moment b
e dashed down the board walk, throw
ing of his coat and shoes as he wen
a As he reached the beach he saw MI
n Towers, IA man of middle age, sprin
, / into thn wutar. and far ont hpvon