News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1905-05-17

With IL I'LL you 90 consent 10 go <n
me. I'm not joking. If l say I'll tan
you, will"
Jack bent down bough and cut from
it a long, pliable switch, which he
brought in contact with Hunstons
shoulders with a will. Hunston tried to
get up and meet his assailant on more
equal terms, but Jack was too quick
for him, and he went to grass again.
you'd better knock UNDER" Jack eX,
claimed holding the switch in the air.
'All right. You're one too many for
me-" replied funston. 'I'll go quietly
if you'll leave off,"
Jack let him get up, which he did
with a cowed and sullen air, and with
out saying a word he led the way
through the forest, taking the path
which led direct to the charcoal burn
ers' haunt.
Hunston's heart was full of anger
and hate, but he was bruised, bleeding
and in pain For the time at least he
was thoroughly beaten. Shame was
mingled with fear, and his mind was
torn with conflicting emotions The
walk was not long. Night now fell
fast, and it was difficult to make prog
ress. They all felt sense of relief
when a bright glare brought them in
sight Of the charcoal burners haunt.
They had chosen an open space in the
heart of the forest On one side was a
hut, in which they slept and had their
meals. It was composed of stakes driv
en- in the ground, between which
branches were twined. Outside this,
again, were walls of turf, and the roof
was matched with straw. The char
coal was smoldering in heaps, and the
men were sitting round the fire, SmOk-
ing their pipes and drinking something
out of a bottle.
"Now," said Jack, (which is the man
who robbed you"
Both of them"
Harvey holding Maple by the collar
of his jacket as if he were policeman,
stood in the background.
81 say, my men," cried Jack, "this
young gentleman says you have robbed
him of two pounds ten. Is this true"
"Lord love you. sir, we never robbed
any one in our lives. We're poor chaps,
but honest and gets our Twin a-burnin'
this charcoal stuff"
"Have you seen him before"
eyes; this afternoon. He said about
an hour ago he'd lost himself in the
wood. We told him which way to 60
and my mate ere begged pipe O bac-
cy, which he gave him."
"In that case" said Jack to Hunston
senior, you have told Maple lie.
Hand out the money or I'll mak6>yOu."
Reluctantly Hunston put his hand in
his pocket and produced two pounds
ben.
There it is, just as Maple gave it
me-" he said.
"Then you admit that your saying
that l stole the money from the desk
was a conspiracy between Maple and
you."
"Yes."
evil you repeat this to Mr.. Craw-
cour" pursued Jack.
"You can. l shan't deny it, now I'm
bowled out"
ut doesn't matter much. These men
have heard your confession" Jack re-
piled triumphantly. what a lying,
deceitful, wretched thief you must be?
You are not content with telling false
hoods about me- but you must even rob
your friend"
Jack" said a voice in the rear. 1t
was Maple.
"Well, what do you want?''
"Give me my money, viii you"
mot a halfpenny of it."
"I'll tell the principal if you stick to
it."
"You may tell him what 1 did with
it, and 1 think the whole school will
say I acted very properly"
what is that? You've got it now"
"Look here, nay man." said Jack to
the foremost charcoal burner, who re-
NAMED standing respectfully before
him whats your nameT
"Sam Adams, sir"
"And your companions"
"Bil Simson."
care you married|
eyes, sir; both Of u.s.
"And got families"
give got ten, and Bills got twelve"
replied Adams.
81 suppose five and twenty shillings
apiece for you would be acceptable"
"Bless your young hearth the man
exclaimed as the tears of emotion
stood in his eyes. ut would be for
tune to us. We don't often make as
much as that in fortnight, we don't"
"Take this money" exclaimed Jack,
handing it to Sam Adams. "Divide it
between you. No questions will be
asked. Never mind what that whin-
ing cur says to the contrary.
He pointed to Maple.
you've no right to give away my
money" he said tearfullg. ITS
beastly shame, and Mr.. Crawcour will
make you give it me back again"
"Pll take my chance about.- that
Think that you have done an act of
charity and that the money is of more
use as 1 have disposed Of it than it
ever would have been in your dirty
hands"
az suppose it's all right, SIR" said
Adams