Durant weekly news. (Durant, Choctaw Nation, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 190?-1944, 1905-05-26
Jack HarkaWay''S'
.SChOOIddyS
by BRACtBRID6E HEMYN6


"And you are
"A friend Of this neglected boy"
'T bave got to learn by what right
you constitute yourself his protector"
Mr.. scratchiey rejoIned.
"Come where ] can speak to you for
q short time and do not handy useless
words In the passing" replied Mr.. Bed
ington.
There was something in his visitors
manner which awed Mr.. Scratchley.
and. he led the way Into his drawing
room.
'Now, sir. ! am your humble serv-
ant" he said.
Briefly. but clearly, Mr. Bedington
related all that had occurred at Po-
mona House as far az he himself knew.
"The boy can give you the details"
be concluded "and you can now Judge
whether or not my conduct Is consist
ent with humanity or II l am simply
meddlesome and officious."
~ beg TO thank you for your behay-
Tor In this distressing matter" said
Mr.. Scratcbley. "but at the same time
I feel bound to tell you that Jack has
always been a mischievous. ungovern-
able boy"
"ConsIder hls loss in not knowing his
parents
"Oh. he has told you that. has her
Mr.. Scratchley exclaimed in n tone Of
annoyance.
"He has"
Now you are here. may venture to
extend my poor hospitality to your
We were about to dine"
81 shall be most glad" Mr.. Bedlng-
ton replied, with a bow.
"Afterward we can resume this con-
versatlon."
"As you please"
They adjourned to the dining room
where a substantial dinner In the shape
OF a Goldfish and leg OF mutton await
ed them. During the progress of the
meal Jack related what had happened
to him Mt Mr.. Crawcour's amid many
expressions OF sympathy from Emily
and her mamma.
you. must have q. doctor to see your
ankles" said Mrs. Scratchley.
'The great big brute, to treat you
like that! should like to put him In
| chains" said Emily.
"He shall not go back!" exclaimed
| Mr.. Scratchley. 81 find my confidence
In the man was strangely misplaced"
1T Is a pity, II you will allow me tt
sny," remarked Mr.. Bedlngton. "thai
you did not take the trouble sometimes
to go and see how the boy was treated
This was a home thrust, and Mr.
Scratchley was judiciously silent. fol
he had nothing to urge in his defense.
After dinner Jack and Emily retired
into the garden to sit together in the
arbor, and he again told her all that
he had gone through. He met with an
attentive listener and Emily was never
tired of saying, Poor Jack. how III
used you have been!' Ha
Mr.. Scratchley brought out some OF
his old port and box of cigars, with
which he and his visitor managed t
pass the time very agreeably.
1t seemed that Mr.. BedlngtOn had {
notion in stopping.
II should like to adopt n child" h'
exclaimed.
Having none of your own, | appre
hend?" said Mr. Scrntchley.
II had one, but his whereabouts are 4
mystery to me. We were separated
when he was very young. l have rea
sons for believing him alive, though"
"That is sad" remarked Mr.. Scratch
ley, helping himself to the generous
port.
"Harkaway is a fine lad"
physically, yes"
"well, boys are mentally what theil
trainers make them"
"Not always. Look at the trouble
have taken with that boy" replied Mr.
Scratchley.
"You do not care about him"
why not? am well paid for look
ing after him."
by whom?"
That's my secret" rejoined Scratch
ley, "and, In my opinion, f30O a yea
is worth having"
"Are you paid by the boys friend o
by solicitor?"
"The question is rather impertinent
but don't mind saying that solicito
is the person who sends me quarterly
check"
"For how much will you give me th'
name of that agent?' asked Mr.. Bed
ington.
do you want to adopt the child
You see that II the boy Is taken ava,
from me ! lose the $500 year Civ
me f1,0OO and the name and address
shall be yours"
at Is large sum. but you shall hav,
1t. Where are pen and inkF'
Being supplied with these requisites
Mr.. BedingtOn I'm avery businesshk
hummer wrote check for the amount
handing II to Mr.. Seratehlsy, who Il
his turn gave him an envelope. with
maine and address ON II. as follows
''Mr. Lucas. solicitor. Knightrlde
Street, Doctors Commons" M
Mr.. Dedington smiled. II fancie'
Lucas would be the name"
ssWhy4"