Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1906-05-03
CHAPTER XIV.

"Whs-what' Eth Hello. Diok.
Didn't know you. When d'you get
back" said Tom, too surprised to
comprehend Dicks attitude.
That's not the question:" an
swered Dick He stopped and
picked up a silver OF wood from the
sidewalk. which he balanced on
Toms shoulder. Then he knocked
1t of. and as Tom smiled weakly
and placidly at the declaration OF
war, he struck him In the face.
Tom understood; his lip was cut
and his nose bleeding.
Let me alone" he whined, but
Dick sprang behind him, struck out
again with all his strength. and
and Tom staggered toward the line
Of blue Jackets,
Pass him through" called Dick;
hes had enough"
With yells and laughter they
passed him through. Tom. in a
state Of unstable equilibrium,
chased down the line. kept from
falling by the alternate blows he re-
ceived from each side. Before he
had received the last and floundered
to the sidewalk beyond. Dick, real
izing the magnitude of the task he
had set for himself. bounded toward
the waiting group at the gate.
Confronting him was the stern
fsyod Mr. Clark, his old teacher.
"Is this you. Richard Halpin7" he
said r.enacingly. Stop this at once.
or I snail send for the police"
yes, MI. Clark" answered Dick:
land as you're too old for me. l ad-
wise you to keep out. I've started to
licH the gang that licked me. and
III 20 it. too. And II you call your
police, they'll get hurt-thRt's all 4"
He won't lick me-" said tall,
broad-shouldered and well-dressed
young man, who stepped TO Mr..
Clark's side. Il was Will Simpson,
the boy who, at sixteen, had thrashed
man; and he was removing his
outer garments. Dick. with wide open
eyes, waited until he had hung them
over the fence, then asked,
Ready"
Yes-ready always ready" an
swered VIII, dryly and composedly.
bringing his two fists to position.
But before they were quite in po-
sttion-almost before the last word
had left his lips-Dick had planted
both fists between his eyes Will
staggered against the fence, reCov-
cred and advanced angri!y. But the
strength and skill that had made
him village champion were of no
avail before Dick Halpin---a seaman
apprentice OF the navy. Shameful
| and bitter before his schoolrates
was his punishment, as Dick. unhurt
by his lunging strokes, danced
around him, and at last. when he
made wild rush. sent him to earth.
ANY more?" cried Dick. in an
abandon OF recklessness. Webster
-Scanlon. Here-take care Of this
one In case he wants more"
These two advanced. lifted the
demoralized Simpson to his feet
and escorted him 10 the ranks. Dick
with flashing eyes and dilating nos
trils, the battle fever in his soul
pushed through the scattering, agi-
tated group at the gate and caromed
| into a white haired old gentleman
whom he knew as the high school
principal, but who had no knowl.
edge, past or present, of Dick.
stand clear. sir he cried to the
shocked old gentleman; I'm re,
forming your school" He brushed
past him. Ned Brown, Ton
Brandes," he muttered. Are the,
here"
| Up the street, toward the country
| road, was "A scholars of both
sexes, among them, as he looked
| Dick recognized the faces OF the two
he had named-tall young fellows
who had the appearance Of beina
able to run, He could catch one
but not the other. Turning the
other way way he beheld Mr.. CLARK
and the high school principal hur
rying past his shipmates. An indig
nant crowd surrounded the sailors
and down the sUeet---two blocks
away-were three policemen, with
drawn clubs. coming on a run. Dicl
Grasped the situation at a glance
"Deylin Kerrigan." he called
come here, Look out for the copi
behind you, boys, Clear out. TURF
those fellows loose and muster a
the station at six"
Devlin and Kerrigan arrived
They were joyful OF soul. and pos
sessed, besides, the additional quail
ticauon Of good records in the Cob
dock footraces.
Boys" said Dick, as he pointed
up the street. see that long-gearet
fellow In the derby hat and shor
overcoat. near the tree? That's Nee
Brown. Get him. He'll run. but &c
him. II be wants TO see Ms. brtp,