Waterbury evening Democrat., 1906-05-17

of sadness turning into contempt.
 "Scairt?" the other inquired.
 "Scairt? Na-a-w," said, Joe scorn fully.
 What was ye, then?"
 "Parrlyzed- so."
 There was an outbreak of laughter.
 "You was goin' t help," said Joe addressing Tom Linley.
 A moment of silence followed.
 You was goin' t help" the falleT bully repeated, with large emphasis or the pronoun.
 "Help?" Tom inquired, sparring fol wind, as it were.
 "Yes, help"
 You was licked fore had time"
 Didn't dast-that's what's the mat ter--didn't dast," said big Joe, with tone of irreparable injury.
 Wouldn't "a been nigh ye fer mil. lyun dollars" said Tom soberly.
 "Why not?"
 "'Twan't safe; that's why"
 "'Fraid O him, ye coward" I NO, 'rral0 O you.
 "Why" ..
 "'Cos if one O yer feet had .ii a feller when ye come up agin that wall" Tom answered slowly. ''there wouldn't "a been nuthin' left uv him. 9 All laughed loudly.
 Then there was another silence. Joe broke it after a moment of deep thought. -..-
 Like t know how he seen me-" said he. .-..,-
 "'Tis cur'us," said another.
 Guess he's one O them performers like they have at the circus," was the opinion of Sam Beach. See one take pig out O his hat las summer"
 "'Tain't fair an square," said Tom Linley; mot jest eggzac'ly." .
 Gosh. Blieve I'll run away" said Joe after pause. "Ain't no fun here | for me-"
 Better not" said Archer Town; mot if ye know when yer we'll off,"
 "Why not?" -~.... .s "Waal, he'd see ye wherever ye was an do suthin' to ye,'' said Archer. "Prob'ly he's heard all we been sayin' here"
 "Waal, I ain't said nuthin' I'm 'shamed of," said Sam Beach thought fully.
 A bell rang. and all hurried to the schoolhouse. The afternoon was un- eventful Those rough edged, brawny fellows had become serious. Hope had died In their breasts, and now they looked as if they had come to it's fu- neral. They began to examine their books as one looks at bitter draft be- fore drinking 1t. In every subject the teacher took a new way not likely to be hard upon tender feet. For each lesson he had method of his own. He angled for the interest of the class and caught it. With some term of school had been as a long sickness, heightened by the medicine of books and the surgery of the beech rod. They had resented 1t with ingenious ideviitry. The confusion of the teacher and some incidental fun were Its only compensa- tions. The young man gave his best thought to the correction of this men, tai attitude. Four o'clock came at last. The work of the day was over. Weary with its tension, all sat waiting the teachers word. For a little he stood facing them.
 From Llnley and Joe Beach," said he In a low voice, twill you wait moment after the others have gone? Schools dismissed"
 There was a rush of feet and rattle of dinner pails. All were eager to get home with the story of that day save the two 1t had brought to shame. They sat quietly as the others went away. A deep silence fell in that little room. Of a sudden it had become a lonely place. .-.
 The teacher damped the fire and put on his overshoes. Boys" said he, drawing big silver watch, hear that watch ticking. It tells the flight of seconds. You are eighteen, did you say? They turn boys into oxen here in this country; just thing of bone and muscle, liv- ing to sweat and lift and groan. May be I can save you. but there's not minute to lose. With you it all de- pends on this term of school. When it's done you'll either be OK or driver. Play checkersT'
 Tom nodded.
 "I'll come over some evening. and we'll have a game. Good night"