Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1906-04-26

tell her straight Just how 1t was.
She might get 1t out of him. but she
won't, and II she believed me It
would only make her feel bad--and
she won't believe me, anyhow. Might
as we'll go home no. can't-and
won't"
He waited until the second bell
had rung for he did not care To
meet the scholars feeling, as the
clang OF the last stroke dwindled to
silence, the curious, nervous sense OF
liberty and loneliness which comes
to emancipated schoolboys Then.
when sure that all were within the
building, he picked up his books and
crossed the lots to the street Be-
yond the school he met Mr.. Bronson
tho farmer whose colt had been
Killed, driving out In his buck
board, The farmer scruunized his
face, stopped his horse and beckoned.
DICK approached.
"You the boy that got expelledY"
"Yes. sir"
what ails your facet"
Got done IN by the boys"
What boys?'
fellows that killed your colt.
They laid me out for telling their
names before knew anything wa.
up"
"All pie on to YOU"
IAN that could-yes; guess they
all got Ia kick or two"
The young devils. I'll fix 'em.
though. Now, J want the names Of
all that crowd. You didn't tell all OF
them. Who were the others?"
"You mustn't ask me. sir.
don't feel very bad now about what |
said; but I've no quarrel with them
about that matter; and I don't be-
lieve in tattling. anyhow"
We'll well. maybe that's right;
but I'll find out. Just the same. But
say, my boy. tell me squarely. Did
you take the teachers money? saw
your tantrums at school. and it didn't
look like make believe"
~ did not take 1T saw it taken,
and tried TO make the little cuss put
It back. | had to take It away from
him, hut 7 didn't get the key until
late that night: so ! had TO wait till
morning before I could return it.
Then was caught at IT, and ac-
cused by the very one ! was trying 10
shield" He spoke earnestly; he
wanted some one to believe him.
But what did YOU do it for? why
didn't YOU go and tell Mr.. CLARKE"
I'm not that kind; don tell you
the names You want"
Different thing. Malicious mis-
chief and cruelty 10 dumb hrutes Is
bad enough. but stealing is low
down A thief deserves no such con-
sideration.
Il promised told one of his
family I'd look out for him a little.
and take care OF him"
Sister"
Dicks face showed red between
the bruises. and the farmer grinned.
so, So" he said well You re
pretty young for that. reckon
youII pull through all right. So
long"
Dick watched the broad back Of
the farmer grow small in the dis
lance. then brouGh, his thoughts
back TO himself and his future. Here
was the first practical sympathy
which he had receiyed-which had
crystallized into: "You'n pull
through all right. SO long"
Would he pull through all right?
The retreating broad back of he far
mer told him plainly that If he did. 1t
would be because Of his own effort
alone In q few hours he would be
hungry. and when he ate it would he
OF food furnished by man who had
less sympathy for him than had the
farmer. But this man held in trust
money which would be his when he
was Of age-how much, he did not
know; he had never inquired. But he
would find out; and he would ask the
lawyers advice.
He walked briskly down the
streets to the business section Of the
town and opened the Office door OF
the lawyer who had settled his
mothers estate. A Sinking clerk
Informed him that the lawyer was
out of town on business which would
keep him away for a month. With
gloomy face he sauntered up the
streets toward the school and. while
passing vacant lot, whirled his
school books high in the air over the
fence with them went his past, and
the hopes, plans, friendships, and
ambitions which perta!ned 10 1t. He
was no longer schoolboy, satisfied
with praise and favorable monthly
report. The world was before hin
and against him.
Yet the habit OF years guided hi
wandering steps to the vicinity OF tho
school from whose thrall he had es
capped; and as he hung over fence
adjoining that OF the school grounds
tho closing bell sounded from thu
cupoia. The scholars would be GU
In five minutes.
Acting on sudden resolve M
placed himself near the girls en-
trance, where he knew that ever.
scholar In the three departments
except possibly ball players o
swimmers must pass him; and h,
was savagely pleased at the results
He was peculiarly ugly hoy JUS
Scared, disfgured, and scowl
ing and IN very ugly mood. Also
no held in his hand an ugly, sharp
7 edged fence picket for the benefit o
anV how who might feel moved IN RI