Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1906-04-19


the drawer Had you admitted your
guilt, ] should have talked 1t over
with you, but you brazenly denied
It,"
~ deny it again." declared Dick,
bravely; you saw me running
because I wanted TO catch up with
the boys, and | went cross lots. too;
had come back for my swimming
trunks"
You we're going in swimming
with other boys? What boys?"
Some of the big fellows-we
we're going up TO the swimming
hole"
Name the boys you went in
swimming with" The prinici .jal
reached for paper and pencil.
II didn't go in with them. They
didn't wait. went in alone They
said afterward that they didn't go
IT,.
They said so7 Do You know
this? Did you see any boys at ali,
up there?"
Dick could not understand how
the whereabouts Of himself or the
BOYS bore on the case, hut he had
no reason to tell anything but truth
about the trip up the river, so he
answered ---
Didn't see anybody TIL | got
back, but I found Tom Aliens knife.
and the place was all wet; so some
one was there.
TON Allen" repeated the teach
err, writing the name down who
else was in the party which
started"
will Simpson. Tom Brandes --"
The door burst open and into the
room s,ormed big man with
whip in his hand and mud on his
boots There was anger in his sun
burned face. and around him was
the atmosphere Of horses and cat
tie.
Got EN- yet, Mr. Clark-this one
OF them" He advanced on Dick,
who retreated into an aisle. realizing
| dimly as he went that trouble was
brewing for others as well as him
self.
principal: "be seated, please This
is not one Of the boys you want but
| he has been a valuable witness Take
n chair, sir until | dispose Of this
| boys case. ther we will investigate.
| Were there any others he said to
| Dick. Name the rest with whom
YOU started up the river. Come for
ward here.
Dick stepped out OF the aisle,
Watching the big farmer scat him
self and said quietly; Il don't know
what's happened, Mr. Clark, but I'm
not going TO say any more about the
crowd Ii they have done anything,
! It's not my business TO give EN-
away"
You will not name the rest OF
the boys"
mo. sir"
VERY we'll Go to your seat.
pack up your books, and leave the
school. You are expelled, pending
the action of the board, which will
probably confirm your expulsion.
as this all, SIR" asked Dick. I'M
easily Have I no chance 10 say
| anything?'
What do you wish to say"
81 say | did not take that money"
Come. To convince you of the
uselessuess of further denial. I will
confront You with the boy who saw
YOU take the money. and who re-
ported the theft to me. George
Arthur, step forward
This young man left his seat and
approached, while Dick watched IN
amazement. George Arthur was a
peculiarly handsome boy--curly.
haired and bright eyed. Hating ir
front of the school, he half turned
and with his hands down his peck
cts and legs wide apart, pursed his
lips into an expression OF ffteer
year old virtue
Tell the school the story you TOLD
me at my house"
81 came back" said the boy In g
monotone, facing the scholars, "tc
ge; my knife which left in the
geography class. and saw Dicl
Halpin from the recitation room
He took the money, and came gu
and told him I'd tell on him, and ht
wanted me to go halves and keel
still. but | wouldn't and ran out
and he followed, telling me to wal
and take naf, but / said I wasn't 4
thief and l went over to Mr.. Clark I
house and told him"
'You lie" yelled Dick.
Silence" Numbered the princi
pal; but Dick was past taking or
ders. It was very red boy in rec
knickerbockers whom he was pur
suing down aisles and over red desk
and red boys and girls. and he want
ed to catch him. \ dark eyed CIR
screamed and others followed suit
Scholars left their seats, some t,
get ont of Dicks way, others--th'
larger boys1to head him off
George was agile and cleared deski
easily; close after came the en-
ragged Dick. and behind, through TIT
aisles. a conglomerate surging mol
headed by the principal. But at las
Dick was tripped, collareI by Mr.
Clark and marched to his seat
Take your books, sir, and go.
painted the angry principal.
II won't go till I've had my say,
cried Dick. struggling. Let go o
me. He stole that money himself
| saw him. He tells the very stor,
hnN tnlI 7 l.