Waterbury evening Democrat., 1907-07-03

:" weak little voice.
 "Tr.us-st!" hissed "Black Bert" threateningly.
 The doctor sat on the porch until the last hopeless little figure trailed past toward the office.
 The Fierce Gang" had faced punish. ment often, so 1t was not that so much as 1t was the awfulness of their crime. What had possessed them to do it? And what would. what could their father do to punish them? What If he should send them to prison?
 Before long they heard their father enter. The members of the Gang sat down and looked at their father with anxious eyes.
 Well, boys" he said, seating him. self close by, there is, of course, no need to tell you why I have come here. Who did it2"
 There was no sound in the room, except now and then a sob from Bold Ben," who could not have smothered them to have saved his lit- tie soul.
 The doctor waited for some time, then spoke:
 There is no use to talk this matter over. Every one of you are old enough to realize how wicked, how heartless, how mean it was to have done as you have. You must know how badly feel about it, how your mother regards it. Which of you is the guilty one?"
 Again the doctor waited, but re- ceived no reply.
 "Of course. if cannot learn which of you did it, then I must punish each of you"
 No one spoke. #
 Very we'll. Then, Albert, you may sell your bicycle, as soon as possible, to whoever will give you the most for it. You, with your brothers, must help me to raise money with which to buy another horse. You must know that I would be ashamed to drive Patty, poor thing
 His bicycle! Black Bert" gasped. That was too dreadful to even think about. But listen, the doctor was again speaking.
 Richard, you and Leonard will give up your pony and cart. will speak to MT. Draper the first of the week. He was speaking of getting a pony and cart for his boys, and yours, no doubt, would be quite what he wants"
 Dangerous Dick" clenched his fist. How could he bear to see those Draper boys driving "Firefy." the pony, and riding in the neat little cart?
 Terrible Len" buried his face in his hands, and sobbed bitterly.
 T cant give 'Firehy' up. I can't" he murmured.
 T am giving Patty up," his father said, as he turned to Bold Ben," who was staring expectantly into his fath- CTS face.
 You. Benjamin, will dispose of your hook and ladder wagon early Monday morning. You will not be able to get much for it, but every lit- tie helps."
 The doctor paused. Except for Terrible Lens" sobbing and pathetic little cough from Bold Ben" there was no sound in the room.
 That night, some time after the Fierce Gang" had retired. Black Bert" and Dangerous Dick" might have been seen sitting bolt upright in their beds, whispering earnestly. FL nally Black Bert" rose and slipped softly to the top of the stairway, where he stood for a moment in a listening attitude.
 Then he returned to the room, whis- pered come on" to Dangerous Dick" and together they went to the room across the hall occupied by the two other members of the Fierce Gang"
 Terrible Len" sprang from his bed with a smothered exclamation. The happenings of the day. especially the latter part of the day, had not been calculated to quiet ones nerves.
 "Wbassississ? he hissed.
 Shut up, ain't nothin' goin' to hurt you" Dangerous Dick" whispered.
 We've come to tell you an Bold Ben. Black Bert" whispered, leaning close to his brother, that they ain't no trust at all. It's busted"
 Terrible Len" gave e sigh of relief and nodded his head approvingly. But Bold Ben" made no sign. He lay very still and feigned sleep. He did not move an eyelid. Enough things had happened that day.
 A quarter of an hour later, when Mrs. Leeds went softly from one little bed to another. she found every mem. Der of the Fierce Gang" sleeping the sound sleep that only healthy child. hood knows.
 And she went down the stairway smiling.
 Electric Radiators.
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