The Lexington intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1901-1949, 1907-08-24

freely. Fefhap1 II was noN % D-4
after ALI
At the sight Of the boys. however,
the expression on the doctors face
changed very suddenly.
Boys" his voice was very stern.
wash yourselves clean and 80 to the
Office. Go to the operating room, close
the door. and wait for me"
To the operating room. OF ali
placesi
"ooooo-ool" cried Bold Ben" in a
weak little voice.
"Tr-us-st!w Kissed 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 It was the awfulness of their crime.
What had possessed them to do It?
And what would, what could theiy
father do to punish them? What II
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.
We'll, boys" he said, seating him.
self close by. there is, Of course, no
need to tell you why l have come
here. Who did it,"
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 l cannot learn which
Of you did it, then l must punish each
Of You"
No n spoke.
Very well. 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 | 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 win give
up your pony and cart. / will speak to
Mr.. Draper the first of the week. He
vas 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 FREELY the pony, and
riding in the neat little cart?
Terrible Len" buried his face in
his hands, and sobbed bitterly.
Il can't give 'Firehy' up. l can't" he
murmured.
Il am giving Patty up" his father
said, as he turned to Bold Ben" who
was staring ex~pectantly into his faith.
er's 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 a pathetic
little cough from Bold Ben" there
was no sound in the room.
That night, some time after the
Fierce Gang had retired, "Blacl
Bert" and Dangerous Dick" might
have been seen sitting bolt upright ii
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
ltk--s-- .AAtk-a-