The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-03-14

ness toward his children as toward the unlucky beggars who came before him as magistrate. So keen was his sense of jus ice and family, that when his youngest son married against his wishes, he kicked the lad out and refrained with so much f,rmness of his character from helping him that his young wife died from want. The wretched young man was out of his senses for time, and then disap- peared completely. His father sent for the baby that had been left behind. and had the child, a boy named Roderick brought up in village nearby, of which he was dictator He did not trouble himself to pay for the lads board or clothing, and Roderick grew up ragged and practically homeless, subsisting on the offerings of the indigent tenants, who loved him because his father had been their darling.
 His cousins, who lived at the Hall, hunt ed him down whenever they saw him near the place. The schoolmaster, who gave tuition to him through fear of his grand father, repaid himself by making him N whipping boy. These affronts, instead of breaking his naughty spirit, only in- creased his pride and temper and involved him in continual scrapes, but they served him well in another respect, for they i'm bued him with determination to learn
 Therefore, though Roderick grew up a ragged vagabond in appearance and man ners, he still became an excellent student, more than proficient in Latin and Greek and well versed in the sciences.
 When he was about 14 his mothers brother Tom Bowling, a naval lieuten- ant, learned how i'll he was being treated and lost no time in confronting the old his head at the enraged squire. "Consider, nately but strikingly by killing a dog that opposed his entrance and by threat ening the squire's heir, Rodericks elder cousin, with a good rubbing down from an oaken towel.
 "I am sure the Moors in Barbary have more humanity than to leave their little ones in want" said the seaman, shaking his head at the enraged squire. Consider, old gentleman, you are going in a short time to give an account of your evil ac- lions. Relieve your sinful soul by settling his fathers portion on this boy.'' To his great surprise, Tom Bowling's diplomatic approaches were futile. The sinful old gentleman died soon afterward and left everything to the elder nephew. Thereupon Tom Bowling took the boy away with him, after attending to few details, most important of which was to tie up the sehoolmaster and lay on lusti- ly with a cat O nine tails.
 He arranged with an apothecary to board Roderck leaving funds enough to pay for his education. You shall never want while I live.'' said Tom, "and all you need do is to fit yourself for your station in life"
 Roderick applied himself enthusiastical- Iy Soon he became a favorite in the town, the more so since he developed a talent for poetry. He was happy as he could wish to be. His entire world was permeated by a color of rose. He thought that everybody was kind and that life was blissful.
 One day letter arrived from the West Indies from Tom Bowling. saying that he had been forced to flee from his shir because he had killed his commander Captain Oakum, in a duel T have nc money to send you, my boy he wrote ''but I have asked the apothecary to take care of you for my sake, and let you want for nothing, I shall certainly re- pay him as soon as I can explain mat ters to the admiralty, who will not see an honest tar wronged. Captain Oakum struck me, so that I had to fight him."
 The apothecary did not look on mat ters so enthusiastically and turned Roderich out after forcing him to give up all his money except three shillings.
 The rose-colored world Immediately as. sumed color of indigo. His friends found it extremely difficult to remember hin when they met A school-time chum young Squire Gawky, treated him witt such distinguished disapprobation tha Roderck borrowed a sword and chal lenged him. Gawky fled the town, ant the young hero had the account published in the local newspapers, though he hat to sell a gold-laced hat to defray the ex pense.
 He almost was stupefed with despai when he found himself thus avoided b. mankind as if poverty had made him creature of some obnoxious species, ant he accepted gratefully when MT. Launce lot Grab, the rival of the apothecary took him in as apprentice.
 His misfortunes had taught him wha the caresses of the world were worth. H worked day and night to perfect himsei in his profession and at last felt himsel qualified to try for the position of sur geon's mate on cruiser.
 He walked to London with another oil schoolfellow, Hugh Strap who was elate Tt Roderick Random's condescension an friendliness, for he belonged to a faml that had supplied the village with shoe rnakerp for many generations Stra rbeerfulIy contributed half his money ro the joint expenses and in exchange too more than half the discomforts. beside carrying the baggage.
 Highwaymen, blacklegs. ruffianly travel