diff options
Diffstat (limited to '20809-h')
| -rw-r--r-- | 20809-h/20809-h.htm | 2285 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | 20809-h/images/am_01.jpg | bin | 0 -> 82034 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 20809-h/images/am_02.jpg | bin | 0 -> 6188 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 20809-h/images/am_03.jpg | bin | 0 -> 39390 bytes |
4 files changed, 2285 insertions, 0 deletions
diff --git a/20809-h/20809-h.htm b/20809-h/20809-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..4403f48 --- /dev/null +++ b/20809-h/20809-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,2285 @@ +<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd"> + +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"> + <head> + <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=iso-8859-1" /> + <title> + The Project Gutenberg eBook of Archie's Mistake, by G. E. Wyatt. + </title> + <style type="text/css"> +/*<![CDATA[ XML blockout */ +<!-- + p { margin-top: .75em; + text-align: justify; + margin-bottom: .75em; + } + h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6 { + text-align: center; /* all headings centered */ + clear: both; + } + hr { width: 33%; + margin-top: 2em; + margin-bottom: 2em; + margin-left: auto; + margin-right: auto; + clear: both; + } + + body{margin-left: 10%; + margin-right: 10%; + } + + a {text-decoration: none;} + + img {border: none;} + + .pagenum { /* uncomment the next line for invisible page numbers */ + /* visibility: hidden; */ + position: absolute; + left: 92%; + font-size: smaller; + text-align: right; + } /* page numbers */ + + .bbox {border: solid 2px; padding: 1em;} + + .center {text-align: center;} + .smcap {font-variant: small-caps;} + .lowercase {text-transform: lowercase;} + + .caption {font-weight: bold;} + + .figcenter {margin: auto; text-align: center;} + + .padding {padding-bottom: 2em; padding-top: 2em;} + + .sig {text-align: left; margin-left: 10%;} /* indent letter signature */ + + // --> + /* XML end ]]>*/ + </style> + </head> +<body> + + +<pre> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Archie's Mistake, by G. E. Wyatt + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Archie's Mistake + +Author: G. E. Wyatt + +Release Date: March 13, 2007 [EBook #20809] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ARCHIE'S MISTAKE *** + + + + +Produced by Suzanne Shell, Sam W. and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net + + + + + + +</pre> + + + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 496px;"> +<img src="images/am_01.jpg" width="496" height="700" +alt="Cover of the book, Archie's Mistake" +title="Archie's Mistake" /> +</div> + +<p> +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +</p> + + +<h1>ARCHIE'S MISTAKE</h1> + +<h3>BY</h3> + +<h2>G. E. WYATT</h2> + +<p class="padding"> </p> + +<p class="center"><i>Author of "Follow the Right," "Archie Digby,"<br /> +"Johnnie Venture,"<br /> +&c. &c.</i></p> + +<p class="padding"> </p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 235px;"> +<img src="images/am_02.jpg" width="235" height="100" +alt="Floral decorative device" +title="" /> +</div> + +<p class="padding"> </p> + +<p class="center">THOMAS NELSON AND SONS</p> + +<p class="center"><i>London, Edinburgh, Dublin, and New York</i></p> + +<p class="center">1912</p> + +<p class="padding"> </p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 399px;"> +<img src="images/am_03.jpg" width="399" height="600" +alt="A boy sits at a table in a darkened room. An older man, wearing +a suit and hat, holds the boy firmly by the ear." +title="Simon Bond's strong hands grasped Stephen's ear and collar." /> +<span class="caption"><i>"Simon Bond's strong hands grasped Stephen's +ear and collar."</i> +<a href="#Page_32">Page 32.</a></span> +</div> + +<p class="padding"> </p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_7" id="Page_7">[Pg 7]</a></span></p> + +<h2>ARCHIE'S MISTAKE.</h2> + + +<p>"Father, why do you have such a +beggarly-looking hand at the mill +as that young Bennett?" asked Archie +Fairfax of the great mill-owner of Longcross.</p> + +<p>"Why shouldn't I?" he replied. "He +comes with an excellent character from +the foreman he has been under at Morfield. +He does his work very well, Munster +says, and that's all I care for. I +don't pay for his clothes."</p> + +<p>Archie said no more, but he still felt +aggrieved. As a rule, his father's work-people +were a superior, tidy-looking set,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_8" id="Page_8">[Pg 8]</a></span> +but this new lad was literally in rags, and +his worn, haggard face and great, hungry-looking +eyes seemed, in Archie's mind, to +bring discredit on the cotton-mill.</p> + +<p>"He's no business here," he said to +himself.—"I wish you'd send him away."</p> + +<p>Archie had only lately had anything to +do with the mill, as he had been at a +large public school. But now he was +eighteen, and had left school. He had +come into his father's office as secretary, +that he might learn a little about the +business which was to be his some day.</p> + +<p>Mr. Fairfax had some excuse for the +pride he took in his manufactory, for a +better looked after, better managed, or +more prosperous one it would have been +difficult to find, though of course there +were <i>some</i> rough people among the +workers. Long experience had taught +his work-people to respect and trust an +employer who acted justly and honourably<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9">[Pg 9]</a></span> +in every transaction; and it was +Mr. Fairfax's boast that there had never +yet been a "strike" among his men, nor +any difficulty about work or wages which +had not been settled at last in a friendly +spirit.</p> + +<p>But this very "superiority" was a snare +to the mill-hands. For if they once took +a dislike to any one who had been "taken +on," they left him no peace until they got +rid of him. It was looked on as a sort of +privilege in Longcross to belong to the +Fairfax mills, and the men chose to be +very particular as to whom they would +admit among themselves.</p> + +<p>They all disapproved of poor Stephen +Bennett from the first day of his coming.</p> + +<p>As they walked away that evening +they discussed his appearance with eager +disapprobation.</p> + +<p>"Who is he?" "Where does he come +from?" "Where's he living?" "What's<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10">[Pg 10]</a></span> +made the master take such a ragamuffin +on?"</p> + +<p>These were some of the questions +asked, but no one was able to answer +them.</p> + +<p>"I'll get it all out of him to-morrow," +said Simon Bond, a big savage-looking +lad, with his hat on one side, and his pipe +in his mouth.</p> + +<p>"P'raps he won't be quite so ready to +tell as you are to ask," said some one +else.</p> + +<p>"He'd better be, then, if he's got any +care for his skin," answered the boy, and +the others laughed.</p> + +<p>So the next day Simon followed the +stranger out of the mill, and began his +questions in a rude, hectoring voice.</p> + +<p>To his utter astonishment, Stephen +refused to answer them. He made no +reply while Simon poured out his questions, +until the latter said,—</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">[Pg 11]</a></span> +"Well, dunderhead, d'ye hear me +speaking?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, I hear you," responded Stephen, +looking at him with a half-frightened, +half-defiant expression.</p> + +<p>"Then why don't you answer?" he +inquired with an oath. He was getting +angry. "If you cheek me, 'twill be the +worse for you, I can tell you."</p> + +<p>"I don't want to cheek you," said +Stephen; "but I don't see as my affairs +is your business, any more than your +affairs is my business."</p> + +<p>Simon could hardly believe his ears as +he listened to this answer. This little +shrimp to defy him like that!</p> + +<p>But his anger soon outweighed his +amazement.</p> + +<p>He seized Stephen by the collar, saying, +as he gave him a shake,—</p> + +<p>"Answer my questions this instant, +or—"</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">[Pg 12]</a></span> +His gestures completed the sentence.</p> + +<p>Stephen turned very white, but he +replied firmly,—</p> + +<p>"I've told you I ain't going to, and +I sticks to my words. If you threaten +me like that, I'll go to the foreman and +complain. There he comes."</p> + +<p>Simon looked down the street, and +saw Mr. Munster advancing just behind +two other mill-hands. He was obliged +to let Stephen go, but rage filled his +heart.</p> + +<p>"I'll pay you out," he muttered, "one +of these days." Then he turned round a +side street and disappeared.</p> + +<p>And what did Stephen do?</p> + +<p>He walked on till he came to a baker's +shop, where he bought some bread; then +to a grocer's, where he got sugar, tea, and +a candle; and so on, till his arms and +pockets were full of parcels. But the +odd thing was that he bought so much.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">[Pg 13]</a></span> +That was what struck a man—one of the +mill-hands—who was in the shop.</p> + +<p>Most of the work-people lived in one +particular quarter of the big city—Fairfax +Town it was called in consequence. +But Stephen threaded his way to quite +a different part—a much poorer one—and +turned into an old tumble-down house, +with all its windows broken and patched, +which had stood empty and deserted +until he came to it.</p> + +<p>Weeks passed on, and still, in spite of +constant persecution, Stephen remained +at the mill. Scarcely any one spoke a +kind word to him except Mr. Fairfax, +but he very seldom saw him. Even old +Mr. Munster, the head foreman, addressed +him sharply and contemptuously, which +was not his usual custom. The lad did +his work well enough, but he was such a +miserable-looking fellow, and so untidy +and shabby.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">[Pg 14]</a></span> +Mr. Munster said something of the +sort to Archie one day, when he met him +outside the office, just as Stephen was +going away after receiving his week's +wages.</p> + +<p>"Yes," replied Archie eagerly; "did +you ever see such a scarecrow? But he +has good pay, hasn't he?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, Mr. Archie; very good for such +a young hand. He has fifteen shillings +a week."</p> + +<p>"He drinks—depend upon it he drinks +spirits, and that's what gives him that +hang-dog look," said Archie.</p> + +<p>"You've never seen him the worse for +drink, have you?" asked Mr. Munster, +not unwilling to have an excuse for getting +rid of the ragged stranger.</p> + +<p>"Well, I don't know," he answered. +"He was leaning up against a wall the +other day when I passed, and when he +saw me coming he tried to stand upright,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[Pg 15]</a></span> +and he regularly staggered. I could see +it was as much as ever he could do."</p> + +<p>"H'm!" said Mr. Munster thoughtfully; +"I shall watch him, then. If I +catch him like that at his work, I shall +soon send him packing."</p> + +<p>"And there's another thing," Archie +went on. "What does he do with the +things he buys? What do you think I +saw him getting last week?"</p> + +<p>"Couldn't say, sir, I'm sure."</p> + +<p>"Why, three boys' fur caps, and a +lot of serge, and a girl's cloak, and four +pairs of cheap stockings, and other things +besides. I was in Dutton's shop when +he came in. He didn't see me because +of a pile of blankets, and I heard him +buy all those things, and carry them +off. He paid for half, and the rest he +said he'd pay for this week. He must +have bought things there before, or they +wouldn't have trusted him. But, you<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">[Pg 16]</a></span> +know, they'd come to very nearly as much +as his wages."</p> + +<p>"Yes; I don't understand it," said Mr. +Munster. "But, after all, it isn't our +business if he does his duty at the mill."</p> + +<p>"No, I know," said Archie; "but I +believe there's something wrong about +him, and I should like to know what +it is."</p> + +<p>"Well, 'give him enough rope and he'll +hang himself,' as they say," rejoined Mr. +Munster—"that is, if your ideas about +him are true."</p> + +<p>Archie said no more on the subject +then, but he made up his mind to keep +a sharp look-out upon Stephen's conduct. +Whenever he met him, therefore, he +looked keenly at him; and he would +sometimes come through the great room +where Stephen worked, with a number of +other men and lads, and stand close to +him, silently scrutinizing him. If he<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">[Pg 17]</a></span> +spoke to him, it was always to ask a +question which obliged young Bennett +to say a good deal in reply; and Archie +was forced to own that he displayed a +considerable knowledge of the branch of +business in which he was occupied.</p> + +<p>But Stephen soon discovered that he +was regarded with suspicion, and he came +to dread his young master's approach, and +the cold, searching glance of his blue +eyes.</p> + +<p>Stephen had looked haggard and careworn +from the first, but as weeks passed +on he seemed to get worse. He still did +his duty as well, or almost as well, as +ever, but he grew perceptibly weaker +every day, and at last he could hardly +drag himself along.</p> + +<p>"I doubt if I'll last much longer," he +said to himself, as he reached the mill one +morning about three months after his first +arrival at Longcross, "but father's time<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">[Pg 18]</a></span> +will be out next week. I must write to +him to-day or to-morrow and warn him +what may be coming."</p> + +<p>There was only one man at the mill +who had ever been the least civil to +Stephen. This was a gay, thoughtless +young fellow named Timothy Lingard.</p> + +<p>He always rather prided himself on +taking a different side from the other +men, and in his light, careless way he had +rather patronized Stephen when he saw +him.</p> + +<p>Not that they met very often, for +Timothy's work was to stay in the mill +all night, and go round the premises at +intervals in order to see that there was +no danger of fire.</p> + +<p>Sometimes he was not gone when +Stephen came in the morning; and then, +as the latter waited outside for the doors +to be opened, Timothy would enter into +a conversation with him, just to show the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">[Pg 19]</a></span> +other men that he took a different line +from theirs.</p> + +<p>One evening—it was about a week after +the discussion about Stephen between +Archie and Mr. Munster—Timothy met +the pale, careworn lad dragging himself +wearily home from the mill. He looked +more ragged than ever—his clothes +seemed almost ready to drop off.</p> + +<p>"Hullo!" said Timothy; "you look as +if you hadn't too many pennies to chink +against each other. What d'ye do with +your wages? They don't go in clothes—that's +clear enough."</p> + +<p>Stephen flushed deeply, in the sudden +way that people do who are in a very +weak state, but he made no answer.</p> + +<p>"I can put you in the way of earning +an extra pound, if you like," said Timothy +carelessly.</p> + +<p>"Oh, how—how?" cried Stephen with +sudden animation, clutching at Timothy<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[Pg 20]</a></span> +in his eagerness, and then holding on to +him to keep himself from falling.</p> + +<p>"There—don't go and faint over it," +said Timothy, pushing him off; "and +don't throttle a man either for doing you +a good turn. That ain't no encouragement. +What I mean is, that I've a rather +partic'lar engagement to-morrow night, +and for several nights to come—in fact, +till next Friday—and I want to get +some one to take my place at the mill."</p> + +<p>"But will Mr. Munster let any one +else come?"</p> + +<p>"I ain't a-going to ask him. It don't +matter to <i>him</i> who's there, so long as there +<i>is</i> some one to look after the premises. +I'm going to put in my own man; and +you can have the job if you like, and take +two-thirds o' my pay—that's twenty +shillings. I shall be back by three or +four o'clock in the morning, so as to give +you time for a nap before your own work<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">[Pg 21]</a></span> +begins. But if you ain't feeling up to +the double work, just say so. Now I look +at you, I have my doubts, and it won't +do for you to go falling off asleep, or +fainting, mind. What d'you say to it?"</p> + +<p>"I could do it—I'm sure I could. I +wouldn't go to sleep—I promise you I +wouldn't. The only thing is, I should +like—I think—if you say it won't matter—yes, +I really should like—"</p> + +<p>"Have it out, and have done with it, +and don't stand spluttering there like a +water-pipe gone wrong. Will you do it, +or not?"</p> + +<p>"Yes," said Stephen, in a low voice.</p> + +<p>"Then mind, you ain't to say a word +about it to any one—not as there's any +harm in it, but I don't want the foreman +to hear of it sideways. I shall come here +as usual at six o'clock, and if you'll come +up about seven—it's pretty near dark by +then—I'll let you in, and be off myself."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">[Pg 22]</a></span> +"All right. But—but, Tim, I—I was +going to ask—"</p> + +<p>"Well? Do get on—what an ass you +are! What do you want?" interrupted +the other impatiently.</p> + +<p>"'Twas about the money. Could you—I +mean, would you mind paying me +first? I'll do the work—I will, indeed."</p> + +<p>"It'll be the worse for you if you +don't," said Timothy. "But as for paying +first, I don't know as I've got the money. +What d'you want it for?"</p> + +<p>"I can't tell you—at least, I mean, +for food and clothes," answered Stephen, +looking extremely distressed and embarrassed. +"But never mind, Tim; if you +can't do it, I'll wait."</p> + +<p>"No; you can have it. I daresay I'll +be making more to-night," said the reckless +Timothy, and he got out two half-sovereigns +and gave them to Stephen.</p> + +<p>"Now, remember," he said, "if you say<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">[Pg 23]</a></span> +I ain't paid you, or if you don't do the work +properly, and anything happens while I'm +away, I'll break every bone in your body."</p> + +<p>No one could look at the two and +doubt Timothy's power to wreak his +anger on the slim, weakly-looking youth, +some ten years younger than himself.</p> + +<p>"All right; I'll take care," answered +Stephen, who never wasted words; and +they separated.</p> + +<p>The following evening Stephen arrived, +as arranged, in the twilight, at the big +mill, and was admitted by Timothy at a +little side-door.</p> + +<p>"Mind," said the latter, "you ain't +supposed to go to sleep. You goes your +rounds four times. There's the rules." +He pointed to a card on the wall, and +added—"I take forty winks myself every +now and then, but <i>I</i> can wake up if a fly +jumps on the table. Now, I'm off. I'll +be back in lots o' time."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[Pg 24]</a></span> +He departed, whistling as he went, +and not feeling the least ashamed of +betraying the trust reposed in him, by +thus entrusting the safety of the whole +mill to a comparative stranger. Timothy +was not in the habit of asking whether +things were <i>right</i> before he did them, but +only whether they were pleasant or convenient.</p> + +<p>He did not notice Archie Fairfax, who +was standing at the office-door as he +walked quickly by, just under a newly-lighted +lamp.</p> + +<p>There was some one else watching too, +from under the shadow of a projecting +buttress, whom neither Archie nor Timothy +perceived. It was Simon Bond—Stephen's +bitterest enemy.</p> + +<p>Ever since the day when the lad had +refused to answer his rude questions, +Simon had been on the look-out for his +revenge. Twice he had waylaid Stephen,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">[Pg 25]</a></span> +and tried to give him the thrashing he +had promised him.</p> + +<p>But once Stephen had eluded him by +going through a big shop which had an +opening on the other side; once some one +had come up just as Simon had got his +foe into a quiet corner.</p> + +<p>It was of no use for him to track +Stephen to his home, for he knew how +crowded it was in those narrow streets; +and though a "row" would probably be +a matter of daily occurrence, there was +every likelihood that the men who looked +on might take the side of their own +neighbour against a stranger like Simon.</p> + +<p>"But my time'll come yet," he said to +himself, "if I wait long enough."</p> + +<p>He contented himself, while waiting +for the longed-for day of vengeance, with +adding what he could to Stephen's load +of trouble.</p> + +<p>His work was in the same big room,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">[Pg 26]</a></span> +and he took care that Stephen should +have the draughtiest corner of it, and be +the last to get into the office on pay-day. +And he managed that if anything did go +wrong, suspicion should fall on Stephen—in +which Archie was his unconscious +helper. Then, if Stephen ventured to +speak while waiting outside for admittance +in the morning—which he did very seldom—Simon +would repeat his words in a +loud, mocking voice, and comment upon +them, and turn them into ridicule, till +poor Stephen dreaded the sight of him +more than of all the other men put +together.</p> + +<p>"What's up now, I wonder," thought +Simon, as he watched Timothy come out +and Stephen go in at the little door of +the manufactory. "Why, there's Tim +Lingard going off right away. Is he +gone for the night? I should like to +know. If he is, now's my time. I don't<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">[Pg 27]</a></span> +suppose the little chap will lock the door, +so I'll just slip in while he's going his +rounds, and be ready for him when he +comes back—that'll all be as easy as +sneezing. I'll make it pretty hot, though, +for Master Stephen when I've got him."</p> + +<p>He went home to his tea; and Stephen, +all unconscious of the plots being laid +against him, entered the little room where +the night-watch sat, and got out his +meagre supper, which he had had no +time yet to swallow. The room had two +doors; one led to the courtyard through +which Stephen had entered, and the +other, the upper half of which was glass, +took into Mr. Fairfax's private office and +the larger counting-house beyond, out of +which the passages leading to the general +workrooms opened.</p> + +<p>"I hope the little 'uns 'ull get on all +safe for a few nights without me," he said +to himself, as he ate his slice of bread.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">[Pg 28]</a></span> +"Polly's so sensible, she'll do all right, +if those rackety boys 'ull do as she tells +'em. They promised me they would, but +there's no tellin'."</p> + +<p>He sat thinking for some time, and +then started off on his first round of +inspection.</p> + +<p>Meanwhile Archie Fairfax had gone +home to dinner, his mind full of the +proofs he thought he had acquired of +Stephen Bennett's untrustworthiness. He +said nothing about it, however, until he +and his father were left alone after +dinner.</p> + +<p>"Who's the caretaker at night now, +father?" he asked, as he peeled an +apple.</p> + +<p>"Timothy Lingard," was the answer. +"Why do you want to know?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, only because he isn't there to-night; +so I thought he might have been +dismissed."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">[Pg 29]</a></span> +"Not there to-night! What do you +mean, Archie?"</p> + +<p>"Why, I saw him come away this +evening, just before I came back here, +and Stephen Bennett went in instead. +I can't say he looks quite the sort of +fellow to be in charge of a big place +like that all night—a fellow of his habits, +too."</p> + +<p>"What do you know about his habits?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, nothing particular. But, of course, +one can't help suspecting there's something +wrong about a chap who draws the +pay he does, and goes staggering about +the streets with his arms full of children's +clothes, and his own things looking like +a beggar's."</p> + +<p>"Do you mean you think the lad +drinks, or is dishonest? Speak out, +Archie, like a man, and don't throw +stones in the dark."</p> + +<p>"I don't want to do the fellow any<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">[Pg 30]</a></span> +harm," responded Archie, who felt that, +in spite of his watching, he knew far too +little to speak definitely; "but what I +have seen of him I don't like, and that's +a fact. I can't help thinking there's +something behind. What business has +he to be at the mill to-night, when the +regular man's away?"</p> + +<p>"None at all, of course. Most likely +Lingard has gone off on some errand of +his own, and paid Bennett to take his +place. But it is not regular or right, by +any means; I don't like the idea of it +at all.... I think I shall go round myself +presently, and find out all about it."</p> + +<p>By the time Stephen got back from +his round it was nearly nine o'clock. He +sank into a chair, and leaning his elbows +on the table, rested his head in his +hands.</p> + +<p>"I'm a deal weaker than I was last +week," he murmured; "but I must try<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">[Pg 31]</a></span> +and last out till father's back. I'll write +to him now, and tell him how fast I'm +going. If there was any one a bit friendly, +I'd tell 'em about it all, and ask 'em to +look after the little 'uns if I go quicker; +but there isn't. They all seem against +me and my rags. I thought Mr. Archie +looked so kind at first, but I can see now +he thinks worse of me than any."</p> + +<p>He got out some sheets of paper he +had in his pocket, and pulled the pens +and ink on the table towards him.</p> + +<p>He did not write very fast, and as he +had a good deal to say, he was some time +over his letter. About twenty minutes +had passed, when the room seemed to get +very misty. The pen dropped out of +Stephen's hand, and he fell back, with +his eyes shut, and his head against the +rail of the chair.</p> + +<p>He had remained thus, asleep from +very weakness, for about an hour, when<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">[Pg 32]</a></span> +he was suddenly aroused by a rough voice +in his ear.</p> + +<p>"Wake up, skulker! your time's come +at last."</p> + +<p>He opened his eyes, his heart throbbing +violently, and there stood the burly form +of Simon Bond. He looked bigger than +ever in the dimly-lighted room; and as +his great grimy face came nearer, and his +strong hands grasped Stephen's ear and +collar, he felt that his last moment had +come, and even sooner than he had expected.</p> + +<p>"Get up!" said his enemy, giving him +a kick, and dragging him roughly from +the chair. "Now," he went on, "I think +you refused to answer my questions last +time I asked 'em. You'll please to alter +your ways from to-night, or you'll get +more o' <i>these</i> than you'll quite like."</p> + +<p>As he spoke he let go of the lad's +collar with his right hand, and brought<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">[Pg 33]</a></span> +it swinging down with all his force on +the side of Stephen's head.</p> + +<p>Instantly the boy dropped like one +dead at his feet.</p> + +<p>At the same moment the office-door +opened, and the appalling sight appeared +of Mr. Fairfax's tall form, followed closely +by his son Archie.</p> + +<p>Not a second did Simon lose. He +turned to the door, and was off like a +flash of lightning.</p> + +<p>Archie made a rush, as though to +follow him.</p> + +<p>"Cowardly lout!" he cried.</p> + +<p>"No; stop, Archie," said his father. +"You couldn't catch him; and if you +did, you couldn't keep him. We'll examine +him to-morrow—we both saw who +it was. Now let us look after this poor +lad."</p> + +<p>"See, father, he was writing a letter," +said Archie.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">[Pg 34]</a></span> +Mr. Fairfax took up the paper. This +is what it said:—</p> + +<p>"<span class="smcap">Dear Father</span>,—The little 'uns is all +well, and I've got money now to last 'em +till you are out, if I'm took before, which +I'm that bad and low I can't hardly creep +along. I've give Polly the money to use +when wanted. She's been a good girl +all along. Come to the above address +as soon as you are out. I done my best, +father, as you told me. And now good-bye, +if I'm gone.—Your loving son,</p> + +<p class="sig">"<span class="smcap">Stephen Bennett.</span></p> + +<p>"<i>P.S.</i>—I never believed as you did it, +father, and I don't now. God will make +it right, so don't fret."</p> + +<p>The envelope lay by the letter. It +was directed to—</p> + +<p class="center"><i>Ambrose Bennett, No. 357,</i><br /> +<i>Eastwood Jail.</i></p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">[Pg 35]</a></span> +Mr. Fairfax gave them both to his son. +"There, Archie," he said; "read these, +and see if you still think you were right."</p> + +<p>Then he went to Stephen, and did +what he could to restore him to consciousness. +But he was in such a weak +state that nothing seemed of any use.</p> + +<p>"Father, I've been a suspicious <i>brute</i>," +cried Archie, flinging down the letter. +"But for my cold looks and constant +spying, which I daresay he's noticed, he +might have told me all this, and I might +have helped him. Now he's starving and +friendless. But I'll try to make up now, +if it isn't too late. Do let me carry him +home, father—may I?"</p> + +<p>"No," said Mr. Fairfax; "I'll go back +and order some brandy, and send for the +doctor. You stay here and take care of +him and the mill."</p> + +<p>He went away, and very long did the +time seem to Archie before the doctor<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">[Pg 36]</a></span> +arrived. Now he had time to think over +his own unkind—nay, cruel—suspicions, +founded on nothing but Stephen's shabby +appearance.</p> + +<p>"It's my way, I know, to make up my +mind too quickly, and by a fellow's outside," +he thought. Then, somehow, the +words of the last Sunday's epistle came +into his mind—"Charity thinketh no +evil." He knew that charity means love.</p> + +<p>"No," he said to himself, "I shouldn't +have thought evil of him, and I certainly +had no right to say what I did to father and +Mr. Munster. Poor fellow! how lonely +and miserable he must have been; and I +might have stood his friend, if I'd only +given him the chance of speaking about +his troubles, instead of glaring at him as +I did. Is it too late now to make up?"</p> + +<p>Just then the doctor came in; but for +a long, long time he could not restore +Stephen to consciousness.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">[Pg 37]</a></span> +He was trying still when three o'clock +struck.</p> + +<p>"Now he is really coming to—look, Dr. +Grey," cried Archie, who had watched all +the doctor's efforts with breathless anxiety.</p> + +<p>Just then Stephen gave a great sigh, +and opened his eyes.</p> + +<p>"Where am I?" he asked feebly.</p> + +<p>"All among friends," said Archie, "and +going to have a jolly time, and be nursed +up, and made as strong as a horse.—Now, +Dr. Grey, let's get a cab. I'll go and call +one," and he bustled off.</p> + +<p>Outside he met a disgusting sight. It +was Timothy Lingard, staggering towards +the mill, very much the worse for what +he had been drinking.</p> + +<p>"You can't go there; go home at +once," said Archie.</p> + +<p>"Night-watch—caretaker—said I'd be +here," mumbled Timothy, trying to brush +past him; and then finding Archie still<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">[Pg 38]</a></span> +stood as a hindrance in front of him, he +tried to strike him—of course not knowing +who it was—only he missed his aim, +and fell down into the gutter.</p> + +<p>There Archie left him, to seek a cab, +which is not an easy thing to find at three +o'clock in the morning. However, before +long he did succeed in procuring one, and +in it Stephen was conveyed to the nearest +hospital.</p> + +<hr style='width: 25%;' /> + +<p>Mr. Fairfax was just starting for his +office the next morning when he was +accosted by a respectable-looking working-man.</p> + +<p>"Do I speak to Mr. Fairfax, sir?" he +asked, touching his hat.</p> + +<p>"Yes, that is my name. Can I do +anything for you?"</p> + +<p>"Would you be good enough, sir, to +tell me where my son, Stephen Bennett, +is? I hear he was taken ill last night."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">[Pg 39]</a></span> +"He's in the hospital. I'll take you—I +was just going there myself," said +Archie, who was with his father.</p> + +<p>"Your son has had a hard life, I fear, +in your absence," said Mr. Fairfax, glancing +curiously at the stranger, who did not +look at all like a man capable of crime.</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir," he answered somewhat +bitterly; "it has pleased the Almighty +to send me a heavy trial. First, I lost +my wife; then I was accused, along with +my fellow-workers in a brick-yard, of +stealing fagots. I was sentenced to +three months' imprisonment, and my time +would have been out next week. My +boy, which he's one in a thousand—though +he was that weakly he was hardly +fit for work—he brought the little 'uns, +five of 'em, all under fourteen, to this +place. 'We shan't be known at Longcross, +father,' he says, 'and I'll work for +'em all till you're out.' So he come here.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">[Pg 40]</a></span> +And yesterday they come to me in the +jail, and they says, 'Bennett, we find +you're innocent. The man what took the +fagots, he's up and confessed, and he +says as you've had nothing to do with it.' +So they wrote me this paper to say I'm +pardoned, as they call it, and I come +away; but they couldn't give me back +the three months of my life."</p> + +<p>"No," said Mr. Fairfax; "you have +suffered indeed. But I trust that even +yet you may find good come out of evil, +as it so often does. We have come to +know and respect Stephen, and as soon as +he is well he shall be moved into a comfortable +house, which I have now to let, +and which is at your disposal, if you like +to take it. Other help, too, I hope to be +able to render you."</p> + +<p>Thus talking, they arrived at the +hospital. Stephen had not made much +progress, and was still alarmingly weak.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">[Pg 41]</a></span> +Scanty food and constant anxiety had told +terribly on his delicate constitution. But +when he saw his father, and heard that +he had been set free, and declared innocent, +a new life seemed to come into him.</p> + +<p>"I shall get well now, father," he said; +"I feel I shall—only my head's so bad +where the blow came that I can't think +much. But that doesn't matter now; +you'll look after the little 'uns. 'Twas +the having all them on me, and thinking +about you, that seemed to crush me down; +though I knew you was innocent, father—I +knew it all along. Thank God for +making it clear, though. I asked Him +to do it, night and day, and He's +done it."</p> + +<hr style='width: 25%;' /> + +<p>"Now, Archie, my boy," said Mr. +Fairfax, as he and his son walked back +together, "you see how entirely wrong +you were in your hasty judgment."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">[Pg 42]</a></span> +"Yes, father, I do see;" and the lad's +voice was full of feeling. "Stephen may +never lose the effects of this time of cruel +hardship. I might have been his friend, +and I was his enemy instead."</p> + +<p>"If I had listened, or allowed the foreman +to listen, to your guesses, he might +have been turned off altogether. It +should be a lesson to you, Archie, never +to injure another person's character again +without absolute certainty, and even then +only if it is necessary for the general +good. Once gone, it is sometimes impossible +to win back."</p> + +<p>"I know—I know, father. I <i>will</i> try +to be careful, and not so hasty."</p> + +<p>"Don't judge merely by appearances, +Archie. Above all, remember those +words of the Great Teacher, 'Judge not, +that ye be not judged.'"</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">[Pg 43]</a></span></p> + +<h2>"I KNOW BEST."</h2> + + +<p>"So the choir treat is fixed for Thursday, +and we're all going to the +Crystal Palace! What jolly fun we shall +have!"</p> + +<p>The speaker was Walter Franklin, a +village lad of eighteen. But Christopher +Swallow, the friend to whom he addressed +himself, a youth who looked rather older, +did not receive the news with the pleasure +Walter expected.</p> + +<p>"The old Crystal Palace again!" he +grumbled. "Bother! What's the good +of going to the same place twice over? +<i>I</i> call it foolery and rubbish."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">[Pg 44]</a></span> +"Oh, but the rector said that no one +but you and three of the older men had +been before; and when he asked them +whether they would like anything else +better, they said no. Benjamin Sorrell +said that once for seeing all over such a +big place was nothing, and he'd like to +spend a week there."</p> + +<p>"Let him, then; one day's enough for +me. Of course, we must go as it's settled; +but you won't catch <i>me</i> staying dawdling +about, looking at the same old things +over and over again as I see two years +ago. I shall be off and enjoy myself +somewhere else."</p> + +<p>"But, Christopher, Mr. Richardson said +most partic'lar we <i>must</i> all keep together +or we should get lost; and we're all to +wear red rosettes on our left shoulders, +that we may know each other at a distance, +if we should get separated by any +accident."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">[Pg 45]</a></span> +"Oh, did he indeed?" replied Christopher +scornfully. "P'raps some'll do +it. I think I know <i>one</i> as won't."</p> + +<p>Walter said no more. Chris was well +known to be what the others called +"cranky" in his temper; and when he +considered, as he generally did, that he +was right, and every one else wrong, +there was nothing for it but to leave +him alone.</p> + +<p>When Thursday came, it was a most +lovely September day. There was hardly +any one among the thirty members of the +Hartfield Parish Choir, who drove in two +big wagonettes to the station, that did +not look prepared to enjoy the day's outing +to the utmost.</p> + +<p>"Christopher don't look best pleased, +though," thought Walter, as they drove +along, glancing at his friend's gloomy +face. "And there's Miss Richardson +getting out the rosettes. I hope he<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">[Pg 46]</a></span> +won't go and make a row; but there's +no telling."</p> + +<p>The Hartfield Choir consisted of men, +lads, and boys, with about half a dozen +little girls. The boys and girls, of course, +sang alto and treble; the lads alto, if they +could manage nothing better; and the +men bass and tenor. There were eight +men between thirty and fifty years of +age, six lads like Walter, and sixteen +children.</p> + +<p>Half were in one long brake with the +rector, and half in another with the schoolmaster +and Miss Richardson. About half-way +between Hartfield and the station, +Miss Richardson produced a white cardboard +box, which she opened.</p> + +<p>"Here," she said, taking out a very +bright rosette made of red ribbon, and a +packet of pins, "I want each of you to +put one of these on your left shoulder, +and then we shall know one another when<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">[Pg 47]</a></span> +we are too far off to see each other's faces. +There, I've put mine on."</p> + +<p>As she spoke she fastened one on to +her jacket. Every one else did the same, +amidst a good deal of laughing and joking—every +one, that is, except one.</p> + +<p>"Christopher, where's <i>your</i> badge?" +asked Mr. White, the schoolmaster.</p> + +<p>"In my pocket, sir," was the answer.</p> + +<p>"We can't see through that, man; it +isn't transparent, like a glass window. +Get out the rosette and put it on."</p> + +<p>Christopher plunged his hands into his +two jacket-pockets and fumbled. Mr. +White thought he was going to do as he +was told, and took no further notice.</p> + +<p>"Chris, you haven't put it on, now," +whispered Walter, as the horses drew up +at the station. "Ain't you going to?"</p> + +<p>"Be quiet, will you? <i>You</i> ain't +master," said Christopher roughly; and +Walter was silent.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">[Pg 48]</a></span> +He noticed, though, that his friend kept +well out of sight behind the others, and +also that in the train he took a seat on +the same side as Mr. White, and as far off +as possible. Miss Richardson was with +the little girls in another carriage.</p> + +<p>When the party reached the Crystal +Palace station, they proceeded up the +steps to the gardens.</p> + +<p>"Now," said Mr. Richardson, when +they got to the final flight leading into +the great glass building—"now, I think +we may as well separate for a bit. I will +stay inside and take any who wish to see +the poultry and rabbit show. The girls +will like, I daresay, to go with Miss +Richardson, and those who don't care for +the animals can follow Mr. White to the +garden; only be sure you all come to the +terrace by one o'clock for dinner."</p> + +<p>So saying, he turned towards the +corridor where an immense cackling and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">[Pg 49]</a></span> +cooing announced the presence of the +poultry and pigeons, followed by four of +the lads and some of the men and boys.</p> + +<p>"What shall you do, Chris?" whispered +Walter.</p> + +<p>"I shall see what schoolmaster's up to; +and if I don't like what he does, I shall +make off and get some jolly good fun by +myself," was the answer. "You stick to +me, Walter. I s'pose you don't want +to be the only big chap among all them +little 'uns?"</p> + +<p>"No; I'll stick to you, Chris," he replied, +but he did not feel very comfortable.</p> + +<p>Walter was a well-meaning lad, but he +was very weak, and easily led by the +stronger-willed Christopher.</p> + +<p>Mr. White knew the Crystal Palace +well, and all its many attractions. He +took his party to see a show where cardboard +figures were made to walk and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">[Pg 50]</a></span> +jump and open their eyes, just like real +people.</p> + +<p>Then he proposed that they should try +throwing sticks, provided for the purpose, +at a row of penknives, and if any one +knocked a knife over it would be his. +This was amusing for a little while; but +when no one could get anywhere near a +knife, the boys grew tired of trying, +especially as they each had to pay a +penny for three tries.</p> + +<p>At last they arrived at the place where +a man has tricycles to let out. Every +boy pulled out the rest of his money and +begged for a ride. In a few minutes half +a dozen little green tricycles where whirling +round the curve.</p> + +<p>Walter and Christopher despised the +idea at first of doing what the little boys +did; but when they saw some other +youths like themselves get on, they put +their pride in their pockets, and each<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">[Pg 51]</a></span> +mounted a tricycle. How they did +waggle from side to side; and how impossible +it was not to laugh and shout at +the absurd feeling of the thing!</p> + +<p>"This is rare good sport," said Chris +at last.</p> + +<p>He had but just spoken when he met +Mr. White.</p> + +<p>"It's ten minutes to one," said the +latter. "We must go, or we shan't be +on the terrace as soon as the rector. +Come along, boys; it's dinner-time."</p> + +<p>There was a general turning round of +tricycles, and in a few minutes the little +party were making their way towards the +palace.</p> + +<p>"What's the matter, Chris?" asked +Walter. "I thought you liked that."</p> + +<p>"So I did; 'twas the only bit of fun +I've had. It's a regular nuisance to be +at some one else's beck and call like this, +just when one <i>is</i> getting a little pleasure.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">[Pg 52]</a></span> +Why should we come before we want +to?"</p> + +<p>"Why? Because it's dinner-time. +Aren't you hungry? I am, I know."</p> + +<p>Christopher grunted sulkily, but in +spite of his ill-humour he managed to +get through the meat-patties and plum-pudding +with a most excellent appetite.</p> + +<p>Dinner over, the rector proposed that +every one should come with him to see +a panorama of the siege of Paris, which +was to begin at three o'clock.</p> + +<p>"I should like it awfully. Wouldn't +you, Chris?" said Walter.</p> + +<p>"I don't know. No—it sounds dull +and schoolish," replied Chris, who was no +scholar. "I won't be led about like a +monkey on a chain, either. I know best +how to amuse myself, and I tell you +what—I'm going back for another ride +on that tricycle. You'd better come too, +Wat. The panorama doesn't really begin<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">[Pg 53]</a></span> +till half-past three. I saw it up on the +board outside."</p> + +<p>"But I've only got three half-pence left," +said Walter, "so <i>I</i> can't ride any more."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I'll lend you the money. I've got +heaps."</p> + +<p>"But could you find your way back, +Chris? This is such a thundering big +place," urged Walter doubtfully.</p> + +<p>"Yes, you idiot, of course I can. But +don't come if you're afraid."</p> + +<p>Chris knew very well that such a suggestion +would break down Walter's hesitation +at once; and so it did. He followed +his friend, and soon forgot all about the +panorama in his delight at having improved +so much since the morning in the +management of his tricycle.</p> + +<p>Suddenly a clock struck. One, two, +three, <span class="smcap lowercase">FOUR</span>.</p> + +<p>"Chris, Chris, <i>did</i> you hear? It's +four o'clock!" he cried.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">[Pg 54]</a></span> +"Well, what of that?" was the cool +rejoinder.</p> + +<p>"Get off at once, Chris. The panorama +must be half over. Bother it all! and I +did so want to see it."</p> + +<p>Chris proceeded slowly and leisurely +back to the starting-point, and got off his +tricycle.</p> + +<p>"How much?" he asked the man in +charge.</p> + +<p>"One and sixpence each, please."</p> + +<p>"What a plague you are, Wat, to have +come without any money," said Chris, as +he paid the three shillings. "I didn't +come to spend all my cash on you."</p> + +<p>"How do you come to have so much?" +inquired Walter.</p> + +<p>"Why, my jolly old brick of an uncle +gave me five shillings when he heard I +was coming here."</p> + +<p>"I wish he was <i>my</i> uncle," sighed +Walter, whose parents were very poor.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">[Pg 55]</a></span> +"But I say, Chris, is this the way to the +panorama?"</p> + +<p>"No, but I'm thirsty. I'm going into +the palace to get a glass of beer. You +can go on to the panorama if you're so +anxious about it."</p> + +<p>But Walter was far too much afraid of +getting lost among the crowds of people +in the "thundering big garden" to part +from his companion. He had never been +more than ten miles from his native +village until to-day, and he felt quite +bewildered at all the strange sights and +sounds.</p> + +<p>He followed Chris, who proceeded to a +refreshment counter, and asked for beer.</p> + +<p>"We don't sell wine or beer, or anything +of the sort, sir," was the answer. +"It's against the rules of the palace, and +we've no licence."</p> + +<p>Nothing made Chris so savage as to be +thwarted in anything he wanted to do.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">[Pg 56]</a></span> +"Then it's a stupid place, and it ought to +be ashamed of itself," he said angrily; "but +if I can't get it here, I'll go where I can."</p> + +<p>He turned on his heel and walked +quickly away, followed by the much-vexed +Walter.</p> + +<p>In vain did he ask Chris where he was +going, and what he meant to do—not a +word could he extract. The other lad +stalked on, looking every now and then +at the printed directions on the walls, +telling whither each turning led.</p> + +<p>He reached a sort of entrance-place at +last, where there were the same kind of +turnstiles as those through which Mr. +Richardson had brought his party in the +morning.</p> + +<p>"Way out" was written above one. +Without a word to his companion, Chris +went through it.</p> + +<p>"But, Chris, that takes us outside. +What <i>are</i> you doing?" cried Walter.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">[Pg 57]</a></span> +"I know what I'm about," answered +the other. "Are you coming or not I? I +can't wait all day. You'll never find +your way back to the others alone. +You'd a deal better stick to me that +knows the way."</p> + +<p>Walter looked round despairingly.</p> + +<p>"What shall I do?" he said to himself. +"I <i>wish</i> I hadn't come with Chris. He's +so cross and disagreeable, it's no fun to +be with him; but I could no more find +my way back through all those twists and +turns than fly. I suppose I must keep +with him now," and he went through the +turnstile and caught up his friend, who +had grown tired of waiting and had gone +on some way.</p> + +<p>"Oh, you've come, have you?" said +he, as Walter came running up. "I +thought you liked best wandering about +all proper and lonely inside that fine place +you seem so fond of."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">[Pg 58]</a></span> +Walter made no reply, but walked by +the side of his companion, who marched +along as if he knew very well what he +wanted, and meant to have it.</p> + +<p>At length they came to a street corner, +where they saw written up, "Crystal +Palace Arms."</p> + +<p>"Now, here's just the place for me," +cried Chris, pushing the door open and +going in.</p> + +<p>Walter, though he felt more uncomfortable +than ever, saw no choice but to +follow.</p> + +<p>"Me and my pal wants a glass of beer," +said Chris loudly, throwing down a sixpence +with the air of one who had plenty +more.</p> + +<p>"No, I don't want any, thanks, Chris," +interrupted Walter hastily.</p> + +<p>"Then you can go without," answered +Christopher, deeply offended. "I'm not +going to offer it to you again, nor<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">[Pg 59]</a></span> +anything else either, you great hulking killjoy."</p> + +<p>He drank off his own beer, and then +had some more, and some more again.</p> + +<p>Walter began to feel really frightened +now, for Chris was one of those childish +people who, having once begun drinking, +cannot stop themselves from taking more +than is good for them.</p> + +<p>But on this occasion, to his comrade's +surprise, he did stop before long.</p> + +<p>"It's no good for me to try and persuade +him," thought Walter; "it 'ud only make +him go the other way. I <i>wish</i> I hadn't +gone with him; it's quite spoilt my day. +I didn't get a holiday and come all this +way from home just to spend the afternoon +in a stuffy public-house, nor on the +pavement outside, neither. It's six o'clock—there's +the clock striking.—Chris, we +shall only just get back to the palace in +time to meet Mr. Richardson," he said<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">[Pg 60]</a></span> +aloud, beginning to walk very fast. "You +know he's got all the tickets—we can't +go without him."</p> + +<p>"All right—plenty o' time," rejoined +Chris, speaking rather thickly, and lagging +behind in a most irritating way.</p> + +<p>Walter thought he never should get +him to the gate, but they reached it +at last. He thought it was the same +man and the same entrance they had +come in by before, but really both were +quite different. The gatekeeper said at +once,—</p> + +<p>"Where's your money? But you can +only stay five minutes."</p> + +<p>"Oh, we paid this morning," replied +Chris. "Don't you remember a big party +with red rosettes on?"</p> + +<p>"You can't come in again, anyhow, +without paying. And <i>you</i> haven't no +red rosettes."</p> + +<p>"Yes, I have; it's in my pocket," said<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">[Pg 61]</a></span> +Walter, beginning to feel for it. But, +alas! it was gone—drawn out, most likely, +with his handkerchief.</p> + +<p>"Why did you make me take it off?" +he said crossly. "Get out yours, Chris, +and show it."</p> + +<p>"Mine? Threw the old thing away +hours ago. Not such a fool as I look," +answered Chris rudely.—"I'm going +through here, so you can just stop your +row," he continued insolently to the gatekeeper, +with a vague idea of obtaining +admiration from the crowds now coming +out through the turnstile.</p> + +<p>The gatekeeper looked at him contemptuously +for a moment, and then gave +a little whistle. Instantly two very tall +policemen appeared.</p> + +<p>"Just turn these two chaps out, will +you?" said he. "They're regular holiday-keepers, +they are. Been at the Palace +Arms, I should say, most of the day."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">[Pg 62]</a></span> +"Now then, you clear out," said the +policemen, with voice and manner that +even Chris dared not disregard.</p> + +<p>"Please, we want to go to the station. +We're to meet the others to go by the +half-past six train," said Walter desperately.</p> + +<p>"You must look sharp, then—it's just +off. There, be off down those steps as +hard as you can split."</p> + +<p>Walter obeyed. In his anxiety he forgot +all about Chris; and not even when +he reached the bottom of the steps, and +caught sight of Mr. Richardson's troubled +countenance looking for the truants from +one of the carriage windows, did he recollect +his friend.</p> + +<p>The platform was crowded with people, +and though Walter could see the rector, +the latter could not distinguish him. If +he had but worn the red badge upon his +shoulder, matters might even yet have<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">[Pg 63]</a></span> +gone well; but, as it was, all Walter's +efforts to shoulder his way through the +masses of people only brought him to the +front of the platform as the train steamed +off!</p> + +<p>At the last moment of all, Mr. Richardson's +eye fell upon him, and he called out +something, but Walter could not hear +what it was.</p> + +<p>A feeling of despair came over him as +he turned back towards the steps. He +had just remembered Chris.</p> + +<p>"What <i>shall</i> we do?" he thought. "I +haven't a penny, and Chris can't have +much left either. Oh, there he is!" as +he caught sight of the other lad's ill-tempered, +flushed face at the foot of the +steps.</p> + +<p>"You sneak!" cried Chris angrily; +"what d'ye mean by leaving me in the +lurch like this?"</p> + +<p>"But you wouldn't hurry, Chris; and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">[Pg 64]</a></span> +as it is, we've lost the train—that was +ours that's just gone. What are we to +do now? Have you got any money?"</p> + +<p>"No; you know I ain't, else I +shouldn't ha' left the 'public' so quick. +It's all your fault," answered Chris +savagely, the beer mounting to his head +more and more every minute, and he as +usual growing more unpleasant and ill-tempered +as his power of self-restraint +grew weaker.</p> + +<p>Walter was wise enough not to try +arguing with or blaming him. He knew +it would be worse than useless.</p> + +<p>It was now getting dark, and the station +was being lighted up. By some happy +chance, Walter found his way out of it, +and into the town, still holding on to +Chris.</p> + +<p>"Leave go," said the latter roughly. +"I ain't a baby, nor a perambulator +neither, to be pushed about by you."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">[Pg 65]</a></span> +He walked, or rather stumbled, along +some way without help, Walter feeling +utterly disgusted both with himself and +his friend.</p> + +<p>"But he shan't be my friend no more +after to-day—I've made up my mind as +to that," he said to himself. "Father's +often told me he wasn't a good companion, +and I know I didn't believe him. +I thought Chris was a fine fellow, as +really knew more than other folks—he +always talked as if he did—but I see now +'twas all talk, and he ain't near so sensible +nor so pleasant as some of the other +chaps. I ain't going to tell tales, but if +Mr. Richardson could see him now, I +don't think Chris 'ud stay much longer in +the choir."</p> + +<p>By this time they had reached the +Palace Arms again, and Christopher once +more turned in at the door.</p> + +<p>"What's he doing that for?" thought<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">[Pg 66]</a></span> +Walter, "when he said he hadn't a +farthing left. <i>I</i> shan't go in—I've had +enough of it."</p> + +<p>So he stayed in the street. He could +hear voices—and very angry ones—within. +They rose louder and louder, and +then there seemed a sort of struggle.</p> + +<p>Walter's anxiety to know what was +going on had just conquered his reluctance +to be mixed up in anything like a drunken +row, when the door was hastily opened, +and several men, among them the landlord +of the tavern, appeared, all pushing and +shoving at Chris in order to turn him out. +They succeeded at last, and a very disgusting +spectacle he presented as he half +stood, half lounged against a lamp-post. +His hat was gone—some one threw it +out to him a minute later—his coat was +torn, his collar and tie were all crooked, +his eyes were bloodshot, and his expression +was a mixture of fury and helplessness.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">[Pg 67]</a></span> +More than ever did Walter wish he was +not obliged to claim companionship with +this degraded, low-looking man.</p> + +<p>As he stood watching the impotent +rage with which Chris kicked the lamp-post, +as though he thought it was one of +the enemies he wished to punish, a policeman +came suddenly round the corner. +Chris made a sort of rush at him with an +angry yell.</p> + +<p>"Hullo! Drunk and disorderly, are +you? Come along o' me," said the +constable coolly, quietly slipping a pair +of handcuffs over Chris's wrists. The +latter, with renewed passion, struggled +vehemently, but the policeman took no +notice; he merely led Chris along, +without uttering a word. It was not +far to the police-station. When they +had got there, Chris's captor suddenly +observed Walter, who had followed at +a little distance.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">[Pg 68]</a></span> +"What do <i>you</i> want?" he asked. "A +night in the lock-up?"</p> + +<p>He spoke in jest, and was very much +astonished when Walter answered,—</p> + +<p>"Yes, please."</p> + +<p>"What? In here?" said the policeman +in amazement, looking at the respectable, +quiet lad. "Why, man, it's a sort of a +jail."</p> + +<p>"I don't <i>want</i> to go there, of course," +replied Walter; "but me and him"—pointing +to Chris—"has got lost, and if +he's going there, why, I s'pose I must +too."</p> + +<p>"Is this your pal, then? You don't +know how to choose your mates, I should +say," observed the policeman. "'Tis too +late for you to see a magistrate, or you +could speak to Colonel Law. Where d'ye +come from?"</p> + +<p>Walter related his story, Chris meanwhile +sitting on the steps almost asleep.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69">[Pg 69]</a></span> +"It seems to me it's all your fault for +not doing as the gentleman told you, but +going by such as he," said the constable, +looking disdainfully at Chris. "Now, +look here," he added; "if you'll wait at +the door while I take in this chap and +speak to the superintendent, when I've +done I'll take you to the colonel, and +p'raps he'll see you."</p> + +<p>Walter thanked him, and waited patiently +till he reappeared.</p> + +<p>They soon reached the colonel's house, +and were admitted to see him, when the +policeman recounted Walter's adventures. +The magistrate was a tall, thin old man, +with a bristling white moustache, and a +very sharp, quick manner.</p> + +<p>"Well," he said to Walter, "if your +story is true, you've been a very foolish +fellow, and quite spoilt what might have +been a very pleasant day. You can go +and sit in the kitchen and have some<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70">[Pg 70]</a></span> +supper, while I telegraph to your rector. +If he says it is all as you say, I will lend +you the money to go back by the 9.30 +train."</p> + +<p>"Oh, thank you, sir, thank you," cried +Walter, feeling as if his troubles were +coming to an end at last. "But what +about Chris?"</p> + +<p>"Your friend in the lock-up? He +must stay there till he is let out. When +he is set free, I suppose his relations will +send the money for his journey—you can +see about that when you get home—and +he will probably have to pay a fine also, +before he can go."</p> + +<p>Never had Walter enjoyed a supper +more. An hour passed quickly away, and +he was quite surprised at being summoned +again so soon to the colonel's library. He +looked less fierce this time.</p> + +<p>"It's all right, Franklin," he said. +"Mr. Richardson has requested me to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71">[Pg 71]</a></span> +help you, so here is the money. I hope +you will get home safely, and learn from +the events of to-day to choose your +friends from among the steady lads of +the village, and not to listen to the big +talkers, who want you to despise your +elders, and judge for yourself."</p> + +<p>"No, sir; I don't mean to be friends +with Chris again," said Walter. "Thank +you for helping me, sir. Good-night."</p> + +<p>He shut the door, and as he walked +away he said to himself,—</p> + +<p>"I see now what it is that makes Chris +so often go wrong. It's just that whatever +any one tells him to do, he always +says, 'I know best.'"</p> + + +<h3>THE END.</h3> + + +<p> +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +</p> + + +<div class="bbox"> +<p><b>Transcriber's Note:</b></p> + +<p>The frontispiece illustration has been shifted to follow the title page.</p> +</div> + + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Archie's Mistake, by G. E. Wyatt + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ARCHIE'S MISTAKE *** + +***** This file should be named 20809-h.htm or 20809-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/2/0/8/0/20809/ + +Produced by Suzanne Shell, Sam W. and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, +set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to +copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to +protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project +Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you +charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you +do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the +rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose +such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and +research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do +practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is +subject to the trademark license, especially commercial +redistribution. + + + +*** START: FULL LICENSE *** + +THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE +PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK + +To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free +distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work +(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project +Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project +Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at +https://gutenberg.org/license). + + +Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic works + +1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to +and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property +(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all +the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy +all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. +If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the +terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or +entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. + +1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be +used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who +agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few +things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works +even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See +paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement +and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. See paragraph 1.E below. + +1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" +or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the +collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an +individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are +located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from +copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative +works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg +are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project +Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by +freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of +this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with +the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by +keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project +Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. + +1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern +what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in +a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check +the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement +before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or +creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project +Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning +the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United +States. + +1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: + +1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate +access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently +whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the +phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project +Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, +copied or distributed: + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + +1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived +from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is +posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied +and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees +or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work +with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the +work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 +through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the +Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or +1.E.9. + +1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted +with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution +must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional +terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked +to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the +permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. + +1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this +work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. + +1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this +electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without +prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with +active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project +Gutenberg-tm License. + +1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, +compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any +word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or +distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than +"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version +posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org), +you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a +copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon +request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other +form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. + +1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, +performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works +unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. + +1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing +access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided +that + +- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from + the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method + you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is + owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he + has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the + Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments + must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you + prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax + returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and + sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the + address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to + the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." + +- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies + you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he + does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm + License. You must require such a user to return or + destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium + and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of + Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any + money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the + electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days + of receipt of the work. + +- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free + distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set +forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from +both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael +Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the +Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. + +1.F. + +1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable +effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread +public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm +collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain +"Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or +corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual +property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a +computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by +your equipment. + +1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right +of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project +Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all +liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal +fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT +LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE +PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH F3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE +TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE +LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR +INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH +DAMAGE. + +1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a +defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can +receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a +written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you +received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with +your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with +the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a +refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity +providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to +receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy +is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further +opportunities to fix the problem. + +1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth +in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER +WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO +WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. + +1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied +warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. +If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the +law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be +interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by +the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any +provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. + +1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the +trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone +providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance +with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, +promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, +harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, +that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do +or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm +work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any +Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. + + +Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm + +Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of +electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers +including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists +because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from +people in all walks of life. + +Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the +assistance they need, is critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's +goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will +remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure +and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. +To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation +and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 +and the Foundation web page at https://www.pglaf.org. + + +Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive +Foundation + +The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit +501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the +state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal +Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification +number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at +https://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent +permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. + +The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. +Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered +throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at +809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email +business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact +information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official +page at https://pglaf.org + +For additional contact information: + Dr. Gregory B. Newby + Chief Executive and Director + gbnewby@pglaf.org + + +Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation + +Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide +spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of +increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be +freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest +array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations +($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt +status with the IRS. + +The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating +charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United +States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a +considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up +with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations +where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To +SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any +particular state visit https://pglaf.org + +While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we +have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition +against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who +approach us with offers to donate. + +International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make +any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from +outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. + +Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation +methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other +ways including including checks, online payments and credit card +donations. To donate, please visit: https://pglaf.org/donate + + +Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. + +Professor Michael S. Hart was the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm +concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared +with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project +Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. + + +Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed +editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. +unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily +keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. + + +Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: + + https://www.gutenberg.org + +This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, +including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary +Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to +subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. + + +</pre> + +</body> +</html> diff --git a/20809-h/images/am_01.jpg b/20809-h/images/am_01.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..5740531 --- /dev/null +++ b/20809-h/images/am_01.jpg diff --git a/20809-h/images/am_02.jpg b/20809-h/images/am_02.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..ea2bd4e --- /dev/null +++ b/20809-h/images/am_02.jpg diff --git a/20809-h/images/am_03.jpg b/20809-h/images/am_03.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..64931a0 --- /dev/null +++ b/20809-h/images/am_03.jpg |
