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diff --git a/41708.txt b/41708.txt deleted file mode 100644 index cfa4988..0000000 --- a/41708.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,9043 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg EBook of Jack the Hunchback, by James Otis - -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: Jack the Hunchback - A Story of Adventure on the Coast of Maine - -Author: James Otis - -Release Date: December 28, 2012 [EBook #41708] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ASCII - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK JACK THE HUNCHBACK *** - - - - -Produced by David Edwards, David K. Park and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This -file was produced from images generously made available -by The Internet Archive) - - - - - - - - - -[Illustration] - - -[Illustration: That which had come out of the east on this bright June -morning was a ship's lifeboat about eighteen feet long.--Page 4.] - - - - -JACK THE HUNCHBACK; - - A STORY OF ADVENTURE ON THE - COAST OF MAINE. - - BY JAMES OTIS, - - _Author of "The Castaways," "A Runaway Brig," - "Search for the Silver City," "The Treasure Finders," - "With Lafayette at Yorktown," "With Washington at - Monmouth," "The Treasure of Cocos Island," "Wrecked on - Spider Island," etc., etc._ - - NEW YORK: - A. L. BURT, PUBLISHER - - Copyright, 1892, - BY BRADLEY & WOODRUFF. - - _All rights reserved._ - - - - -CONTENTS. - - - CHAPTER PAGE - - I. ADRIFT 1 - - II. AT AUNT NANCY'S 14 - - III. LEARNING TO MILK 28 - - IV. PURSUED 40 - - V. AN ENCOUNTER 52 - - VI. A MENTAL STRUGGLE 64 - - VII. FARMER PRATT 75 - - VIII. A SECOND WARNING 88 - - IX. THE ALARM 99 - - X. SICKNESS 111 - - XI. GARDENING 122 - - XII. LOUIS'S ADVENTURE 137 - - XIII. THE SEWING CIRCLE 152 - - XIV. AFTER THE STORM 167 - - XV. BROTHER ABNER 179 - - XVI. A HURRIED DEPARTURE 191 - - XVII. CAMP MEETING 204 - - XVIII. A DISASTER 218 - - XIX. JACK'S PROPOSITION 232 - - XX. BILL DEAN 247 - - XXI. STARTLING INFORMATION 261 - - XXII. THE ARRIVAL 273 - - - - -_JACK THE HUNCHBACK._ - - - - -CHAPTER I. - -ADRIFT. - - -Tom Pratt firmly believed he was the most unfortunate boy in Maine when, -on a certain June morning, his father sent him to the beach for a load -of seaweed. - -Tom had never been in love with a farmer's life. - -He fancied that in any other sphere of action he could succeed, if not -better, certainly more easily, than by weeding turnips or hoeing corn on -the not very productive farm. - -But either planting or digging was preferable to loading a huge cart -with the provokingly slippery weeds which his father insisted on -gathering for compost each summer. - -Therefore, when the patient oxen, after much goading and an unusual -amount of noise from their impatient driver, stood knee-deep in the surf -contentedly chewing their cuds and enjoying the cool footbath, Tom, -instead of beginning his work, sat at the forward part of the cart -gazing seaward, thinking, perhaps, how pleasant must be a sailor's life -while the ocean was calm and smiling as on this particular day. - -So deeply engrossed was he in idleness that his father's stern command -from the hillside a short distance away, "to 'tend to his work an' stop -moonin'," passed unheeded, and the same ox-goad he had been using might -have been applied to his own body but for the fact that just as Farmer -Pratt came within striking distance a tiny speck on the water attracted -his attention. - -"It looks to me as if that might be a lapstreak boat out there, Tommy. -Can you see anybody in her?" - -"I reckon that's what it is, father, an' she must be adrift." - -Farmer Pratt mounted the cart and scrutinized the approaching object -until there could no longer be any question as to what it was, when Tom -said gleefully,-- - -"It must be a ship's boat, an' if she hasn't got a crew aboard, we'll -make a bigger haul than we could by cartin' seaweed for a week." - -"Yes, them kind cost more'n a dory," the farmer replied dreamily, as he -mentally calculated the amount of money for which she might be sold. "I -reckon we'll take her into Portland an' get a tidy--" - -"I can see a feller's head!" Tom interrupted, "an' it shets off our -chance of sellin' her." - -That the boat had an occupant was evident. - -A closely shaven crown appeared above the stem as if its owner had but -just awakened, and was peering out to see where his voyage was about to -end. - -Nearer and nearer the little craft drifted until she was dancing on the -shore line of the surf, and the figure in the bow gazed as intently -landward as the farmer and his son did seaward. - -"It's a boy, father, an' he ain't as big as me!" Tom cried. "Well, that -beats anything I ever saw!" - -This last remark probably referred to the general appearance of the -young voyager. - -He was an odd-looking little fellow, with a head which seemed unusually -small because the hair was closely cropped, and a bent, misshapen body -several sizes too large for the thin legs which barely raised it above -the gunwales. The face was by no means beautiful, but the expression of -anxiety and fear caused it to appeal directly to Tom's heart, if not to -his father's. - -Farmer Pratt was not pleased at thus learning that the boat had an -occupant. - -Empty, she would have been a source of profit; but although there was -apparently no one save the deformed lad aboard, he could make no legal -claim upon her. - -The craft was there, however, and would speedily be overturned unless he -waded out into the surf at the risk of a rheumatic attack, to pull her -inshore. - -Although decidedly averse to performing any charitable deed, he did this -without very much grumbling, and Tom was a most willing assistant. - -That which had come out of the east on this bright June morning was a -ship's lifeboat about eighteen feet long, and with the name "Atlanta" -painted on the gunwales. - -She was a much more valuable craft than Mr. Pratt had ever seen ashore -on Scarborough beach, and yet he failed to calculate her value -immediately, because as the bow grated on the sand the misshapen boy, -from whose white lips not a word had escaped during all this time, -suddenly lifted what at first appeared to be a bundle of cloth. - -This act in itself would not have caused any surprise, but at the same -moment a familiar noise was heard from beneath the coverings. - -Farmer Pratt stepped back quickly in genuine alarm and wiped his face -with the sleeve of his shirt as he exclaimed,-- - -"Well, this beats anything I ever seen!" - -"It's a baby, father!" Tom cried, starting forward to take the burden -from the crooked little sailor's arms; but the latter retreated as if -afraid the child was to be carried away, and the farmer replied -testily,-- - -"Of course it's a baby. Haven't I heard you cry often enough to know -that?" - -"But how did it come here?" - -"That's what beats me"; and then, as if suddenly realizing that the -apparent mystery might be readily solved, he asked the stranger, "Where -did you come from, sonny?" - -"From Savannah." - -"Sho! Why, that's way down in Georgy. You didn't sail them many miles in -this 'ere little boat?" - -"No, sir. We broke adrift from Captain Littlefield's ship yesterday when -she blowed up, an' the baby's awful hungry." - -"Ship blowed up, eh? Whereabouts was she?" - -"Out there"; and the boy pointed eastward in an undecided manner, as if -not exactly certain where he had come from. - -"What made her blow up?" Tom asked curiously. - -"I don't know. There was an awful splosion like more'n a hundred bunches -of firecrackers, an' the captain put Louis an' me in the lifeboat to -wait till his wife got some things from the cabin. While all the sailors -was runnin' 'round wild like, we got adrift. I hollered an' hollered, -but nobody saw us." Then he added in a lower tone, "Louis cried last -night for somethin' to eat, an' he must be pretty hungry now." - -"Well, well, well!" and as the thought of whether he would be paid for -the trouble of pulling the boat ashore came into the farmer's mind, he -said quickly, "'Cordin' to that you don't own this boat?" - -"She belongs to the ship." - -"An' seein's how the vessel ain't anywhere near, I reckon I've as much -right to this craft as anybody else. Where do you count on goin'?" - -"If we could only get back to New York I'm sure I would be able to find -the captain's house." - -"It's a powerful long ways from here, sonny; but I'll see that you are -put in a comfortable place till somethin' can be done. What's your -name?" - -"John W. Dudley; but everybody calls me Jack, an' this is Louis -Littlefield," the boy replied as he removed the coverings, exposing to -view a child about two years old. - -Master Tom was delighted with the appearance of the little pink and -white stranger, who was dressed in cambric and lace, with a thin gold -chain around his neck, and would have shaken hands with him then and -there if Jack had not stepped quickly back as he said,-- - -"He's afraid of folks he don't know, an' if you get him to cryin' I'll -have a worse time than last night. What he wants is somethin' to eat." - -"Take 'em right up to the house, Tommy, an' tell mother to give them -breakfast. When I get the boat hauled around (for I've got every reason -to consider her mine), I'll carry both out to Thornton's." - -Jack clambered from the craft, disdaining Tom's assistance, and, taking -the child in his arms, much as a small cat might carry a very large -kitten, stood waiting for his guide to lead the way. - -Farmer Pratt's son was in no especial hurry to reach home, for while -escorting the strangers he certainly could not be expected to shovel -seaweed, and Jack said as Tom walked leisurely over the hot sand,-- - -"If you don't go faster, the baby'll begin to cry, for he's pretty near -starved." - -"Why not let him walk? He's big enough; his legs are twice as large as -Mrs. Libby's baby, an' he went alone a good while ago." - -"I'd rather carry him," Jack replied; and then he refused to enter into -any conversation until they were at the foot of the narrow, shady lane -leading to the house, when he asked, "Who's Mr. Thornton?" - -"He keeps the poor farm, an' father's goin' to take you out there." - -"What for? We want to go to New York." - -"Well, you see I don't reckon you'll get as far as that without a slat -of money, an' father wants to put you fellers where you'll be took care -of for a while." - -Jack stopped suddenly, allowed the baby to slip from his arms under the -shade of an apple-tree whose blossoms filled the air with perfume, as he -said angrily,-- - -"Louis sha'n't be taken to the poorhouse! I'll walk my feet off before -anybody but his mother shall get him." - -"You couldn't go as far as New York, an' if he's so hungry you'd better -let him have some bread an' milk." - -"How long before your father'll be back?" - -"It'll take him a couple of hours to carry the boat down to the Neck, -an' that's the only place where she can lie without gettin' stove." - -"Then we'll go into your house long enough to feed the baby, an' I'll -leave before he comes." - -"All right," and Tom took up the line of march once more. "I don't know -as I blame you, for Thornton's ain't the nicest place that ever was, an' -I'd rather haul seaweed for a month than stay there one night." - -Jack looked wistfully at the little farmhouse with its beds of old -maid's pinks and bachelor's buttons in front of the muslin-curtained -windows, thinking, perhaps, that shelter should be given him there -rather than among the town's paupers; but he made no remark, and a few -moments later they were standing in the cool kitchen while Tom explained -to his mother under what circumstances he had made the acquaintance of -the strangers. - -Mrs. Pratt was quite as economical as her husband; but the baby face -touched her heart fully as much as did the fact that the boat in which -the children had drifted ashore would amply repay any outlay in the way -of food and shelter. - -She accepted the statement made by Tom, that the children were to be -sent to Thornton's, because the town provided such an asylum, and there -was no good reason, in her mind at least, why it should not be utilized -in a case like this. - -Thus, with the pleasing knowledge that her involuntary guests would -remain but a short time and cost her nothing, she set out a plentiful -supply of fresh milk and sweet home-made bread, as she said,-- - -"Fill yourselves right full, children, for it will rest you to eat, and -after you've had a nice ride, Mrs. Thornton will give you a chance to -sleep." - -Jack looked up quickly as if about to make an angry reply, and then, as -little Louis went toward the table eagerly, he checked himself, devoting -all his attention to the child by waiting until the latter had finished -before he partook of as much as a spoonful. - -Then he ate rapidly, and after emptying two bowls of milk, asked,-- - -"May I put some of the bread in my pocket?'" - -"Certainly, child; but it won't be needed, for there is plenty to eat at -Thornton's, and most likely in a few days the selectmen will find some -way to send word to the baby's relatives." - -Jack put three slices of bread in his pocket before replying, and then, -as with an effort he lifted Louis in his arms, said,-- - -"We're not goin' to the poor farm, ma'am. We are bound to get to New -York, an' thank you for the bread an' milk." - -Just at that moment Mrs. Pratt was intent on carrying the dishes from -the table to the pantry, therefore she did not see the deformed boy -leave the house quickly, Tom following close behind. - -Jack heard her call after him to wait until Mr. Pratt should return; but -he shook his head decidedly, and trudged out from the green-carpeted -lane to the dusty road, bent only on saving his little charge from -the ignominy of the poorhouse. - -"Say, hold on for father!" Tom cried. "You can't walk even so far as -Saco, an' where'll you sleep to-night?" - -"I'd rather stay in the woods, an' so had Louis," Jack replied; and then -in reply to the child's fretful cries, he added, "Don't fuss; I'll find -your mother." - -"But how can you do it if the ship has blowed up?" Tom asked, quickening -his steps to keep pace with the deformed boy. "Perhaps mother'll let you -sleep in my bed to-night, an' you won't have to go out to the poor -farm." - -"And then again she mightn't, so I guess we won't risk it." - -"Have you got any money?" - -"Not a cent." - -Tom halted irresolutely for a moment, and then his charitable impulses -gained the mastery. - -"Here's half of what I've got, an' I wish it was more." - -Involuntarily Jack extended his hand for the gift. - -Four marbles were dropped into it, and then Tom turned and ran like a -deer as if afraid he might regret his generosity. - -The dusty road wound its way among the fields like a yellow ribbon on a -green cloth, offering no shelter from the burning rays of the sun, and -stretching out in a dreary length. - -The hunchback plodded steadily on with his heavy burden, and as he -walked the good people in the neighboring city of Portland were reading -in their morning papers the following item:-- - - A SINGULAR EXPLOSION. - - The ship "Atlanta" anchored inside the breakwater just before - midnight, and her master reports a remarkable accident. - - The "Atlanta" loaded at Savannah last week with cotton and - turpentine, bound for Bremen. Owing to baffling winds she was - eighty miles off Wood Island yesterday afternoon when an explosion - occurred which blew off the main hatch, and was followed by dense - volumes of what appeared to be smoke. - - Believing the ship to be on fire, Capt. Littlefield's first thought - was of his wife and child, who were on board. The lifeboat was - lowered, and in her were placed the captain's son and the cabin - boy, a hunchback. - - Before Mrs. Littlefield could be gotten over the side, the sailors - reported no fire in the hold, and the vapor supposed to be smoke - was probably the gases arising from the turpentine stored in porous - barrels of red oak. - - In the excitement no particular attention was paid to the children - for some time, since the boat was believed to be firmly secured, - and the consternation of the captain can be imagined when it was - discovered that the craft had gone adrift. - - The ship stood off and on several hours without discovering any - signs of the missing ones, and was then headed for this harbor. - - As a matter of course the captain will be obliged to proceed on his - voyage without delay; but Mrs. Littlefield is to remain in town - several days hoping to receive some news of her child, and it is - believed that the revenue cutter "Cushing" will cruise along the - shore until the boat is found. - - It is understood that a liberal reward will be offered for any - information which may be given regarding the whereabouts of the - children, and until that has been done the editors of this paper - will thankfully receive tidings of the missing ones in case they - have been seen or sighted. - - It is particularly desirable that masters of vessels should keep a - sharp lookout for a drifting boat. - - - - -CHAPTER II. - -AT AUNT NANCY'S. - - -Jack toiled manfully on, running until his breath came in such short -gasps that he was forced to walk slowly, and then pressing forward once -more as if expecting Farmer Pratt was in full pursuit, urged to rapid -travelling by the fear that little Louis would be taken to the poor -farm. - -Up the long, steep hill, past the railroad station, until three roads -stretched out before him: one straight ahead, another to the right, and -the third to the left. - -He believed there was no time for hesitation. - -The one leading toward the south was the most inviting because of the -trees scattered here and there along its edges, and into this he turned, -going directly away from the city where Louis's mother awaited tidings -of her darling. - -The child grew fretful because of the heat and the dust, and the little -hunchback heeded not his own fatigue in the effort to quiet him. - -On he went, literally staggering under his heavy burden, until the -yellow road seemed to mellow into a mist which danced and fell, and rose -and danced again before his eyes until further progress was wellnigh -impossible. - -They had arrived at a tiny stream, the banks of which were fringed with -alders, and overhead a wooden bridge afforded a most pleasing shelter -from the sun's burning rays. - -Wiping the perspiration from his face, Jack looked back. - -No one was in sight. - -If Farmer Pratt had come in pursuit he might have mistaken the road, or -turned homeward again some time previous, believing the boat not of -sufficient value to warrant the journey which, if successful, would only -end at the poorhouse. - -"Here's where we're goin' to stop, Louis," Jack said, lowering the child -to the ground. "It'll be cool among these bushes, and if we turn into -the fields a bit no one can see us from the road." - -Then Jack took off his shoes and stockings, holding them on one arm as -he raised the child with the other, and, wading through the shallow -water, made his way among the bushes a distance of forty or fifty feet -to where the leafy screen would prevent passing travellers from seeing -them. - -"I tell you what, the water feels good around a fellow's feet. I'm goin' -to give you the same kind of a dose, an' then you'll be ready to go to -sleep." - -Louis, sitting on the grass at the edge of the stream, offered no -objection to the plan, and Jack soon made him ready for the partial -bath. - -As the child's feet touched the water he laughed with glee, and Jack's -fatigue was forgotten in his delight at having been able to afford this -pleasure. - -After a few moments of such sport the misshapen guardian wiped the pink -feet carefully with his handkerchief, replaced the shoes and stockings, -took from his pocket the bread which was crumbled into many fragments, -moistened them in the brook, and fed his charge until the latter's eyes -closed in slumber. - -Not before he had arranged a screen of leaves in such a manner that the -sun would be prevented from looking in upon the sleeping child did Jack -think of himself and then he too indulged in the much-needed rest. - -The hours passed until the sun began to sink in the west. - -The birds came out from among the leaves and peeped down curiously at -the sleeping children, while a colony of frogs leaped upon a -moss-covered log, croaking in chorus their surprise at these unfamiliar -visitors. - -One venerable fellow seemed to think this a most fitting opportunity to -read his sons a homily on the sin of running away, and after the lengthy -lesson was concluded he plunged into the water with a hoarse note of -disapprobation, making such a splash that Jack leaped to his feet -thoroughly awake and decidedly frightened. - -The hasty departure of the other frogs explained the cause of the -disturbance, and he laughed to himself as he said,-- - -"I reckon my hump frightened them as much as they did me." - -He made a hurried toilet, bathed Louis's face with his wet handkerchief -until the little fellow awoke, and then continued what was at the same -time a flight and a journey. - -"We've got to run the risk that somebody else will try to send us to the -poor farm," he said when they had trudged along the dusty road until the -child became fretful again. "At the next nice-lookin' house we come to -I'm goin' to ask the folks if they'll let me do chores enough to pay for -our lodging." - -Fully half an hour passed before they were where this plan could be -carried into effect, and then Jack halted in front of a small white -cottage which stood at the head of an arm of the sea, partially hidden -by the trees. - -"Here's where we've got to try our luck," the boy said as he surveyed -the house intently, and almost as he spoke a tiny woman with tiny -ringlets either side her wrinkled face appeared in the doorway, starting -back as if in alarm on seeing the newcomers. - -"Goodness me!" she exclaimed as she suddenly observed Jack staring -intently at her. "Why don't you come out of the sun? That child will be -burned brown as an Injun if you stand there long." - -Jack pressed Louis closer to him as he stepped forward a few paces, and -asked hesitatingly,-- - -"Please, ma'am, if you'll let us stay here to-night I'll do up all the -chores as slick as a pin." - -The little woman's surprise deepened almost into bewilderment as she -glanced first at Louis, who had by this time clambered down from his -guardian's arms, and then at Jack's boots, which were covered thickly -with dust. - -"Oh, I'll brush myself before I come in," the boy said quickly, -believing her hesitation was caused by the dirt on his garments, "an' we -won't be a mite of trouble." - -The mistress of the cottage took Louis by the hand and led him, with -Jack following close behind, into the wide, cool hall, the floor of -which was covered with rugs woven with representations of impossible -animals in all the colors of the rainbow. - -"Now tell me where you came from, and why it is necessary to ask for a -home?" - -Jack hesitated an instant. - -The fear that she too might insist on sending Louis to the poor farm -caused him to question whether he had better tell the whole truth, but -another look at the kindly face decided him. - -He related his story with more detail than he had to Farmer Pratt, and -when he concluded the little woman said in a motherly tone,-- - -"You poor children! If the ship exploded there's no one for you to go -home to, and what _will_ become of such a helpless pair?" - -"I can't tell I'm sure, ma'am; but I know we ain't helpless"; and Jack -spoke very decidedly now. "I'm big an' can work, so I'll take care of -Louis till we find his father." - -"But if the ship was blown all to pieces?" the little woman continued. - -"That don't make any difference," Jack interrupted. "We're goin' right -to his house in New York some time, no matter how far it is." - -"But it's a terribly long distance, and you children will surely be -sun-struck before you get even to Boston!" Then she added quickly, "Here -I am forgetting that you must be hungry! Come straight away into the -kitchen while I see what there is in the cupboard, for Aunt Nancy Curtis -never lets any one, much less children, want for food very long in her -house." - -"Are you Aunt Nancy?" Jack asked. - -"I'm aunt to everybody in the neighborhood, which ain't many, and two or -three more nephews won't make any difference. Set right up to the table, -and after you've had a glass of cool milk, a piece of chicken and some -cake I baked to put away for the summer boarders, we'll see what can be -done." - -Jack was disposed to be just a trifle jealous of Louis's evident -admiration for this quaint little Aunt Nancy. He had already taken her -by the hand, and, in his baby fashion, was telling some story which no -one, probably not even himself, could understand. - -"You are a dear little boy," the old lady said as she led him into the -kitchen; "but neither you nor Jack here is any more calculated to walk -to New York than I am to go to China this minute." - -"If you'll let me have a brush I'll get some of this dust off," Jack -said as he glanced at the well-scoured floor and then at his shoes. "I'm -not fit to go anywhere till I look more decent." - -"Here's a whisk-broom. Be careful not to break the handle, and don't -throw it on the ground when you're done," Aunt Nancy said as she handed -the brush to Jack. "There's the pump, and here's a towel and piece of -soap, so scrub yourself as much as you please, for boys never can be too -clean. I'll comb the baby's hair while you're gone, and then we'll have -supper." - -Louis made not the slightest protest when his misshapen little guardian -left him alone with Aunt Nancy. He had evidently decided that she was a -woman who could be trusted, and had travelled so much during the day -that even a journey to the pump was more than he cared to undertake. - -Jack brushed and scrubbed, and rubbed his face with the towel, after -holding his head under the pump, until the skin glowed red, but cleanly. - -When he entered the kitchen again where the little woman and Louis were -seated cosily at the table, he was presentable even to Aunt Nancy, in -whose eyes the least particle of dirt was an abomination. - -He took the vacant chair by Louis's side, and was considerably -surprised, because it was something so unusual in his experience, to see -the little woman clasp her withered hands and invoke a blessing upon -"the strangers within her gates," when she had thanked her Father for -all his bounties. - -"I went to meetin' once down in Savannah," Jack said; "but I didn't know -folks had 'em right in their houses." - -Aunt Nancy looked at him with astonishment, and replied gravely,-- - -"My child, it is never possible to give too much praise for all we are -permitted to enjoy, and one needn't wait until he is in church before -speaking to our Father." - -Jack did not exactly understand what she meant, but he knew from the -expression on the wrinkled face that it was perfectly correct, and at -once proceeded to give his undivided attention to the food which had -been put upon his plate with a liberal hand. - -How thoroughly enjoyable was that meal in the roomy old kitchen, through -which the summer breezes wafted perfume from the honeysuckles, and the -bees sang at the open windows while intent on the honey harvest! - -When the children's hunger was appeased, it seemed as if half their -troubles had suddenly vanished. - -Louis crowed and talked after his own peculiar fashion; Jack told -stories of life on board the "Atlanta," and Aunt Nancy appeared to enjoy -this "visiting" quite as much as did her guests. - -The housework was to be done, however, and could not be neglected, -deeply interested though the little woman was in the yarns Jack spun, -therefore she said as she began to collect the soiled dishes,-- - -"Now if you will take care of the baby I'll have the kitchen cleaned in -a twinkling, and then we'll go out under the big oak-tree where I love -to sit when the sun is painting the clouds in the west with red and -gold." - -"Louis can take care of himself if we put him on the floor," Jack -replied, "and I will dry the dishes for you; I've done it lots of times -on the 'Atlanta.'" - -The little woman could not refuse this proffered aid, although she -looked very much as if she fancied the work would not be done exactly to -her satisfaction, and after glancing at Jack's hands to make certain -they were perfectly clean, she began operations. - -Much to her surprise, the deformed boy was very apt at such tasks, and -Aunt Nancy said as she looked over her spectacles at him while he -carefully dried one of her best China cups,-- - -"Well I declare! If you ain't the first boy I ever saw who was fit to -live with an old maid like me. You are handier than half the girls I -have here when the summer boarders come, and if you could only milk a -cow we should get along famously." - -"It wouldn't take me long to learn," Jack said quickly; for he was eager -to assist the little lady as much as possible, having decided in his own -mind that this would be a very pleasant abiding place for himself and -Louis until the weather should be cooler, when the tramp to New York -could be continued with less discomfort. "If you'd show me how once I'm -sure I'd soon find out, and--" - -"It won't do any harm to try at all events," Aunt Nancy replied -thoughtfully; "but the cow hasn't come home yet, and there's plenty of -time." - -When the dishes were washed and set carefully away in the cupboard, the -little woman explaining to her assistant where each particular article -of crockery belonged, Jack began to sweep the already painfully clean -floor. Aunt Nancy wiped with a damp towel imaginary specks of dirt from -the furniture, and Louis, as if realizing the importance of winning the -affections of his hostess, laid his head on the rag rug and closed his -eyes in slumber before the work of putting the kitchen to rights was -finished. - -"Dear little baby! I suppose he's all tired out," Aunt Nancy said as she -took him in her arms, leaving to Jack the important duty of folding one -of her best damask tablecloths, a task which, under other circumstances, -she would not have trusted to her most intimate friend. "I'm not very -handy with children, but it seems as if I ought to be able to undress -this one." - -"Of course you can. All there is to do is unbutton the things an' pull -them off." - -Aunt Nancy was by no means as awkward at such work as she would have her -guest believe. - -In a few moments she had undressed Louis without awakening him, and -clothed him for the night in one of her bedgowns, which, as a matter of -course, was much too long, but so strongly scented with lavender that -Jack felt positive the child could not fail to sleep sweetly and -soundly. - -Then laying him in the centre of a rest-inviting bed which was covered -with the most intricate of patchwork quilts, in a room on the -ground-floor that overlooked the lane and the big oak-tree, they left -him with a smile on his lips, as if the angels had already begun to -weave dream-pictures for him. - -Aunt Nancy led the way out through the "fore-room," and, that Jack might -see the beauties it contained, she opened one of the shutters, allowing -the rays of the setting sun to fall upon the pictures of two of the dead -and gone Curtis family, an impossible naval engagement colored in the -most gorgeous style, two vases filled with alum-encrusted grasses, and a -huge crockery rooster with unbending feathers of every hue. - -This last-named ornament particularly attracted Jack's attention, and -during fully five minutes he stood gazing at it in silent admiration, -but without daring to ask if he could take the brilliantly painted bird -in his hands. - -"Handsome, isn't it?" Aunt Nancy asked, turning her head slowly from -side to side while she critically viewed the combination of colors much -as if she had never seen them before. - -"Its perfectly splendid!" - -"I'm glad you like it. I think a great deal of him; too much to allow a -live rooster on the place crowing around when he can't. It was presented -to me in my girlhood days by a young gentleman whom every one thought -was destined to be an ornament in the world; but--" - -Aunt Nancy paused. Her thoughts had gone trooping down the dusty avenues -of the past, and after waiting fully a moment Jack asked,-- - -"Where is the young gentleman now?" - -"I don't know," was the reply sandwiched between two sobs, and then Aunt -Nancy became her old self once more. - -She closed the shutters carefully, waved her apron in the air to -frighten away any overbold dust specks, and the two went out on the -long, velvety lane that the little woman might admire the glories of the -setting sun. - - - - -CHAPTER III. - -LEARNING TO MILK. - - -A low bench painted green and fastened against the trunk of the old oak, -that there might be no possibility of its being overturned, was the -place where Aunt Nancy told Jack she spent the pleasant summer evenings. - -"Except where there are caterpillars around," she added, "and then I -carry the rocking-chair to the stone doorstep. If you could kill -caterpillars, Jack, you would be doing the greatest possible favor, for -they certainly make my life wretched at times, although I don't know why -a person should be afraid of anything God has made." - -"Oh, I can kill 'em," Jack replied confidently. "Bring on your -caterpillars when you want 'em killed, an' I'll fix the job. There ain't -any trouble about that." - -"But I don't want to bring them on," Aunt Nancy said, hesitatingly. "I -never like to touch the little crawling things, and you will have to do -that part of the work." - -"I'll see to it," Jack replied, and believing she would be free in the -future from the pests which interfered with her twilight pleasures, Aunt -Nancy's face took on an expression of complete satisfaction. - -"Now let's talk about yourself and the baby," she said. "You must not -attempt to walk to New York while this hot weather lasts, and it would -cost a power of money to go there on the cars." - -"I know it," Jack replied with a sigh, "but so long as there isn't a -cent between us, I guess we'll have to foot it." - -"I've been thinking why you shouldn't stay here a spell. You make -yourself so handy about the house that I sha'n't mind the extra trouble -with the baby, and there are times while the summer boarders are here -when I do need a boy very badly." - -"That's just what I'd like," and Jack spoke emphatically. "If you'll let -us stay two or three weeks I'll pay my way in work, an' see that Louis -don't bother you." - -"I believe that will be the best way out of it. The summer boarders are -to come in two or three weeks. Before then I'll write to my brother -Abner, in Binghamton, who'll be sure to know about Capt. Littlefield, -and perhaps he can make some arrangement for your passage." - -"Where's Binghamton?" Jack asked in perplexity. - -"Why, it's in York State. I ain't certain how near to the big city, but -of course it can't be very far away. Abner's a master hand at readin', -so if he don't happen to know Capt. Littlefield as a friend, he'd be -sure to have heard of him. When he was home here he was acquainted with -everybody for fifty miles around. He could tell you who each man -married, how many children they had, and kept the run of everything that -happened in the neighborhood. I used to say Abner minded other people's -business better than his own, and that _was_ his fault," she added with -a sigh. "But we all of us have our faults, and it's never right to speak -about those of another before we have fairly weighed our own. He's the -one, though, to find the baby's father, so you needn't have any further -trouble regarding it; but wait till we get a letter from him." - -Jack was not as confident as Aunt Nancy appeared to be that this -"brother Abner" would know all the people in New York; but he was more -than content to remain where he was for a certain length of time in the -hope of being able to reach the city in some less laborious way than by -walking. - -Then Aunt Nancy told him about herself, and of the farm which had -belonged to her father, but descended to her at his death, because Abner -was unwilling to spend his time on land so unproductive that the -severest labor failed to bring forth a remunerative crop. - -"It isn't very good, I'll admit," she said reflectively; "but by taking -a few summer boarders I've been able to make both ends meet, and that's -all an old maid like me ought to expect." - -"Have you always lived alone?" - -"It's nigh on to twelve years since father died, and, excepting in the -summer, I've had neither child nor chick here. An old woman ain't -pleasant company at the best, and if Abner's daughters don't like to -visit their aunt, I can't say I blame them." - -"Well I do!" Jack said decidedly. "I think you're the nicest old lady I -ever saw, and I'd be willin' to stay here all the time if I could." - -Aunt Nancy was not accustomed to flattery; but it must be admitted, from -the expression on her wrinkled face, that it was far from unpleasant, -and by way of reward she patted Jack on the head almost affectionately. - -"Perhaps you won't think so after a while," she said with a smile; and -then as Jack was about to make protestations, she added, "it's time to -go after the cow, and then I'll give you the first lesson in milking." - -The farm was not so large that it required many moments to reach the -pasture, for the old lady had only to walk to the rear of the barn where -the crumple-horned cow was standing at the end of a narrow lane awaiting -her coming. - -As the animal stepped carefully over the bars after they had been let -down, Jack could not help thinking she was just such a cow as one would -fancy should belong to Aunt Nancy. - -She walked in a dainty manner, acting almost as if trying not to bring -any unnecessary amount of dirt into the barnyard, and behaving in every -way as one would say her mistress might under similar circumstances. - -"While I go for the milking pail you pull some clover from under the -trees, for she always expects a lunch while being milked," Aunt Nancy -said; and in a few moments Jack had gathered such a feast as caused the -sedate animal to toss her head in disapprobation at the unusually large -amount she was expected to devour after having been cropping pasture -grass all day. - -With a pail which had been scoured until it shone like silver, and a -tiny three-legged stool, white as the floor of her kitchen, the little -woman returned. - -Then with many a "Co, Bossy! So, Bossy!" as if the quiet-looking animal -was expected to give way to the most violent demonstrations of wrath, -Aunt Nancy placed the stool in the most advantageous position, and said, -as she seated herself,-- - -"Now watch me a few minutes, and you'll see how easy it is after getting -the knack." - -Jack gazed intently at every movement, his eyes opened wide with -astonishment as the streams of milk poured into the pail with a peculiar -"swish," and before the creamy foam had fully covered the bottom he was -quite positive it would be no difficult matter for him to perform the -same operation. - -"I can do it now, if you'll get up." - -Aunt Nancy vacated the stool without hesitation, for milking seemed such -a simple matter that there was no question in her mind but that it could -be learned in one very short lesson, and Jack sat down. - -The cow looked around at this change of attendants, but was too -well-bred to express any great amount of surprise, and the hunchback -took hold of what appeared like so many fat fingers. - -Fancying that strength alone was necessary, he pulled most vigorously. - -Not a drop of milk came; but he accomplished something, for the animal -tossed her head impatiently. - -Jack pulled harder the second time, and then, as Aunt Nancy screamed -loudly, the cow started at full speed for the other side of the yard, -facing about there at the boy whom she believed was tormenting her -wilfully, while she shook her head in a menacing manner. - -Fortunately the milk-pail was not overturned; but in preventing such a -catastrophe, Jack rolled from the stool to the ground with no gentle -force, terrified quite as much by Aunt Nancy's screams as by the sudden -movement of old crumple-horn. - -"Why, what's the matter?" he asked, as he scrambled to his feet, looking -first at his hostess, and then at the frightened animal. - -"I ought to have known a boy couldn't milk," Aunt Nancy said impatiently -and almost angrily. "It seems as if they have a faculty of hurting dumb -beasts." - -"But I didn't mean to," Jack said apologetically. "I worked just as you -did, and pulled a good deal harder, but yet the milk wouldn't come." - -Aunt Nancy made no reply. - -Taking up the pail and stool she walked across the yard, trying to -soothe the cow in the peculiar language she had used when beginning the -task; and Jack, understanding that he had hurt the feelings of both his -hostess and her pet, followed contritely, as he said coaxingly,-- - -"Please let me try it once more. I am certain I can do it if you'll give -me another chance." - -It was not until Aunt Nancy had led the cow back to the pile of clover, -and there stroked her head and ears until she was ready to resume the -rudely interrupted feast, that any attention was paid to Jack's -entreaties. - -"I'll show you once more," she finally said, "and you must watch to see -exactly how I move my fingers. It isn't the pulling that brings the -milk, but the pressure of the hand." - -This time Jack paid strict attention, and in a few moments began to -fancy he had discovered what Aunt Nancy called the "knack." - -But she would not relinquish her seat. - -"Take hold with one hand while I stay here, and be careful not to hurt -the poor creature." - -Very tenderly Jack made the second attempt, and was so successful as to -extract at least a dozen drops from the well-filled udder. - -This was sufficient, however, to show him what should be done, even -though he was at first unable to perform the task, and, thanks to Aunt -Nancy's patience, and the gentleness of the animal, before the milking -was brought to a close, he had so far mastered the lesson as to win from -his teacher a limited amount of praise. - -"I don't know as I should expect you to learn at once," she said; "but -you are getting along so well that by to-morrow night I wouldn't be -surprised if you could do it alone. Now I'll go and strain the milk, and -you may split me a little kindling wood if you will. Somehow I have -never been able to use an axe without danger of cutting my feet, and -it's almost like tempting Providence to take one in my hands." - -Jack did as he was bidden, and although the axe was decidedly rusty and -very blunt, to say nothing of its being shaky in the helve, before she -finished taking care of the milk he had such a pile of kindlings as -would have cost her a week's labor to prepare. - -"Well!" the little woman said as she came from the cool cellar and -surveyed the fruits of his industry, "if you can't do anything else on -a farm but that, it'll be a wonderful relief to me. An axe is such a -dangerous instrument that I always tremble when I touch one." - -Jack looked at the ancient tool (which could hardly have inflicted any -injury unless one chanced to drop it on his toes) with a smile, but said -nothing, and after Aunt Nancy had shown him how to fasten the woodshed -door with a huge latch that any burglar over four feet tall could have -raised, she led the way into the house. - -The milking pail was to be washed, a solitary moth which had found its -way into the kitchen was to be killed lest he should do some damage to -the rag carpet, and Aunt Nancy lighted a candle with a solemn air. - -"This is the last work of the day," she said, "and perhaps I attach too -much importance to it, but I never allow myself to go to bed without -making sure there's no one hidden in the house. We'll examine the upper -part first, and after that has been done I will show you a chamber which -you can have until the summer boarders come. Then we must make different -arrangements, for the house is so small that I'm terribly put to it for -room." - -Jack followed the little woman up the back stairs, and each of the four -apartments was subjected to the most rigid scrutiny, the boy holding the -candle while Aunt Nancy not only peered under the beds and behind the -bureaus, but even opened the tiniest closets in search of a supposed -intruder. - -"We are safe for another day," she said with a long-drawn sigh of -relief, "and after looking through the fore-room once more I'll lock the -doors." - -There was such an air of responsibility about the little woman that -Jack, not fully understanding what she expected to find, immediately -conceived the idea that peaceful though this portion of the country -appeared, it must be a very dangerous neighborhood, for his hostess -could not have taken more precautions had it been known positively that -a band of Indians were lurking in the vicinity. - -Nothing more alarming than the moth was found, however, and after the -window fastenings had been carefully examined, Aunt Nancy led the way -back to the kitchen, where she once more surprised her guest by taking -down the well-worn Bible. - -In a thin, quavering voice she read therefrom a certain number of -verses in which she seemed to find the greatest satisfaction, and then -replaced the book reverentially on the stand appropriated to its -keeping. - -Then, to Jack's further surprise, she knelt by the side of the chair and -began a simple but heartfelt prayer, while the boy nestled around -uneasily, not certain whether it was proper for him to stand up, or -follow her example, therefore he remained where he was. - -When the evening devotions had been brought to a close, he felt -decidedly uncomfortable in mind, but did not think it advisable to -expose his ignorance by asking the little woman what he should have -done. - -"Now we'll go to bed," Aunt Nancy said as she arose to her feet with -such a look of faith on her wrinkled face as reminded the boy of -pictures he had seen. - -Without a word he followed her upstairs to a small room directly over -the kitchen, which, however contracted it might seem to others, was -twice as large as he needed when compared with his quarters on board the -"Atlanta." - -Then, as if her aim was to astonish and bewilder him on this first -evening, Aunt Nancy kissed him on both cheeks as she said "Good night," -and left him to his own reflections. - - - - -CHAPTER IV. - -PURSUED. - - -It was a long while before slumber visited Jack's eyelids on this first -night spent at the farm. - -To have found such a pleasant resting place after his experience at -Farmer Pratt's, and when the best he had expected was to be allowed to -remain until morning, was almost bewildering; at the same time the -friendly manner in which the kindly faced old lady treated him made a -deep impression on his heart. - -During fully an hour he speculated as to how it would be possible for -him to reach New York with Louis, and, not being able to arrive at any -satisfactory conclusion, he decided that that matter at least could -safely be left in Aunt Nancy's care. - -Then, all anxiety as to the immediate future having been dissipated, he -thought of various ways by which he could lighten the little woman's -labors. - -He laid plans for making himself so useful about the farm that she would -be repaid for her care of Louis, and these ideas were in his mind when -he crossed the border of dreamland, where, until nearly daybreak, he -tried to milk diminutive cows, or struggled to carry enormous tin pails. - -Despite his disagreeable dreams, the sleep was refreshing, and when the -first glow of dawn appeared in the eastern sky he was aroused by the -sound of Aunt Nancy's voice from the foot of the stairs. - -Jack's first waking thought was a continuation of the last on the night -previous, and, dressing hurriedly, he ran down to the kitchen to begin -the labor which he intended should make him a desirable member of the -family. - -To his great disappointment the fire had been built, Louis dressed, and -the morning's work well advanced when he entered the room. - -"Why didn't you call me before?" he asked reproachfully. "I meant to -have done all this while you were asleep; but I laid awake so long last -night that it didn't seem possible for my eyes to open." - -"I am accustomed to doing these things for myself," Aunt Nancy replied -with a kindly smile, "and don't mind it one bit, especially when the -kindlings have been prepared. I got up a little earlier than usual -because I was afraid there might be some trouble about dressing the -baby; but he's just as good a child as can be, and seems right well -contented here." - -"It would be funny if he wasn't," Jack replied as he took Louis in his -arms for the morning greeting. - -There was a shade of sorrow in his heart because the child evinced no -desire to remain with him, but scrambled out of his arms at the first -opportunity to toddle toward Aunt Nancy, who ceased her work of brushing -imaginary dirt from the floor in order to kiss the little fellow as -tenderly as a mother could have done. - -"It seems as if he'd got all through with me," Jack said sorrowfully. "I -believe he likes you the best now." - -"Don't be jealous, my boy. It's only natural the child should cling to a -woman when he can; but that doesn't signify he has lost any affection -for you. It is time old crumple-horn was milked, and we'll take Louis -with us so he won't get into mischief. I'm going to give you another -lesson this morning." - -Jack made a vain effort to repress the sigh which would persist in -coming to his lips as the baby crowed with delight when the little woman -lifted him in her arms, and taking the milking pail, he led the way out -through the dewy grass to the barnyard, where the cow stood looking over -the rails as if wondering why Aunt Nancy was so late. - -Jack insisted that he could milk without any further instructions, and, -after gathering an armful of the sweet-scented clover, he set boldly to -work while Aunt Nancy and Louis watched him from the other side of the -fence. - -This time his efforts were crowned with success, and although he did not -finish the task as quickly as the little woman could have done it, by -the aid of a few hints from her he had drawn the last drop of milk into -the pail before the cow began to show signs of impatience. - -Then Aunt Nancy and Louis returned to the house while Jack drove the -meek-eyed animal to the pasture, and when this was done he searched the -shed for a rake. - -He succeeded in finding one with not more than half the teeth missing, -and began to scrape up the sticks and dried leaves from the lane, a work -which was well calculated to yet further win the confidence of the neat -little mistress of the farm. - -When the morning meal was served, Jack had so far become accustomed to -Aunt Nancy's ways that he bowed his head without being prompted, while -she asked a blessing. - -After breakfast was concluded the hunchback proceeded to put into -execution the plan formed on the night previous. - -"If you'll tell me what to do I'll go to work as soon as the lane is -cleaned, an' that won't take a long while. I s'pose there's plenty to be -done." - -"Yes," Aunt Nancy replied with a sigh, "there's a great deal of work -which a woman can't do; but I don't know as a boy like you would be able -to get along any better than I." - -"There won't be any harm in tryin'," Jack said manfully. "Tell me what -it is you want." - -"Well, the pasture fence is broken in several places, and I was thinking -of getting Daniel Chick to come an' fix it; but perhaps you might patch -the breaks up so's a cow couldn't get out." - -"Of course I can. It ain't much of a job if you've got nails an' a -hammer. I'll tackle it as soon as the lane is finished." - -Aunt Nancy explained that the fence to which she referred bordered the -road a short distance above the house, and Jack was so impatient to -begin the labor that, contrary to his usual custom, he took a hurried -leave of Louis. - -An hour was sufficient in which to finish the self-imposed task on the -lane, and then, with a very shaky hammer and a handful of rusty nails, -he set out to repair the fence, leaving Louis playing in the kitchen -with the gorgeous crockery rooster, while Aunt Nancy was busily engaged -setting the house to rights generally. - -The scene of Jack's first attempt at fence building was fully an eighth -of a mile away, and in a clump of alder-bushes which shut off all view -of the house. - -It was by no means a simple task which he found before him. - -The posts had so far decayed that an expert workman would have -considered it necessary to replace them with new timbers; but since this -was beyond his skill, he set about mending it after his own fashion. - -It must not be supposed that Jack loved to work better than does any -other boy; but he believed it was necessary for him to remain with Aunt -Nancy until such time as he could find an opportunity of continuing the -journey in some more rapid manner than by walking, and the desire to -make himself useful about the farm was so great that labor ceased to be -a hardship. - -He had been engaged in this rather difficult task fully an hour, paying -little or no attention to anything save the work in hand, when the -rattle of wheels on the hard road attracted his notice. - -Up to this time no person had passed in either direction, and it was -from curiosity rather than any idea the approaching travellers might be -connected with his fortunes, that he peered out from among the -alder-bushes. - -Immediately he drew back in alarm. - -He had seen, coming directly toward him in a lumbering old wagon and -hardly more than a hundred yards away, Farmer Pratt and his son Tom. - -"They're huntin' for me!" he said to himself as he crept farther among -the bushes to conceal himself from view, and a secure hiding place had -hardly been gained when the travellers came to a full stop at the little -brook which ran on the opposite side of the road, in order to give their -horse some water. - -As a matter of fact Farmer Pratt _was_ in search of the two who had left -his house so unceremoniously; but now he had no intention of taking them -to the poorhouse. - -Quite by accident a copy of a newspaper containing an account of the -explosion on board the "Atlanta," and the information that Mrs. -Littlefield would remain in Portland in the hope of gaining some -information regarding her child, had come into his hands, and it did not -require much study on his part to understand that in the greed to -possess himself of the boat by ridding himself of the children, he had -lost the opportunity of earning a valuable reward. - -There was a stormy time in the Pratt household when this fact became -known, and even Master Tom came in for more than his full share of the -scolding because the children had been allowed to go away. - -"It would have been as good as a hundred dollars in my pocket if I could -have lugged them youngsters into town," the farmer repeated over and -over again as he blamed first his wife and then his son for what was -really his own fault. "I thought a boat worth twenty dollars would be a -mighty big haul for one mornin', but here was a show of gettin' five -times as much jest by holdin' them two over night, an' you had to let -'em slip through your fingers." - -Farmer Pratt dwelt upon this unpleasant fact until he finally convinced -himself that he would have acted the part of a good Samaritan had the -opportunity not been denied him, and very early on this same morning he -started out for the purpose of earning the reward by finding the -castaways. - -Jack, crouching among the bushes where he could distinguish the -movements of those whom he considered his enemies, heard the farmer say, -while the half-fed horse was quenching his thirst,-- - -"I reckon we've got a day's work before us, all on account of you an' -your mother, for that hunchback couldn't have walked as far with the -baby. Most likely he found some one who gave him a lift on the road. The -chances are he's in Biddeford by this time, other folks have heard the -whole story." - -Tom made no reply, probably because he feared to say anything which -might again call forth a flood of reproach, and his father added,-- - -"I reckon our best way will be to push right on to town instead of -huntin' along the road as we've been doin'. Time is gettin' mighty short -if we want to catch him before people know what has happened." - -The farmer was so impatient to arrive at the city that the horse was -urged on before his thirst was fully quenched, and as the noise of the -wheels told that the briefly interrupted journey had been resumed, Jack -crept cautiously out from among the bushes to where he could watch the -movements of the travellers until they should have passed Aunt Nancy's -farm. - -As may be supposed, he was thoroughly alarmed. - -That which he heard convinced him beyond a doubt the farmer was -searching for him, and there was no question in his mind but that it was -for the sole and only purpose of carrying him and Louis to the poor -farm. - -"I s'pose Aunt Nancy would up an' tell the whole story if they should -ask her," he muttered, "an' then I'd have to come out an' go along with -'em, 'cause I wouldn't let that man carry Louis off alone." - -The color came back to his cheeks, however, and the throbbing of his -heart was lessened as he saw the wagon wheel past the lane without -either of its occupants making any move toward calling at the house. - -Most likely neither Aunt Nancy nor Louis were in the yard, and Farmer -Pratt was so eager to reach the town where he believed the children to -be, that, as he had intimated, there was no further stop to be made -along the road. - -But Jack's mind was far from being relieved even after the clumsy -vehicle had passed out of sight, for he knew the farmer would return, -failing to gain any information of those he was so anxious to find, and -he might think it worth his while to call at Aunt Nancy's. - -Jack had now lost all interest in his work, and seated himself near the -fence trying to decide whether he would be warranted in leaving the -temporary home he had found, to take refuge in flight. - -This he might have done on the impulse of the moment but for the -restraining thought that it would be in the highest degree dangerous to -travel in either direction on the road, and to make his way through the -fields and woods was a matter of impossibility, since he had no idea of -the proper course to be pursued. - -"I don't s'pose Aunt Nancy'd lie even to save us from goin' to the poor -farm," he said aloud to himself; "but if she would, I'd hide out in the -bushes with Louis till I was sure that man had got through huntin' after -us, 'cause he can't keep this thing up all summer." - -This was by far the best plan Jack could devise for the baby's safety, -and yet it seemed hardly possible it would be carried into execution -because of the probable unwillingness of Aunt Nancy to so much as -equivocate. - -After thinking the matter over fully twenty minutes without arriving at -any other conclusion which promised the slightest hope of escape from -his pursuers, he decided to boldly ask the little woman if she would -promise, in case Mr. Pratt should call upon her, to say that she had -seen neither of her guests. - -"She can't any more'n get mad at it, an' if she won't agree then I'll -take the risk of startin' off once more, but it's goin' to be pretty -tough on both of us." - -There was yet considerable work to be done in the way of fence building; -but now Jack had no idea of continuing the labor. - -He was so agitated that the shaky hammer lay unheeded on the ground -where it had fallen when he first saw the travellers, and the nails were -left to gather a yet thicker coat of rust as he made his way up through -the line of bushes to approach the house from the rear, not daring to go -boldly around by the road. - - - - -CHAPTER V. - -AN ENCOUNTER. - - -Believing his only enemies were those whom he had seen driving up the -road, Jack paid no attention to anything in front of him, save when it -was absolutely necessary in order to guide his footsteps, but kept his -eyes fixed upon the dusty highway. - -Owing to the straggling line of bushes, he was forced to make a wide -detour to reach the barn unseen by any travellers, and he had not -traversed more than half the required distance when a loud cry from a -clump of alders which bordered the duck pond caused him to come to a -full stop. - -"Hello, Hunchie! What are you doin' here?" - -Jack looked up quickly in alarm, fancying the voice sounded like Tom -Pratt's, and for an instant believed his pursuers had apparently -continued their journey only for the purpose of taking him by surprise -in the rear. - -There was no person in sight, however, and during a few seconds he stood -motionless, trying to decide whether it would be safest to run directly -toward the farmhouse, or attempt to make his escape through the fields. - -Then the question was repeated, and before Jack could have fled, had he -been so disposed, three boys came out from among the alders, approaching -very near as if to prevent flight on the part of the hunchback. - -"Who are you?" one of the strangers asked, "an' where did you come -from?" - -"I'm Jack Dudley." - -"Where do you live?" - -"I'm stayin' over to Aunt Nancy Curtis's awhile," Jack replied -hesitatingly, doubtful if it would be well to give these not -over-friendly looking boys all the information they desired. - -"What are you doin' there?" another of the party asked. - -"Helpin' 'round at whatever she wants done till the summer boarders go -away." - -"Oh! So you're the hired man, are you?" the first boy said in a sneering -tone. - -"I ain't so very much of a man; but I reckon I can do her work, an' I -mustn't fool 'round here, for I'm pretty busy this mornin'." - -"You'll stay till we find out what right you've got to run across this -field," the boy who had first spoken said decidedly. "We've always done -Aunt Nancy's chores, an' you're makin'a big mistake by takin' our job -away." - -Jack looked once more toward the road to make certain Farmer Pratt and -his son were not returning. - -Then he glanced in the direction of the house, hoping Aunt Nancy might -be in sight, for he understood from the tone and attitude of the -strangers that they were bent on mischief. - -Not a person could be seen, and he had no other alternative save to -remain where he was until such time as the boys should be willing to let -him pass. - -Any attempt at flight could have been easily checked, since, owing to -his deformity, he was not able to run as fast as others of his age. - -Probably he felt just a trifle frightened; but he stood his ground -boldly, determined not to let the strangers see a show of weakness, as -he said,-- - -"I didn't come here to take any feller's job. Aunt Nancy gave me a -chance to stay this summer, an' I jumped at it, 'cause there's no boy -needs a home more'n I do jest now." - -"Well, see here, Hunchie," the elder of the party replied in a -threatening tone, "we don't know how much you need a home, nor we don't -care; but there's one thing certain, you ain't goin' to stay 'round here -this summer." "Us fellers can do all Aunt Nancy's chores an' a good deal -more. The job belongs to us. If you say you'll leave before night, it'll -be all right, an' if not, we'll thump the life out of you." - -[Illustration: "Does that mean you ain't goin' to leave?" And the boy -advanced threateningly with clinched fists, until he stood within a few -inches of the deformed lad.--Page 55.] - -"Perhaps that can't be done," Jack said calmly, with an assumption of -courage which was far from natural. - -"Last summer there was a feller come snoopin' 'round to help on the -summer-boarder business, but he soon found it wasn't safe to steal jobs -from them as lives here the whole year. We jest about killed him." - -"Why didn't you stuff his skin an' set it up on the road here, so's -other fellers would know enough not to stop?" Jack asked in a sarcastic -tone as he stepped back a few paces toward a thicker clump of bushes, -where it would be impossible for the strangers to make an attack from -the rear. "You can't be any tougher than you look, an' I guess I'll be -able to keep on livin' till summer's over, even if I do stay." - -"Does that mean you ain't goin' to leave?" And the boy advanced -threateningly with clinched fists until he stood within a few inches of -the deformed lad, who now understood that a fight was inevitable. - -"It's pretty nigh the size of it," Jack replied; and despite all -efforts, his voice trembled slightly, for he knew full well it would be -impossible to hold his own against three bullies. "But before beginnin' -the row I want you to understand one thing: if I don't work for -somebody, I've got to live out of doors, for I haven't a cent. I ain't -sayin' but the three of you can lick me, of course, but you'll have to -do it every day in the week before I'll leave this farm." - -Perhaps the bully was a trifle ashamed for threatening one so much -smaller than himself, and deformed, for, instead of immediately striking -a blow as at first had seemed to be his purpose, he drew back a few -paces to hold a whispered consultation with his companions, after which -he said,-- - -"Look here, Hunchie, we're willin' to give you a show, but won't allow -no fellers 'round takin' away money we could earn as well as not. Aunt -Nancy's always hired us to do her chores when the city folks was here, -till she got that feller last year, an' then the old fool said she'd -never pay us another cent jest 'cause we didn't jump spry enough to -please her. Now we're goin' to show that it's got to be us or nobody. -We're willin' to wait till to-morrow night if you say you'll go then. -There's plenty of jobs up Old Orchard way, so there ain't any need of -your feedin' on wind." - -"Why don't you go there?" - -"'Cause we don't want to. This is where we live, an' anything that's to -be done 'round here belongs to us. Now cross your throat that you'll -leave before to-morrow night, an' we won't say another word." - -"I'll go an' see what Aunt Nancy thinks about it," Jack replied, not -with any intention of obeying these peremptory demands, but in order to -escape from what was a very awkward predicament. - -"You won't do anything of the kind! Promise before leavin' this place or -we'll thump you!" - -"Then thump away, for I won't go," Jack replied determinedly as he -backed still farther into the bushes and prepared to defend himself as -best he might against such an overwhelming force, although knowing there -was no question but that he would receive a severe whipping. - -"Give it to him, Bill!" the boys in the rear cried. "You can polish him -off with one hand, so there's no need of our chippin' in." - -Bill did not wait for further encouragement. - -Jack's defence was necessarily very slight, and before he was able to -strike a blow in his own behalf, Bill had him on the ground, pounding -him unmercifully, while his companions viewed the scene with evident -satisfaction. - -Jack made no outcry: first, because he feared that by bringing Aunt -Nancy on the scene the fact of Louis's being at the farm would be made -known; and, secondly, he fancied Farmer Pratt might be near enough to -hear his appeals for help. - -Therefore he submitted to the cruel and uncalled-for punishment without -a word, although every blow caused severe pain, and when Bill had -pummelled him for fully five minutes the other boys interrupted by -saying,-- - -"Come, let up on him! That's enough for the first, an' if he ain't out -of town by to-morrow we'll give him another dose. Let's cool him off in -the pond." - -Jack struggled in vain against this last indignity. It was a simple -matter for the three boys to lift and throw him half a dozen feet from -the bank into the muddy water. - -There was no danger the little fellow would be drowned, for the duck -pond was not more than two feet deep, and as his assailants ran -hurriedly away he scrambled out, presenting a sorry sight as he stood on -the firm ground once more with mud and water dripping from his face and -every angle of his garments. - -Jack was as sore in mind as he was in body; but even while making his -way toward the house he did not neglect any precautions which might -prevent his being seen by Farmer Pratt. - -He skirted around through the straggling line of alders until he reached -the rear of the barn, and then, coming across crumple-horn's yard, he -was confronted by Aunt Nancy, who had just emerged from the shed. - -"For mercy's sake!" the little woman screamed, raising her hands in -dismay as she surveyed the woe-begone Jack, who looked more like a -misshapen pillar of mud than a boy. "Where _have_ you been, and what -_have_ you done to yourself? It _is_ strange that boys _will_ be forever -mussing in the dirt. I thought I'd had some bad ones here, but you beat -anything I ever saw! Why, you must have been rolling in the pond to get -yourself in such a condition." - -"Yes, ma'am, I have," Jack replied meekly as he again tried to brush the -mud from his face, but only succeeded in grinding it in more deeply. - -"What's the matter with your nose? It's bleeding!" Aunt Nancy screamed -in her excitement; while Louis, who was sitting on the grass near the -broad doorstep, crowed and laughed as if fancying she was talking to -him. - -"Three fellers out there tried to make me promise I'd go away before -to-morrow night, an' when I wouldn't, they gave me an awful poundin'. -Then the fun was wound up by throwin' me in the pond." - -"Three boys!" and Aunt Nancy's tone was an angry one. "I'll venture to -say William Dean was among the party; and if he thinks he's going to -drive off every decent child in the neighborhood, he is mistaken. I'd do -my chores alone, and wait on the city folks too, before he should come -here again!" - -Then Aunt Nancy peered in every direction as if fancying the evil-doers -might yet be in the vicinity where she could punish them immediately, -while Jack stood silent, if not quite motionless, wiping the mixture of -blood and mud from his face in a most disconsolate manner. - -Aunt Nancy's anger vanished, however, as she turned again toward the -cripple. - -All her sympathies were aroused, but not to such an extent as to smother -her cleanly instincts. - -"Did they hurt you very much?" she asked solicitously. - -"They wasn't any too careful about hittin'," Jack replied with a feeble -attempt at a smile, to show that his injuries were not really serious. -"If there hadn't been more than one, I'd have hurt him some before he -got me into the pond." - -"I wish you had flogged every single member of that party in the most -severe--No, I don't either, for it wouldn't be right, Jack. We are told -when anybody smites us on one cheek, we must turn the other also; but -it's terrible hard work to do right sometimes. I'm glad you didn't -strike them, though I _do_ wish they could be punished." - -Again Aunt Nancy showed signs of giving way to anger, and one could see -that a severe conflict was going on in her mind as she tried to obey the -injunctions of the Book she read so often. - -As if to turn her attention from vengeful thoughts, she immediately made -preparations for dressing Jack's wounds. - -"If you can stand a little more water," she said, "we'll try to get you -into something like a decent condition." - -"I reckon I can stand almost anything after the dose I've had," Jack -replied grimly; and Aunt Nancy led him under the pump, stationing him -directly beneath the spout as she said,-- - -"Now I'll wash the mud off; but if the water feels too cold let me know, -and we'll heat it." - -"I'll take it as long as you can keep the handle goin'," Jack replied as -he bent his head and involuntarily drew a long breath preparatory to -receiving the expected shock. - -Aunt Nancy could pump a long while when it was for the purpose of -removing dirt; and during the next five minutes she deluged Jack with -the cold spring water until he stood in the centre of a miniature pond, -no longer covered with mud, but dripping tiny streams from every portion -of his face and garments. - -Sitting on the grass near by, Louis clapped his hands and laughed with -glee at what he probably thought a comical spectacle designed for his -own especial amusement. - -It was not until Jack had been, as he expressed it, "so well rinsed it -was time to wring him out," that either he or Aunt Nancy remembered the -very important fact that he had no clothes to replace those which were -so thoroughly soaked. - -"Now what _are_ we going to do?" Aunt Nancy asked in dismay, as she -surveyed the dripping boy, who left little rivers of water behind him -whenever he moved. "You haven't got a second shirt to your back, and I -can't let you remain in these wet clothes." - -"I might go out to the barn an' lay 'round there till they dried," Jack -suggested. - -"Mercy on us, child, you'd get your death of cold! Wait right here while -I go into the attic and see if there isn't something you can wear for a -few hours. Don't step across the threshold." - -This last admonition was unnecessary. - -Short a time as Jack had known Aunt Nancy, he was reasonably well -acquainted with her cleanly habits, and to have stepped on that floor, -which was as white as boards can be, while in his present condition, -would have been to incur the little woman's most serious displeasure. - -He was also forced to remain at a respectful distance from Louis, who -laughed and crowed as if begging to be taken, and while moving farther -away he whispered,-- - -"It wouldn't do at all to touch you when I'm so wet, old fellow, but -I'll lug you around as much as you want as soon as I'm dried off. After -Aunt Nancy comes back, I'm goin' to talk with her about Farmer Pratt, -an' see if she'll agree to say we ain't here in case he calls. You an' -I'll be in a pretty hard box if she don't promise to tell a lie for -us." - - - - -CHAPTER VI. - -A MENTAL STRUGGLE. - - -When Aunt Nancy returned from the attic, she had a miscellaneous -collection of cast-off garments sufficient to have clothed a dozen boys -like Jack, providing they had been willing to wear female apparel. - -"I thought there might be some of father's things upstairs," she said, -examining once more each piece; "but I've given them away. You won't -care if you have to put on a dress for a little while, will you? Here -are some old ones of mine, and it will be a great deal better to use -them than to stand around in wet clothes." - -Jack was not at all anxious to masquerade as a girl, and would have -preferred to "dry off," as he expressed it, in the barn; but, fearing -lest he should offend the old lady at a time when he was about to ask a -very great favor, he made no protest. - -Aunt Nancy selected from the assortment two skirts, a pair of well-worn -cloth shoes, and a shawl, saying as she handed them to the boy,-- - -"Now you can go out in the barn and put these on. Then we'll hang your -clothes on the line, where they'll dry in a little while. In the mean -time I'll find some sticking plaster for your face, and a piece of brown -paper to put over your eye to prevent it from growing black." - -Jack walked away as if he were about to perform a very disagreeable -task, and by the time Aunt Nancy had carried the superfluous wardrobe -upstairs and procured such things as she thought would be necessary in -the treatment of the boy's wounds, he emerged from the barn looking -decidedly shamefaced. - -He knew he presented a most comical appearance, and expected to be -greeted with an outburst of laughter; but Aunt Nancy saw nothing to -provoke mirth in what had been done to prevent a cold, and, in the most -matter-of-fact manner, began to treat the bruises on his face. - -A piece of court plaster fully half as large as Jack's hand was placed -over the scratch on his right cheek, another upon a small cut just in -front of his left ear, while a quantity of brown paper thoroughly -saturated with vinegar covered his eye and a goodly portion of his -forehead. - -This last was tied on with a handkerchief knotted in such a manner as to -allow the two ends to stick straight up like the ears of a deformed -rabbit. - -During this operation Louis laughed in glee. It was to him the jolliest -kind of sport to see his guardian thus transformed into a girl, and even -Aunt Nancy herself could not repress a smile when she gazed at the -woe-begone looking boy who appeared to have just come from some -desperate conflict. - -"I s'pose I look pretty rough, don't I?" Jack asked with a faint attempt -at a smile. "I feel like as if I'd been broke all to pieces an' then -patched up ag'in." - -"It isn't as bad as it might be," Aunt Nancy replied guardedly; "but out -here where we don't see any one it doesn't make much difference, and to -run around this way a few hours is better than being sick for a week." - -"I reckon I can stand it if you can," Jack said grimly, "but I don't -think I want to fix fences in this rig. Them fellers would think I'd put -on these things so they wouldn't know me." - -"No indeed, you mustn't leave the house even when your clothes are dry, -until I have seen that Dean boy's father." - -"You ain't goin' to tell him about their poundin' me, are you?" Jack -asked quickly. - -"Of course I am. You don't suppose for a single moment that I intend to -run the chances of your being beaten to death by them! If Mr. Dean can't -keep his boy at home I'll--I'll--I don't know what I will do." - -"Seems to me it would be better not to say anything about it," Jack -replied hesitatingly. "If we go to tellin' tales, them fellers will -think I'm afraid, an' be sure to lay for me whenever I go out." - -"I'm not going to tell any tales; but I intend to see if it isn't -possible for me to have a decent, well-behaved boy around this place -without his being obliged to fight a lot of disreputable characters such -as some we've got in the neighborhood." - -This is not the time for Jack to make any vehement protests, lest Aunt -Nancy should be provoked because of his persistency, and he changed the -subject of conversation by broaching the matter which occupied all his -thoughts. - -"That Mr. Pratt what tried to send Louis an' me to the poor farm drove -past here with Tom jest before them fellers tackled me, an' I heard him -say he was lookin' for us." - -"Mercy on me!" Aunt Nancy exclaimed as she pushed the spectacles back -from her nose to her forehead and peered down the lane much as if -expecting to see the farmer and his son in the immediate vicinity. "Why -_is_ he so possessed to send you to the poorhouse?" - -"That's what I don't know," Jack replied with a sigh; "but he's after -us, an' if he once gets his eye on me, the thing is settled." - -"He has no more right to bother you than I have, and not half as much. -According to your story, he didn't even take the trouble to give you a -decent meal, and I'll soon let him know he can't carry you away from -here." - -"But how'll you prevent it if he starts right in an' begins to lug us -off? He's stronger'n you an' me put together, an' if he's come all this -distance there won't be much stoppin' for anything you'll say to him, -I'm afraid. Now don't you think it would be better to tell him I wasn't -here?" - -"Mercy on us, Jack! How could I do that when you _are_ here?" - -"Well, you wouldn't like to have him lug us off if you knew we'd got to -go to the poorhouse, would you? 'Cause neither Louis nor me ever did -anything to you, or to him either." - -"But you sha'n't go there, my dear child. So long as I am willing to -keep you here, I don't see what business it is of his, or anybody -else's." - -"It seems as though he was makin' it his business," Jack replied -disconsolately; for he was now beginning to despair of persuading Aunt -Nancy to tell a lie. "If you'd say we wasn't here, that would settle it, -and he wouldn't stay." - -"But I can't, Jack; I can't tell an absolute falsehood." - -Jack gave vent to a long-drawn sigh as he looked toward the baby for a -moment, and then said,-- - -"Well, I didn't s'pose you would do it anyhow, so Louis an' me'll have -to start off, 'cause I won't go to that poor farm if I have to walk -every step of the way to New York an' carry the baby besides." - -"I don't see why you should talk like that, my child. In the first -place, there is no reason for believing that hard-hearted man will come -here, and--" - -"Oh, yes, there is!" and Jack repeated the conversation he had overheard -while hiding in the alder-bushes. "When he finds out we haven't been to -Biddeford, he'll ask at every house on the way back." - -"Do you really think he would try to take you if I said to him in a very -severe tone that I would have him prosecuted for attempting anything of -the kind?" - -"I don't believe you could scare him a bit, an' there isn't much chance -you'd be able to stop him after he's come so far to find us." - -"But I can't have you leave me, Jack," the little woman said in a -quavering voice. "You have no idea how much I've been countin' on your -company." - -"You won't feel half so bad as I shall to go," Jack replied mournfully. - -"But it is out of the question to even think of walking all that -distance." - -"It's got to be done jest the same, an' as soon as my clothes are dried -we'll start. Things will come mighty tough; but they can't be helped." - -Aunt Nancy looked thoroughly distressed, and there was a suspicious -moisture in her eyes as she asked,-- - -"How would it do to lock the doors, and refuse to come down when he -knocked?" - -Jack shook his head. - -"I don't believe it would work." - -"No, it mustn't be thought of, for then we should be acting a lie, which -is almost, if not quite, as bad as telling one." - -"How do you make that out?" Jack asked in surprise. - -"We shouldn't lock the doors unless it was to give him the impression -that there was no one at home, which would be a falsehood." - -The expression on Jack's face told that he failed to understand either -the argument or the spirit which prompted it, and for several moments no -word was spoken. - -Then, as a happy thought occurred to him, the boy said eagerly,-- - -"I'll tell you how it could be done without any lie at all, an' -everything would go along as slick as grease." - -"How?" Aunt Nancy asked quickly, as a look of relief passed over her -face. - -"I'll watch up the road a piece till I see the team comin'. Then I'll -run back here, get Louis, an' carry him off somewhere." - -"Well?" the little woman asked as he paused. - -"Why, can't you see how easy it'll be then? You'll only have to tell him -you don't know where we are, an' he'll be bound to leave." - -"But, Jack dear, I should know where you were." - -"How do you make that out?" - -"You wouldn't leave the farm, an' while I--" - -"That's jest what you don't know. I didn't tell you where we'd go. It -would be the same thing if we left for New York this minute; you might -think we was on the road somewhere; but that wouldn't make it so." - -Aunt Nancy remained silent, and although he did not believe she was -convinced, Jack fancied there was a look of hesitation on her face as if -she might be persuaded into complying with his request, therefore he -added eagerly,-- - -"You want us to stay here, an'--" - -"Indeed I do!" the little woman replied fervently. "I never knew a boy -who seemed so much like our own folks as you do, and since last night it -has been a great relief to think I should have you with me this summer." - -"And if Mr. Pratt knows we're anywhere around, he'll snake us away for -certain." - -"I don't understand how that can be done, Jack." - -"Neither do I; but he has come to do it, an' you can't stop him. Now -I'll promise to go where you'd never guess of our bein', an' then there -wouldn't be the least little bit of a lie in sayin' you didn't know." - -"I would do almost anything for the sake of keeping you here, Jack, -except to commit a sin." - -"This way you won't be doin' anything of the kind. I reckon my clothes -are dry now, an' I'd better put 'em on so's to be ready to watch for Mr. -Pratt." - -Then Jack hurried off as if the matter had been positively settled. - -Aunt Nancy gazed after him with an expression of mingled pain and -perplexity on her wrinkled face, and just then Louis crept to her knee, -begging in his odd language to be taken on her lap. - -"You dear little creature!" she cried, pressing him to her bosom while -he chattered and laughed. "It would be cruel to send you among the -paupers, when a lonely old woman like me loves you so much!" - -Jack looked back just in time to see this picture, and there was no -longer any doubt in his mind but that Aunt Nancy would accede to his -request. - -Five minutes later he returned clad in his own garments, which looked -considerably the worse for the hasty drying, and said as he ran swiftly -past the little woman,-- - -"Don't let Louis go into the house, for I'll want to get hold of him in -a hurry!" - -Aunt Nancy began to make some remark; but he was moving so swiftly that -the words were unheard, and the old lady said to herself with a -long-drawn sigh as she pressed the baby yet more closely,-- - -"I'm afraid it is wrong to do as he wishes; but how can I allow cruel -men to take this dear child from me, when I know he will not be cared -for properly?" - -Then she began to think the matter over more calmly, and each moment it -became clearer to her mind that by acceding to Jack's request she would -be evading the truth, if not absolutely telling a lie. - -"I can't do it," she said, kissing the baby affectionately. "Much as I -shall grieve over them, it is better they should go than for me to do -what I know to be wrong." - -Having thus decided, she hurried up the lane to warn Jack; but before -reaching the road the boy was met coming at full speed. - -"Mr. Pratt has just shown up at the top of the hill; he's stoppin' at -the house over there! I'll get Louis and hide." - -"But, Jack dear, I have been thinking this matter over, and I can't even -act a lie." - -"Why didn't you say so before, when I had a chance to get away?" he -cried reproachfully. "By lettin' me think you'd do it, you've got us -into a reg'lar trap!" - -The boy did not wait to hear her reply, but ran to where Louis was -seated contentedly on the grass, raised him in his arms and disappeared -behind the barn, leaving the little woman feeling very much like a -culprit. - - - - -CHAPTER VII. - -FARMER PRATT. - - -Aunt Nancy was now in a fine state of perplexity. - -Jack's reproachful tone had cut very deeply, and she began to consider -herself responsible for all which might happen because of not having -warned him in time. - -"I'm a wicked woman," she said, wringing her hands distractedly, "and -accountable for all that happens now. Why was I so weak as not to give -the dear boy a decided answer when he came from the barn?" - -Then she ran to the bars and called after Jack in a whisper; but if any -one had asked why she wanted him to come back just at that time, she -could not have explained. - -Returning to the old oak, she was about to sit down again when the -rattle of wheels told that Farmer Pratt was near at hand. - -Hardly aware of what she did, the little woman went hurriedly into the -house, and there awaited what must necessarily be a very painful -interview. - -A few moments later the man whom Jack looked upon as a merciless enemy -knocked at the door, and Aunt Nancy said feebly, "Come in." - -Farmer Pratt entered without very much ceremony, and as the little woman -gazed at his face she fancied, probably from what Jack had told her, -that it was possible to see covetousness and hard-heartedness written on -every feature. - -He did not remove his hat, but stood in the centre of the floor, whip in -hand, as he said,-- - -"Mornin' ma'am, mornin'. I'm from Scarborough, an' my name is Nathan -Pratt. P'rhaps you've heard of me." - -Aunt Nancy was about to say she never had, meaning that her neighbors -never had spoken of him as a person of importance; but she checked -herself on remembering this would be a falsehood because of what Jack -had said. - -"I have heard the name," she replied faintly. - -"I thought so, I thought so. I've lived, man an' boy, in Scarborough for -nigh on to fifty years, an' when that's been done without givin' -anybody a chance to say a word agin me, except that I want my own, as -other folks do, then it would be kinder strange if I wasn't known -within a dozen miles of home." - -"Was that all you came here to say?" Aunt Nancy asked. - -"Of course not,--of course not"; and the farmer seated himself without -waiting for an invitation. "The fact of the matter is, ma'am, I'm -huntin' for a couple of children what drifted ashore on my place the -other day. One of 'em was a hunchback, an' I must say he is bad, for -after eatin' all the food in my house that he an' the young one wanted, -he run away, leavin' me in the lurch." - -"I don't suppose they stole it, did they?" and Aunt Nancy spoke very -sharply, for it made her angry to hear such things said about Jack. - -"No, it wasn't exactly that," and the farmer hesitated, as if to give -her the impression something equally wrong had been done by the boy; -"but as a citizen of the town I don't want it said we let a couple of -youngsters run around loose like calves." - -"What do you intend to do with them?" the little woman asked severely. - -Farmer Pratt had no idea of telling a secret which he believed would be -worth at least an hundred dollars to him, and by keeping it he again -defeated himself. - -"They oughter be carried to the poor farm till we can find out who owns -'em. You see I'm as big a tax-payer as there is in Scarborough, an' if -any other town takes care of the children, we're likely to be sued for -the cost of keepin'. Now I don't believe in goin' to law, for it's -dreadful expensive, so I've come out to save myself an' my neighbors -what little money I can." - -If Farmer Pratt had told the truth, Aunt Nancy would have done all in -her power to aid him, and Jack could not but have rejoiced, although the -farmer received a rich reward; but by announcing what was a false -proposition, he aroused the little woman's wrath. - -She no longer remembered that it was wrong even to act a lie, and -thought only of the possibility that those whom she had learned to love -were really to be taken to the refuge for paupers, if her visitor should -be so fortunate as to find them. - -"It seems hard to put children in such a place," she said, with an -effort to appear calm. - -"That's only prejudice, ma'am, sheer prejudice. What do we keep up sich -institoots for? Why, to prevent one man from bein' obleeged to spend -more'n another when a lot of beggars come around." - -"And yet it seems as if almost any one would be willing to feed a -couple of children who were lost." - -"There's where you are makin' a mistake ag'in, ma'am. Youngsters eat -more'n grown folks, an' I know what I'm talkin' about, 'cause I've -raised a family. Heaven helps them as helps themselves, an' when we -find two like the one I'm huntin' for, then I say since heaven won't -take a hand at it, the town should." - -Aunt Nancy remained silent, but those who knew her intimately would have -said, because of the manner in which she moved her chair to and fro, -that the little woman was struggling very hard to "rule her spirit." - -"I don't reckon you know anything about 'em, ma'am," Farmer Pratt said -after a long pause, during which Aunt Nancy had rocked violently, with -her gaze fixed upon an overbold honey bee who was intent on gathering -the sweets from a honeysuckle blossom which the wind had forced through -the open window. - -"I know this much," she replied with vehemence, "that I hope you won't -find the children if it is simply to carry them to the poor farm. We are -told of the reward which--" - -"Who said anything about a reward?" the farmer asked in alarm, fearing -that which he wished should remain a secret was already known. - -"The Book tells us what shall be the reward of those who give a cup of -cold water only to these His little ones--" - -"Oh! is that it?" and the visitor appeared greatly relieved. "I count -myself about as good as my neighbors, but when it comes to keepin' a -parcel of children, after I've paid my taxes to run a place especially -for sich as they, then I say it's a clear waste of money, an' that's as -much of a sin as anything else." - -"We won't argue the matter," the little woman replied with dignity, "but -I hope the time will never come that I, poor as I am, can count the -pennies in a dollar when it is a question of giving aid or comfort to -the distressed." - -"Since you haven't seen the youngsters, there's no need of my stayin' -any longer, ma'am, but it does seem funny that nobody has run across -'em, when I heard for a fact that they'd come up this road." - -Aunt Nancy knew full well that by remaining silent now, she was giving -the visitor to understand she knew nothing about the missing ones; but -just at the moment she would have told a deliberate lie rather than give -Jack and Louis up to such a man, however much she might have regretted -it afterward. - -"Of course there's no harm in my askin' the questions," Farmer Pratt -said as he moved toward the door, feeling decidedly uncomfortable in -mind because of the little woman's sharp words. - -"Certainly not; but at the same time I am sorry you came." - -"Why, ma'am?" - -"Because I have learned how hard-hearted men can be when it is a -question of a few dollars. If the children should come to me, they would -be given a home, such as it is, until their relatives could be found." - -"If they should come, I warn you that it is your duty to let me know, -for they drifted ashore on my property, an' I've got the first claim." - -This was rather more than meek little Aunt Nancy could endure; but she -succeeded in checking the angry words, and rose from her chair to -intimate that the interview was at an end. - -Farmer Pratt went out very quickly, probably fearing he might hear more -unpalatable truths, and the old lady watched him until he drove away. - -"It was wicked, but I'm glad I did it!" she said emphatically. "The idea -of hunting up such children as Jack and Louis simply to send them among -paupers!" - -Not for many moments did the little woman remain in this frame of mind. - -After a time she began to realize that she had done exactly what she -told Jack would be impossible--acted a lie, and her conscience began to -trouble her greatly. - -She tried to read a chapter in the Book with the hope of finding -something to comfort her, and, failing in this, her thoughts went out to -the children who had left so suddenly. - -"Mercy on us!" she exclaimed. "Suppose Jack really has gone away, -believing I would tell that man all I knew about him!" - -This idea was sufficient to arouse her to action, and she went behind -the barn, where she called softly,-- - -"Jack! Jack! Where are you?" - -Not until this very feeble outcry had been repeated half a dozen times -did she receive any reply, and then the hunchback, with Louis clasped in -his arms, peered out from among the bushes. - -"Has the farmer gone?" he asked in a whisper. - -"Indeed he has." - -"And you didn't tell him where we was?" - -"He never asked the question; but all the same, Jack dear, I did wrong -in allowing him to suppose I knew nothing about you." - -"You're the sweetest aunt any feller ever had," the hunchback said -heartily as he came swiftly up and kissed one of the old lady's wrinkled -hands before she was aware of his intentions. "I couldn't believe you -wanted us taken to the poorhouse, so I didn't go very far off." - -"I almost wish I hadn't done it, for--No, I don't either! After talking -with that wretch it would have broken my heart to see him take you away! -Give me the baby this minute; it seems as if I hadn't seen him for a -week." - -Jack willingly relinquished his charge to the motherly arms extended to -receive the laughing child, and said, as Aunt Nancy almost smothered -Louis with kisses,-- - -"You sha'n't ever be sorry for what you have done. I'll work awful hard, -an' take care of the baby whenever you've got somethin' else to do." - -"I know you are a good boy, Jack, and I wouldn't undo what's been done -if I could; but at the same time my conscience will reproach me, for I -realize that I acted wickedly." - -So far as the sin was concerned, Jack did not think it of great -importance, and wondered not a little that as good a woman as Aunt -Nancy should attach so much importance to what, in his mind at least, -was nothing more than a charitable act. - -He took care not to give expression to his thoughts, however, and led -the way back to the old oak-tree, where he said,-- - -"You sit down here awhile, an' I'll go out to make certain that man has -gone. It might be he's waitin' 'round somewhere to find whether we're -really here." - -"I don't think there is any danger of that," Aunt Nancy replied as she -seated herself on the bench and fondled Louis until the little fellow -was tired of caresses. - -Jack could not be comfortable in mind unless positive his enemy had left -the vicinity, and he walked quite a long distance up the road before -convincing himself of the fact. - -When he returned the desire to make himself necessary to the little -woman was stronger than ever, and he proposed to finish the work of -fence mending at once. - -"Better wait till after dinner now that it is so near noon," she said. -"We'll have a quiet talk, and then I will start the fire." - -"Is it about Farmer Pratt you want to say something?" - -"No, we'll try to put him out of our minds. It is the baby." - -"What's the matter with him?" - -"He must have another frock and some clothes. These are very dirty, and -I'm afraid he'd take cold if I should wash them at night, and put them -on again in the morning." - -"Haven't you got an old dress like the one I wore? By pinnin' it up he'd -get along all right." - -"Indeed he wouldn't, Jack. Boys can't be expected to know what a child -needs; but it puzzles me how to get the material from the store." - -"What's the matter with my goin' after it?" - -"It is a very long distance--more than four miles away." - -"That's all right; I walked a good deal farther the day I came here. -Jest say what you want, an' I'll go after it now." - -"Do you really think you could get back before sunset?" - -"I'm certain of it, providin' I don't wait for dinner." - -"But you must have something to eat, Jack dear." - -"I can take a slice of bread and butter in my hand, an' that'll last me -more'n four miles." - -"I have half a mind to let you go," Aunt Nancy said as if to herself, -and Jack insisted so strongly that she finally decided he should do the -shopping. - -Not one, but half a dozen slices of bread were spread thickly with -butter as a dinner for the messenger, and then the little woman wrote on -a slip of paper the different articles she needed. - -"You must see that Mr. Treat gives you exactly what I've asked for," she -said as she read the list, and explained what the texture or color of -each article should be. "Watch him closely, and be sure he makes the -right change." - -Then she gave him the most minute directions as to the road, the time -which should be occupied in the journey, and the manner the goods were -to be brought home. - -A basket was provided for the purchases, and Aunt Nancy said as she gave -Jack a ten-dollar note,-- - -"Tie that in your handkerchief so's to be sure not to lose it, Jack -dear, for it's a great deal of money to a lone woman like me." - -He promised to be careful, and kissed the baby good by. - -Aunt Nancy leaned over for the same salute, and when it had been given -she said in a sorrowful tone,-- - -"It is a deal of comfort to have you with me, Jack; but I do wish I had -been bold enough to tell that man the truth, and then refused to let you -go with him." - -"It's lucky you didn't, Aunt Nancy, for he'd been bound to have us any -way." - -Then Jack walked swiftly down the daisy-embroidered lane, thinking he -was a very fortunate boy indeed in having found such a good friend as -the sweet-faced old lady. - - - - -CHAPTER VIII. - -A SECOND WARNING. - - -True to his promise, Jack returned before the sun was very low in the -western sky, and Aunt Nancy expressed the greatest surprise at seeing -him so soon. - -"When I send William Dean to the store he needs all day for the journey, -and on two or three occasions it has been late in the evening before he -came back." - -"It isn't such an awful long walk, but it makes a feller kinder tired, -an' I s'pose he had to rest a good while before startin' back. I thought -I'd better come the minute the things were ready, 'cause I was afraid -you'd do the milkin'." - -"Of course I shall. You don't suppose I'd let you work after that -terribly long walk." - -"But I'm goin' to do the chores jest the same," Jack replied; and to -prove his words he carried in the kindlings for morning. - -Aunt Nancy was perfectly satisfied with the purchases he made, and until -it was time to bring the cow up from pasture she explained her -intentions in the way of making clothes for Louis. - -"This piece of calico isn't as pretty as some I've had from Treat's," -she said, unfolding the goods, "but it seems to be a good quality, and -that's the main thing. Now, the question is whether I shall make his -frock with a yoke, or plain? What do you think, Jack dear?" - -Jack hadn't the faintest idea of what she meant by a "yoke" or a -"frock," but, wishing to please the little woman by giving an opinion, -he answered decidedly,-- - -"I should make it plain." - -"That was just my idea. How queer it is that you should know all about -such things, and have good judgment too!" - -Jack came very near smiling because of this praise which he did not -deserve, but was wise enough not to make any reply, and Aunt Nancy -consulted him on every detail until the garment had been fully decided -upon. - -Then it was time to attend to old crumple-horn, and when Jack came into -the kitchen again supper was on the table. - -In view of the fact that he had had such a long tramp, the little woman -insisted on his retiring very early, and the Book was opened as soon as -the supper-table had been cleared. - -On this day Aunt Nancy's evening devotions occupied an unusually long -time, and she prayed fervently to be forgiven for her sin of the -forenoon,--a fact which caused Jack to say when she had finished,-- - -"It don't seem to me as if you could ever do anything wicked, Aunt -Nancy, an' there ain't any need of fussing about what you said to Farmer -Pratt, for God knows jest how good you are." - -"You mustn't talk like that, Jack dear. There are very many times when I -give way to anger or impatience, and there can be no question but that I -as much as told a lie when that man was here." - -Jack would have protested that no wrong had been done, but she prevented -further conversation by kissing him on both cheeks as she said, "Good -night." - -On the following morning, Aunt Nancy's "man of all work" took good care -she should not be the first one awake. - -He arose as the rays of the coming sun were glinting the eastern sky, -and when the little woman entered the kitchen the fire had been built, -the floor swept, and the morning's milk in the pail ready for straining. - -Her surprise at what he had done was sufficient reward for Jack, and he -resolved that she should never have an opportunity to do such work while -he was sleeping. - -"I begin to feel quite like a visitor," the little woman said with a -cheery laugh as she bustled around in her sparrow-like fashion, -preparing breakfast. "This is the first time in a great many years that -the fire has been made and the milking done before I got up." - -Thanks to Jack's labors, the morning meal was unusually early, and when -it had been eaten and the dishes washed, the hunchback said as he took -up his hat,-- - -"I'll go now an' finish mendin' the fence." - -"Wait until I have seen Mr. Dean. I'm afraid those dreadful boys will do -you some mischief." - -"I don't reckon they'll be stirring so early, an' it won't take me -more'n an hour longer. While I'm gone, think of somethin' else that -needs to be done, for I'd rather be workin' than layin' still." - -"You're a good boy, Jack dear, and I should be very sorry to have you go -away from me now." - -"There's no danger of that yet awhile, unless Mr. Pratt takes it into -his head to come this way again," Jack replied with a laugh as he left -the house. - -It required some search to find the hammer and nails he had thrown down -when he was so frightened, and then the task of fence mending progressed -famously until a rustling among the bushes caused him to raise his eyes -suddenly. - -Bill Dean stood before him, looking particularly savage and threatening. - -Jack took a yet firmer grasp of the hammer, resolved to defend himself -vigorously providing there should be no other enemies in the vicinity. - -"So you're still here, eh?" Bill asked sternly. - -"Looks like it I reckon." - -"When are you goin'?" - -"I haven't quite made up my mind; but I'll write an' tell you before I -pack my trunk." - -Bill stepped forward quickly, but Jack persuaded him to go back by -swinging the hammer unpleasantly near the bully's head as he said,-- - -"Don't come too near! You served me out yesterday because there was -three in the gang, an' I hadn't anything to defend myself with; but now -matters are a little different." - -"Are you goin' to leave this place to-day?" Bill asked, as he retreated -a few paces. - -"No, nor to-morrow either." - -"Then remember what I say. This is the second warnin' you've had, an' -it'll be the last. Look out for trouble if you're in this town -to-night!" - -"I shall be here, an' I want you to remember that somebody besides me -may get into trouble if there's any funny business. Aunt Nancy -threatened to tell your father about what was done yesterday, but I -coaxed her not to, an' I won't say a word another time." - -"I don't mind what she says, we'll run you out of this place before two -days go by, so take care of yourself." - -"That's jest what I count on doin', an' if you've got any sense you'll -keep away from me." - -Bill shook his fist threateningly as near Jack's nose as he thought -prudent, and disappeared among the bushes, leaving the hunchback -decidedly disturbed in mind despite the bold front he had assumed. - -"Them fellers can make it hot for me, of course," he said to himself -when the bully had gone, "an' I expect I shall catch it rough, but -almost anything is better than leavin' here after Aunt Nancy has fixed -it so nice with Farmer Pratt." - -He worked more rapidly after receiving this second warning, and returned -to the house by the main road instead of going around past the frog -pond. - -The little woman was under the old oak making Louis's new garments when -he arrived, and she saw at once by the troubled expression on his face -that something had gone wrong. - -"What's the matter, Jack dear?" she asked kindly. - -"Matter? I guess I don't know what you mean." - -"Indeed you do, so now tell Aunt Nancy all about it. Have you seen that -Dean boy again to-day?" - -Jack was forced to confess he had, and in a few moments the little woman -succeeded in learning the whole story. - -She insisted that it was necessary for her to see Bill's father at once; -but the hunchback begged her not to do anything of the kind, and she -apparently abandoned the idea. - -"Why is it you don't want me to go?" she finally asked. - -"Because when any fuss is raised about me, I'm afraid it'll come to -Farmer Pratt's ears somehow, an' he'll be over here again." - -"I wish he would, for then I could confess to him that I the same as -told a lie, and defy any one to take you children from me." - -"When that time comes we shall have to go," Jack replied despondently; -and Aunt Nancy endeavored to cheer him by displaying Louis's frock, -which was rapidly approaching completion. - -During the remainder of the day Jack busied himself around the farm at -such chores as he or Aunt Nancy could find, and when night came nothing -had been heard of those who insisted he must leave the town. - -The baby sat under the old oak during the evening in all the bravery of -his new dress, and Aunt Nancy discussed the subject matter of her -proposed letter to "Brother Abner" until it was time to retire. - -Then Jack went into his tiny room with a heart full of thankfulness that -his lines "had been cast in such pleasant places," and it seemed as if -his eyes had but just closed in slumber when he was awakened by the -pressure of a soft hand on his face. - -Fear would have caused him to rise to a sitting posture very suddenly -but for the fact that the same gentle pressure forced him to remain in a -reclining position, and then he heard a familiar voice whisper,-- - -"O Jack dear, burglars are trying to get into the house! What _shall_ we -do?" - -He was now thoroughly awake, and as the hand was removed from his mouth -he asked in a low tone,-- - -"Are you certain of that?" - -"Absolutely. I thought I heard an unusual noise, and looked out -when--There! _Do_ you hear that?" - -"It would be strange if I didn't," Jack replied as the creaking of the -shed door swinging back on its hinges sounded remarkably loud and harsh -on the still night air. "I'll get right up; go downstairs and wait for -me." - -"It will be better if I stay in the hall-way," Aunt Nancy said in a -voice, the tremor of which told that she was thoroughly frightened. - -Never before had Jack dressed so quickly, and as he did he tried to -think what course should be pursued. - -There seemed to be no question but that burglars were on the premises, -and to encounter them single handed and alone would be the height of -folly. - -As may be fancied, he had not made a very elaborate toilet when he -joined Aunt Nancy at the head of the stairs. - -It was sufficient that he had on enough clothing to admit of his going -out of doors without danger of taking cold. - -"Have you got a gun or a pistol?" he asked of the little woman who was -shivering with fear as if with an ague fit. - -"No indeed, I never would dare to sleep in the same house with such -things." - -"What have you that I can use as a weapon?" - -"There isn't a single article in this house which is dangerous except -the carving knife, and that is very dull." - -"It will be better than nothing." - -"But you surely don't intend to go out there when desperate men may be -laying in wait to take your life!" - -"Something must be done; we can't stay shut up here and allow them to do -as they please." - -"But you'll be killed, Jack dear"; and poor old Aunt Nancy clung to the -boy in a frenzy of fear. "To think that I've been expecting something of -the kind all my life, and it has come at last!" - -A sound as if the shed door had been closed told Jack he was wasting -what might be precious time. - -"Get the carving knife quick," he whispered, "and when I go out lock the -door after me." - -Aunt Nancy obeyed in silence. - -She brought the knife much as though it was the deadliest of weapons, -and put it in Jack's hands with something very like awe. - -"Don't kill the men if you can help it," she whispered. "It would be -better to frighten them very badly rather than stain your hands with -blood." - -Jack made no reply; but the thought came into his mind that he would -stand a poor chance of frightening a burglar, with nothing but the well -worn knife. - -He opened the door softly. - -Aunt Nancy stood ready to close and lock it instantly he was on the -outside, and the decisive moment had arrived. - - - - -CHAPTER IX. - -THE ALARM. - - -It must be confessed that Jack was not at all eager to face the alleged -burglars. - -He knew very well that if there were no more than two he would stand a -slim chance of driving them away, and even one good sized man might make -it very uncomfortable for him. - -Had he been left to follow his own inclinations, the outer door would -not have been opened, but he knew Aunt Nancy depended upon him for -protection, and he must make a reputation for courage or be disgraced in -her eyes. - -The sky was overcast with clouds, and Jack could not distinguish objects -ten paces away as he stepped on to the broad stone in front of the door. - -He heard the key turn in the lock behind him, and this was sufficient to -tell him he need not expect any assistance from the little woman inside. - -Grasping the carving knife firmly, he moved forward slowly in the -direction of the shed, and saw a shadowy form dart around the corner of -the building. - -Then another, or the same one, returned, approached Jack, and stooped -over as if in the act of placing something on the ground. - -An instant later the shadow had disappeared, and Jack saw before him a -thin line of sparks, apparently coming from the solid earth, but not -sufficiently large to cast any light. - -Quite naturally Jack's first thought was that the miscreants were trying -to set the buildings on fire, and he ran forward to extinguish what -seemed ready to burst into a flame, when there was a muffled report, the -ground appeared to be a mass of coals, while at the same time a soft, -sticky substance was thrown in a shower upon him. - -Jack leaped back in surprise and alarm, and as he did so struck his foot -against some obstruction with sufficient power to throw him headlong. - -The explosion, the sudden glare of light, and the shower of he knew not -what, all served to bewilder the boy to such an extent that for the -moment it seemed as if the same force which caused the report had -knocked him down. - -The first idea which came into his mind was that he had been shot, for -he remembered having heard that the victim does not feel pain for some -time after a bullet enters his body, and the sticky substance on his -face he thought must be blood. - -"That Bill Dean meant what he said, an' has commenced drivin' me out of -town," he muttered to himself, making not the slightest effort to rise, -because he believed it impossible to do so. - -The silence was almost oppressive after the loud report. - -Jack could hear nothing to denote that there was any one in the -vicinity, and was feeling of his limbs to ascertain the amount of injury -done, when a shrill, tremulous voice from the doorway cried,-- - -"Jack! Jack dear! Are you hurt much?" - -"I'm afraid I'm shot. It seems as if I was bleedin' dreadful!" - -"Wait till I can light the lantern, my poor boy"; and the door was -closed and locked again. - -By this time Jack had fully persuaded himself he was seriously wounded, -and wondered how long it would be before the pain came. - -Two minutes later Aunt Nancy, partially dressed and with an odd little -lantern in her hand, emerged very cautiously from the house. - -The fear Jack might be fatally injured was greater than that of the -supposed burglars. Her desire to aid others conquered her timidity, and -the only thought was to bring relief as speedily as possible. - -"Mercy on us! What a dreadful thing!" Aunt Nancy exclaimed as she -arrived at the place where Jack was lying at full length on the ground. -"Tell me where you are hurt, my poor child." - -"I don't know; but it seems as if somethin' tough must have happened, -for I'm bleedin' terribly." - -The little woman knelt by his side, and held the lantern up until its -rays illumined the boy's face. - -"I can't see any blood, Jack dear; but you seem to be literally covered -with something yellow." - -The boy passed his hand over his face, scraping off the supposed -sanguinary fluid, and examined it carefully by aid of the light. - -Then he leaped to his feet very quickly, looking both ashamed and angry. - -"It's some kind of a trick Bill Dean's gang have been playing!" he -cried, and at that instant from behind the barn came a shout of -derision, followed by hearty laughter. - -"Oh, I wish I was strong enough to flog those wicked wretches!" Aunt -Nancy said, her eyes filling with tears of vexation. - -Jack made no reply. - -He had taken the lantern from her hand, and was searching carefully in -the immediate vicinity. - -It was not long before he and Aunt Nancy decided that the yellow -substance was the seeds and pulp of a pumpkin, and Jack said, as he -picked up several pieces of red paper,-- - -"Now I know what it means. Those fellers have dug the inside out of a -pumpkin, and put into it a big firecracker. They waited until I came -near the shed before lighting it, an', of course, when the thing -exploded it sent the stuff flyin'." - -"Thank goodness it was no worse!" the little woman added, and Jack burst -into a hearty laugh. - -Despite the suffering caused by fear, the idea that he had been scared -almost into dying by an exploded pumpkin was comical in the extreme, and -his mirth was not checked until Aunt Nancy asked quite sharply,-- - -"What on earth are you laughing at?" - -"To think how frightened we got about nothing." - -"I'm sure it was a good deal. Here we've been forced out of our beds at -this hour of the night, believing burglars were around, and then scared -nearly to death because it appeared as if you were wounded, all on -account of those terrible boys who wanted to have some sport!" - -"It can't be helped now, an' the sooner you get into the house the less -will be the chances of your taking cold," Jack replied, checking his -mirth with difficulty as he saw how angry Aunt Nancy really was. - -Although it was a practical joke which had caused a great deal of mental -anxiety for a short time, he could not look upon it otherwise than as -funny, except when he realized that this was the first step taken to -drive him out of the town. - -The little woman insisted on examining the interior of the shed to learn -if the boys had done any further mischief, and they found fragments of -pumpkin and paper, showing that the "infernal machine" had been -constructed there. - -Nothing appeared to have been disturbed, and the two who had been so -unceremoniously awakened returned to the house after the pulp was -scraped with a chip from Jack's face, hair, and clothing. - -It was a long time before the boy could induce slumber to visit his -eyelids again that night, but he finally succeeded with such good effect -that he did not awaken until the noise Aunt Nancy made while building -the fire aroused him. - -Dressing hurriedly, he went downstairs in time to do a portion of the -work, and when the milk was brought into the house after old crumple -horn had been driven to pasture, Aunt Nancy asked,-- - -"Do you think you could take care of Louis a little while this -forenoon?" - -"Of course I can. Are you going visitin'?" - -"Yes; I intend to see if something can't be done to prevent those -wretched boys from carrying on in this manner." - -"But, Aunt Nancy--" - -"Now don't say a word, Jack dear. Things were very much like this last -summer when I hired a boy from Portland, and no one can tell what might -have happened if he hadn't run away. I know it is wrong to get angry, -but I can't help it. Seems to me I am growing more wicked every day; -yesterday I just the same as told a lie, and last night I did not -control my angry passions." - -"But, Aunt Nancy--" - -"Don't try to argue with me, or I shall get worse. I am going to see Mr. -Dean at once, and you must keep house till I come back." - -Louis's guardian realized that words would be worse than useless at such -a time, and he wisely refrained from speaking, while Aunt Nancy, as if -trying hard to keep her temper within bounds, did the morning work in -ominous silence. - -When the last duty had been performed, she directed Jack to take the -baby out under the old oak, and then disappeared for half an hour or -more, at the end of which time she reappeared dressed with scrupulous -neatness, but in the quaintest of fashions. - -"I sha'n't be away more than an hour; and if any of those boys show -themselves, be sure to go into the house with Louis at once." - -Saying this, she walked swiftly down the lane, and Jack muttered to -himself as she turned the corner into the main road,-- - -"I'm mighty sorry she's bent on anything of the kind, for I'm certain -there'll be trouble for me come out of it." - -Fortunately nothing occurred to cause alarm during the little woman's -absence. - -Jack amused the baby, split more kindlings and piled them up in the -shed, being thus occupied when Aunt Nancy returned, looking mildly -triumphant. - -"There!" she said in a tone of satisfaction as she seated herself -beneath the old oak and fanned her heated face with a tiny -pocket-handkerchief, "I did control my temper, and I don't think the -Dean boy will trouble either of us again." - -"Did you tell his father?" - -"I gave him a full account of all which had been done, both this summer -and last. Mr. Dean has promised me nothing of the kind shall ever happen -again, and we are free from that annoyance." - -Jack thought, but did not venture to put it into words, that Bill Dean -would not give up the struggle so easily, and felt convinced there was -yet more serious trouble in store for him before the summer came to an -end. - -"Do you know, Jack dear, I would give almost anything in the world if I -hadn't told a lie to Mr. Pratt. We should have stood our ground, and -defied him to take you and the baby away, rather than commit a sin." - -"But I can't see that you were so very wicked, Aunt Nancy. He would have -carried us off in spite of anything you could say, an' I'm sure you -didn't tell a lie." - -"It is on my conscience just the same, Jack dear, and I shall never feel -easy in mind," the little woman replied with a long-drawn sigh. - -Jack was really distressed because Aunt Nancy should regret so deeply -what was done in his behalf; but he could think of nothing consoling to -say, since she insisted on believing a downright falsehood had been -told. - -"I am also to be condemned for having given way to my temper; but those -boys do try it so severely it is very difficult to remember that he who -'rules his spirit is better than he who taketh a city.'" - -Jack looked up in bewilderment. - -He did not understand the application of the quotation, and the remark -about taking a city mystified him. - -Aunt Nancy was so intent on her own sad thoughts that she paid no -attention to his perplexity, and after a long silence entered the house, -returning a few moments later in her home costume, which the boy thought -more becoming than the antiquated finery she had been arrayed in for the -call on Bill Dean's father. - -The little woman did not give Jack the details of her visit to Mr. Dean; -but he felt more confident than ever that it was an ill-advised move, so -far as his own peace was concerned, and but a little time was to elapse -before this was to be proven. - -"I believe I will send a line to Brother Abner now," Aunt Nancy suddenly -said. "It is time he learned what has happened; and since we have no -pressing work on hand, you can mind the baby. It isn't as easy for me to -write letters as it used to be. I need a long while in which to compose -my thoughts." - -Then the little woman set about the task, and it could be seen it was a -hard one by the manner in which she began. - -Watching through the open window, Jack saw her bring pens, paper, and -ink from her chamber to the kitchen, and then nibble at the end of her -penholder as if to derive inspiration from that source. - -Had it been some weighty document of state she could not have been more -particular, and fully two hours were spent before the labor was -completed. - -"Took me a long while, didn't it?" she asked on coming into the yard -once more. "I believe I've told Abner the whole story, and we'll soon -know if the baby's parents are yet alive." - -"Shall I carry it to the post-office?" - -"Mercy! no. It is in Treat's store, and I couldn't think of letting you -take that long walk again to-day." - -"It won't hurt me a bit." - -"You must stay here quietly with me, and to-morrow perhaps you shall -go. There is plenty of time, and who knows if Abner is home now; he's a -master hand at gadding about, which accounts for his being so poor. I've -always told him that 'a rolling stone gathers no moss,' but he laughs it -off by saying he doesn't want to be moss-grown." - - - - -CHAPTER X. - -SICKNESS. - - -Now that the important letter had been written, Aunt Nancy was in no -hurry to mail it. - -She acted very much as if believing the children would be lost to her -immediately after Abner learned the news, and it was simply a case of -"deferring the evil day." - -During the afternoon Jack further endeared himself to the little woman's -heart by patching up the door of the shed in such a manner that it could -not be opened readily, and fastening it with an old padlock he found in -the barn. - -"That is just what I have been wanting for a long time," Aunt Nancy -exclaimed in surprise when he called her to see the result of his -labors. "How strange I can't do that as well as you!" - -"That's because you're a woman," Jack replied, not a little delighted -with the praise bestowed upon him. - -"It may be; but I'm so very much older, it seems as if I should be able -to do such things properly, and yet I can't even drive a nail." - -"There'll be no need of your doin' it while I'm 'round." - -"And I hope you and Louis will stay a long time; but I suppose it isn't -right to say so, for although there isn't any chance his mother can be -alive after the ship exploded, he has probably relatives who want to see -him." - -During the remainder of the day, Jack assisted the little woman with the -housework, and at sunset the two sat in the favorite place under the old -oak, until Louis became unusually fretful. - -After trying in vain to soothe him, Aunt Nancy insisted they should -retire, saying as she went toward the house,-- - -"I am afraid he doesn't feel very well. Are you sure he didn't play in -the sun while I was away?" - -"I kept him in the shade as much as I could. Do you think he can be -sick?" - -"Not enough for us to worry about, Jack dear. Children are apt to fuss -when everything don't go just right. After I undress him, we'll read the -Book, and then you shall go to bed." - -The fact that Louis was not in his usual good spirits and temper -worried Jack considerably, despite the little woman's cheery words, and -when he went to his tiny room it was impossible for him to sleep -immediately. - -He had lain awake fully two hours, at times speculating as to how he and -the baby would finally get to New York, and again wondering if it could -be possible that both Captain and Mrs. Littlefield were dead, when the -stairway door was opened, as Aunt Nancy whispered cautiously,-- - -"Jack! Jack dear! Are you awake?" - -The boy was on his feet in an instant. - -"What's the matter? Is Louis worse?" - -"He seems to be quite sick. Will you dress and come down?" - -Jack answered this summons very quickly as he tried to keep back the dry -sob which came into his throat, for it seemed as if the greatest -misfortune which could befall him would be to lose the baby at the time -when he was in such a good home. - -He found Aunt Nancy in the kitchen with Louis in her arms. - -A fire had been built in the stove, and the little woman was seated in -front of it rocking the baby as she stirred the boiling contents of a -tin kettle. - -"Do you know what catnip is when you see it growing?" she asked as Jack -entered the room. - -"I don't; but if you'll tell me where to go, I'll hunt for it." - -"Light the lantern, so there won't be any mistake, and run out to the -lane. You'll find some growing along the fence. Get as much as will fill -this kettle, and come back as soon as you can." - -"Is he very bad?" Jack asked in a trembling voice as he gazed at the -baby's flushed cheeks. - -"I never have had much experience with children, but I guess a little -catnip tea will bring him around all right by morning." - -"Hadn't we better have a doctor?" - -"There is no need yet, and, besides, there isn't one within six miles." - -"It don't make any difference how far it is, I'm willin' to walk any -distance for him." - -"We will first see what the morning brings forth." - -Jack delayed no longer. - -The lantern was lighted, and he started at once in search of an herb he -did not even know by sight. - -Ten minutes later he returned with an armful of green leaves, and Aunt -Nancy bestowed but one hasty glance upon them when she cried,-- - -"O Jack, Jack, you've spent your time gathering burdocks! If you can -hold the baby, I'll go after it myself." - -"I'd rather try ag'in than have you go out where the grass is wet with -dew." - -"It won't hurt me. Take Louis"; and the little woman put the baby in -Jack's arms as she hurried away, lantern in hand. - -It seemed to Jack as if she had but left the house before she returned -with the desired herb, and the boy said in surprise,-- - -"Is that what you call catnip? I saw plenty of it, but didn't think the -leaves were big enough to do any good." - -"In this world it isn't the big things which are capable of working the -most benefit, Jack." - -"If I hadn't known that before, I should after seeing you, Aunt Nancy. -You're small, but there couldn't be anybody gooder." - -Although the little woman said nothing, it could readily be seen that -the compliment pleased her. - -She bustled around much like a busy sparrow, putting the herbs in the -kettle, making sundry mysterious decoctions, and otherwise preparing -such things as she thought might be of benefit to the baby. - -Jack held Louis meanwhile, and before Aunt Nancy was ready to take him -again he asked in a low tone,-- - -"Do you think there is any chance he would die?" - -"I don't believe he is in any danger now, Jack dear; but all of us -should think of death as something which will come sooner or later." - -The boy was silent for a moment, and then he asked abruptly,-- - -"You pray for everything you want, why don't you do it now so he'll be -sure to live?" - -"It wouldn't be right to ask God simply for the child's life." - -"Why not?" - -"Because He doeth all things well, and we do not know what His purpose -may be." - -"But there can't be any good come of takin' Louis away from me, when -he's all I've got." - -"That is something you don't know, Jack dear. What God does is right, -and we must bow to His will." - -Aunt Nancy spoke in such a solemn tone, or, as Jack afterward expressed -it, "like as if she was in meetin'," that the boy could say no more, but -watched intently every move the little woman made until she was ready to -take the baby in her arms once more. - -This night was a long one to both, for neither thought of going to -sleep. - -Once Aunt Nancy insisted Jack should lie down; but he pleaded so hard to -be allowed to remain awake, that she said no more, and the two sat with -Louis until daybreak. - -During this long time neither spoke until the baby had fallen asleep, -and Jack was on the point of going out to milk the cow, when the little -woman said in a tone very like that of fear,-- - -"Wouldn't it be a dreadful thing if I should be punished for telling a -lie to Mr. Pratt, by losing Louis just now when we are living so -comfortably?" - -"But you didn't tell a lie," Jack replied just a trifle impatiently. - -"Both you and I know I did, however much we may try to persuade -ourselves that it isn't so, and I am certain some punishment will -follow." - -Jack shook his head incredulously. - -He began to understand that it would be useless to attempt to convince -Aunt Nancy she had not committed a grievous sin, and was disposed to -lose faith in a religion which would condemn so good a woman for having -saved himself and the baby from much trouble. - -To avoid paining her by saying what was in his mind, he went out to -milk, and on returning found the baby sleeping naturally. - -"He seems much relieved," Aunt Nancy said as she put him to bed. "He -will probably sleep a long while, and you had better get some rest." - -Jack insisted that he did not need any, and continued doing such chores -as he could find around the house until breakfast was ready, after which -he proposed going to the post-office. - -"Now the letter is written it had better be mailed, an' perhaps there -are some things you want from the store." - -"I do need a few notions; but it seems too bad to have you walk so far -this hot morning." - -"It'll do me good. I can be back by noon, and the weather won't be very -warm while I'm goin' over." - -Aunt Nancy allowed herself to be persuaded, because there really were -some groceries she wanted, and after making out a list with infinite -care, cautioning him not to pay more than five cents a pound for the -coarse sugar and eighty cents for the tea, she gave him a lunch to be -eaten during the return journey. - -"I don't want you to stay any longer than is necessary; but at the same -time you mustn't hurry too fast," she said, as he walked rapidly down -the lane; and Jack replied,-- - -"I'll be back by noon, unless something terrible happens." - -Although the hunchback could not move as fast as more favored boys, he -"kept at it," to use his favorite expression, and by this means was able -to get over the ground with reasonable rapidity. - -He was travelling steadily on, thinking of the baby and Aunt Nancy's -apparently needless sorrow at having acted a lie during Mr. Pratt's -call, when he was aroused to a sense of what was passing around him by -hearing the disagreeably familiar voice of Bill Dean, as he shouted,-- - -"Hold on there a minute, I want to see you." - -Bill was coming across the fields at full speed, and, knowing he could -not escape if the bully should pursue him, Jack halted. - -"So you're tryin' to hide behind Aunt Nancy's apron strings, eh?" Master -Dean cried as he reached the road. - -"I don't know what you mean." - -"Oh, yes, you do. Didn't you send her over to tell my father that I was -goin' to drive you out of town, an' didn't she let on about the lickin' -we give you?" - -"That was her business. I tried to stop her, for I can 'tend to my own -battles." - -"Perhaps you can; we'll see about that later. Say, what of that man who -was over here huntin' for you?" - -Jack's cheeks grew pale. - -He understood to whom Bill referred, and it seemed positive the whole -story would be known, despite the sacrifice made by Aunt Nancy. - -"Haven't got anything to say, eh? Well, I'm goin' to see him, an' tell -where you are, then we'll see how you like tattlers." - -Jack was frightened beyond the power of speech. - -He had no idea but that his enemy knew exactly where to find Mr. Pratt, -and firmly believed the time was near at hand when he and Louis would be -forcibly taken away from Aunt Nancy's kindly care. - -"That don't seem to strike you very well!" Bill cried with a laugh of -triumph. "We'll have this thing fixed up in short order, an' then I -reckon old Nancy will be ready to hire boys who know their business." - -"What makes you jump down on me?" Jack asked piteously. - -"You know mighty well. We told you what to do, an' you thought we -didn't mean business. Now you'll soon find out." - -Jack hadn't the heart to hold any further conversation with his -tormentor. - -His only thought was to hurry on that he might be alone where the matter -could be calmly discussed in his own mind, and walked swiftly away, -followed by Bill's jeering words. - -Now indeed he had a cup running over with sorrow. If his enemies knew of -Mr. Pratt, it would not be long before that gentleman learned of his -whereabouts, and it surely seemed as if the time had finally come when -he must start out on the long journey, leaving behind the dearest friend -he had ever met since the day when his mother crossed the dark river. - -"There's no help for it," he said resolutely, "an' I've got to look at -this thing right. Bill will tell the farmer right away, an' the sooner -we leave the farther we'll be off when they come to find us." - -Thus the matter was settled in his mind that the flight should be -resumed at the earliest moment it might be safe to take Louis out of -doors. - - - - -CHAPTER XI. - -GARDENING. - - -It can readily be supposed Jack was not inclined to linger on the road -after this interview with Bill Dean. - -That the latter would inform Farmer Pratt of his whereabouts he had no -doubt, and this was a method of driving him "out of town" for which he -was not prepared. - -Walking at full speed, running over the descending ground, and trying to -keep on at a good pace when he ascended hills, the journey to Treat's -store was accomplished in a remarkably short time. - -He found many customers before him, however, and was obliged to wait -until it should be his turn, although he felt quite certain every moment -was precious. - -It was the proprietor of the establishment, who also acted as -postmaster, that waited upon him, and while weighing out the "notions" -Aunt Nancy had sent for, the gentleman said, as if answering his own -question,-- - -"So you've been hired by Aunt Nancy." - -"I'm stayin' there a little while, sir." - -"You are, eh? Where do you hail from?" - -Jack hesitated an instant, and then replied with a forced laugh,-- - -"I s'pose I oughter say I belong to the farm, 'cause I haven't any other -home." - -"An orphan, eh?" - -"Yes, sir." - -"Where did your folks useter live?" - -Jack was not aware that Mr. Treat had the name of being the most -inveterate gossip in the neighborhood; but felt positive there was no -good reason why he should satisfy his curiosity on this point, more -particularly since, in view of Bill Dean's threats, he wished to keep as -a secret everything concerning himself, therefore said with an -assumption of carelessness,-- - -"Almost anywhere. You see I was brought up to be a sailor." - -"Sho! Is that so? Well now I wouldn't think you'd make much of a fist -shinnin' 'round on the riggin'." - -"Even if I am crooked I might be as spry as other fellers." - -"That's a fact; but you don't look it"; and then the worthy Mr. Treat -turned his attention to the list Aunt Nancy had written for Jack's -guidance. - -When the goods had been made ready the proprietor of the store would -have questioned the messenger further, but the latter hurried away -without replying to what he did not consider it was necessary strangers -should know. - -Jack arrived at the farm unusually early, and Aunt Nancy exclaimed as he -came up the lane looking heated and breathless,-- - -"Well, I declare! It does beat all how you can get over the ground! Why, -I've known it to take Daniel Chick's horse a good bit longer to go to -the post-office and back." - -"I was in a hurry to talk with you, an' so come as quick as I could, for -I'm afraid Louis an' I must go away, even after all that's been done." - -The little woman looked up quickly in mingled alarm and surprise. - -"Why, what has happened, Jack dear?" - -For reply the boy repeated that which Bill Dean had said, and added in -conclusion,-- - -"You see Mr. Pratt will be over here the minute he hears the news, an' -then everything is settled the wrong way." - -"Are you certain Bill Dean knows where he lives?" - -"Of course he must, else he wouldn't have said what he did." - -"I'm sorry to have to doubt his word; but I couldn't put the least -dependence in a thing he says, and there are more than me in this town -of the same opinion. Besides, he is too indolent to walk so far." - -"Still there's a chance he might send some word." - -"You are right, Jack; but at the same time I wouldn't borrow trouble. In -case that man should come, you can find some way of keeping out of his -clutches until I see the 'Squire." - -"What good would that do?" - -"I don't know; but it does seem as if we might prevent him from carrying -you and the baby away when I'm not only willing but anxious to have you -both stay with me. I don't believe there is any law to compel children -who have a good home to go to a poorhouse, and if there is the least bit -more bother I'm going to have the matter settled once and for all in the -'Squire's court." - -Aunt Nancy spoke in such a decided tone, and seemed so thoroughly -convinced there was a legal remedy for the trouble, that Jack felt -relieved at once. - -"I could get out of his way, no matter how close he got to me; but -there's the baby. It might be I was where I couldn't find Louis quick -enough when the farmer came, an' then he'd soon drag him away." - -"The baby will be with me, and I promise you there'll be no dragging -when I'm around," the little woman said with considerable dignity. "Keep -up your courage, and I'm sure we shall come out all right, except for -that miserable action of mine yesterday. If I had told the truth then -and defied him, things would seem a great deal smoother now." - -"Then I'll hold on a while longer." - -"Certainly, and in the future stay close around the house, so those -terrible boys can't make mischief. Did you ever do any gardening, Jack?" - -"Do you mean plantin' seeds an' makin' 'em grow?" - -"I mean cultivating the ground. No one can force the seeds to grow but -He who rules over all. I would dearly love to have a few string beans -and some cabbages, but it's so expensive hiring the land ploughed that I -haven't been able to afford it." - -"I could dig up a good deal with a shovel." - -"If you'll try it I will get the seeds, and perhaps we shall have the -pleasure of harvesting our own crops." - -Jack was so relieved in mind that he did not feel any fatigue because of -the long walk, and insisted on beginning work in the garden at once. - -Despite all Aunt Nancy could say against it, he labored industriously -with the shovel during the next two hours, and at the end of that time -as much ground had been prepared as the little woman thought necessary. - -"It won't do to try too much at first," she said musingly, as, with -Louis in her arms, she watched the deformed boy make ready the small -plot between the woodshed and barn. "I'll see about the seeds to-morrow, -and it does seem as if we might put in more than cabbages and beans now -that we've got so much room. I didn't suppose you would care to dig up -very much." - -"It isn't such hard work but that I'd be willin' to make one twice this -size; as it is, I reckon you can plant pretty nearly all you want." - -Then Aunt Nancy, looking very grave as if the task was one of the -greatest importance, measured the plot into rows, putting in little -bits of wood to mark where each kind of seed should be planted, and when -it was finished she looked thoroughly happy. - -"We shall have a famous garden, Jack dear, and it won't be necessary for -me to spend so much money for vegetables when the summer boarders come. -They always wonder why I don't raise my own green stuff." - -The garden and the plans concerning it gave both so much pleasure that, -for the time being at least, Farmer Pratt was almost forgotten. - -The chores occupied Jack's time during the remainder of the day, and -when he retired it was to fall asleep almost immediately because of -fatigue. - -Early next morning Aunt Nancy visited one of the neighbors to procure -seeds, and when another night came every row was planted. - -During the three succeeding days Jack remained near the house, never -going farther away than the main road, where he spent his spare time -watching for Farmer Pratt. - -It surely seemed as if Bill Dean was ignorant of the gentleman's -address, or, as Aunt Nancy had suggested, was too indolent to make the -journey to Scarborough, for nothing was seen or heard of Tom's father, -and Jack began to feel a certain sense of security. - -Louis was as contented as a child well could be, and each day claimed -more of the little woman's affections until she actually began to look -forward with dismay to the coming of the summer boarders, because then -she could not devote to him so much of her time. - -Never once was the nightly search for burglars omitted; and when Jack -asked why such a labor was necessary when it was positive no one could -enter the house during the day without her knowledge, she replied with -an ominous shake of the head,-- - -"We can't say, Jack dear, what might happen. I have done this same thing -for the last fifteen years, and don't intend to be careless now in my -old age." - -"But you never found anybody, did you?" - -"No, and I hope I never shall; but it would be impossible to sleep if I -neglected what seems like a solemn duty." - -On the fourth day after the garden was planted both Jack and Aunt Nancy -visited it twice to see if the seeds had sprouted, and several times did -the sight of a weed cause them the greatest joy for a few moments, since -it seemed certain something in the vegetable line had shown itself. - -Like Farmer Pratt, Bill Dean remained out of sight, and the little woman -was confident she had frightened him away. - -"We can count on being left alone this summer, Jack dear, for he won't -show his head around here. In all the years I have lived on the farm, -when I went to his father was the first time I ever made a complaint to -a neighbor, and I hope it will be the last, for I do think people should -avoid troubling others with such things. We are told that we must -forgive our brother seventy times seven; but there was no use in doing -that by William, since it made no difference to him whether he was -forgiven or not." - -Jack was not so confident that those who threatened to drive him away -had relinquished their purpose; but he said nothing regarding his fears, -since no good could come of alarming the little woman. The day on which -the first cabbage showed two tiny leaves above the surface was a -red-letter day for the amateur gardeners. - -Aunt Nancy spent at least two hours admiring it, and the seat under the -big oak was abandoned at sunset in order that she might search for -further proofs of their success. - -"There is so much pleasure in having a garden that I shall never again -be without one, that is," she added with a sigh, "if I have you with me. -I can't bear to think that the time may come when we must part." - -"May come? Why, it must come, Aunt Nancy. Just as soon as the weather -gets cool, we are bound to start." - -"I have been thinking perhaps Louis hasn't any relatives living, and in -that case what would prevent you and he from staying here until I go -down into the valley of the shadow of death?" - -"Nothing would suit me better," Jack replied emphatically. "This is the -first home I have ever known, and it will be hard to leave it." - -"If you do go, Jack dear, it will be a lonely old woman you leave -behind. I had gotten accustomed to living alone; but now it is -different, and the house would seem deserted without you and the baby. -Yet I am afraid something of the kind must happen to punish me for -telling Mr. Pratt a lie. It is through a crime that I was enabled to -enjoy your company, and we know what are the wages of sin." - -Jack was not disposed to allow the conversation to continue in this -channel. - -He could not bring himself to believe the little woman had done anything -wrong in letting Farmer Pratt think he and Louis were not there, and it -made him impatient to hear her blame herself so severely. - -"You see, Aunt Nancy, we would have to leave whether you done as you did -or not, for how can we tell whether Capt. Littlefield or his wife are -alive unless we go to find out?" - -"Oh, Abner will attend to all that! He lived in York State so long that -he knows nearly every one in it by this time, and when we hear from him -the whole story must be known, for interesting himself in other people's -affairs is what exactly suits Abner." - -Jack could not be satisfied with this reply. - -He believed implicitly everything Aunt Nancy told him, and she was so -positive that there appeared to be no chance for doubt. - -The little woman was called from the contemplation of the garden by that -which, for a moment, caused Jack the greatest alarm. - -The rattle of wheels was heard from the road, and an instant later Aunt -Nancy said in surprise,-- - -"Mercy on us! who can that be driving up the lane?" - -"It is the farmer comin' for us!" Jack cried excitedly as he caught -Louis from Aunt Nancy's arms, and would have run off at full speed if -she had not restrained him. - -"Wait a moment, my child. I don't see any man in the wagon." - -Jack looked quickly in the direction of the newcomers and then said,-- - -"There are two women, but one of them may be Mrs. Pratt." - -Again he would have sought refuge in flight but for Aunt Nancy's -detaining hand. - -"It is only Mrs. Hayes and Mrs. Souders. I suppose they have come to -make a call, and what _will_ they think at seeing the house in such -confusion?" - -Jack, now that his fears were allayed, could not repress a smile at the -idea of Aunt Nancy's house ever being in anything save a cleanly and -orderly condition; but the little woman appeared really distressed -because she had not had an opportunity to inspect it thoroughly before -receiving company. - -"Take care of Louis, and stay under the oak-tree until I come out -again," she said, hurrying away to receive the newcomers. - -Jack loitered near the barn where he would not be seen until the -visitors had alighted, tied securely the aged horse, whose only -ambition appeared to be to remain motionless, and entered the house. - -Then, instead of doing as Aunt Nancy had suggested, he took Louis into -the woodshed, amusing him there for nearly an hour, when the two ladies -departed. - -"Where are you, Jack?" the little woman called softly when the horse had -drawn the wagon and its occupants on to the highway. - -"What is the matter?" Jack cried, as on emerging from his place of -retreat he saw a look of deepest anxiety on Aunt Nancy's face. "Did they -come here to take us away?" - -"It's not quite as bad as that," the little woman replied with a -long-drawn sigh, "but very nearly. What _do_ you suppose they wanted?" - -Jack didn't even attempt to hazard a guess, and Aunt Nancy continued in -a mournful tone,-- - -"They want to hold the monthly sewing circle here day after to-morrow!" - -"Well?" Jack asked, surprised that such a request should have caused so -much distress. - -"Well? Why, Jack, how can you treat it so lightly? Just think of it! -Only one day to clean house, go to the store, and do all the cooking!" - -"I don't see that there'll be very much to do in the way of cleaning -house. It shines like a new three-cent piece already, and how are you -goin' to make it look any better?" - -"O Jack! boys don't understand about such things. You can't see in the -corners where the dirt always lodges, and the company will be sure to -find everything that is slighted." - -"Well, I can go to the store for you at least." - -"I wouldn't allow you to take the chances of seeing William Dean even if -you could do the errands, which is impossible. I must get Mr. Chick to -carry me over in his team, and while I am away you and Louis are to stay -in the house with the doors locked." - -"I don't think there is any need of that. Those fellers wouldn't dare to -come here." - -"I can't believe they would; but at the same time it will do no harm to -be careful. Now what _shall_ we have for supper?" - -"Do you mean to-night?" - -"Of course not. It doesn't make any difference what we eat for a day or -two; but we must think very seriously of what is to be cooked for the -circle." - -"Have some of your nice biscuits and a piece of cake. If folks can get -anything better than that, they deserve to go hungry." - -"O Jack! you don't understand such things. I should be mortified almost -to death if I didn't do as well as Mrs. Souders did when the circle met -at her house last month." - -Then Aunt Nancy, looking as if a heavy burden of care had suddenly -fallen upon her, went in to the kitchen, taking Louis with her, that -Jack might be free to milk the cow. - - - - -CHAPTER XII. - -LOUIS'S ADVENTURE. - - -On this evening, immediately after supper had been eaten and the dishes -washed, Aunt Nancy announced that it would be necessary for her to call -upon Mr. Daniel Chick. - -"If I wait until morning his team may not be at home, and, besides, I -want him to be ready to make an early start. We must be back by noon at -the latest." - -"Why not let me go and tell him what you want?" Jack asked. - -"Because you don't know where he lives, and then again it is necessary -to pass Mr. Dean's in order to reach his house. William might be at -home, and who knows what would happen?" - -Then Aunt Nancy made a hurried toilet, clothing herself in one of those -quaint costumes which Jack did not think at all becoming, and said, as -she entered the kitchen again,-- - -"You must promise not to step your foot out of doors while I am gone. -Keep everything well locked, and if any one should happen to call don't -show yourself without first learning who they are." - -Jack agreed, and while the little woman was absent he rocked Louis to -sleep, swept the floor until one would have said a broom ought to be -ashamed for going over such a cleanly surface with any idea of -collecting dirt, and was in the "fore-room" with a lighted candle -admiring the crockery rooster when Aunt Nancy returned. - -"It's me, Jack dear!" she cried as she knocked softly on the door, and -when it was opened, entered with the air of one who has been successful. - -"I got there just in time. He was going over to Henry Mitchell's to tell -him he'd haul gravel to-morrow; but of course he had rather go to -Treat's, for the work isn't so hard on either himself or his horse. Now -we must get to bed early, for I told him I wanted to start by sunrise at -the very latest." - -"But, Aunt Nancy, you don't mean that I am to stay in the house with the -doors locked all the forenoon, do you? There are lots of things I could -do; but it would be pretty warm if there wasn't any chance for air." - -"I suppose you might have the doors open, provided you kept a sharp -watch on the road, and closed them again in case that Dean boy or his -associates should come," the little woman replied thoughtfully. - -"What shall I do?" - -"You could clean the knives and forks, and wash all the best dishes -through two waters. Be careful when you wipe them, Jack dear, for it -would be terrible if any should be broken." - -After these arrangements had been made, Aunt Nancy remained silent a -short time to free her mind from worldly thoughts, and then came the -evening devotions, when the little woman prayed earnestly for the "weary -and heavy laden," which Jack thought was a reference to herself and the -expected company. - -It was yet dark next morning when a noise from the kitchen aroused the -hunchback, and hurrying down he found Aunt Nancy busily engaged -preparing breakfast. - -"Why, you must have stayed awake all night!" he exclaimed in surprise. - -"Indeed I wasn't so foolish as to do anything of the kind; but when I -have work on hand I like to be about it, and goodness knows there's -plenty for me to do between now and to-morrow night." - -"Did you wake Louis?" - -"No; let him sleep as long as he chooses. You can dress and give him -some bread and milk?" - -"That part of it will be all right," Jack replied confidently, and then -he prepared to astonish old crumple-horn by appearing before her while -it was yet so dark that she could hardly see the lunch of clover to -which she was accustomed during milking time. - -Breakfast had been cooked, eaten, and the dishes washed before Mr. -Daniel Chick and his venerable horse came up the lane. - -Aunt Nancy was not only ready for the journey, but had begun to grow -impatient because of the delay, when he reined up in front of the broad -stone step as he said in a cheery tone, calculated to soothe any angry -feelings,-- - -"Well, I must say you're a master hand at gettin' up, Aunt Nancy. 'Pears -like as if you was allers on foot like a sparrer." - -"I try to do what I have on hand in good season," was the rather sharp -reply. "There would be less poor folks in this world if people didn't -dally round in such a shiftless manner." - -Mr. Chick knew full well that this remark was aimed especially at him; -but like a wise man he made no reply lest worse should follow, and -turned the wheels of the wagon that the little woman might have no -trouble in clambering on board. - -Aunt Nancy stopped only long enough to give some parting advice to Jack. - -"Be sure to keep a sharp watch on the road if you have the doors open," -she whispered, "and don't go out, even into the yard, unless it is -absolutely necessary, for nobody knows what may happen. When you wash -the best dishes be careful, Jack dear, for I should feel very badly in -case any were broken." - -"I'll attend to it in great shape, Aunt Nancy." - -"Don't give Louis too much milk at a time, the weather is so hot that it -might curdle on his stomach; and if I don't succeed in getting home -until afternoon, there is some cold meat and cake on the hanging shelf -in the cellar. Don't go without a lunch; it is very unhealthy to work -while you are hungry." - -"Who's dallying now, Aunt Nancy?" Mr. Chick cried as he tried to prevent -his horse from nibbling at the honeysuckle-bush. - -"If you had come as you agreed I should have had plenty of time to -attend to matters," was the sharp reply; and then with many injunctions -for him to keep a firm hold on the reins, the little woman succeeded in -gaining the rather shaky seat. - -"Take good care of Louis!" she cried as the horse ambled slowly down the -lane; and Jack re-entered the house feeling decidedly lonely at the -prospect of being without Aunt Nancy for several hours. - -In order to occupy his mind he set about the work laid out, and was so -industrious that before the baby made known the fact of being awake, the -knives and forks had been cleaned. - -Fully an hour was spent dressing and feeding Louis, after which he was -allowed to play on the kitchen floor while his crooked guardian washed -the "best dishes." - -This was a task which required considerable time, and at eleven o'clock -it was hardly more than half finished. - -Then again Louis wanted milk, and when it had been given him he insisted -upon being allowed to go out on the doorstep. - -At first Jack was disposed to keep him in the house; but when he became -fretful, gave him his own way, as he said half to himself,-- - -"I don't s'pose there can be any harm in lettin' you stay here; but if -anything _should_ happen, Aunt Nancy would think I had been careless." - -After that he kept a strict watch over the baby, going to the door every -few moments, and on each occasion finding Louis playing contentedly -with a string of buttons the little woman had prepared for him. - -The fact that he showed no disposition to leave the broad stone caused -Jack to have less care than usual, and this, coupled with the idea of -cleaning the most elaborate dishes, rendered him oblivious to the flight -of time. - -He was brought to a realization of what was passing around by hearing -the rumble of a carriage in the lane, and almost before he could reach -the door, Aunt Nancy was in the house, while Mr. Chick had driven away -at the full speed of his very slow horse. - -"Did you get along all right, Jack dear?" the little woman asked, as she -deposited an armful of bundles on the table. - -"Yes, indeed. You see there has been plenty of work, and it doesn't seem -any time since you left." - -"Where is the baby?" - -"On the doorstep. He fussed to go out, an' I thought the fresh air -wouldn't do him any harm." - -"Which doorstep?" - -"Why here, of course"; and Jack stepped forward only to give vent to a -cry of alarm an instant later. "He isn't here at all! Where do you -suppose he could have gone?" - -Aunt Nancy was at the door before he ceased speaking, and gazed up and -down the yard in bewilderment, but without seeing any signs of the -missing baby. - -For an instant the two stood gazing at each other in perplexity, and -then Aunt Nancy asked sharply,-- - -"How long since you saw him?" - -"It didn't seem many minutes before you came; but I s'pose it must have -been, else he'd be 'round here now." - -"Run up to the barn and see if he is there!" - -As she spoke the little woman went down the lane, returning just as Jack -came back. - -"He isn't there," the latter said. - -"Nor on the road. Of course he must be somewhere near, for children -can't disappear entirely in such a mysterious fashion. Go up the lane -and I'll look back of the barn." - -"But then we shall be leaving the barn alone You stay here an' I'll do -the searchin'." - -"It wouldn't make any difference if we left the house wide open for a -month, I couldn't stand still while that dear little baby is wandering -around nobody knows where." - -Jack understood that it would be useless to remonstrate, and started off -at full speed. - -Up to the entire length of the lane he ran without finding that for -which he sought, and then back to the house where he was met by Aunt -Nancy on whose wrinkled face was written fear and anguish. - -She did not wait for him to tell her that the search had been in vain, -but cried,-- - -"Go up through the field from the shed. There is a place where he might -have gotten through the fence, and it would lead directly to the duck -pond if he kept on in a straight line!" - -There was a tone in her voice which told of the fear she had regarding -the possible ending of his adventures; and Jack, with a mental prayer -that he would find the little fellow before it was too late, ran across -the enclosure, Aunt Nancy going in the same direction, but at a slight -angle. - -The little woman's anxiety gave fleetness to her feet, and she travelled -even faster than Jack could. - -Both called loudly from time to time, but without receiving any answer, -and Jack's heart grew heavy as he thought of what might have happened -while he was in the house all unconscious of impending trouble. - -As the two neared the pond the figure of a boy could be distinguished -among the foliage of alders running at full speed toward the main road, -and Jack shouted to Aunt Nancy,-- - -"There goes one of Bill Dean's gang. They know where Louis is." - -This caused the little woman to redouble her cries, and a few seconds -later two more boys could be dimly seen as they hurried away, keeping -well within the shelter of the bushes to avoid recognition. - -There was no longer any question in Jack's mind but that he would soon -find the baby, nor was he mistaken. - -On arriving in view of the pond both saw a rudely constructed raft of -fence rails at least ten yards from the shore, and on it, crowing and -laughing as if he was having the jolliest possible time sat Louis. - -"How can we reach him?" Aunt Nancy cried, as she stood wringing her -hands, while the big tears ran down her cheeks. "He will surely be -drowned, Jack! What is to be done?" - -The hunchback had no thought of his own safety or discomfort as compared -with that of rescuing the baby. - -Without hesitation he ran into the pond, continuing on at risk of being -mired, until the water was above his waist, and the baby held out his -hands to be taken. - -[Illustration: Jack ran into the pond, until the water was above his -waist, and the baby held out his hands to be taken.--Page 147.] - -"Sit still Louis, sit still an' Jack will come to you!" - -It was impossible to run very fast through the water; and to Aunt Nancy, -who stood on the bank in helpless grief, it seemed as if the deformed -lad hardly moved, so slow was his progress. - -More than once did it appear as if the baby would attempt to leave the -raft in order to meet his crooked guardian; but by dint of coaxing, Jack -succeeded in persuading him to remain seated until he gained his side. - -Then he lifted the child in his arms, staggering ashore to where the -little woman stood waiting to receive him, and the rescue was -accomplished. - -Aunt Nancy alternately laughed and cried as she pressed Louis closely to -her bosom, and Jack stood silently by, wondering whether he was to be -scolded for having so grossly neglected his charge. - -It was several moments before she paid any attention to the older boy, -and then it was to exclaim,-- - -"Mercy on us, Jack! I had entirely forgotten you! Run home as soon as -possible, or you will catch your death a cold!" - -"A wettin' won't hurt me on a warm day like this. I'm used to such -things." - -"But you must change your clothes at once, and there's no other way but -to put on one of my dresses again." - -Jack gave no heed to this suggestion, or command, whichever it might be -called. He was trying to understand how the baby could have come so far -without assistance, when Aunt Nancy said suddenly,-- - -"It doesn't take one loner to realize how the dear little fellow came -here. Those wicked boys must have found him near the shed, and brought -him to this place." - -Several poles lying near by told how the raft was forced toward the -centre of the pond, and the fact that three fellows had been seen -running through the bushes was sufficient proof, at least to Aunt Nancy -and Jack, that Bill Dean and his friends had done the mischief. - -"I should forget everything I ought to remember if I had that Dean boy -here this minute!" the little woman said angrily as she surveyed the -evidences of the cruel work. "It is a burning shame that such as he -should be allowed among decent people!" - -"We don't know for certain that it was Bill Dean," Jack suggested. - -"Yes, we do, for there is no other boy in this town who does such -things. I shall see his father again, and when I do it will be very hard -work to rule my spirit." - -"It only makes them worse to complain." - -"Then I will have him arrested!" And now Aunt Nancy spoke in such an -angry tone that Jack did not venture to reply; but he knew from past -experience that she would soon be sorry for having given way to her -temper. - -Again the little woman spoke of Jack's condition as if she had not -noticed it before, and insisted on his coming home at once, although she -could not have supposed he wished to go anywhere else. - -Louis apparently had no idea he had been exposed to danger, but laughed -and pulled at the tiny ringlets either side Aunt Nancy's face until her -anger vanished, and she said in a tone of penitence,-- - -"Really, Jack dear, I get frightened sometimes when I realize how wicked -I am growing. I can't seem to control my temper in anything which -concerns the baby, and goodness knows how it is all going to end. I -began by telling a lie, and now say terrible things on the slightest -provocation, though goodness knows this would have stirred up almost -any one. You see I took the first step, which is the hardest, and now -fall before the least temptation." - -"You oughtent talk that way, Aunt Nancy. If everybody was as good as you -are, this would be an awful nice place to live in." - -The little woman shook her head as if reproaching him for his words of -praise, but did not continue the subject, because by this time they had -arrived at the house, and it was necessary she should get the garments -Jack had worn once before. - -Again the hunchback received a ducking under the pump, and then went out -to the barn to make his toilet. - -"Come back as soon as you can, for I want to show you what I bought, and -between us we must decide what we shall have for supper to-morrow." - -When Jack returned to the house, Aunt Nancy had her purchases arranged -on the table that he might see them to the best advantage, and then came -the discussion of what was a very important matter in the little woman's -mind. - -"I bought citron so as to make that kind of cake if you think it would -be nicer than sponge, though I have always been very fortunate in making -sponge cake, and that is a good deal more than most people can say." - -"Why not have both kinds?" - -"I declare I never thought of that. It is the very thing, and I'll begin -at once while you finish the dishes. This time we'll see if between both -of us we can't keep Louis away from those wicked boys. I got a nice ham, -for that is always good cold, and I engaged two chickens from Daniel -Chick. Had we better have them roasted or boiled?" - -"I thought this was to be only a supper." - -"That's what it is; but it would never do to have but one kind of cold -meat. Why, if you'll believe me, Mrs. Souders had chicken, ham, and -tongue, to say nothing of soused pig's feet." - -"Your supper'll be better'n hers if you make plenty of hot biscuit." - -"I shall surely do that, and have loaf bread besides. I wonder if you -couldn't wait on the table?" - -"Of course I can. That was what I did on board the 'Atlanta.'" - -"Then we shall get along famously. Now help me clear off one end of this -table, and I'll begin work." - -The little woman at once set about the task of preparing food for the -members of the sewing circle, and nothing was done without first asking -Jack's advice. - - - - -CHAPTER XIII. - -THE SEWING CIRCLE. - - -So deeply engrossed was Aunt Nancy in the work of making ready for the -supper, that the indignities offered Louis by Bill Dean and his partners -passed almost unheeded for the time being. - -It is true that now and then she would speak of what had been done, -announcing her intention of complaining again to Bill's father; but the -words would hardly be spoken before something in the culinary line -demanded her attention, and the subject would be dropped until a more -convenient season. - -Jack labored most industriously, beating eggs, sifting flour, washing -pans, and keeping the fire roaring, thus doing his full share in the -important preparations. - -Louis was forced to remain in the kitchen, despite his great desire to -get out of doors; and both Jack and the little woman kept strict watch -over him, but happily ignorant of the fact that hidden within the -friendly shelter of the alder-bushes were Bill Dean and his chums -watching another opportunity to get hold of the baby as before. - -"The sewin' circle is goin' over to old Nancy's termorrer," Bill said in -a whisper, "an' we won't be smart if we don't get a chance to square off -with Hunchie." - -"What do you count on doin'?" Sam Phinney asked. - -"That's jest what we've got to fix up. The old woman will have her hands -full of company, an' it seems as if we might rig somethin' that'll pay. -Hunchie won't show himself outside the place, for he knows we're layin' -for him, an' our only show is to sneak in while the supper is goin' on." - -"We can easy get in the shed an' wait for something to turn up," Jip -Lewis suggested; and the others thought this a very good idea. - -"I'll cook up somethin' between now an' then," Bill said confidently. -"There ain't much chance they'll let that youngster out ag'in, so come, -go over on the hill an' see what the fellers there are doin'." - -This had the effect of causing the party to adjourn without anything -having been accomplished save an agreement between the three that, -during the meeting of the sewing circle something should be done toward -settling matters with the boy who insisted upon remaining in town after -they had warned him to leave. - -During the remainder of the day Aunt Nancy and Jack worked without -ceasing in the kitchen, and when night came the arrangements for the -company were so nearly completed that the little woman said with a sigh -of relief when she and her crooked-assistant were resting under the old -oak,-- - -"I declare, Jack dear, it is surprising how much we have done since -noon! I never could have gotten through without you, and don't -understand what I did before you came." - -"I wish I could do more. It doesn't seem as if I worked half hard enough -to pay for what you've done to help Louis an' me." - -"Bless you, child, I'd be paid a dozen times over if I had nothing more -than your company; and as for work, why, you've done twice as much as -Daniel Chick's daughter would in the same time, and I should have paid -her fifty cents, at least, if you hadn't been here." - -"It doesn't seem very much anyhow; but if you're satisfied, why that -settles it, of course. I wonder if Bill Dean's crowd will try to get -hold of Louis again?" - -"Not after I've seen his father, and that's just what I intend to do -when the circle meetin' is over. We had better get old crumple-horn in -the yard now so we can go to bed early, for I count on being at work by -sunrise to-morrow." - -The chores were quickly done, the house searched once more for possible -intruders, the evening devotions concluded, and Jack went to his tiny -room happy in the thought that he had been of considerable assistance to -Aunt Nancy. - -The finishing touches were completed by noon on the following day, and -the little woman was arrayed in all her antiquated finery to receive the -expected guests. - -Jack had only the suit of clothes he had worn at the time of leaving the -"Atlanta," consequently very little could be done on his part toward -"dressing up"; but his face shone from repeated applications of soap and -water, his hair was combed until every portion of it looked as if it had -been fastened in place, and his shoes had a very high polish. - -Louis's white frock had been washed and ironed, therefore he was, as -Aunt Nancy expressed it, "in apple-pie order, and as pretty a baby as -ever came into Maine." - -"I suppose we shall have to put some of the horses in the stable, Jack -dear, for a good many of the people will ride, and the question is -whether you could unharness them?" Aunt Nancy said as she sat in the -"fore-room" awaiting the coming of the guests. - -"I never did such a thing; but it can't be hard if a feller watches how -the harness comes off." - -"You are smart enough to do almost anything. I'm certain there won't be -trouble," Aunt Nancy said in a tone of conviction, and then the rumble -of wheels on the lane told that the first of the "company" was coming. - -The newcomer was Mrs. Souders, who drove a horse Jack felt confident he -could unharness; and as she alighted he stood by the head of the -venerable animal as he had seen regular grooms do in the city. - -From that time until nearly three o'clock the hunchback was kept very -busy attending to the stable work. - -Not less than ten horses were driven into the yard, and he was expected -to put them in a barn where were but two stalls, including the one it -would be necessary to reserve for old crumple-horn. - -It was some time before he could solve the problem, but it was finally -done by hitching several to the fence outside, and standing the -remainder on the thrashing-floor. - -The matter of harness and carriages troubled him considerably; but he -believed the owners of the same would be able to recognize their -property, therefore no attempt was made to keep them in regular order. - -When the visitors ceased to arrive, and Aunt Nancy told him she did not -think any more were coming, he went to the pump for a thorough wash, and -while thus engaged heard a certain portion of the conversation which -came from the "fore-room" where the members of the circle were supposed -to be working very hard to relieve the poor and distressed by supplying -them with garments, each fashioned according to the fancy of its maker. - -Not for a moment would Jack have thought of deliberately playing the -part of eavesdropper; but hearing reference made to Louis and himself, -it was only natural he should linger longer than was absolutely -necessary. - -Mrs. Souders was speaking when he first came near the house, and he -heard her say quite sharply,-- - -"Why, Nancy Curtis, are you thinkin' of adoptin' a couple of children at -your time of life, an' one of 'em a worthless cripple that'll always be -a bill of expense? It seems as if you'd lived long enough in the world -to be more sensible." - -"I'd like to know, Sarah Souders, why you think Jack is 'worthless'?" -the little woman asked in a tone of indignation. - -"Because he can't be anything else. A hunchback isn't any better than a -reg'lar invalid, an' besides I've always heard it said they are terribly -conceited." - -"Then this one is an exception. I never had a girl on the farm that -helped me as much as he does, and as for the baby--" - -"That's it exactly," Mrs. Souders interrupted. "It seems that the -cripple isn't enough, but you are determined to make your cross heavier -by taking care of a baby, when it would be better to think of restin' -your old bones." - -"If it is a pleasure to me, it would seem as if nothing should be said -against it," Aunt Nancy replied mildly. "I only wish it might be -possible for me to keep the little fellow as long as I live." - -Then Jack heard that which told him Aunt Nancy was kissing the baby, and -he said to himself,-- - -"If these people think Aunt Nancy has no business to keep me here, I -s'pose they are right, an' I oughter go away." - -"Of course you've the privilege of doing as you please, Nancy Curtis," -Mrs. Souders continued, "but I must maintain that it is wrong for you to -be obliged to support two helpless children when it is hard work to make -both ends meet. I am only sayin' this for your own good, Nancy, an' both -Mrs. Hayes an' myself decided it was the duty of some one to talk with -you about it." - -The little woman made no reply to this, and Jack was forced to leave the -pump, since his toilet had been completed. - -"They've made her believe it," he said to himself as the tears would -persist in coming into his eyes, "an' it's my place to tell her I'll go. -Then she won't have any more trouble with Bill Dean's crowd." - -He firmly believed it was necessary he and Louis should leave the farm, -and the knowledge that Aunt Nancy depended upon him during this day, at -least, was a positive pleasure. - -It had been agreed he should wait upon the table. - -Such dishes as could not well remain on the overladen board were to be -left in the small summer kitchen, and the little woman had arranged a -system of signals by which he could understand what she wanted. - -Although it was yet too soon for supper, he went to his post of duty in -order to be ready at the earliest moment Aunt Nancy should require his -services, and there stayed, thinking mournfully of what he had heard. - -In the mean while the stable was unguarded, for Jack had no idea danger -was to be apprehended from that quarter, and at about the same time he -entered the kitchen, Bill Dean said to his companions who had followed -him into the shed,-- - -"I did have a plan for some fun, fellers; but now there's a bigger show -than we ever struck. I don't reckon Hunchie knows very much about -harnessin' horses, an' even if he does we'll set him wild." - -"How?" Sam asked in a whisper. - -"It ain't likely anybody will go out to the barn till after supper, is -it?" - -"Of course not." - -"Then all we've got to do is to sneak around back of the stable. I know -how to get in from there, an' we'll mix them harnesses up in sich shape -that even Mike Crane himself couldn't put 'em together in less'n one -day." - -"You're a brick, Bill, at fixin' things. Let's hurry, for it'll take -quite awhile." - -With decidedly more care than was necessary, the conspirators crept out -of the shed, and, going around by the rear of the buildings, entered the -barn where Jack had left the harness. - -There was not one in the party who would not have grumbled loud and long -had he been obliged to work as rapidly and hard as was necessary in -order to effect their purpose; but since it was mischief instead of -useful labor, neither so much as dreamed of complaining. - -The harness belonging to the teams driven by Mrs. Souders and Mrs. Hayes -received the greater portion of their attention. - -On them nearly every strap was shortened or lengthened, and other parts -interchanged, until one not thoroughly familiar with both could hardly -have recognized the original set. - -Each in turn was overhauled, and when the mischief-makers left the barn -there was no question but that Jack would have great difficulty in -untangling the snarl, even if he should ever be able to do so. - -"I reckon that will make all hands mad, an' Hunchie's the one who is -bound to get the blame," Bill said with a chuckle of satisfaction as -they stood for an instant at the rear of the barn. "Now where'll we -stay to watch the fun?" - -"Out by the cow-yard. The grass is so tall nobody'll ever see us." - -This appeared to be a good idea, and the three adopted it at once, -although all believed it must be several hours before Jack would be -called upon to harness the horses. - -In the kitchen the deformed boy, with a heart so heavy it seemed as if -he could never smile again, waited patiently until a bustle from the -"fore-room" told that the guests were making preparations to discuss -Aunt Nancy's supper. - -"They are getting ready to come," the little woman said excitedly, as -she entered the kitchen hurriedly. "Help me fill these plates with -biscuit, and then cover the rest over and leave them in the oven till -they are needed. I was afraid I should have bad luck with my bread; but -it seems to be all right." - -"Them biscuit couldn't be better if the Queen of England had made 'em," -Jack replied emphatically. - -"I'm sure I don't know what kind of a breadmaker she may be; but I -wouldn't like to have it said that even a queen could do better than I, -taking it the whole year through, an' allowing for the trouble that -yeast will sometimes cause." - -Aunt Nancy was ready to go into the main kitchen, which on this occasion -had been converted into a dining-room, and Jack followed close behind -with his hands full of plates. - -It so chanced that the guests had not waited to be summoned, but came -from the "fore-room" under the pretence of assisting the little woman, -and Jack, who was walking quite rapidly, intent only on carrying the -dishes without accident, ran directly into Mrs. Souders. - -That lady had never been celebrated for curbing her temper, and to-day -she appeared to be in a very ill-humor, probably because of something -which may have been said by her friends in the "fore-room." - -Therefore, instead of treating the matter as an accident, and -acknowledging she had no business to be standing in the way of those who -were working, she wheeled suddenly and gave the cripple a resounding -blow on the ear, which sent him headlong, scattering plates and biscuit -in every direction. - -"You little beggar!" she screamed, as her face grew crimson with rage. -"I didn't come here to have any of your low tricks played on me. If -Nancy Curtis hasn't got spirit enough to give you a lesson, I'll do it -myself." - -She stepped quickly toward poor Jack, who stood silent and motionless -surveying the wreck of Aunt Nancy's best crockery, never for a moment -thinking the guest had any idea of inflicting further punishment, and -seized him by the coat collar. - -Jack involuntarily threw up his arm to ward off the blow; but the heavy -hand descended twice in rapid succession, and then it was grasped from -behind as the little woman's voice, trembling with suppressed rage, was -heard,-- - -"Sarah Souders, aren't you ashamed to strike a cripple?" - -"Indeed I'm not when it is one like this, whose place is at the poor -farm rather than in decent people's houses"; and the lady would have -repeated the blow but for the fact that Aunt Nancy clung to her with -nervous desperation. - -"Don't you _dare_ strike that child again, Sarah Souders!" she cried. "I -am trying hard to rule my spirit, but the struggle may be too much for -my strength, and then I shall say that which would make me sorry -afterward." - -"You should be sorry now when you reject the advice of your best -friends," Mrs. Souders replied; but she released her hold of Jack's -collar, and he began gathering up the fragments of crockery and bread. - -"If you mean that I ought to throw these children, who have made my life -happier than it has been for many years, out on to a world of such -hard-hearted people as you, then it is time you tried to understand the -meaning of the word 'charity,'" the little woman said with a slight -tremor of the voice as she stepped back a few paces from her angry -guest. "The fault was yours, so far as his running into you was -concerned. He was doing his work, and you were in his way." - -"I didn't suppose your foolishness had gone so far that you would uphold -the crooked little beggar when he deliberately insults one who has been -your best friend." - -"He had no intention of insulting you, and I do not want him called a -beggar, for he isn't. Even though he was, I have yet to learn that -poverty is a crime." - -"I see plainly this is no place for me. The most you can do now is to -turn me out of doors." - -"I do not wish to do anything of the kind, but feel called upon to -advise that you think the matter over before speaking again." - -"That is sufficient, Nancy Curtis, quite sufficient. Jane Hayes, will -you go with me, or do you prefer to remain?" - -"I shall stay here," Mrs. Hayes replied; and with a fling of her skirts, -which was probably intended to express both indignation and injury -received, Mrs. Souders sailed out of the room. - - - - -CHAPTER XIV. - -AFTER THE STORM. - - -Jack who had gathered up the fragments and swept the crumbs from the -floor, now looked about him in alarm. - -The sense of having been wrongly treated was overpowered by the thought -that he was the cause, however innocent, of plunging Aunt Nancy into new -troubles. - -It seemed just then as if he was pursued by some unkind fate which -brought to him and those who befriended him all manner of misfortune. - -During fully a minute after Mrs. Souders drifted so majestically from -the room, not a word was spoken. - -Aunt Nancy stood leaning against the table, a vivid red spot glowing on -either cheek, and holding her hand over her heart as if to repress its -beatings. - -The guests gathered around her, each trying at the same time to express -her opinion of what had occurred,--a proceeding which resulted only in -a perfect Babel of confusion. - -The little woman soon recovered her composure sufficiently to remember -her duties as hostess, and said to Jack in a low tone,-- - -"Do you think you can harness Mrs. Souders's horse? We mustn't forget -the courtesy we owe a guest, no matter what has happened." - -"I can do it if she will show me which wagon an' harness is hers. You -see there were so many teams comin' all at once I couldn't keep run of -'em." - -"Go out and do the best you can. Very likely she will be at the stable -by the time you get there." - -Jack hurried away feeling rather uncertain as to what the result would -be when he was alone with the angry woman, but determined to remain -silent whatever she might say. - -On reaching the barn he had but little difficulty in deciding upon the -carriage he believed belonged to Mrs. Souders, and was backing it into -the yard when that lady arrived. - -"Are you so stupid that you can't tell one wagon from another?" she -asked sharply. - -"Isn't this yours, ma'am?" - -"No, it isn't, and you know as well as I do." - -"I never saw it but once, an' that was when there were a good many here. -If you'll pick it out, an' show me the harness, I'll soon have the horse -hitched up." - -"I suppose Nancy Curtis told you to get rid of me as soon as possible; -what you did in the dining-room wasn't enough, eh?" - -"Indeed she didn't; an', if you please, ma'am, I couldn't tell where you -was goin' to step when I had my arms full of dishes." - -"You needn't talk to me. If Nancy Curtis is fool enough to put you above -your place, it's no reason why you should think others haven't good -sense. That is my carriage, and the sooner it is ready the better I'll -be pleased." - -Jack wheeled out the vehicle she designated, and then asked,-- - -"Now will you tell me which is your harness an' horse?" - -"You're a bigger fool than I took you to be," was the reply, as the lady -rushed like a small-sized tornado into the barn, and, after some -difficulty, succeeded in finding the animal, which was hitched with the -others on the thrashing-floor. "Couldn't even find a stall for him! I -don't know what's come over Nancy Curtis since you brats arrived at this -place!" - -Then she examined the pile of harness, expressing her opinion very -forcibly because Jack had laid them on the floor instead of hanging each -set on pegs; but to find her own was more than she could do. - -"Take any one of them," she finally said in an angry tone, wiping the -perspiration from her flushed face. - -Jack obeyed without a word, but, thanks to the efforts of Bill Dean and -his partners, neither he nor Mrs. Souders could gear the horse. - -One set of harness was much too large, and another so small a goat could -hardly have worn it, while all were strapped together in the oddest -fashion. - -This Mrs. Souders believed was owing to Jack's carelessness or ignorance -while unharnessing the horses, and the more she struggled to fit one -without regard to ownership the greater became her anger, until it was -almost beyond bounds. - -"My husband shall hear of this," she said wrathfully. "Put that horse -right back, and he will come over to undo your wicked tricks. Don't -speak to me, you little pauper," she cried as the cripple was about to -reply; and dealing him a blow on the ear which sent him reeling against -the animal, the lady walked rapidly out of the barn. - -Jack rubbed the injured member an instant, looked about ruefully, -wondering what could have happened to the harness, led the horse back to -his place, and went out of the barn just in time to see Mrs. Souders -sailing around the corner of the lane into the main road. - -He walked slowly to the house, arriving there as the guests had seated -themselves at the table, and Aunt Nancy, who looked as if she had been -crying, asked,-- - -"Why didn't Mrs. Souders go with her team?" - -Jack told the story of the bewitched harness, adding in conclusion,-- - -"I took every piece off as carefully as I knew how, and laid them on the -floor, because there wasn't any pegs or nails to hang them on. Now it -seems like as if nothing was right, an' in the whole lot we couldn't -find a single thing which would fit." - -The guests looked at each other in surprise and alarm, probably thinking -if Mrs. Souders didn't succeed in getting her team with the entire -collection to choose from, their chances of leaving Aunt Nancy's save by -walking were exceedingly slim. - -A flood of questions were poured forth on the hapless Jack, who could -only repeat his former statement. - -The matter was now becoming so serious that Aunt Nancy's inviting meal -no longer had sufficient charms to command their attention, and the -entire party insisted on visiting the barn at once to ascertain for -themselves the true condition of affairs. - -With the baby in her arms, Aunt Nancy led the way. - -Bill Dean and his friends, seeing the procession coming, were not at a -loss to divine the meaning of this sudden exodus from the house. - -"This is gettin' too hot for us," Bill said in a whisper. "With all them -old women around we'll be found for certain, an' the quicker we skin out -of here the safer we'll be." - -His partners were of the same opinion, only a trifle more frightened, -and their terror caused them to do a very foolish thing. - -Instead of crawling under shelter of the grass until they were at a safe -distance, Sam and Jip leaped to their feet, running at full speed toward -the road. - -As a matter of course Bill was bound to follow the example, thinking how -pleased he would be to have his hands on Jip for a single moment in -order to punish him for his cowardice, and thus the conspirators stood -revealed. - -"I think we can understand now what has happened to the harness," Mrs. -Hayes said as she pointed towards the fugitives, "and I for one say it's -time that Dean boy was made to believe it is dangerous to play such -tricks." - -The red spots came on Aunt Nancy's cheeks again as she gazed after the -retreating figures, and from the nervous working of her fingers Jack -understood she was using every effort to "rule her spirit." - -As she stood silent and motionless, heeding not the fact that Louis was -pulling her ringlets out of shape, some of the other ladies continued on -to the barn, and a single glance at the mismated harness convinced them -it was useless to attempt straightening matters. - -"It is foolish to stand here while the biscuit are getting cold," Mrs. -Hayes finally said. "Let us go and get supper, after which there will be -plenty of time to think over what should be done." - -The majority of the party shared this opinion, and Aunt Nancy was -literally led back to her own home, while the guests divided their -attention between the bountiful supper and a discussion as to how Bill -Dean and his associates could best be suppressed. - -None of the party had had more than three cups of tea when Mr. Souders -arrived looking very warm because of his long walk, and decidedly angry -in consequence of the report made by his wife. - -He first demanded an interview with Jack, who was sitting in the kitchen -fully occupied with his mournful thoughts; but when the ladies began to -explain matters relative to the mischief done, he could not but believe -the hunchback was innocent of the charges brought against him by Mrs. -Souders. - -"I'll take Bill Dean in hand myself," he said with an ominous gesture. -"There is plenty of time for that; but I reckon fixing things in the -barn will last longer. Can you lend me the cripple for a while, Aunt -Nancy?" - -The little woman called Jack, explained that he was to assist the -gentleman, and as the two went toward the barn she said feelingly,-- - -"It makes very little difference what people may say, although I would -rather have the good will of a dog than his ill will; but if I can -prevent it that boy shall not leave this farm unless relatives come -forward to claim him." - -Several united with Aunt Nancy in praising Jack, and since the others -remained silent there was no opportunity for a disagreeable argument. - -It did not require many seconds for Mr. Souders to see that the harness -had been tampered with, and he said in a cheery tone, which was a -delightful contrast to the one used a short time previous by his wife, -as he pulled off his coat,-- - -"I reckon you an' I have a big contract ahead of us, my boy. It would -puzzle a lawyer to fix all these as they should be, and the most we can -hope for is to put the sets together so the old women may go home. We'll -begin with mine, an' see what can be made of the job." - -It was a long and tedious task, and before it had been half completed -Jack was so well pleased with the gentleman that he said -confidentially,-- - -"Mr. Souders, I don't want you to think I tried to insult your wife. It -was an accident which I couldn't prevent, an' you see for yourself I -wasn't to blame for this muss." - -"Don't worry about it, my boy. Mother is a leetle hot-headed with a -powerful dislike to youngsters 'cause she hain't got any of her own; but -I'll venter to say she's sorry as a cat this very minute for what's been -said an' done. If you knowed her little ways you wouldn't mind anything -about it; but I'm put out to think she laid her hands on a poor cripple -like you." - -"It wasn't that which made me feel so bad as to have her think I would -act mean." - -"She don't believe a word of what she said by this time, an' for that -I'll go bail. There's no use talkin' 'bout it now; I allow you'll see -her ag'in mighty soon. Have you been havin' a great deal of trouble with -Bill Dean?" - -Jack was not disposed to tell very much lest it should be thought he was -complaining; but Mr. Souders finally succeeded in drawing from him a -full account of the threats made. - -"You sha'n't be troubled any more, my boy, that I'll answer for. Bill is -pretty wild, but I reckon we can tame him down a bit before another day -goes by." - -"I wouldn't like any of the fellows to say I'd been carryin' tales, -sir." - -"Neither have you. Aunt Nancy's life is bein' worried pretty nigh out of -her, an' that's enough to give me a right to interfere." - -Jack did not think it proper to tell anything more regarding his -experiences with the village boys, and, as a matter of fact, would have -preferred saying nothing whatever to Mr. Souders until he had talked -with Aunt Nancy. - -Before the gentleman left the barn he so far sorted out the harness that -it was possible to gear up his own team, and Jack thought best to get -each one ready while he had the opportunity to call upon such a valuable -assistant. - -When the two returned to the house the supper was ended, and one of the -ladies held Louis in her arms while Aunt Nancy and several of the guests -washed the dishes. - -Then Jack milked old crumple-horn, and when the last of the visitors -departed all of the chores had been done, therefore nothing prevented he -and Aunt Nancy from discussing the events of the day. - -"I can't say I'm sorry William Dean cut up as he did," the little woman -said, "for it has given Mr. Souders a chance to see what he really would -do, and there is reason to believe the boy will be obliged to mend his -ways." - -Jack had very little interest in Bill Dean at that moment. - -He was thinking only of the conversation he heard from the "fore-room," -and had determined the matter should be settled finally before he -retired. - -"It seems as if most of the folks think I oughtn't to stay here makin' -you feed me," he began. - -"Bless my soul, what has put that idea into your head, my child?" - -"I heard what Mrs. Souders said in the front-room before supper." - -Aunt Nancy looked around quickly as a shade of displeasure passed over -her face. - -"I'm sorry you did hear it, Jack dear; but you must not be so foolish as -to let it worry you. I am old enough to attend to my own affairs, and, -even if I wasn't, Sarah Souders is not the one to whom I should go for -advice." - -"But, Aunt Nancy, my being here makes trouble for you with your -neighbors, and I have been thinking it would be better for Louis an' I -to go away at once." - -"Your being here has very little to do with the trouble I may have. It -is my own wicked self. I began by telling a lie to that man from -Scarborough, and one sin surely leads to others. You are of great -assistance to me, and I should be more sorry than I can say if you went -away." - -Jack was about to make some reply, but before the words could be spoken, -Aunt Nancy checked him by laying her hand on his shoulder as she said,-- - -"Don't argue the matter, Jack dear. We are all tired enough to go to -bed, and we'll make ready by searching the house again. After what has -happened since noon it wouldn't surprise me the least little mite, if we -found half a dozen burglars in hiding." - - - - -CHAPTER XV. - -BROTHER ABNER. - - -When Jack retired on this night he was far from feeling comfortable in -mind. - -Aunt Nancy had literally obliged him to cease speaking of the matter, -and during the evening devotions prayed so fervently that she might be -forgiven for acting a lie, it really distressed him. - -She had done it solely for him, and he felt personally responsible for -her mental trouble. - -It caused the little woman great anxiety as he could well understand -from the fact that she referred to the subject very frequently, and -never ceased to sue for pardon. - -As has been said, Jack did not think the little woman did any great -wrong; but since she believed it, the case was as serious to her as if a -deadly crime had been committed. - -He remained awake a long while trying to decide what should be done, and -more than once was he tempted to run the risk of calling upon Farmer -Pratt to explain all the circumstances, in order to relieve Aunt Nancy's -mind. - -To do this would be, as he firmly thought, neither more nor less than -voluntarily condemning himself to the poor farm; but Louis would be safe -from the ignominy, and he would be doing the little woman a very great -favor. - -He had decided upon nothing when sleep visited his eyelids, and on the -following morning there was so much to be done around the house he could -not find any opportunity to study the subject. - -Aunt Nancy believed it necessary to clean nearly every portion of the -house, and as a matter of course he assisted. - -Louis was really neglected on this day. Having been allowed to play on -the floor to his heart's content, neither his crooked guardian nor Aunt -Nancy paid very much attention to him. - -Not until late in the afternoon was the labor brought to a close, and -then the tired ones sought rest under the big oak. - -Jack was about to broach the subject which occupied the greater portion -of his thoughts, when the rumble of wheels at the end of the lane caused -him to look up in alarm. - -"Who is that?" he asked excitedly, fearing lest it might be a messenger -from Farmer Pratt. - -"Only Deacon Downs. He sometimes stops on his way home from Treat's -store to see if anything is needed. I buy a good many vegetables of -him." - -On this occasion the deacon had not called for any such purpose. - -He reined in his horse near where Aunt Nancy was sitting, and, refusing -her invitation to "get out and visit," unbuttoned his coat in a -deliberate manner, saying slowly as he did so,-- - -"I found this 'ere for you down to Treat's, an' kinder 'lowed you'd be -wantin' it." - -Then fully a moment more was spent before the article referred to was -produced, and, meanwhile, Aunt Nancy was in a mild state of excitement -through curiosity. - -"Something for me? What is it, Deacon?" - -"Wait till I find the pesky thing. I put it in this pocket so there -shouldn't be any chance of losin' it, an' now I wouldn't be surprised if -it had slipped out." - -Aunt Nancy came close to the wagon watching the old gentleman's every -movement, her face expressing the liveliest impatience; but the visitor -did not gratify her curiosity until having found that for which he -sought. - -"Here it is," he said, as he handed her a letter, "an' seein's how it's -stamped Binghamton, I wouldn't be surprised if it was from Abner, for I -don't reckon you know anybody but him in York State, Nancy?" - -"Of course it's from Abner, and you gave me almost a shock, Deacon, for -I couldn't imagine what you had found of mine." - -"I don't allow there's any bad news, eh?" and the visitor waited as if -expecting Aunt Nancy would open the letter at once. - -"It's only in regard to some business, Deacon," the little woman replied -in a tone which told she did not intend to read the missive until she -should be alone. - -"I don't reckon he's thinkin' of comin' here this summer?" - -"Dear me, no. Abner's getting too old to go gallivantin' 'round the -country very much, an' it's a powerful long journey from here to York -State." - -"You're right, Nancy; but you know Abner allers was a master hand at -travellin'." - -Then the deacon, despairing of getting a glimpse of the letter, urged -the aged horse into a slow trot, and the occupants of the Curtis farm -were alone once more. - -"The deacon is a real obliging neighbor," Aunt Nancy said as the rumble -of wheels died away in the distance, "but terribly inquisitive. He -thought I would read Abner's letter so he'd know what was going on, and -perhaps I might have done so if it hadn't been concerning your business, -which should be kept to ourselves." - -"Do you s'pose he has found out anything about Louis's father?" Jack -asked, eager to learn the contents of the letter, but not feeling at -liberty to hurry the little woman. - -"I don't think there is any doubt about it"; and Aunt Nancy tore open -the envelope with a slowness and deliberation which was almost -provoking. - -During the next five minutes Jack waited impatiently to hear "brother -Abner's" reply; but nothing was said until the letter had been read -carefully twice over, and then Aunt Nancy exclaimed as she took off her -spectacles,-- - -"Well, I declare!" - -"Does he know the captain?" - -"He's never heard of him! It's so surprising when I think of how many -people he used to be acquainted with when he lived here." - -"What does he say about it?" - -"Nothing of any consequence, and writes as if he was provoked because I -asked the question. Wants to know how I suppose he can find a man who -was exploded in a vessel at sea; and I can't say but there is -considerable good sense in his asking that, for of course when the ship -blowed to pieces that settled the whole thing." - -"But the captain might have been saved, and, besides, while we were in -sight the 'Atlanta' looked whole and sound as before the explosion." - -"But if she didn't go to pieces why hasn't the captain come after his -son?" - -This was a question which Jack could not answer, and had to remain -silent. - -"According to Abner's story, he don't know many of the York State folks -except them as lives in Binghamton. Perhaps he's settling down, and -isn't as newsy as when he was with me." - -"If he can't help us, what are Louis an' I to do?" - -"Stay here, of course." - -"But, Aunt Nancy, I must try to find Louis's relations, even if his -father and mother are dead." - -"I reckon you're bound to do that somehow; but there's no sense in -trying to walk to New York while the weather is so hot." - -Then the little woman, as if believing the matter had been finally -settled, began to speak of the subject which was very near her heart, -and for at least the hundredth time Jack was forced to listen to her -lamentations because of the equivocation when Farmer Pratt called. - -It was particularly hard for him to remain quiet during her -self-accusations, for now that it was useless to expect "brother Abner" -could do anything in the way of learning the details concerning the fate -of the good ship "Atlanta," it seemed in the highest degree important to -decide upon some course of action. - -He was well content to stay where he was a certain time; but it seemed -as if he should have at least some idea of what was to be done in the -future. - -Aunt Nancy did not give him an opportunity to discuss the matter, -however, and when the hour came to search the house for supposed -burglars he was in a fine state of perplexity. - -On the following morning it seemed as if the little woman had dismissed -all such thoughts from her mind, for whenever she spoke to Jack it was -upon anything rather than how he might best accomplish that which he -believed to be his duty. - -He noticed she was particularly tender toward Louis, and gave him an -unusual amount of attention when she thought he and she were alone. - -It was on this day Mrs. Souders called, and during fully half an hour -was closeted with Aunt Nancy, after which she met Jack in the yard when -her greeting was more than cordial, but never a word was spoken in -reference to the incidents of the day she allowed anger to overcome -judgment. - -Since Jack had not expected anything in the way of an apology, he was -agreeably surprised by the change in her manner toward him, and felt -that ample reparation had been made. - -What the lady may have said to Aunt Nancy will never be known, for the -little woman maintained the most perfect secrecy regarding it, despite -the fact that Jack questioned her as closely as he dared. - -It was on the evening of this day when they were sitting under the old -oak, and Louis was playing in front of them, that Bill Dean walked -boldly into the yard, accosting Aunt Nancy as if he and she were on the -most friendly terms. - -Jack was so thoroughly surprised that he experienced the sensation of -one who has suddenly been plunged into cold water, for the assurance of -the boy was more than he could understand until Master Dean handed Aunt -Nancy a printed circular, as he said,-- - -"I've been hired to carry these around, an' I know you allers go to camp -meetin', so I stopped here first. I s'pose you think I'm kinder tough; -but them as come here lookin' for jobs without wantin' to work ain't so -good as you believe they are." - -"I don't intend to argue with you, William; but you know very well I -have good reason to feel harsh toward you." - -"Why, what have I done?" and Bill looked as innocent as a lamb. - -"It would be better if you asked what you haven't done," and the little -woman spoke in the most severe tone. "In the first place you drove away -a well-disposed boy last summer, and are now trying to do the same by -poor little crippled Jack." - -"I don't see how you can say sich a thing, Aunt Nancy"; and Bill assumed -an injured expression. - -"Didn't you mix up the harness when the circle met here, and didn't you -try to drown the baby?" - -"Me drown a baby?" Bill cried in a horrified tone. - -"Yes, it was you and your friends who carried him to the duck pond and -set him adrift on a raft." - -"Now, Aunt Nancy, it ain't right to talk agin me in this way"; and a -stranger would have said that Bill was on the point of crying. - -"Why, William Dean, I saw you running away!" - -"I ain't sayin' you didn't; but that's nothin' to do with the baby. When -I came across the field he was at the pond, an' I didn't know what he -might do to my raft. Before I got up to him he was sailin' like all -possessed, an' when you came I run away for fear you'd want me to wade -in after him." - -Aunt Nancy's eyes opened wide in astonishment at this marvellous story, -and while she felt convinced it was false, she would not accuse him of -telling a lie without having something in the way of evidence against -him. - -"At least I know you fought with Jack because he wouldn't promise to go -away," she said after quite a long pause. - -Louis's guardian tried to prevent this last remark by a look, but was -unsuccessful, and Bill replied boldly,-- - -"There ain't any use sayin' I didn't, 'cause it's true; but us fellers -only was doin' what we had a right." - -"What do you mean by that?" - -"Why, we've got a license from the s'lectmen to do all the chores 'round -this neighborhood, an' had to pay a mighty big price for it. Do you -s'pose we'll let any other fellers come in an' take the bread an' butter -outer our mouths after we've scraped the cash together to pay the town -tax for that kind of business?" - -This statement was rather more than even Aunt Nancy could credit, and -she said quite sharply,-- - -"William Dean, I won't have you standing there telling such wrong -stories! You must think I'm a natural born idiot to listen." - -"It's the truth all the same, and if Hunchie don't clear out he won't -get along very easy. Good by, Aunt Nancy, I s'pose I'll see you at camp -meetin', for all the old maids will be there." - -Bill did not linger in the lane after this last remark, but went quickly -out into the highway, leaving the little woman literally gasping with -surprise and indignation. - -"It's no disgrace to be an old maid," she said when it was once more -possible for her to speak; "but I won't have an impudent boy like -William Dean throwing it in my face as if it was something to be -ashamed about." - -"I wouldn't pay any 'tention to him," Jack replied consolingly. "You're -nicer than any woman _I_ ever saw, an' he'd be only too glad if you was -as much of a friend to him as you are to me." - -Aunt Nancy leaned over and kissed the little cripple on the forehead as -she said in a low tone,-- - -"You are a good boy, Jack dear, and would be a great comfort to me if we -were never to part until the good God calls me home." - - - - -CHAPTER XVI. - -A HURRIED DEPARTURE. - - -It was not until the following morning that Aunt Nancy paid any -particular attention to the circular regarding camp meeting which Bill -Dean had brought. - -Then, as Jack came in from milking, she said with a suddenness which -caused the boy to start in surprise,-- - -"I have been thinking about the camp meeting. What is your opinion?" - -"I don't know what you mean." - -"You remember the paper which William Dean brought last night?" - -"Yes." - -"Well, it was the time-table of the trains which run to the grounds. -Somehow your coming upset me so I had forgotten all about the meeting, -and if I should miss it, it would be the first time since I was quite a -young girl." - -"When does it begin?" - -"Day after to-morrow." - -"Why don't you go? I can stay here an' take care of crumple-horn and -Louis well enough." - -"Bless you, child, I wouldn't think of leaving you alone three or four -days." - -"Would you be gone as long as that?" - -"A great many stay the whole week, and I did one year; but it was almost -too tedious." - -"Well, both of us couldn't be away at the same time, an'--" - -"Why not?" - -"Because the cow must be milked an' put in the barn." - -"Daniel Chick's daughters have always done that for me, and would -again." - -"But what about Louis?" - -"I have been wondering whether I couldn't take him with me." - -"It would be terrible hard work to lug a baby 'round all the time." - -"If you went I should be relieved of the greater portion of that care." - -"It seems as if you had pretty nigh made up your mind already." - -"There is only one thing which prevents me, and I can't figure it out," -the little woman said with an air of anxiety. - -"What is it?" Jack asked in surprise. - -"I don't know that it is prudent to spare the money. You see it won't be -long now before the summer boarders come, and it costs a great deal to -get ready for them." - -Jack could make no reply. This was a question about which he was -ignorant, and there was a certain hesitation on his part regarding the -discussion of such a subject when he could do nothing to forward the -matter by pecuniary aid. - -No more was said until after breakfast, when Mrs. Hayes came in, looking -excited and breathless. - -"Haven't you done anything about going to camp meeting, Nancy Curtis?" -she cried, as she swung the big rocking-chair around and would have sat -on Louis had not Jack called her attention to the fact by pulling the -baby from his dangerous position. - -"I was just speaking about it, but don't know as I shall go." - -"But you must, Nancy. The children can stay at my house." - -"If I went they would go with me," the little woman replied, in a tone -which told she was not willing to discuss that question. - -"Very well, there is nothing to prevent. Daniel Chick will take his big -tent, and he says you're welcome to use as much of it as you want." - -"He is very good, I'm sure." - -"And you'll go, of course? It wouldn't seem like a camp meeting if you -wasn't there; and, besides, we always look to you for the coffee. Deacon -Downs says it's one of the pleasures of the week to drink Aunt Nancy's -Mocha." - -"I do try to get the best, and when that has been done any one can make -it good," the little woman said as her withered cheeks flushed with -pleasure at the compliment, while never for a moment did she fancy this -praise might have been given only that she should supply the occupants -of the tent with their morning beverage. - -"Then it is settled, you will go?" and Mrs. Hayes arose to her feet. "I -can't stop a minute, but felt I must run over to find out if you'd begun -preparations." - -"I haven't, and whether you see me there or not depends. I will let you -know to-morrow." - -"But you must go, because we won't take no for an answer." - -Aunt Nancy shook her head as if to say the matter was very uncertain, -and the visitor took her departure, insisting that the townspeople -"couldn't get along without their coffee maker." - -"I'm sure I don't know what to do," the little woman said with a -long-drawn sigh when she and Jack were alone. - -"If you haven't money enough, why not leave me an' Louis here alone? -I'll be awful careful with the house, an' there can't any accident -happen." - -"I'm not afraid to trust you, Jack dear; but as I told Mrs. Hayes, it -isn't to be thought of for a minute." - -"Ain't there some way I might earn the money?" - -"Bless you, no, child. Even if I was willing you should do such a thing, -there isn't any time. The most expensive part of it is that I have -always furnished the coffee for all in the tent, and it does take a -powerful lot to go around. Why, Deacon Downs himself can drink three -cups of a morning, an' then look around sort of wishfully for another. I -always give it to him, too, if there's enough left in the pot." - -Jack felt very badly because he could do nothing toward helping the -little woman out of her difficulty, while Louis laughed and crowed as if -he thought the whole affair decidedly comical. - -Aunt Nancy bustled around the house performing a great deal of -unnecessary work, her forehead knitted into a frown which showed she -was thinking the matter over in the most serious fashion, and Jack -watched her every movement. - -Finally the problem was solved, for her face lighted up as, taking Louis -in her arms and seating herself in the rocking-chair, she said -cheerily,-- - -"I don't think William Dean would attempt to make trouble for you now, -Jack dear." - -"Neither do I. Mr. Souders probably scolded him for mixin' up the -harness, and he won't bother me." - -"Do you feel quite certain of that?" - -"Indeed I do." - -"Then would it be too much of a walk for you to go to Treat's store?" - -"Of course it wouldn't, Aunt Nancy. You've only to say the word, an' -I'll be off like a shot." - -Jack had seized his hat as he spoke, and appeared to be on the point of -rushing away without waiting for the message, when she stopped him by -saying,-- - -"There's no need of such haste. It will take me some time to fix the -errand so you can do it. Last season Daniel Chick farmed the back field -for me on shares, and I have quite a lot of wheat on hand. Mr. Treat -wanted to buy it, and now I'm going to accept his offer. In case he -still wants it, you must bring back some things from the store." - -"Am I to get the coffee?" - -"No, that would be too large a bundle. I'll write Mr. Treat a letter, -and the remainder of the business you can arrange." - -Jack was delighted at being able to do something toward settling the -vexed question, and waited very impatiently for the little woman to make -her preparations. - -This was quite a long task because a letter was to be written, and after -that a list of articles prepared; but finally Aunt Nancy completed the -work, and Jack set off at full speed with a generous supply of bread and -butter in a neatly tied parcel. - -He returned before she fancied he could have more than gotten there, and -brought with him the goods required. - -"Mr. Treat says he'll tell Daniel Chick to haul the wheat, and you shall -know how much there is as soon as it can be weighed. If you want -anything more you shall send for it." - -"Did he say I could have some money?" Aunt Nancy asked anxiously. - -"He told me to tell you to call on for cash or goods up to thirty -dollars, for he was certain it would amount to as much as that." - -"Then everything will be fixed without any trouble, and I will tell Mrs. -Hayes we shall go to the camp meeting. Now, Jack dear, lie down a little -while and get rested so you can help me. We must do a great deal of -cooking before to-morrow night." - -During the remainder of the afternoon and the day following, the -household was in as great a state of confusion and excitement as when -arrangements were being made for the sewing circle. - -Aunt Nancy, assisted by Jack, cooked provisions sufficient to have kept -a much larger family in food fully two weeks; but the little woman -explained she "never liked to go to camp meeting without having -something to give those who might come hungry." - -The neighbors, and, more particularly, Deacon Downs, had called to -ascertain if "the coffee maker" was really going, and Daniel Chick -promised to come for her with his wagon at an early hour the following -morning. - -The deacon agreed to attend to the transportation of the Mocha, and on -the evening before the journey was to be made everything appeared to be -in "apple-pie order," although to Aunt Nancy's eyes the house was far -from being in a proper condition. - -Jack was both tired and excited. - -The prospect of going to a camp meeting pleased him wonderfully, for he -had never attended one, and fancied it was something intended for sport -rather than anything serious. - -The baskets were packed; Louis's suit of white clothes stiff with starch -and without a blemish; Jack's boots were polished until they shone like -a mirror; and Aunt Nancy spent considerable time bewailing the fact that -she could not afford to buy him a new coat and pair of trousers. - -Not until late was the little woman ready to retire, and it appeared to -Jack as if he had just fallen asleep when she awakened him to milk the -cow. - -After feeding the animal it seemed as if a very long time would elapse -before it would be possible for him to do the same again, and he patted -her sleek sides affectionately as he explained that one of Mr. Chick's -daughters would take his place during the next three or four days. - -It isn't very likely the animal understood what he said, but she was -perfectly willing to part with him, since it was to exchange the stuffy -barnyard for the cool, inviting pasture. - -The milk was strained and put out on the doorsteps for Miss Chick, since -Aunt Nancy could not take it with her, and then a hurried breakfast was -eaten. None too soon, either, for the meal had just been finished when -Mr. Chick drove up, fretting considerably because the party were not -ready to get into the vehicle instantly he arrived. - -Half a dozen times was Jack sent to make certain this door or that was -fastened securely, and the owner of the wagon worked himself into a -state of profuse perspiration before Aunt Nancy finally announced she -was ready. - -Jack thoroughly enjoyed the ride to the depot, four miles away. - -The odor of the flowers and grasses was heavy on the cool air; the birds -sang their hymns of thanksgiving that the new day had come; and the -trees whispered together of the goodness of the Creator in making for -his creatures such a beautiful place in which to live. - -"It seems almost wicked to enjoy a scene like this when there are so -many poor people who never see the country from one year's end to -another," Aunt Nancy said, as she looked around in delight; and Mr. -Chick replied, speaking much as if he had a cold in his head,-- - -"It's for us to take all the enjiment that comes in this world, an' -leave others to bear the burdens which are put upon them." - -"If that is good doctrine, Daniel Chick, I'd like to know how you'd -fancied a dose of it when you was down with the rheumatiz an' depended -upon the neighbors to gather the crops?" - -"That was a different matter, Nancy Curtis." - -"In what way?" - -"Well, you see--I--I--p'rhaps I can't explain it so's you an' the -children can understand; but there was a difference." - -"Only because you can't put yourself in the situation of others. The -Golden Rule is good enough for me yet, and I don't think I'll change it -for yours." - -This brief conversation had no effect on Jack, nor would he have thought -it an important matter if Mr. Chick had attempted to prove the little -woman was wrong. His faith in Aunt Nancy was so great that whatever she -said was to him a truth not to be disputed. - -On arriving at the depot it was learned they were fully an hour too -early for the train, and Jack mourned the fact that he might have -remained at home long enough to put the barn in better order. - -It was a large party who intended to make the journey on this morning, -and to Jack's dismay he saw Bill Dean and his particular friends arrive -about half an hour before the time for leaving. - -If it had been possible he would have remained out of sight; but the -station was small, and Aunt Nancy insisted he should stand where she -could keep her eyes on him, consequently it was not many moments before -Master Dean recognized him. - -"Oh, dear! _is_ he going? and _must_ we be in fear and trembling of him -all the time we stay?" Aunt Nancy said pathetically as she saw the three -boys approaching. "Keep close to me, Jack dear, and if he attempts any -mischief I'll appeal for help to Deacon Downs." - -Bill, however, did not intend to commit any overt act while there were -so many around who would not hesitate about dealing out justice to him -without delay. - -He contented himself by walking slowly around Aunt Nancy and Jack, as he -said to Jip Lewis,-- - -"I didn't think we stood so much of a chance to have a good time at camp -meetin' this year. Here's Hunchie with the old maid, and we'll see that -they don't get lonesome." - -Fortunately Aunt Nancy did not hear him, otherwise she might have said -something which would have provoked further and louder threats. - -Jack, however, could distinguish every word, and before the three -tormentors finished their promenade he regretted having accompanied the -little woman. - -"I ain't afraid they'll get very much the best of me," he said to -himself; "but there isn't goin' to be a great deal of fun if I've got to -keep my eyes open for them all the time." - - - - -CHAPTER XVII. - -CAMP MEETING. - - -When the train drew up at the station, Jack was relieved at seeing his -tormentors take their places in a car far ahead of the one he and Aunt -Nancy occupied. - -He anticipated no slight amount of enjoyment from this ride behind the -iron horse, and it would be sadly marred if he was forced to listen to -such remarks as Bill Dean and his friends would probably make. - -Aunt Nancy sat by the window with Louis in her arms, and Jack took the -seat beside her, watching everything around with the most intense -interest, for it was the first time he had ever journeyed so far on the -cars. - -The little woman would have spent considerable of the money received -from the sale of the wheat in buying for her crippled escort such -articles as the newsboy brought, in the hope of tempting customers; but -for the fact that Jack prevented her by whispering more than once,-- - -"You've paid enough for me already in buyin' the railroad ticket, an' -you must save some to get things for the summer boarders." - -"Bless you, child, I ought to be able to take a little pleasure now and -then without thinking constantly of how many pennies there are in a -dollar." - -"But this time, Aunt Nancy, you are not using it for yourself. If you -want any of the stuff, why, it's only right you should have it, but -don't buy anything for me." - -Then the little woman whispered as she laid her hand affectionately on -his shoulder,-- - -"It's a comfort to have you around, Jack dear, for you are always -thinking of others and never of yourself." - -"A crooked feller like me don't need as much as other folks, an' I'm -sure I get more'n I deserve." - -"That could never be, my child," Aunt Nancy replied; and Jack fancied -she wiped a tear from her eye, but it might have been nothing more than -a cinder. - -Judging from Louis's expressions of delight, he would have been pleased -had the journey continued all day, and even Jack was a trifle -disappointed because the tenting grounds were reached so soon. - -The place at which they disembarked was not a village, but only a grove -of pine-trees bordering the ocean, with a broad strip of shimmering -white sand between the foliage and the water. - -It was a little settlement of canvas houses among the pines, the -gleaming white showing vividly amid the sober green, and the dusty paths -here and there resembling yellow ribbons laid on to complete the harmony -of color. - -Jack would have remained a long while silent and motionless gazing in -delight at the scene before him, now and then raising his eyes to view -the heaving emerald bosom of the sea beyond, but that Aunt Nancy was -impatient to "settle down" before the morning services should begin. - -"It looks pretty, I know, Jack dear, but we mustn't stand dawdling here, -because there is considerable work for us to do. I'll carry the baby, -and you see what can be done with the bundles." - -The two were literally laden to the utmost of their strength, as they -stepped from the railway platform. - -Such generous supplies had the little woman brought for their bodily -comfort that quite an amount of the belongings would have been left -behind but for Deacon Downs, who kindly offered to take charge of the -remainder of the goods. - -In order to find Mr. Chick's tent it was only necessary to follow the -party with whom they had travelled, and in a few moments the little -woman was arranging her provisions in one corner of the huge tent which -had been reserved for her use. - -Jack hovered around helplessly. - -He wanted to do something toward aiding Aunt Nancy, but camp life was so -new to him he could do nothing more than watch her bird-like movements. - -After pinning a towel around Louis's neck to avoid the possibility of -soiling his white frock, the little woman gave him a small slice of -bread and butter, offering some to Jack, but the latter was not hungry. - -"If you don't care, I'd rather go down to the beach a little while." - -"You shall do that later, Jack dear, but the morning services will -commence very soon, and I want you with me then." - -"Will it be a reg'lar meetin' where people preach an' pray like they do -in a church?" - -"Certainly, my child; and this is a church, for don't you remember it is -said 'the groves were God's first temples'?" - -Jack didn't remember anything of the kind, for his education had been so -sadly neglected he could not read any but the smallest words, therefore -made no answer, and as soon as Louis had satisfied his hunger the three -went to the cleared space where the services were to be held. - -Jack watched everything around him with intense interest, and, it must -also be said, to such a degree that he failed to hear a single word -spoken by the preacher. - -Aunt Nancy sat with a look of devotion on her face, which to Jack was -very beautiful. - -After a time the boy saw the tears rolling down her cheeks, and listened -to the words from the pulpit in order to learn what had caused such -apparent sorrow. - -The clergyman was speaking of those who keep the word, but not the -spirit of God's laws, and he failed to find in the teaching anything -which could distress the little woman. - -When the sermon was concluded and the three were walking slowly through -the grove, he understood better. - -"It seemed as if the minister was talking directly to me, Jack dear," -she said with quivering lips. - -"I didn't hear him say anything that sounded like it, Aunt Nancy, an' I -listened a good deal of the time." - -"It was the passage about obeying the word but not the spirit which -applied to my case. You see I didn't _speak_ a lie to Mr. Pratt, and -might try to comfort myself with the idea I had not disobeyed the -commandment; but the meaning of it is, I shouldn't deceive in the -slightest manner." - -"I wish we hadn't come here if you're goin' to think of that thing -again." - -"Again, Jack dear? Do you fancy it has ever been out of my mind?" - -"I thought you'd kinder got over it." - -"But I hadn't, and perhaps I was led to come here that I might realize -even more fully what I have done." - -"There isn't any need of that, Aunt Nancy"; and Jack began to look -distressed. "Please put it out of your thoughts for a while, an' we'll -go down on the beach." - -"I can't, my child. You shall stroll around an hour, after which you -must come back to the tent for dinner." - -Jack hardly thought he ought to leave the little woman while she was -feeling badly, but she insisted on his doing so, and he walked slowly -away saying to himself,-- - -"I never knew religion hurt anybody; but I think Aunt Nancy has too much -of it if she's goin' to fuss so over Farmer Pratt. It won't do to let -her feel as she does, an' the whole amount of the story is I'll have to -leave Louis here while I take the chances of gettin' into the poorhouse -by explainin' things to him." - -So deeply engrossed was he in his thoughts that no attention was paid to -anything around until he was brought to a standstill by hearing a -disagreeably familiar voice cry,-- - -"Hold on, Hunchie, we want to know where you left the old maid!" - -Jack had halted involuntarily, and now would have moved on again in the -hope of escaping from Master Dean and his friends, but they barred his -way by closing in upon him. - -There was a large crowd on the grounds surging to and fro, therefore the -three boys had little difficulty in forcing Jack to move in this -direction or that as they chose, by pretending the press was so great -they could not prevent themselves from being pushed against him. - -"We're goin' down for a swim," Bill Dean said as he linked his arm in -the hunchback's, "an' it'll just about break our hearts if you can't -come with us." - -[Illustration: "We're goin' down for a swim," Bill Dean said, as he -linked his arm in the hunchback's.--Page 210.] - -"I don't want to do anything of the kind. You know very well a crooked -feller like me couldn't swim, no matter how hard he tried." - -"We'll show you how, so don't be frightened"; and Bill motioned for Sam -and Jip to force the intended victim along in the desired direction. - -Jack knew perfectly well he could not struggle successfully against his -tormentors, but at the same time he did not intend allowing them to take -him away from the throng where he might find assistance if necessary. - -"I don't want to go with you, and shall ask some of these people to help -me if you don't go away." - -"Then you'd only be makin' it all the hotter for yourself, 'cause we -count on stayin' here the whole week, an' you can't be tied to the old -maid's apron strings every minute of the time." - -"I'll take my chances of that, so keep off or I'll make a disturbance." - -Bill had good reason to believe the cripple would carry this threat into -execution, and, not wishing to come in direct contact with the guardians -of the peace, concluded to bring their sport to a close. - -"Of course if you don't feel like comin' nobody's goin' to make you, so -we'll say good by." - -As he spoke he gave a quick twist of his foot in front of Jack, at the -same instant Jip pushed from behind, and the result was the cripple fell -forward on his face, in the gravel and sand. - -The three boys were off like a flash, and as Jack rose to his feet after -some effort, with dusty clothes and a bleeding face, his heart was -filled with anger. - -"If I was only strong enough I'd soon show them fellers what it is to -pick on a fellow they thought couldn't help himself!" - -He had hardly said these words when a man brushed past him with the air -of one who feels he has a right to considerably more than half the road, -and looking up quickly Jack saw Farmer Pratt. - -For an instant he thought the man was pursuing him, and would have taken -refuge in flight, had not the idea occurred to his mind that Mr. Pratt -had come to camp meeting for the same purpose as Aunt Nancy. - -"I'm foolish to think he's still chasin' after me," he said to himself, -"though I s'pose he would take Louis an' me with him if he saw us." - -Without knowing why he did it, Jack followed a short distance behind the -farmer, as if it was necessary to retain him constantly in sight, and -while doing so thought of Aunt Nancy's distress concerning the alleged -lie. - -Now surely would be a good time to sacrifice his own comfort in order to -ease her mind by taking upon his shoulders the blame, and he ran forward -intending, for an instant, to speak with the gentleman. - -Then it occurred to him that it would be proper to consult the little -woman first, and he turned back only to doubt again. - -It might distress Aunt Nancy yet more to know the farmer was on the -grounds, and Jack wished he knew of some one who could give him the -proper advice. - -Deacon Downs was the only person he could think of, and yet he ought not -to tell him of what Aunt Nancy had done. - -"I've got to settle this thing myself," he said as he turned resolutely -in the direction of the tent, "and the next thing to do is to talk with -Aunt Nancy herself. She knows more goodness than all these people put -together." - -His mind once made up, he was eager to reach the tent, and ran at full -speed, arriving just as Deacon Downs summoned the occupants of this -particular dwelling to dinner. - -The little woman was acting as cook, a post of duty to which she had -been elected each year because the remainder of the party knew she would -perform the arduous labors without complaint. - -To speak with her now would be to attract the attention of all, and Jack -believed he should wait until a more convenient season. - -Therefore he seated himself at the rough table around which all the -others, save Aunt Nancy, were gathered, and tried unsuccessfully to -appear as if nothing unusual had occurred. - -Jack's face told of some trouble, however, and when the deacon had -refreshed himself with a large cup of Aunt Nancy's Mocha, he asked in a -severe tone,-- - -"Master Dudley, is it possible that after living with as good a woman as -Sister Curtis, you allow your passions to tempt you into fighting? Don't -you remember what Dr. Watts says about letting 'dogs delight to bark and -bite, for 'tis their nature,' et cetera?" - -Perhaps Jack might have understood the deacon's question, had it not -been for the last word. - -What an "et cetera" was he hadn't the slightest idea, and instead of -replying sat staring stupidly at his plate until Aunt Nancy came forward -and asked,-- - -"What is it about Jack? Has he been doing anything out of the way?" - -"By the appearance of his face I should say he had. It is strange boys -will fight in such a place as this!" - -"Why, what _has_ happened to you, Jack dear?" the little woman asked -anxiously as she lifted the boy's head by placing her hand under his -chin. - -Jack said nothing, and Aunt Nancy asked, as the crimson spots appeared -on her cheeks,-- - -"Has William Dean been troubling you again?" - -"I had rather tell you some other time," Jack replied in a whisper, as -he slipped down from his seat at the table and went toward the scene of -the little woman's culinary operations. - -She followed him at once, and the good but rather inquisitive deacon -craned his neck in vain to hear what passed between the two. - -"It was Bill Dean; but don't say anything about it now, for I've just -seen Farmer Pratt," Jack said in a low tone; and as Aunt Nancy started -in surprise, a cry of distress came from Deacon Downs's lips. - -At the moment Jack spoke, the little woman was in the act of removing -the coffee pot from the stove, for fear its contents should boil over, -when it fell to the ground. - -Neither Aunt Nancy nor the hunchback paid any attention to this -catastrophe; but the deacon was so angry he even threatened that Jack -should not be allowed near the tent again. - -It is doubtful if his words were heard by the two who were in such -distress of mind. - -Aunt Nancy led Jack to the rear of the tent, and there, where no one -could overhear, he told the whole story, concluding by saying,-- - -"You have felt so bad I had a great mind to go right up an' tell him how -it happened you acted a lie." - -"But, Jack dear, then he might drag you off to the poor farm." - -"I had rather do that than have you feel as you do about it. Louis could -stay here, an' I wouldn't tell him where you were, no matter how hard he -might try to make me." - -"I should go to him myself and confess all," the little woman said after -a pause. - -"Then the chances are he'd get hold of both Louis an' me. If it is to be -done, I oughter do it." - -"I declare I don't know what is best"; and Aunt Nancy stood with clasped -hands as if expecting Jack would advise. "It is only right I should -atone in some way for that which I did; but the flesh is indeed weak -when it comes to parting with either of you." - -"Perhaps there might be some way for me to get clear, an' you'd feel so -much better that I'd be contented to stay almost anywhere." - -The little woman made no reply; she remained silent so long Jack began -to be afraid she was ill, and as he stood watching her, the notes of a -song of praise to the Maker rose high above the deacon's querulous -tones, while mingling with it was the murmur of the surf as it rolled up -on the beach, the whole forming a sort of melody which was soothing to -the little hunchback. - - - - -CHAPTER XVIII. - -A DISASTER. - - -Not for several moments was Aunt Nancy able to decide what should be -done, and then, as the song died away leaving only the deacon's words to -mingle with the reverberation of the surf, she said in a voice which -sounded strained and harsh,-- - -"It must be done. You shall bring him here, and I will tell the story -myself. When he comes, take Louis and walk down by the beach for a -while." - -The little woman could say no more, for at that moment Deacon Downs -asked in his blandest tones,-- - -"Do you think it would be possible to make a leetle more coffee, Sister -Curtis?" - -Aunt Nancy had never been known to refuse a request which involved only -her own discomfort or labor, and on this occasion there was no exception -to the rule. - -"It will be ready in a few minutes, Deacon," she replied in a trembling -voice, at the same time keeping her face turned from the party lest -they should see the tears in her eyes. - -Jack understood there was no necessity of any further conversation, -therefore walked slowly away, feeling very much like a fellow who -voluntarily goes to receive unmerited punishment. - -He now had no fear of Bill Dean and his friends. The present trouble was -so much greater than any they could cause him that it was as if this -particular trio of boys never existed. - -Not until he had walked to and fro for half an hour did he begin to -realize it might not be possible to find the farmer amid the throng. - -Each succeeding train brought additional worshippers or visitors to the -grove, and the walks were so densely lined with people that he might -have passed within ten feet of Mr. Pratt without seeing him. - -Having made up his mind to that which he considered a sacrifice, he was -impatient to have it finished, and walked rapidly until the afternoon -was more than half spent; but all in vain. - -It seemed more than probable he had gone home, or at least Jack so -argued to himself, and returned to the tent looking as if suffering from -some grievous disappointment. - -Aunt Nancy was at the flap of the canvas house with an expression of -anxiety on her face, but the baby was nowhere to be seen. - -"Where's Louis?" Jack asked in alarm. - -"Mrs. Hayes is taking care of him. I thought it best he shouldn't be -seen when Mr. Pratt came. Will he be here soon?" - -"I couldn't find him; he must have gone home." - -The little woman's face lighted up wonderfully as she cried,-- - -"O Jack dear, I know it is wicked to say, but I am _so_ glad! It is only -right I should bear the burden I myself have caused; but the thought of -losing you and the baby almost broke my heart." - -Then she kissed him on both cheeks, and again did he feel the moisture -of her tears. - -"Well, Aunt Nancy, you haven't lost us yet awhile, an' if Mr. Pratt has -gone home that settles the matter for a while." - -"Yes, Jack dear, but the sin is yet to be atoned for; it is only a -postponement of the evil day." - -"Any way there's no need of worryin' about it now. If, when we get home, -you feel that he should know the truth, it won't be much of a job for me -to walk over to his house, an' then," Jack added with a feeble attempt -at a smile, "they won't have so far to carry me when I'm taken to the -poor farm." - -"Don't talk in such a manner, my dear, for I am hoping it won't ever -come to pass." - -Jack made no reply. - -He felt quite confident the farmer would insist on his going to the home -for paupers, but no good could be done by further distressing the little -woman. - -"I declare I'd entirely forgotten you and I have had no dinner," she -suddenly said with a nervous laugh. "I'll get some cold meat and bread, -if there is any left; but it is astonishing how strong people's -appetites are at the seashore, especially during camp-meeting time. We -must get along without coffee, for the deacon fairly swam in that second -pot I made." - -"I don't feel so terribly hungry," Jack replied; "but I'll sit down for -the sake of seeing you eat. As to the coffee, that don't trouble me; -water is good enough for boys." - -"It is more wholesome I admit; but there's nothing good enough for a -dear heart like yours." - -Then the little woman bustled around as Jack had seen her do at home, -and in a few moments a most appetizing lunch was spread, the amount of -food contradicting her fears that all the provisions had been consumed. - -The two made a hearty meal, considering all their troubles, and when it -was concluded Jack helped Aunt Nancy set the tent to rights generally, -so when the remainder of the party returned from afternoon services -everything was in proper order. - -Mrs. Hayes brought Louis with her, and after delivering him to Jack she -said with a sigh of relief,-- - -"I declare, Sister Curtis, it is a real pleasure to come to camp meeting -with you. It takes the care off of one entirely. I only wish I had your -knack at going ahead. Now look at me; I'm almost worn out looking after -the baby, and don't feel as if I could do a stitch toward getting -supper." - -The other ladies in the party appeared to be in the same condition of -prostration, and the little woman, tired though she was from the labor -of preparing and serving dinner for so many, meekly replied that she was -perfectly willing to give them a rest by performing all the work. - -Jack heard the compliment paid by Mrs. Hayes, and understood that it had -been given only for the purpose of getting the little woman to continue -on while the others enjoyed their leisure. - -"I'm goin' to help you, Aunt Nancy," he said in a low tone as he went -toward the stove where she was making ready to bake some biscuit. "It's -too bad for you to do all this work while the others are havin' a good -time." - -"Oh, I don't mind it, dear, so long as I can be of service to some one. -We are put in this world to help others, and it should be a pleasure." - -"But you're doin' all instead of helpin'. Now tell me what I can do, if -you're bound to wait on the whole crowd." - -"Take care of the baby, that will be enough." - -"He'll stay around here all right," Jack replied as he placed the little -fellow on the grass, giving him some smooth stones to play with. - -Then he set about assisting Aunt Nancy, working so industriously that -Deacon Downs said in a tone of faint approbation,-- - -"That there little hunchback seems right handy if he wants to, an' if he -wasn't so given to fightin' it might be a good thing for Aunt Nancy to -have him around; but when once a boy gets as quarrelsome as this one, it -ain't much use trying to make anything out of him." - -The majority of the party were of the same opinion, and from that time -forth it was believed, at least by those who were present when the -deacon spoke, that Jack was a boy who would fight under the slightest -provocation. - -Not until the bell had rung as a signal that the evening services were -about to begin did Jack and Aunt Nancy cease their labors. - -The other occupants of the tent had already departed, and the little -woman and her assistant were so tired it seemed almost too great an -exertion to walk to the auditorium. - -"Why not go to bed?" Jack asked. "I'll take care of Louis until he gets -sleepy, an' then bring him to you." - -"No, it would be wrong to remain here when so many truths will be -presented, simply because I chance to be tired." - -"Then we'll all go"; and Jack lifted Louis in his arms. - -Aunt Nancy enjoyed the services so much that Jack was very glad she had -come; but as for himself he believed the time would have been quite as -profitably spent in sleeping. - -On the following morning at daybreak Deacon Downs aroused the hunchback -with a harshly spoken command to build the fire and awaken Aunt Nancy -when it was burning. - -"Are you goin' to make her do all the work?" Jack asked as he started to -his feet. - -"Don't be impudent!" the deacon said sternly, raising his cane -threateningly. "Learn to do as you are bidden, and in silence." - -Jack made no reply, but felt that the little woman whom he loved so -dearly was being imposed upon. - -As for Aunt Nancy, she appeared to have no such idea. - -Jack awakened her as he had been told, and she arose from the bed of -straw on which she had lain without undressing, uttering no word of -protest. - -"I would have let you sleep till noon, but the deacon told me to, an' -was kinder mad when I asked if you'd got to do all the work," Jack said, -his tones proving there was yet anger in his heart. - -"You shouldn't have said anything about it, my dear, for it is a -pleasure to me." - -"You try to think it is, but I know it's nothin' more than hard work, -while the others are enjoying a long nap." - -"We won't say any more about it, Jack dear. Don't you think you could -get me some water?" - -"Of course I can"; and Jack labored with a will, relieving the -tired-looking little woman whenever it was possible. - -The second day at camp meeting was spent by these two in much the same -manner as the first, as regards work, and Louis received very little -attention. - -Jack, in obedience to Aunt Nancy's request, looked again for Mr. Pratt, -but with no better success than before; and after dinner he washed the -dishes in order that the little woman might attend the afternoon -services. - -It was a decided relief to him when the day came on which they were to -return home. - -He knew Aunt Nancy had worked too hard, and the bustle and confusion -tired him almost as much as the labor. - -Gladly he helped gather up the empty baskets, and when the three were on -the cars being whirled rapidly toward home, the little woman said with a -sigh of relief,-- - -"What a comfort it will be to find ourselves on the farm once more, Jack -dear! I believe I am getting too old to go to such places, and a week's -rest wouldn't be too much to make me feel like myself again." - -"If you had gone alone, without tryin' to run a boardin'-house for them -who didn't care whether you had any fun or not, it would have been -different." - -"You don't look at the matter in the proper light, my child. They've -always been accustomed to having Aunt Nancy go at such times, and I -couldn't disappoint them as long as I was able to hold up my head." - -Jack realized it was useless to continue this conversation, so far as -convincing the little woman that she had been imposed upon was -concerned, and he remained silent. - -Never before had the farm looked so beautiful, either to Jack or the -little woman, as when they arrived home that night, and during the -evening devotions Aunt Nancy's thankfulness was made apparent by the -fervently spoken words. - -The hunchback's first care, after opening the house, was to visit the -barn to assure himself old crumple-horn had been well taken care of; but -he could not gain much information in the darkness. - -The animal was lying in her stall, and appeared to be in good condition. - -Notwithstanding the fact that the house had been closed four days, the -search for burglars was made before retiring, and then Jack, after -seeing Louis tucked snugly in Aunt Nancy's bed, went to his cosey little -room feeling confident he would never again have any desire to attend -another camp meeting. - -When the morning came he went out with a light heart to milk the cow, -but to his great surprise still found her lying down. - -All in vain did he urge her to get up; she refused to move, nor would -she pay any attention to the tempting lunch of sweet clover he placed -in front of her. - -Running back to the house he summoned Aunt Nancy, and both spent fully -an hour alternately coaxing and petting the animal. - -"She is very sick, Jack dear, there can be no question about that," the -little woman said as her eyes filled with tears. "It would grieve me if -she should die, for I have owned her a long while." - -"How many years?" - -"I hardly know; but it can't be less than eighteen." - -"Then she must be dying of old age." - -"I will go right over to Daniel Chick's and ask him to come here. He's a -master hand at doctoring animals." - -Then before Jack could offer to go in her steady Aunt Nancy started down -the lane bareheaded, which showed how deeply she felt the possible loss -of her pet. - -In a short time Mr. Chick arrived with the little woman, and his verdict -brought no relief to Aunt Nancy's heart. - -"All you can do is to knock her in the head, for she'll never get up -again. It's kinder tough on you, I'll admit, for that cow has been a -powerful help, 'specially when the summer boarders are here; but it -won't do any good to fret." - -Aunt Nancy made no reply, but walked slowly to the house as if desirous -of being alone. - -"She feels mighty bad I allow," Mr. Chick continued, speaking to Jack. -"I've said many times I didn't know how Aunt Nancy would get along if it -wasn't for the cow, an' now I reckon she'll be eatin' her bread without -butter." - -"What will she do when the boarders come?" - -"That's what I don't know"; and Mr. Chick walked away as if he had no -further concern in the matter. - -Jack sat down where he could watch crumple-horn and at the same time -think over this disaster which had come to the little woman. - -While he was trying to form some plan, the poor old cow laid her head on -the sweet-scented clover, gave a few short gasps, and ceased breathing -as if from sheer weariness. - -Jack stood over her a moment, and then returned to the house, arriving -there just as Aunt Nancy was emerging with Louis in her arms. - -"I wouldn't go out there"; and he motioned toward the barn. - -Aunt Nancy looked at him an instant, appearing to understand what he -meant, for she re-entered the house, leaving Jack on the doorstep in a -profound study. - -He could hear Louis's voice from the "fore-room" now and then, therefore -it was not necessary to tell him the little woman had gone there to hide -her grief. - -"I must do something" he said to himself, "an' what I first thought of -seems to be the only show." - -Then going to the door of the "fore-room" and knocking gently, he said -in a low tone,-- - -"Aunt Nancy, could you spare me a little while?" - -"Where are you bound, Jack?" - -"I'd like to run down to Treat's store if you don't care." - -Aunt Nancy opened the door, and Jack noticed her eyes were red from -weeping. - -"What is your idea of going there?" she asked in surprise. - -"I've got some business that I'd rather not explain till I get back." - -"There's nothing to prevent, my child, and I can trust you not to do -anything wrong." - -"I should hope you could," Jack replied emphatically. "You shall know -all about it when I come home." - -"Don't try to walk too fast, but return as soon as your business is -finished." - -Jack promised to do so, and was hurrying up the lane when the little -woman stopped him with these words:-- - -"I wish you would call at Daniel Chick's and tell him what has happened. -It will be necessary to bury poor old crumple-horn, and he must attend -to it." - -"I'll ask him to come over right away"; and Jack resumed his journey, -wondering whether he was on the point of doing that for which Aunt Nancy -would censure him. - -"It doesn't make any difference whether she does or not," he said to -himself. "If I told her she wouldn't let me go, so this is the only way -to fix it." - - - - -CHAPTER XIX. - -JACK'S PROPOSITION. - - -Jack called at Mr. Chick's house, saw that gentleman and got his promise -to bury old crumple-horn at once, after which he continued on past Bill -Dean's home, fearing no trouble from him since he was yet at the camp -grounds. - -On arriving at the store he found Mr. Treat alone, and was greeted with -the question,-- - -"Hello! Here's Aunt Nancy's young man! How's the old lady after her trip -to the grove?" - -"She is well, but tired." - -"I'll warrant that. When folks want to go off for a good time they -invite Nancy Curtis, reckonin' she'll do whatever work there is without -grumblin', an' they ain't far out of the way, either. Did the deacon get -his full share of that Mocha she bought?" - -"I don't know, sir; but I guess so, I didn't hear him findin' fault." - -"Then you can count on his havin' been filled up; _he_ don't buy very -much of that kind of coffee when it's him as has to foot the bills." - -Jack had no interest in this subject, and changed it abruptly by -saying,-- - -"Aunt Nancy's cow died this mornin'." - -"Sho! How'd that happen?" - -"Mr. Chick thought it must be old age." - -"Well I reckon it was. That cow has been in the family quite a spell." - -"It'll be hard on Aunt Nancy not to have the milk." - -"I 'low you're 'bout right, sonny; it helped make up a good bit of the -old woman's livin', an' she hasn't so much money but that a dollar makes -a big difference." - -"That's true, an' I've come to see if I can't help her out in some way." - -"You?" and Mr. Treat looked up in surprise. "Why, I thought you hadn't -any great amount of cash on hand." - -"And I haven't; but I thought perhaps I might make a trade with you." - -"Want to have a dicker of some kind, eh? Well, what have you got to show -up?" and Mr. Treat selected from a pile of pine wood a convenient stick -to whittle, as he assumed a more comfortable attitude preparatory to -indulging in his favorite pastime of "dickering." - -"I haven't got anything, sir; but thought there might be work I could -do around here till I'd earned enough to buy Aunt Nancy another cow." - -Jack stammered and hesitated until it was a positive pleasure both to -himself and the storekeeper when the speech was finally ended. - -"What can you do?" Mr. Treat asked thoughtfully as he fashioned with -infinite care the bit of wood into a toothpick. - -"Almost anything, sir. I'd be willin' to work very hard if I could get -the job." - -"Have you got any idea what the jobs 'round here might be?" - -"It don't make any difference; I'm not afraid of bucklin' down to them." - -"How much do you count on earnin'?" - -"I want to get enough to buy a cow for Aunt Nancy." - -"Do you know what one is worth?" - -"No, sir." - -Mr. Treat was silent for a moment as if revolving some very weighty -matter in his mind, and said slowly,-- - -"I've got jest sich a cow as would suit Aunt Nancy; she's a good one, -an' I wouldn't like to part with her for nothin'. Now, if you'd do the -chores 'round here this summer, an' she would put in some of the money -I owe for the wheat, we might strike a trade." - -"But I don't want her to pay anything." - -"Thought you could do it all yourself, eh?" - -"I hoped so," Jack replied in a tone of disappointment. - -"Why, I don't reckon you'd earn it in a year. I'd want forty dollars at -the very lowest figger for my cow, an' it would take a mighty smart boy -to git that much in twelve months." - -Jack could no longer conceal his feelings, and, seeing he was pained -because of the failure of his plans, Mr. Treat continued in what he -intended should be a soothing tone,-- - -"I'd be willin' to allow you twenty dollars for a summer's work -previdin' you'd board yourself at Aunt Nancy's. Then she'd only be -called on to pay as much more, an' have twice as good a cow as the one -that's dead." - -"How long do you say the summer should last?" - -"Well, I wouldn't be hard on you, an' we'd call it quits by the middle -of November." - -"How much of that time would it be necessary for me to stay in the -store?" - -"From five o'clock in the mornin' till nine at night, the same as is -expected of other boys." - -It was the last blow to Jack's hopes. His duty to Louis would prevent -him from remaining in this section of the country such a length of time, -and it was essential he should assist Aunt Nancy in order to pay her for -the food he and Louis consumed. - -"Well, what do you think of it?" Mr. Treat asked, as the boy stood -irresolutely for a moment. - -"I couldn't because I can't stay here as long as that, and, besides, I -must do something for Aunt Nancy to earn our board." - -"That's right, my boy. There's no harm done because we didn't make a -trade; but it shows I'm willin' to help along all I can in a case like -this." - -"I'm much obliged to you," Jack replied faintly, and then he started up -the road once more, walking decidedly faster than when he came. - -He had counted on being able to ease the sorrow in Aunt Nancy's mind by -buying for her a cow as good as the one she had lost. - -He was revolving in his mind half a dozen plans by which the desired -result might be attained, when a voice from the opposite side of the -road caused him to halt. - -"How's Aunt Nancy by this time?" - -It was Mr. Souders who spoke, and because that gentleman had been so -kind to him on the day when the sewing circle met at the little woman's -house, he decided to tell him the whole story, not from any expectation -of receiving assistance, but in order to relieve his mind. - -Mr. Souders listened attentively to all he had to say, and then -replied,-- - -"Treat was trying to swindle you. His cow isn't worth ten dollars, to -say nothing of forty, an' he wasn't over an' above anxious to give you -too much for your work. Let the matter drop a couple of days an' I'll -see what can be done. We mustn't allow Aunt Nancy to suffer." - -There was a world of encouragement in the gentleman's tones, and Jack -felt as if half his troubles had already been removed. - -"I'm willin' to do anything I can towards earnin' the money to buy one; -but Louis an' I mustn't stay here till November, an' I don't want her to -use her own money." - -"That will be all right, my lad. Go home now, an' I'll see you later." - -Jack's heart was quite light when he walked swiftly down the lane -leading to the tiny house, but became heavy again when he saw the little -woman's face. - -It was evident Aunt Nancy was mourning deeply the loss of her pet, and -the cripple felt that as yet he had nothing tangible to assuage her -grief. - -She looked up inquiringly as he approached, but he offered no -explanation regarding his journey until the question had been asked -directly, and then said hesitatingly,-- - -"I would rather not tell you, Aunt Nancy. I thought I might be able to -do something, but it was a failure, an' the less we say about it the -better." - -"Jack dear," and the little woman was very grave, "when a boy can't tell -his friends what he has been doing it looks as if there was something of -which to be ashamed." - -"But in this case there isn't, Aunt Nancy; cross my throat if there is." - -"I believe you, my child, but would have much preferred if there had -been perfect confidence between us." - -Jack looked up in positive alarm. - -The little woman's tone was so different from what he had ever heard -before when she was addressing him, that he actually felt frightened. - -"I'll tell you all about it," he said quickly; but Aunt Nancy held up -her hand to prevent his saying anything more. - -"If it is something which you wish to keep a secret from me I don't want -to hear it." - -Now Jack was distressed, for there could be no question but that he had -displeased his best friend. - -"Please listen to me, Aunt Nancy. I did say I wasn't going to tell you, -because I thought perhaps you'd think I was meddlin'. That is, you might -have thought so after I failed; but if the thing had gone through all -right you'd been glad." - -Then, disregarding entirely her gestures for him to remain silent, he -told all the story save that relating to his interview with Mr. Souders. - -It was yet possible old crumple-horn's place would be filled, but he -believed it best not to raise any false hopes. - -When he concluded Aunt Nancy took his face in her hands, bending his -head over until she could kiss his cheeks, when she said in a tremulous -voice,-- - -"Jack, you are a dear, good boy, and have been a blessing to me from the -hour you first came into this house; but you must not think of taking -any such load upon your shoulders. I would not have permitted it even -had you been able to make a satisfactory bargain with Mr. Treat, and -that is what no person has ever done before to my knowledge. It was not -right to keep from me anything you wished to do, and it is proven in -this case, for if I had known what you thought of attempting, I could -have explained how useless it would be." - -"It didn't seem so to me, Aunt Nancy, and I surely believed I could earn -more than twenty dollars by working all summer." - -"Not for such a man as the storekeeper. Now you will be obliged to walk -over to Daniel Chick's twice each day for milk, and that will be more -labor than taking care of poor old crumple-horn." - -"Perhaps you may get another cow, Aunt Nancy." - -"It is impossible, at least during this year. I spent more money at camp -meeting than I could afford, and must now pay the penalty when the -summer boarders come by being forced to buy both milk and butter. It -will make a big hole in my earnings." - -Now that there was no cow to care for, the work in Jack's particular -department was very light, and, as he said to Aunt Nancy, it seemed as -if he had hardly begun before the whole was done. - -The walk to Daniel Chick's was not as pleasant as taking care of old -crumple-horn, and besides, he would be forced to pass Bill Dean's house -twice each day, a fact which caused him no little disquietude; but he -said nothing regarding this to Aunt Nancy. - -The following forty-eight hours passed very quietly on the farm. - -The little woman was so thoroughly tired from her labors at camp meeting -that she did not have the ambition to bustle around as usual, and the -greater portion of her time was spent with Jack in the garden. - -It is probable that no collection of vegetables ever received more care -than was bestowed by these enthusiastic gardeners. - -The smallest weed was detected and instantly pulled up by Aunt Nancy, -while Jack loosened the ground around the roots of each tiny plant until -it seemed certain they would be dwarfed. - -Much to Jack's discomfort, hardly an hour passed when the little woman -did not make some reference to Mr. Pratt, and constantly bewailed the -fact that she failed to see him. - -"But it wasn't your fault I couldn't find him, Aunt Nancy," Jack finally -said. - -"I suppose not; but yet it seems as if my cowardice had something to do -with it." - -"You know that couldn't be so, Aunt Nancy; but if you want me to I'll -walk over to his house. It ain't so terribly far." - -This proposition had the effect of reducing the little woman to silence, -and during three or four hours Louis' guardian heard nothing regarding -the man whom he had every reason to consider an enemy. - -Late on the afternoon of the third day after he had talked with Mr. -Souders, that gentleman's wife drove up, and instead of alighting to -call upon Aunt Nancy, said quite sharply,-- - -"Samuel wanted me to drive over here for Jack." - -"Why, what is the matter?" The little woman asked in alarm. - -"Nothing very serious, Nancy Curtis, so don't begin to fret. Sam always -was full of whims, an' I reckon this is one of 'em." - -Jack fancied he knew what was wanted, and his heart was very light when -he clambered into the wagon. - -"I'll come right back," he cried, as the carriage rolled away, and Aunt -Nancy sat looking at Louis as if speechless with astonishment. - -"Is it about the cow?" Jack asked of Mrs. Souders, who sat stiff as a -statue and quite as forbidding looking, holding the reins tightly in -both hands, and paying no attention to the cripple. - -She nodded her head, and Jack could not but wonder if she thought her -breath too valuable to be wasted in words. - -This was the extent of the conversation during the ride of ten minutes -or more, and the hunchback felt decidedly relieved when it came to an -end. - -Mrs. Souders, silent and stern, was quite as disagreeable a companion as -Mrs. Souders angry. - -The cause of his having thus been summoned was, as he had hoped, a cow. - -In the yard, with a halter on her head and a card tied to her horn, -stood a meek-eyed animal which Jack thought a model of her kind. - -Mr. Souders came from the shed as the hunchback alighted, and cried in -his hearty, cheery voice,-- - -"What do you think of that, lad? Talk about Treat's cow; why, she can't -hold a candle side of this one, and there was a big difference in the -price." - -"Is it for Aunt Nancy?" - -"Sartin, an' I sent for you to lead her over to the little woman." - -"But who's to pay for her?" - -"That part of the transaction has been settled already, an' all you have -to do now, is to take the creater away." - -"But I wanted to do somethin' toward buyin' her." - -"So you have, my boy. Can you read writin'?" - -"Not very well." - -"Then come here while I tell you what's on the card. I got one of Daniel -Chick's daughters to fix it up so's it would be kerrect." - -Then Mr. Souders, after wiping his glasses lest a single word should -escape his attention, read the following:-- - - "TO AUNT NANCY CURTIS - FROM - JACK DUDLEY, - TO WHOM THIS COW WAS PRESENTED BY - SARAH SOUDERS, - IN TOKEN OF HER REGRET FOR THE UNKIND - TREATMENT WHICH HE RECEIVED - AT HER HANDS." - -"You see," Mr. Souders explained confidentially as he finished reading -the inscription, "mother has been sorry about what happened over to -Aunt Nancy's, jest as I said she would be, an' this is kind of a -peace-offerin' to you, at the same time a good turn is done the old -woman." - -"Then no one else paid for the cow? Your wife did the whole thing?" - -"I may have chipped in a bit; but that don't count. Its mother's present -to you an' Aunt Nancy, an' I'm right glad of the chance to help the -little woman along. She'd be in mighty hard lines this summer if she had -to buy butter an' milk." - -Jack hardly knew what to do or say. - -He was delighted almost beyond bounds at being able to take the cow to -Aunt Nancy, and at the same time it seemed necessary he should thank -Mrs. Souders, but was at a loss to know how it was to be done. - -"Where is your wife?" he asked after a pause. - -"In the house, an' I reckon she's locked the door. Better not try to say -anything to her. Mother's peculiar, an' flies off dreadfully sometimes, -but her heart's in the right place, my boy, which makes up for a good -many faults. Lead the creater home now, an' I'll venter to say you'll -enjoy seein' Aunt Nancy dance when she knows its hers." - -Jack would have attempted to thank Mr. Souders, but the gentleman -prevented him by unfastening the cow's halter, and insisting that the -animal be led away at once. - - - - -CHAPTER XX. - -BILL DEAN. - - -Jack was a very proud boy when he came down the lane to the farmhouse -leading the docile animal by the halter. - -He hoped to reach the door before Aunt Nancy should see him; but the -little woman was sitting under the old oak wondering what business Mr. -Souders had on hand which required the cripple's presence. - -He was half way from the main road to the house when she saw him, and -cried in astonishment,-- - -"Bless my soul, Jack, have you been and made a trade with Mr. Treat -after what I said?" - -"Indeed I haven't! Jest wait till you see what's on this beauty's horn, -an' then you'll know all about it." - -Aunt Nancy could not curb her curiosity until the animal was led in, but -ran forward with Louis in her arms, Jack stopping the cow that she might -read that which was written on the card. - -The little woman was bewildered. - -She could hardly realize the animal was a present until Jack repeated -again and again what Mr. Souders had said, and then it was the -hunchback's turn to be bewildered, for instead of expressing her -gratitude, she sat down on the grass, regardless of possible stains to -her dress, and began to cry heartily. - -"Why, I thought you'd be glad," Jack said in a tone of disappointment, -while Louis pulled at the little woman's ringlets to show his sympathy -for what seemed to be grief. - -"So--so--so I am--Jack dear; but--but--it doesn't seem right that people -should do so--so--so much for me." - -"It wouldn't be enough if they'd sent a thousand cows." - -"But for you I might never have had poor old crumple-horn replaced." - -"Of course you would. That was wrote on the card only to make me feel -better about what Mrs. Souders did; but she'd given you this all the -same." - -Aunt Nancy refused to look at it in that light, and Jack became confused -at being overwhelmed with thanks. - -The little woman insisted on tracing the gift directly to his visit to -Treat's store, thus giving him nearly all the credit, until the -conversation became really painful. - -"Let's take her out to the pasture, for she must be hungry by this -time," he said, as a means of putting an end to the words of gratitude -which he believed were undeserved. - -This aroused Aunt Nancy to a sense of the situation as nothing else -could have done, for the thought that anything around her might be -suffering would always cause her to forget herself, and she followed -Jack, who had lifted Louis to the cow's back to give him a ride. - -It was a sort of triumphal procession which halted at the pasture bars -in order that Aunt Nancy might inspect more closely her new pet. - -"Seems wrong to say anything disparaging of poor old crumple-horn after -she has served me faithfully for so many years, but I must confess this -cow looks as if she might be a better milker." - -"I'll bet she's the best in town," Jack replied enthusiastically, as he -pulled clover for the gentle animal to eat. - -"Not quite that, Jack dear, for Deacon Downs has a Jersey that leads -everything." - -"At any rate his cow can't be as kind as this one." - -"That may be," Aunt Nancy replied meditatively as she kissed the fawn -colored nose. "I do really think we couldn't have found a better -substitute for poor old crumple-horn." - -Then the animal was examined critically, without a single flaw having -been found, and not until half an hour was spent in this manner could -she be allowed to enter the pasture. - -Aunt Nancy thought it her duty to see Mrs. Souders at the earliest -opportunity in order to thank her for the gift, and decided to do so on -the following morning when the breakfast dishes had been cleared away. - -Jack went to clean the stall in the barn for the new cow's occupancy, -and was working industriously when he fancied he heard a cry of distress -coming from the direction of the duck pond. - -His first thought was that Louis had strayed again, but on looking out, -both he and the little woman were seen under the big oak, apparently as -happy and contented as well could be. - -Believing he had been deceived by his fancy, he resumed the work, but -only to stop an instant later as the cries sounded more distinct. - -This time there could be no mistake, and he ran toward Aunt Nancy as he -asked,-- - -"Do you hear that noise? I'm goin' to see what it means." - -As he went rapidly across the fields without waiting for a reply, the -little woman followed him, but her pace was slow because of having the -baby in her arms. - -The cries continued almost incessantly, and by them Jack was guided to a -clump of large trees standing near one end of the pond within a few -yards of the spot where Louis had been set adrift on the raft. - -It was not necessary to search long for the sufferer. - -Lying on the ground, held firmly down by a huge limb of a tree which had -fallen across his breast in such a manner that he could not use his -arms, was Bill Dean. - -His face was pale, whether from pain or fear Jack had no means of -ascertaining, for the boy did not wait to be questioned, but cried -piteously,-- - -"O Hunchie, help me outer this scrape an' I won't ever play tricks on -you agin!" - -This promise was not necessary to enlist Jack's sympathy. - -It was a boy in agony and not an enemy he saw before him; the only -question in his mind was how the rescue could be effected. - -"Lay still, an' I'll do the best I can; but it may hurt a little more -when I try to lift the limb." - -Kneeling that he might get his shoulder under one end of the heavy -branch, Jack tried to raise it, but in vain. - -He was making the second effort, Bill moaning piteously meanwhile, when -Aunt Nancy arrived, and she, like Jack, thought only of relieving -suffering. - -"Where are you hurt, William?" she asked anxiously. - -"I don't know, but it seems as if the ache was all over my body." - -"How did the accident happen?" - -"I was choppin' this limb off to build a new raft, an' it fell on me." - -"Can you lift it, Jack dear?" - -"I'm afraid not; it's terribly heavy." - -"Let me help you." - -The two strained and tugged all to no purpose, when, as he paused to -regain his breath and wipe the perspiration from his face, Jack said,-- - -"I could cut away part of it if I had an axe." - -"Mine is around here somewhere," Bill said with a groan. - -Jack soon found the tool, and, working very cautiously lest he should -cause the sufferer yet more pain, chopped here and there to remove the -larger twigs, while Aunt Nancy bathed Bill's pale face with her -handkerchief wetted in the pond. - -[Illustration: "Where are you hurt, William?" asked Aunt Nancy -anxiously.--Page 252.] - -It required nearly half an hour of the most fatiguing labor to perform -the task, and then Jack said as he threw down the axe,-- - -"When I lift on this end you must try to pull him out, Aunt Nancy." - -The first attempt was a failure, but at the second the little woman -succeeded, and Bill was drawn from his uncomfortable position looking -decidedly the worse for wear. - -"Can you stand up?" Aunt Nancy asked solicitously as she brushed the -dirt from Bill's hands, and little Louis patted his cheek to show he -wished to take some part in the rescue, even though it only was to -display sympathy. - -"I'll try," Master Dean said meekly, and, with the aid of Aunt Nancy and -Jack, the sorrowful looking bully arose to his feet. - -It was positive the bones of his legs were not broken, for he stood -erect without difficulty, and, this having been ascertained, Aunt Nancy -proceeded to make a careful examination of his arms and chest. - -"I do not believe you are seriously injured, William," she said with a -sigh of relief. "There can be no doubt but that you will be very lame -for a few days; you must bear with it, and thank your Father it is no -worse." - -"My father didn't have anything to do with it. He'd given me Jesse if he -knowed I was here cuttin' down the tree." - -"I mean your Father in heaven, William, who watches over even the -sparrow's fall." - -Bill looked rather shamefaced at having made such a mistake, and said as -he turned half away from his rescuers,-- - -"I told Hunchie I wouldn't bother him any more if he'd help me out, an' -I'm goin' to stick to my promise." - -"It would have been much better if you had arrived at that conclusion -before you were in need of assistance," Aunt Nancy replied gravely. "One -should do right because it is his duty, and not as a reward to others." - -"What's the matter now?" Bill asked in surprise. "Do you want me to keep -on roughin' it into him?" - -"Certainly not, and I am glad you made the promise. What I meant was -that it would have been better had you done so because you wished to." - -"But I didn't till now." - -"We won't speak of it further now. Go home and ask your mother to rub -the bruises with liniment. When you feel inclined I would like to have -you come to see Jack and me." - -"I ain't goin' 'round to be preached at," Bill replied in his old -defiant tone. "There was enough of that at camp meetin' to last a feller -a month." - -"I did not see you at the services." - -"Once I had to go when mother caught me jest as the bell was ringin', -an' its the last time I'll get in the same box." - -Aunt Nancy shook her head sadly. - -She was discouraged, but not so much as to give up the struggle, for it -was her intention to renew it again at a more "convenient season." - -"We had best go back, Jack dear, and William will come to-morrow to tell -us how he feels. - -"I ain't so sure 'bout that, if you're goin' to stuff a feller with a -lot of sabbath-school talk," Bill said sulkily, as he picked up the axe -and started across the fields without further thanks to his kind -friends. - -"He doesn't seem like a very good boy at heart," Aunt Nancy said sadly, -as she raised Louis in her arms; "but we must not judge by outward -appearances. I almost feel condemned for saying anything when my own -sin has not been atoned for. My mind would be much easier if I had seen -Mr. Pratt at the meeting." - -"It won't take long to fix that," Jack replied, noting with sorrow the -look of pain which had come over the little woman's face. "It will do -jest as well if I go there an' tell him what you wanted to say." - -"But then you would be where they could easily carry you to the poor -farm." - -"Well, s'posen they did, what would that 'mount to side of makin' you -feel good? Besides, don't you believe Mr. Souders could make them let me -out?" - -"Perhaps he might; I never thought of that." - -"I'll leave here to-morrow mornin', an' by night be there." - -"Bless your heart, child, I would never think of letting you walk that -long distance. If we should make up our minds that it was best to go, -and I wish I _could_ have the strength to say it, you'd ride in the -cars." - -"Why not decide now?" - -"Because, Jack dear, it nearly breaks my heart to think there is a -possibility of being obliged to give you up." - -"Well, s'posen we go home an' talk the thing over some other time," -Jack said with an assumption of cheerfulness which was far from natural. - -He had suddenly conceived a plan by which the little woman could be -relieved without the pain of deciding that it should be so, and there -was no more than sufficient time to put it into execution. - -Aunt Nancy walked back to the house in a meditative mood, Jack talking -about the cow and kindred topics to prevent her mind from dwelling upon -the dreaded subject. - -He at once set about doing the chores in an unusually careful manner -when they arrived home. - -A large quantity of wood was brought into the kitchen, an extra amount -of water drawn, and the cow given a generous lunch of clover after she -had been driven into the stable. - -"Why do you do so much unnecessary work, Jack dear?" Aunt Nancy asked. -"There will be nothing left for morning, and it is bad to have 'idle -hands.'" - -"I may as well fix everything now, for you know what you said about -puttin' off till to-morrow. Say, Aunt Nancy, would you lend me a lead -pencil an' a piece of paper?" - -"Of course, my child. Are you going to write a letter?" - -"Yes, Aunt Nancy, an' you shall see it in the mornin'." - -"Better sit down at the kitchen table. If writing is as much of a task -for you as it is for me, you'll need every possible convenience." - -"I had rather do it in my room, for you see I don't know very much about -such things, an' it'll come mighty hard, but you won't care if it don't -look very nice, will you?" - -"Certainly not, my child. It could only annoy me because I have not -taken advantage of our leisure time to teach you the little I know." - -"You are always blamin' yourself, Aunt Nancy, an' I don't like to hear -it. I wouldn't let anybody else talk that way about you." - -For reply the little woman patted the boy on the cheek, and then -proposed the nightly search for burglars be made. - -After the evening devotions Aunt Nancy gave Jack the articles he had -asked for, and was considerably surprised by the warmth of the boy's -good-night salute. - -Once in his room, Jack set about what was for him a formidable task, and -it was late before he completed the following:-- - - "DEAR AUNT NANCY I AM GOIN TO SEA THE FARMER & TELL HIM YOU R SORRY - IF I DONT COME BACK U WILL NO WHERE I AM BUT DONT FEL BAD FOUR I - LUV U. I CARNT STOP TO MILK - - JACK DUDLEY - URE JACK DEAR." - -When this had been done Jack looked around the little room as if taking -leave of all it contained, wiped a suspicious moisture from his eyes, -and then dressed, but with his shoes in his hands, crept softly down the -stairs. - -The ticking of the clock sounded strangely loud and unnatural; the -silence, save for this clicking noise, was oppressive, and he felt as if -he was about to commit some crime against the woman who had befriended -him. - -"It's got to be done, an' I mustn't stand here worryin' about it, or I -might back out," he said to himself. - -It was necessary he should think of Aunt Nancy's self accusations and -sorrow before he could nerve himself to raise the window. - -He took this method of departing rather than by the door, for he feared -the little woman would be alarmed on learning she had remained in the -house a portion of the night without every place of egress being -securely fastened. - -Once outside he gazed around several moments, taking in all the details -of the place where he had spent so many pleasant days, and then, putting -on his shoes, he started up the lane with a heart so heavy it seemed a -positive burden. - -The moon shone faintly through the clouds; the night wind murmured -mournfully among the trees, and before him could dimly be seen the road -he believed led him to the paupers' home by way of Mr. Pratt's house. - - - - -CHAPTER XXI. - -STARTLING INFORMATION. - - -Realizing that he had a long walk before him, Jack continued on at a -steady pace keeping ever in mind the good he hoped to accomplish. - -He did not dare dwell upon the possible ending to the journey lest he -should grow faint-hearted, but tried to persuade himself there would be -some way by which he might escape the threatened ignominy. - -By starting at midnight, he expected to arrive at Scarborough early in -the day, and then, in case Farmer Pratt did not attempt to detain him, -it would be possible to return to the farm before sunset. - -It was not believed he would meet any travellers at that hour, and the -loneliness, when the shadows danced to and fro athwart the road like -fairy-land monsters, was so great as to make him repent ever having -attempted the undertaking. - -As the curtain of night was slowly removed, and the heralds of the -coming morn appeared in the sky, his drooping spirits revived. - -He listened with interest to the sounds which proclaimed that day was -awakening. The birds in their leafy homes began to discuss the propriety -of going out in search of the "early worm." The frogs from the watery -dwellings called to their children that it was time to be up and doing -unless they wanted to remain tadpoles forever, and the wind which came -"out of the sea" whispered: Awake! it is the day. - -The leaves bowed and courtesied, the waving grasses bent yet lower their -heads, the flowers brought out their sweetest perfumes, and all nature -was quivering with excitement because the kindly sun was about to show -himself once more. - -Then as the first golden rays of light shot across the sky and the birds -burst forth into song, Jack felt a certain sense of relief. The words -which he had heard Aunt Nancy speak so often came to his mind, and he -repeated over and over again, understanding the meaning better than ever -before,-- - -"He doeth all things well." - -It was but a little past eight o'clock when he turned the corner which -led to Farmer Pratt's house, and the first person he saw was none other -than Master Tom. - -"Hello! Where'd you come from?" that young gentleman cried in surprise. - -"Down the road a bit." - -"Why didn't you git back before? Father's been lookin' almost everywhere -for you an' the baby." - -"Is he still huntin'?" - -"No, he gave it up as a bad job a good while ago, for there's no chance -of gettin' the reward now." - -"The reward?" Jack asked in surprise. - -"Yes; you see the baby's mother went away from Portland, an' father -don't allow there's anybody in town who cares very much about it after -so long a time." - -"Louis' mother in Portland?" Jack cried, rapidly growing bewildered. - -"Of course; father went in to see her after he made up his mind you'd -gone away; but she wasn't there, so he said it would pay him better to -'tend to the farm instead of runnin' 'round after you fellers." - -Jack's eyes were opened wide with astonishment, and Tom began to think -the hunchback had taken leave of his senses. - -"What's the matter with you?" he asked sharply, and Jack replied -slowly,-- - -"I can't make out how Mrs. Littlefield happened to be in Portland when -the last I saw of her was on the 'Atlanta.' Why, the ship was goin' to -Bremen!" - -"She come inside the breakwater after you went adrift. It's all in the -papers father's got." - -"Why didn't you tell me about it?" Jack asked reproachfully. - -"How could I when we didn't know where you was? Me an' father hunted all -'round, but couldn't find hide nor hair of either you or the baby." - -"Was your father tryin' to send us back to Mrs. Littlefield?" - -"Sure, 'cause he wanted to earn the reward." - -"An' I've been keepin' out of his way when I might have given Louis back -to his mother long ago!" Jack cried in dismay. - -"You oughter knowed better." - -"How could I when he'd threatened to send us to the poor farm?" - -"But he didn't." - -"He told Aunt Nancy so." - -"Who's she?" - -"A lady we've been livin' with. Say, Tom, have you got the papers that -tell about Mrs. Littlefield huntin' for us?" - -"There's a whole slat of 'em down to the house. Father spent more'n -twenty cents buyin' whatever had anything in it about you." - -"Will you give me one?" - -"Of course. I know they ain't any good, for I heard him say he'd thrown -away jest so much money on the pesky things." - -"Let's go right down an' get one," Jack cried excitedly as he tried to -quicken Tom's movements by pulling at his arm. - -Master Pratt was not a boy who could be hurried; he objected to moving -quickly upon any occasion, however important, and said irritably,-- - -"Don't yank a feller 'round so; if I go back now I'm afraid father'll be -there an' set me to work." - -"I'll help you if he does." - -"A feller like you wouldn't 'mount to much haulin' rock-weed," Tom said -scornfully. - -"But I'll help as much as I can. _Do_ go, Tom; only think what it means -to Louis! His mother will soon find him if I can take one of the papers -back to Aunt Nancy." - -"How do you make that out?" - -"She'd see where to write to Mrs. Littlefield, an' that would settle the -whole thing." - -"Well, I'll go," Master Pratt said with an air such as he fancied a -martyr should wear; "but it's goin' to be mighty hard if I'm set to work -after gettin' so far away from home." - -Jack hurried him along as fast as possible, which at the best was a slow -pace, and, on arriving at the Pratt farm, Tom reconnoitred several -minutes, determined not to enter the house if his father was on the -premises. - -Mr. Pratt was nowhere to be seen, and Tom whispered,-- - -"You stay here while I run in an' get it. Mother may be mad if she sees -you hangin' 'round after father has blowed us up so much for lettin' you -go away." - -Jack hid himself behind a clump of hollyhocks, and in a few moments Tom -came back with two papers which showed signs of having been subjected to -hard usage. - -"Put 'em in your pocket, an' let's skip." - -Jack was about to act upon this suggestion when it suddenly occurred to -him that, in the excitement caused by learning Louis' mother was -searching for her child, he had forgotten the reason for his visit. - -"I've got to see your father before I leave," he said. - -"What for? He won't be very pleasant after losin' all the money the -captain's wife was willin' to pay." - -"I can't help that. I'm here with a message from Aunt Nancy, an' it must -be delivered." - -"I guess you'll find him down in the potato patch, but I ain't fool -enough to go with you. Hurry up, an' I'll see you on the road, for I -reckon you count on goin' back to that Aunt Nancy." - -"Of course, an' I must be there as soon as possible." - -Tom pointed out the location of the field, and Jack started across the -ploughed land feeling very light at heart, because it now seemed -probable Louis would soon find his mother. - -Farmer Pratt was not aware he had a visitor until Jack had approached -within a couple of yards, and said in a voice which was decidedly -shaky,-- - -"Good mornin', sir." - -"Hello! It's you, eh?" - -"Yes, sir," Jack replied, as if believing the gentleman wished for an -answer. - -"Well, you young scoundrel, what have you to say for yourself after -cheatin' me out of one hundred dollars? Answer me that, you misshapen -villain!" - -"I didn't cheat you, sir." - -"Don't contradict me, you miserable cripple, or as sure's my name's -Nathan Pratt I'll strike you with this hoe!" - -Jack started back in alarm as the farmer raised the tool, and then, -hoping to bring the interview to a speedy close, said timidly,-- - -"I came here, sir, to tell you that Aunt Nancy is awful sorry she acted -a lie when you were at the house huntin' for us. She can't be easy in -her mind till she's confessed, an' as she couldn't walk so far I've come -in her place." - -"Is that the little woman up on the Saco road with a couple of curls an' -a mighty sharp tongue?" - -"She's got two curls." - -"I know her! So she lied to me, eh?" - -"Not exactly, sir, for you didn't ask straight out if we were there; but -she's awful good and thinks by not tellin' everything it was the same as -a lie, so I come over here to tell you she's sorry." - -"So she ought to be, the vixen! The idea of a little drop of vinegar -like her keepin' that baby away from his mother!" - -"Did you know, then, that Louis' mother was huntin' for him?" - -"Of course I did, or else why would I have gone gallivantin' 'round the -country lookin' for him?" - -"Then why didn't you tell her? She'd been only too glad to hear from -Mrs. Littlefield, but you made her believe we'd got to be took to the -poor farm." - -The farmer glared at Jack for an instant, and then it flashed across his -mind that the cause of his losing the reward was the lie he told to Aunt -Nancy. - -This was not a consoling thought to one who had mourned so deeply over -the loss of the prospective money as had Mr. Pratt, and the only relief -he could find was in scolding Jack. - -The cripple listened to his angry words a few seconds, and then, knowing -no good could come of waiting, said as he walked away,-- - -"I only came over here to tell you Aunt Nancy was sorry, an' there's no -need of stayin' any longer after you know it." - -"I'll have her arrested for swindlin' me outer that money!" - -"She didn't do anything of the kind, an' it's all your own fault you -lost it," Jack cried, emboldened by the knowledge that he was at a safe -distance from the angry man. - -The farmer shook his fist at the cripple in impotent rage, and Jack -hurried out to the road where Tom was waiting to receive him. - -"What was goin' on down there?" Master Pratt asked eagerly. "I heard him -hollerin' awful." - -"It wasn't much. Your father was kinder mad, but I guess he'll get over -it pretty soon." - -"I hope so, for he's been scoldin' about losin' the money ever since he -first saw the papers. Where are you goin' now?" - -"Home." - -"Why don't you hold on a while an' get rested?" - -"It won't do to stop; Aunt Nancy'll be worryin' about me, an', besides, -we've got to send a letter to Louis' mother right away." - -Tom insisted that after the service he had rendered it would be nothing -more than a friendly act for the cripple to remain and chat a while, but -Jack would listen to nothing of the kind. - -Despite his weariness he set out on the return journey at once, but with -a lighter heart than when he left Aunt Nancy's home. - -It was dark when he came down the lane and found the little woman -sitting under the old oak. - -"O Jack dear!" she cried in tones of mingled joy and surprise. "It's -really you, and that hard-hearted farmer didn't send you to the poor -farm. But perhaps you couldn't find him," she added as the thought -occurred to her. - -"Yes I did, an' I told him you was sorry." - -Then Jack related the incidents of his journey, reserving until the last -the startling news which promised to restore Louis to his parents' arms. - -Aunt Nancy alternately laughed and cried when she heard the story, and -at its conclusion said,-- - -"What a lesson that should be to us, Jack dear. If I hadn't acted the -lie Louis would have seen his mother just so much sooner, and I have -been the means of making the poor woman's heart ache longer than was -necessary. You thought it wasn't a sin because I didn't _speak_ the -words which formed the falsehood, and yet you can now see that increased -trouble has been brought about by it." - -"But Mr. Pratt told a reg'lar lie." - -"That doesn't excuse me in the slightest. If every person in the world -spoke falsely I couldn't plead that it gave me a right to do so. But -come into the house and get something to eat. You must be nearly -famished as well as tired." - -"A slice of bread and butter wouldn't taste bad. Where's Louis?" - -"I put him to bed an hour ago," the little woman replied as she led the -way in. "After I set the table I'll read the papers you brought so we -can find out what's to be done to let that poor woman know where her -baby is." - -Jack insisted there was no reason why the table should be laid for him, -but Aunt Nancy would not listen to his proposition of taking the food in -his hands. - -She set out some of the best crockery, and in it placed as tempting a -lunch as the most fastidious boy could have asked for. - -Then as Jack ate she read the accounts of the accident on board the -"Atlanta." - -"It doesn't state here where the captain lives," she said after a while, -"but I think I know how we can find Mrs. Littlefield. I will write a -letter to the editor of the paper asking for her address, or perhaps it -would save time to send one to her and get him to address it." - -"The last plan is the best," Jack said after some thought. - -"Then I'll write at once, and you shall take it to the post office the -first thing in the morning." - -It was late before the little woman finished what was to her a hard -task, and then she thanked her Father for his wondrous goodness and -mercy in allowing that her sin brought forth no other evil than the -delay in restoring the baby to his mother's arms. - - - - -CHAPTER XXII. - -THE ARRIVAL. - - -Bright and early on the following morning Jack set out for the post -office with the letter, and Mr. Treat would have resumed the "dicker" -for the cow immediately after his arrival, but the hunchback prevented -him by saying,-- - -"I don't want to buy one now. Mrs. Souders gave Aunt Nancy a handsome -creature, and that is all she needs." - -"Sho! You don't mean to tell me Sarah Souders gave one right out?" - -"That's what she did." - -"Then all I can say is, it's a case of fool an' her money soon parted. -Why shouldn't Aunt Nancy pay for things the same as anybody else?" - -"She hadn't the money." - -"There's where you make a mistake, for we haven't settled for the wheat -yet, an' I've quite a little sum in my hands belongin' to her." - -"But that must be used in gettin' ready for the summer boarders." - -"Well," Mr. Treat said with a long-drawn sigh, as if pained because he -had been prevented from performing a charitable act, "I can't help it if -the old woman wants sich a cow as Sarah Souders would buy when she can -get a good one from me by puttin' out a little money." - -Then the worthy post master took the letter Jack handed him, scrutinized -it carefully, asked if Aunt Nancy was thinking of putting an -advertisement in the papers for summer boarders, and, on receiving a -non-committal answer, finally dropped it in the mail bag. - -Jack had waited to see this last act performed, and when the missive -disappeared he hurried home. - -It so chanced that he did not arrive there as soon as he had expected. - -While passing Mr. Dean's house Bill came out and hailed him with,-- - -"Say, Hunchie, is the old maid waitin' for me to come 'round so she can -talk Sunday school?" - -"Aunt Nancy doesn't do anything of the kind. If you knowed her as well -as I do you'd be mighty glad to be where she was." - -"I ain't sayin' that isn't so, an' don't be s'prised if you see me up -there pretty soon." - -"Shall I tell her so?" - -"No, for it might give the old woman too much of a shock. I only thought -I'd let you know so's you wouldn't get frightened when I came inter the -yard," and with this remark Master Dean re-entered the house, probably -thinking he had paved the way in a very delicate manner for a visit to -the little woman whom he had so often held up to ridicule. - -Now that the important letter had really been sent both Aunt Nancy and -Jack were in a nervously expectant frame of mind. - -They were unable to decide whether the editor of the newspaper or Mrs. -Littlefield would write first, and anxiously they awaited for some -tidings. - -Jack went to the post office for every mail, and the little woman -actually neglected to wipe imaginary specks of dust from the furniture -during three whole days. - -At the expiration of this time both were startled at seeing Daniel Chick -drive up the lane with a strange lady in his wagon. - -It was at the close of the afternoon, and the two were sitting under the -big oak while Louis nestled snugly in the little woman's arms. - -There was no doubt in Aunt Nancy's mind as to who the stranger might be -when she leaped from the carriage, and, seizing the baby in her arms, -covered his face with kisses and tears. - -"It's the dear little fellow's mother," Aunt Nancy whispered, as she led -Jack away, "and it is well to leave her alone for a while. She may be -hungry, and we must get supper at once. Send Daniel Chick off while I -start the fire." - -It was not an easy matter to dismiss the driver of the vehicle. - -He had been unable to extract any information from Mrs. Littlefield, and -wanted to know why she had come to Aunt Nancy's at least three weeks -before the summer boarders should arrive. - -"It's the baby's mother, and we want to leave her alone," Jack replied. - -"I ain't troublin' of her, am I?" and Mr. Chick crossed one leg over the -other as he gazed at the scene. - -"No; but Aunt Nancy said you were to go away now," Jack persisted, and -then, seeing that the gentleman evinced no disposition to leave, he -joined the little woman in the house. - -Supper was ready and on the table before Mrs. Littlefield could -relinquish the baby long enough to ask Jack for the particulars of his -adventures. - -Then when she came to the door Aunt Nancy said, as her ringlets, -sharing the feelings of the wearer, shook with suppressed excitement,-- - -"I hope you will have something to eat. You must be hungry by this time, -and Louis shall sit with me while you are at the table." - -As she spoke the little woman held out her hands invitingly to the baby, -and he showed every desire to go to her. - -"It can be plainly seen that my darling has had a good home," Mrs. -Littlefield replied as she kissed him again and again. - -"He has been loved perhaps better than in a house where there were other -children; but almost any one would have given him the same treatment." - -"I am afraid not; both he and Jack have been very fortunate. Now I will -take a cup of tea, but had rather hold him myself." - -Aunt Nancy beckoned for Jack to be seated although it was not more than -two hours since he had eaten supper, and when the little woman's head -was bowed in devotion she fervently thanked her Father for his wondrous -goodness and mercy in allowing the mother and child to meet again in -this world. - -During the meal Mrs. Littlefield asked Jack to tell the story of his -wanderings, and he gave them in detail, not omitting an account of -Farmer Pratt's determination to send them to the poor farm. - -"I shall never be able to repay you for all you have done, my boy," -Louis' mother said feelingly when the cripple concluded. "You are to go -back with me, and I will take care that you have a good home." - -Jack had nothing to say in regard to this. - -It seemed only natural he should remain with Louis after all that had -happened, but the idea of leaving the farm was not a pleasant one. - -He had known Mrs. Littlefield only during such time as she was on -shipboard, and while she had been kind to him it was as nothing compared -with what he experienced during his stay with Aunt Nancy. - -Very much was said regarding the children's adventures. Aunt Nancy was -thanked over and over again for all her kindness, and then Louis' mother -intimated that she would like to retire. - -"I wish to leave here on the first train to-morrow morning, and have -travelled so long that rest seems necessary now." - -The little woman conducted her guest to another apartment, and then, -with Jack's assistance, the kitchen was made tidy once more. - -Louis was nestling in his mother's arms in the lavender-scented bed -which Aunt Nancy kept especially for "company," and the little woman and -Jack were under the big oak together for what both believed would be the -last time. - -"You must think sometimes, Jack dear, of the poor old maid who is -sitting out here at this same hour wondering where in the big world her -boy and baby are." - -"There won't come a day or evening, Aunt Nancy, when I sha'n't think of -you, and remember you are the best friend I or any other boy ever had. -You see I can't say what is in my heart, but if I could you'd know I'd -never forget how good you've been to me." - -"The little I have done, Jack dear, was only my duty, and you have paid -me a thousand fold for everything. I haven't been so contented for many -years as since you came here, and but for the wrong committed when Mr. -Pratt called I should have been perfectly happy." - -"I'm glad you liked me," Jack said half to himself, "for if you hadn't I -wouldn't have known what a real home was like. It kinder seems as if I -belonged here." - -"You _do_ act the same as own folks, and I wonder if Mrs. Littlefield -will take as much comfort with you as I have?" - -"But I'm not goin' to stay at her house very long. When the captain -comes home I shall get work on board the 'Atlanta' again. Folks won't -keep me for an ornament, you know, an' I must earn my own livin'." - -"Do you like to go to sea?" - -"Well, there's some things about it that's pleasanter than stayin' -ashore. The sailors are kinder than the boys in town, an' don't call me -'Hunchie,' or names of that sort." - -Aunt Nancy remained silent, as if in deep thought, several moments, and -then said abruptly,-- - -"You certainly ought to go to school a portion of the time, Jack dear." - -"I s'pose I had, for I don't know scarcely anything, an' never had a -chance to learn." - -"Can you read?" - -"If the words ain't too long; but in printin' there are so few short -ones, that I don't seem to find out what the man who made it meant." - -"I should have taught you instead of sitting here idle; but we couldn't -have accomplished a great deal since you came." - -"You've had enough to do without botherin' about me." - -"But, Jack, you can do a great deal by yourself. Before you go away I -want to give you a little money, and with some of it you must buy a -school book. Then study a certain portion of it each day, until there is -no difficulty in reading any ordinary print. After that will be time -enough to take up other branches, and writing must come with the -reading, as I shall look very anxiously for a letter in your own hand." - -"I'll do the best I can, Aunt Nancy, but I don't want you to give me any -money. You haven't much to spare, and that I know." - -"I shall share it with you, Jack dear, and you mustn't make any -objection, for after you have gone I shall feel better to know you are -able to buy what little you may want." - -Then Aunt Nancy drew from her pocket a small black book which she handed -to the boy as she said in a low tone,-- - -"This was my father's Bible, and the print is so faint that I can no -longer read it even with glasses." - -"Hadn't you rather keep it? It was your father's." - - "No, dear. I have one as you know, and this can be put to no better - service than teaching you the right way. For my sake, Jack, become a - good man. Shun evil company, and do unto others as you would they - should do unto you. I haven't set a very good example in that way since - you came here; but you have a better temper than I, and for that more is - expected. Don't be tempted to tell a lie, and then you'll never feel as - I have since Mr. Pratt called." - -"I'll remember all you say, Aunt Nancy, and it would be a mighty -ungrateful feller who'd do anything he thought would make you feel bad." - -Then ensued another long interval of silence, during which the sun -finished his work of painting the clouds, and had sunk behind the hills. - -"It'll come pretty hard not to see you at night," Jack finally said -thoughtfully. - -"Will it, really?" the little woman asked eagerly. - -"Of course," and Jack looked up in surprise that such a question should -have been asked. "I don't s'pose I'll ever find a home as nice as this." - -"And would you be willing to stay here?" - -"Indeed I would if I could get work to pay my way." - -"Don't you think it would be lonely when winter comes, and you would be -obliged to remain a greater portion of the time in the house?" - -"Not if you was here." - -"Then, Jack, I am going to say something I thought ought not to be -spoken of for fear you might do it simply to please me. Why not stay?" - -"But I can't find any work 'round here, Aunt Nancy." - -"You have contrived to get plenty from the first night I saw you. If -this home seems pleasant there is no reason why you should leave it, and -when the white winged messengers come to carry me to the Father, the -little I leave behind shall be yours. It isn't much, Jack dear, but -would keep you from want, and a delicate boy like you is not able to -fight the hard world. If you were strong and well the case would be -different." - -Jack drew a long breath as if the pleasurable surprise was almost -overpowering, and then asked slowly,-- - -"Do you really want me to live here?" - -"Do I want you? If you say you will stay the pain which is now in my -heart will go away in an instant, and I would be the happiest old woman -in the State." - -"Then there'll be two feelin' mighty good, Aunt Nancy, for I'm only too -glad of the chance." - -The little woman kissed him tenderly, which told better than words that -the invitation really came from the heart. - -Not until a late hour that night did the tiny woman and the cripple -leave the bench under the old oak. - -Aunt Nancy had many plans for the future, chief among which was giving -Jack an education, and he speculated upon the possibility of tilling so -much of the farm during the coming season as would give him a small -income. - -All this was so interesting that for the first time in her life Aunt -Nancy came very near forgetting to search the house for supposed -burglars. - -"Mercy on us, Jack! It must be near midnight, and we haven't looked into -a single room yet. I am so excited I hardly know what I'm about." - -"I don't believe there would be any harm done if we didn't search the -place for a week," Jack said with a merry laugh; "but we'll go through -the motions all the same." - -On the following morning there was very little opportunity for a lengthy -conversation upon the change in the plans as arranged by Aunt Nancy and -Jack. - -When she made known the fact that the cripple would remain with her, -Mrs. Littlefield approved heartily of it. - -"I am positive he couldn't have a better home," she said, "and will take -it upon myself to see he is not a burden. That much I owe him, if -nothing more, for all he did to make my baby happy and comfortable." - -"I am not a rich woman, Mrs. Littlefield," Aunt Nancy said with -considerable dignity, "but I can care for the dear boy while I live." - -This concluded the subject, for at that moment Daniel Chick arrived to -take the visitor to the station, and Aunt Nancy and Jack could think of -nothing save the parting with the little fellow they had learned to love -so dearly. - -Louis crowed and laughed at the prospect of a ride, and Aunt Nancy said -sadly when he disappeared around the corner of the lane,-- - -"It almost seems as if he was glad to go away from us, Jack dear." - -"I reckon the farm will be kinder lonesome for a day or two, but he's -with his mother, an' that's where he belongs." - -"Yes, dear, we mustn't repine. The day will soon come for me when I go -away to my Father, and then you must think the same, for I shall be many -times happier in the eternal city than the baby is now. It will be a -lonely time for you, Jack dear, but only for a short while, after which -the old maid and the cripple will be in the glory and splendor of God's -own light." - -Then Aunt Nancy kissed Jack affectionately as she drew him to the -favorite seat, and, under the old oak where so many happy as well as sad -hours have been spent, will we bid adieu to the hunchback and his best -earthly friend. - - -THE END. - - - - -A. L. BURT'S PUBLICATIONS - -For Young People - -BY POPULAR WRITERS. - -52-58 Duarte Street, New York. - - - - -=Bonnie Prince Charlie=: A Tale of Fontenoy and Culloden. By G. A. -HENTY. With 12 full-page Illustrations by GORDON BROWNE. 12mo, -cloth, price $1.00. - -The adventures of the son of a Scotch officer in French service. The -boy, brought up by a Glasgow bailie, is a arrested for aiding a -Jacobite agent, escapes, is wrecked on the French coast, reaches Paris, -and serves with the French army at Dettingen. He kills his father's foe -in a duel, and escaping to the coast, shares the adventures of Prince -Charlie, but finally settles happily in Scotland. - -"Ronald, the hero, is very like the hero of 'Quentin Durward.' The -lad's journey across France, and his hairbreadth escapes, make up -as good a narrative of the kind as we have ever read. For freshness -of treatment and variety of incident Mr. Henty has surpassed -himself."--_Spectator._ - - -=With Clive in India=; or, the Beginnings of an Empire. By G. A. -HENTY. With 12 full-page Illustrations by GORDON BROWNE. 12mo, -cloth, price $1.00. - -The period between the landing of Clive as a young writer in India and -the close of his career was critical and eventful in the extreme. At its -commencement the English were traders existing on sufferance of the -native princes. At its close they were masters of Bengal and of the -greater part of Southern India. The author has given a full and accurate -account of the events of that stirring time, and battles and sieges -follow each other in rapid succession, while he combines with his -narrative a tale of daring and adventure, which gives a lifelike -interest to the volume. - -"He has taken a period of Indian history of the most vital -importance, and he has embroidered on the historical facts a story -which of itself is deeply interesting. Young people assuredly will -be delighted with the volume."--_Scotsman._ - - -=The Lion of the North=: A Tale of Gustavus Adolphus and the Wars of -Religion. By G. A. HENTY. With full-page Illustrations by JOHN -SCHOeNBERG. 12mo, cloth, price $1.00. - -In this story Mr. Henty gives the history of the first part of the -Thirty Years' War. The issue had its importance, which has extended to -the present day, as it established religious freedom in Germany. The -army of the chivalrous king of Sweden was largely composed of Scotchmen, -and among these was the hero of the story. - -"The tale is a clever and instructive piece of history, and as boys -may be trusted to read it conscientiously, they can hardly fail to -be profited."--_Times._ - - -=The Dragon and the Raven;= or, The Days of King Alfred. By G. A. -HENTY. With full-page Illustrations by C. J. STANILAND. 12mo, -cloth, price $1.00. - -In this story the author gives an account of the fierce struggle -between Saxon and Dane for supremacy in England, and presents a vivid -picture of the misery and ruin to which the country was reduced by the -ravages of the sea-wolves. The hero, a young Saxon thane, takes part in -all the battles fought by King Alfred. He is driven from his home, takes -to the sea and resists the Danes on their own element, and being pursued -by them up the Seine, is present at the long and desperate siege of -Paris. - -"Treated in a manner most attractive to the boyish reader."--_Athenaeum._ - - -=The Young Carthaginian=: A Story of the Times of Hannibal. By G. A. -HENTY. With full-page Illustrations by C. J. STANILAND, R.I. 12mo, -cloth, price $1.00. - -Boys reading the history of the Punic Wars have seldom a keen -appreciation of the merits of the contest. That it was at first a -struggle for empire, and afterward for existence on the part of -Carthage, that Hannibal was a great and skillful general, that he -defeated the Romans at Trebia, Lake Trasimenus, and Cannae, and all but -took Rome, represents pretty nearly the sum total of their knowledge. To -let them know more about this momentous struggle for the empire of the -world Mr. Henty has written this story, which not only gives in graphic -style a brilliant description of a most interesting period of history, -but is a tale of exciting adventure sure to secure the interest of the -reader. - -"Well constructed and vividly told. From first to last nothing -stays the interest of the narrative. It bears us along as on a -stream whose current varies in direction, but never loses its -force."--_Saturday Review._ - - -=In Freedom's Cause=: A Story of Wallace and Bruce. By G. A. HENTY. -With full page Illustrations by GORDON BROWNE. 12mo, cloth, price -$1.00. - -In this story the author relates the stirring tale of the Scottish War -of Independence. The extraordinary valor and personal prowess of Wallace -and Bruce rival the deeds of the mythical heroes of chivalry, and indeed -at one time Wallace was ranked with these legendary personages. The -researches of modern historians have shown, however, that he was a -living, breathing man--and a valiant champion. The hero of the tale -fought under both Wallace and Bruce, and while the strictest historical -accuracy has been maintained with respect to public events, the work is -full of "hairbreadth 'scapes" and wild adventure. - -"It is written in the author's best style. Full of the wildest and -most remarkable achievements, it is a tale of great interest, which -a boy, once he has begun it, will not willingly put on one -side."--_The Schoolmaster._ - - -=With Lee in Virginia=: A Story of the American Civil War. By G. A. -HENTY. With full-page Illustrations by GORDON BROWNE. 12mo, cloth, -price $1.00. - -The story of a young Virginian planter, who, after bravely proving his -sympathy with the slaves of brutal masters, serves with no less courage -and enthusiasm under Lee and Jackson through the most exciting events of -the struggle. He has many hairbreadth escapes, is several times wounded -and twice taken prisoner; but his courage and readiness and, in two -cases, the devotion of a black servant and of a runaway slave whom he -had assisted, bring him safely through all difficulties. - -"One of the best stories for lads which Mr. Henty has yet written. -The picture is full of life and color, and the stirring and -romantic incidents are skillfully blended with the personal -interest and charm of the story."--_Standard._ - - -=By England's Aid=; or, The Freeing of the Netherlands (1585-1604) By -G.A. HENTY. With full-page Illustrations by ALFRED PEARSE, and -Maps. 12mo, cloth, price $1.00. - -The story of two English lads who go to Holland as pages in the service -of one of "the fighting Veres." After many adventures by sea and land, -one of the lads finds himself on board a Spanish ship at the time of the -defeat of the Armada, and escapes only to fall into the hands of the -Corsairs. He is successful in getting back to Spain under the protection -of a wealthy merchant, and regains his native country after the capture -of Cadiz. - -"It is an admirable book for youngsters. It overflows with stirring -incident and exciting adventure, and the color of the era and of -the scene are finely reproduced. The illustrations add to its -attractiveness."--_Boston Gazette._ - - -=By Right of Conquest=; or, With Cortez in Mexico. By G. A. HENTY. -With full page Illustrations by W. S. STACEY, and Two Maps. 12mo, -cloth, price $1.50. - -The conquest of Mexico by a small band of resolute men under the -magnificent leadership of Cortez is always rightly ranked among the most -romantic and daring exploits in history. With this as the groundwork of -his story Mr. Henty has interwoven the adventures of an English youth, -Roger Hawkshaw, the sole survivor of the good ship Swan, which had -sailed from a Devon port to challenge the mercantile supremacy of the -Spaniards in the New World. He is beset by many perils among the -natives, but is saved by his own judgment and strength, and by the -devotion of an Aztec princess. At last by a ruse he obtains the -protection of the Spaniards, and after the fall of Mexico he succeeds in -regaining his native shore, with a fortune and a charming Aztec bride. - -"'By Right of Conquest' is the nearest approach to a perfectly -successful historical tale that Mr. Henty has yet published."--_Academy._ - - -=In the Reign of Terror=: The Adventures of a Westminster Boy By G. -A. HENTY. With full-page Illustrations by J. SCHOeNBERG. 12mo, -cloth, price $1.00. - -Harry Sandwith, a Westminster boy, becomes a resident at the chateau of -a French marquis, and after various adventures accompanies the family to -Paris at the crisis of the Revolution. Imprisonment and death reduce -their number, and the hero finds himself beset by perils with the three -young daughters of the house in his charge. After hairbreadth escapes -they reach Nantes. There the girls are condemned to death in the -coffin-ships, but are saved by the unfailing courage of their boy -protector. - -"Harry Sandwith, the Westminster boy, may fairly be said to beat -Mr. Henty's record. His adventures will delight boys by the -audacity and peril they depict.... The story is one of Mr. Henty's -best."--_Saturday Review._ - - -=With Wolfe in Canada=; or, The Winning of a Continent. By G. A. -HENTY. With full-page Illustrations by GORDON BROWNE. 12mo, cloth, -price $1.00. - -In the present volume Mr. Henty gives an account of the struggle between -Britain and France for supremacy in the North American continent. On the -issue of this war depended not only the destinies of North America, but -to a large extent those of the mother countries themselves. The fall of -Quebec decided that the Anglo-Saxon race should predominate in the New -World; that Britain, and not France, should take the lead among the -nations of Europe; and that English and American commerce, the English -language, and English literature, should spread right round the globe. - -"It is not only a lesson in history as instructively as it is -graphically told, but also a deeply interesting and often thrilling -tale of adventure and peril by flood and field."--_Illustrated -London News._ - - -=True to the Old Flag=: A Tale of the American War of Independence. -By G. A. HENTY. With full-page Illustrations by GORDON BROWNE. -12mo, cloth, price $1.00. - -In this story the author has gone to the accounts of officers who took -part in the conflict, and lads will find that in no war in which -American and British soldiers have been engaged did they behave with -greater courage and good conduct. The historical portion of the book -being accompanied with numerous thrilling adventures with the redskins -on the shores of Lake Huron, a story of exciting interest is interwoven -with the general narrative and carried through the book. - -"Does justice to the pluck and determination of the British -soldiers during the unfortunate struggle against American -emancipation. The son of an American loyalist, who remains true to -our flag, falls among the hostile redskins in that very Huron -country which has been endeared to us by the exploits of Hawkeye -and Chingachgook."--_The Times._ - - -=The Lion of St. Mark=: A Tale of Venice in the Fourteenth Century. -By G. A. HENTY. With full-page Illustrations by GORDON BROWNE. -12mo, cloth, price $1.00. - -A story of Venice at a period when her strength and splendor were put to -the severest tests. The hero displays a fine sense and manliness which -carry him safely through an atmosphere of intrigue, crime, and -bloodshed. He contributes largely to the victories of the Venetians at -Porto d'Anzo and Chioggia, and finally wins the hand of the daughter of -one of the chief men of Venice. - -"Every boy should read 'The Lion of St. Mark.' Mr. Henty has never -produced a story more delightful, more wholesome, or more -vivacious."--_Saturday Review._ - - -=A Final Reckoning=: A Tale of Bush Life in Australia. By G. A. -HENTY. With full-page Illustrations by W. B. WOLLEN. 12mo, -cloth, price $1.00. - -The hero, a young English lad, after rather a stormy boyhood emigrates -to Australia, and gets employment as an officer in the mounted police. A -few years of active work on the frontier, where he has many a brush with -both natives and bushrangers, gain him promotion to a captaincy, and he -eventually settles down to the peaceful life of a squatter. - -"Mr. Henty has never published a more readable, a more carefully -constructed, or a better written story than this."--_Spectator._ - - -=Under Drake's Flag=: A Tale of the Spanish Main. By G. A. HENTY. -With full-page Illustrations by GORDON BROWNE. 12mo, cloth, price -$1.00. - -A story of the days when England and Spain struggled for the supremacy -of the sea. The heroes sail as lads with Drake in the Pacific -expedition, and in his great voyage of circumnavigation. The historical -portion of the story is absolutely to be relied upon, but this will -perhaps be less attractive than the great variety of exciting adventure -through which the young heroes pass in the course of their voyages. - -"A book of adventure, where the hero meets with experience enough, -one would think, to turn his hair gray."--_Harper's Monthly -Magazine._ - - -=By Sheer Pluck=: A Tale of the Ashanti War. By G. A. HENTY. With -full-page Illustrations by GORDON BROWNE. 12mo, cloth, price $1.00. - -The author has woven, in a tale of thrilling interest, all the details -of the Ashanti campaign, of which he was himself a witness. His hero, -after many exciting adventures in the interior, is detained a prisoner -by the king just before the outbreak of the war, but escapes, and -accompanies the English expedition on their march to Coomassie. - -"Mr. Henty keeps up his reputation as a writer of boys' stories. -'By Sheer Pluck' will be eagerly read."--_Athenaeum._ - - -=By Pike and Dyke=: A Tale of the Rise of the Dutch Republic. By G. -A. HENTY. With full-page Illustrations by MAYNARD BROWN, and 4 -Maps. 12mo, cloth, price $1.00. - -In this story Mr. Henty traces the adventures and brave deeds of an -English boy in the household of the ablest man of his age--William the -Silent. Edward Martin, the son of an English sea-captain, enters the -service of the Prince as a volunteer, and is employed by him in many -dangerous and responsible missions, in the discharge of which he passes -through the great sieges of the time. He ultimately settles down as Sir -Edward Martin. - -"Boys with a turn for historical research will be enchanted with -the book, while the rest who only care for adventure, will be -students in spite of themselves."--_St. James' Gazette._ - - -=St. George for England=: A Tale of Cressy and Poitiers. By G. A. -HENTY. With full-page Illustrations by GORDON BROWNE. 12mo, cloth, -price $1.00. - -No portion of English history is more crowded with great events than -that of the reign of Edward III. Cressy and Poitiers; the destruction of -the Spanish fleet; the plague of the Black Death; the Jacquerie rising; -these are treated by the author in "St. George for England." The hero of -the story, although of good family, begins life as a London apprentice, -but after countless adventures and perils becomes by valor and good -conduct the squire, and at last the trusted friend of the Black Prince. - -"Mr. Henty has developed for himself a type of historical novel for -boys which bids fair to supplement, on their behalf, the historical -labors of Sir Walter Scott in the land of fiction."--_The -Standard._ - - -=Captain's Kidd's Gold=: The True Story of an Adventurous Sailor Boy. -By JAMES FRANKLIN FITTS. 12mo, cloth, price $1.00. - -There is something fascinating to the average youth in the very idea -of buried treasure. A vision arises before his eyes of swarthy -Portuguese and Spanish rascals, with black beards and gleaming -eyes--sinister-looking fellows who once on a time haunted the Spanish -Main, sneaking out from some hidden creek in their long, low schooner, -of picaroonish rake and sheer, to attack an unsuspecting trading craft. -There were many famous sea rovers in their day, but none more celebrated -than Capt. Kidd. Perhaps the most fascinating tale of all is Mr. Fitts' -true story of an adventurous American boy, who receives from his dying -father an ancient bit of vellum, which the latter obtained in a curious -way. The document bears obscure directions purporting to locate a -certain island in the Bahama group, and a considerable treasure buried -there by two of Kidd's crew. The hero of this book, Paul Jones Garry, is -an ambitious, persevering lad, of salt-water New England ancestry, and -his efforts to reach the island and secure the money form one of the -most absorbing tales for our youth that has come from the press. - - -=Captain Bayley's Heir=: A Tale of the Gold Fields of California. By -G.A. HENTY. With full-page Illustrations by H. M. PAGET. 12mo, -cloth, price $1.00. - -A frank, manly lad and his cousin are rivals in the heirship of a -considerable property. The former falls into a trap laid by the latter, -and while under a false accusation of theft foolishly leaves England for -America. He works his passage before the mast, joins a small band of -hunters, crosses a tract of country infested with Indians to the -Californian gold diggings, and is successful both as digger and trader. - -"Mr. Henty is careful to mingle instruction with entertainment; -and the humorous touches, especially in the sketch of John Holl, -the Westminster dustman, Dickens himself could hardly have -excelled."--_Christian Leader._ - - -=For Name and Fame=; or, Through Afghan Passes. By G. A. HENTY. With -full-page Illustrations by GORDON BROWNE. 12mo, cloth, price $1.00. - -An interesting story of the last war in Afghanistan. The hero, after -being wrecked and going through many stirring adventures among the -Malays, finds his way to Calcutta and enlists in a regiment proceeding -to join the army at the Afghan passes. He accompanies the force under -General Roberts to the Peiwar Kotal, is wounded, taken prisoner, carried -to Cabul, whence he is transferred to Candahar, and takes part in the -final defeat of the army of Ayoub Khan. - -"The best feature of the book--apart from the interest of its -scenes of adventure--is its honest effort to do justice to the -patriotism of the Afghan people."--_Daily News._ - - -=Captured by Apes=: The Wonderful Adventures of a Young Animal -Trainer. By Harry Prentice. 12mo, cloth, $1.00. - -The scene of this tale is laid on an island in the Malay Archipelago. -Philip Garland, a young animal collector and trainer, of New York, sets -sail for Eastern seas in quest of a new stock of living curiosities. The -vessel is wrecked off the coast of Borneo and young Garland, the sole -survivor of the disaster, is cast ashore on a small island, and captured -by the apes that overrun the place. The lad discovers that the ruling -spirit of the monkey tribe is a gigantic and vicious baboon, whom he -identifies as Goliah, an animal at one time in his possession and with -whose instruction he had been especially diligent. The brute recognizes -him, and with a kind of malignant satisfaction puts his former master -through the same course of training he had himself experienced with a -faithfulness of detail which shows how astonishing is monkey -recollection. Very novel indeed is the way by which the young man -escapes death. Mr. Prentice has certainly worked a new vein on juvenile -fiction, and the ability with which he handles a difficult subject -stamps him as a writer of undoubted skill. - - -=The Bravest of the Brave=; or, With Peterborough in Spain. By G. A. -HENTY. With full-page Illustrations by H. M. PAGET. 12mo, cloth, -price $1.00. - -There are few great leaders whose lives and actions have so completely -fallen into oblivion as those of the Earl of Peterborough. This is -largely due to the fact that they were over-shadowed by the glory and -successes of Marlborough. His career as general extended over little -more than a year, and yet, in that time, he showed a genius for warfare -which has never been surpassed. - -"Mr. Henty never loses sight of the moral purpose of his work--to -enforce the doctrine of courage and truth. Lads will read 'The -Bravest of the Brave' with pleasure and profit; of that we are -quite sure."--_Daily Telegraph._ - - -=The Cat of Bubastes=: A Story of Ancient Egypt. By G. A. HENTY. With -full page Illustrations. 12mo, cloth, price $1.00. - -A story which will give young readers an unsurpassed insight into the -customs of the Egyptian people. Amuba, a prince of the Rebu nation, is -carried with his charioteer Jethro into slavery. They become inmates of -the house of Ameres, the Egyptian high-priest, and are happy in his -service until the priest's son accidentally kills the sacred cat of -Bubastes. In an outburst of popular fury Ameres is killed, and it rests -with Jethro and Amuba to secure the escape of the high-priest's son and -daughter. - -"The story, from the critical moment of the killing of the sacred -cat to the perilous exodus into Asia with which it closes, is very -skillfully constructed and full of exciting adventures. It is -admirably illustrated."--_Saturday Review._ - - -=With Washington at Monmouth:= A Story of Three Philadelphia Boys. By -JAMES OTIS. 12mo, cloth, price $1.00. - -Three Philadelphia boys, Seth Graydon "whose mother conducted a -boarding-house which was patronized by the British officers;" Enoch -Ball, "son of that Mrs. Ball whose dancing school was situated on -Letitia Street," and little Jacob, son of "Chris, the Baker," serve as -the principal characters. The story is laid during the winter when Lord -Howe held possession of the city, and the lads aid the cause by -assisting the American spies who make regular and frequent visits from -Valley Forge. One reads here of home-life in the captive city when bread -was scarce among the people of the lower classes, and a reckless -prodigality shown by the British officers, who passed the winter in -feasting and merry-making while the members of the patriot army but a -few miles away were suffering from both cold and hunger. The story -abounds with pictures of Colonial life skillfully drawn, and the -glimpses of Washington's soldiers which are given show that the work has -not been hastily done, or without considerable study. - - -=For the Temple=: A Tale of the Fall of Jerusalem. By G. A. HENTY. -With full-page Illustrations by S. J. SOLOMON. 12mo, cloth, price -$1.00. - -Mr. Henty here weaves into the record of Josephus an admirable and -attractive story. The troubles in the district of Tiberias, the march of -the legions, the sieges of Jotapata, of Gamala, and of Jerusalem, form -the impressive and carefully studied historic setting to the figure of -the lad who passes from the vineyard to the service of Josephus, becomes -the leader of a guerrilla band of patriots, fights bravely for the -Temple, and after a brief term of slavery at Alexandria, returns to his -Galilean home with the favor of Titus. - -"Mr. Henty's graphic prose pictures of the hopeless Jewish -resistance to Roman sway add another leaf to his record of the -famous wars of the world."--_Graphic._ - - -=Facing Death=; or, The Hero of the Vaughan Pit. A Tale of the Coal -Mines. By G. A. HENTY. With full-page Illustrations by GORDON -BROWNE. 12mo, cloth, price $1.00. - -"Facing Death" is a story with a purpose. It is intended to show that a -lad who makes up his mind firmly and resolutely that he will rise in -life, and who is prepared to face toil and ridicule and hardship to -carry out his determination, is sure to succeed. The hero of the story -is a typical British boy, dogged, earnest, generous, and though -"shamefaced" to a degree, is ready to face death in the discharge of -duty. - -"The tale is well written and well illustrated, and there is much -reality in the characters. If any father, clergyman, or -schoolmaster is on the lookout for a good book to give as a present -to a boy who is worth his salt, this is the book we would -recommend."--_Standard._ - - -=Tom Temple's Career.= By HORATIO ALGER. 12mo, cloth, price $1.00. - -Tom Temple, a bright, self-reliant lad, by the death of his father -becomes a boarder at the home of Nathan Middleton, a penurious insurance -agent. Though well paid for keeping the boy, Nathan and his wife -endeavor to bring Master Tom in line with their parsimonious habits. The -lad ingeniously evades their efforts and revolutionizes the household. -As Tom is heir to $40,000, he is regarded as a person of some importance -until by an unfortunate combination of circumstances his fortune shrinks -to a few hundreds. He leaves Plympton village to seek work in New York, -whence he undertakes an important mission to California, around which -center the most exciting incidents of his young career. Some of his -adventures in the far west are so startling that the reader will -scarcely close the book until the last page shall have been reached. The -tale is written in Mr. Alger's most fascinating style, and is bound to -please the very large class of boys who regard this popular author as a -prime favorite. - - -=Maori and Settler=: A Story of the New Zealand War. By G. A. HENTY. -With full-page Illustrations by ALFRED PEARSE. 12mo, cloth, price -$1.00. - -The Renshaws emigrate to New Zealand during the period of the war with -the natives. Wilfrid, a strong, self-reliant, courageous lad, is the -mainstay of the household. He has for his friend Mr. Atherton, a -botanist and naturalist of herculean strength and unfailing nerve and -humor. In the adventures among the Maoris, there are many breathless -moments in which the odds seem hopelessly against the party, but they -succeed in establishing themselves happily in one of the pleasant New -Zealand valleys. - -"Brimful of adventure, of humorous and interesting conversation, -and vivid pictures of colonial life."--_Schoolmaster._ - - -=Julian Mortimer=: A Brave Boy's Struggle for Home and Fortune. By -HARRY CASTLEMON. 12mo, cloth, price $1.00. - -Here is a story that will warm every boy's heart. There is mystery -enough to keep any lad's imagination wound up to the highest pitch. The -scene of the story lies west of the Mississippi River, in the days when -emigrants made their perilous way across the great plains to the land of -gold. One of the startling features of the book is the attack upon the -wagon train by a large party of Indians. Our hero is a lad of uncommon -nerve and pluck, a brave young American in every sense of the word. He -enlists and holds the reader's sympathy from the outset. Surrounded by -an unknown and constant peril, and assisted by the unswerving fidelity -of a stalwart trapper, a real rough diamond, our hero achieves the most -happy results. Harry Castlemon has written many entertaining stories for -boys, and it would seem almost superfluous to say anything in his -praise, for the youth of America regard him as a favorite author. - - -="Carrots:"= Just a Little Boy. By MRS. MOLESWORTH. With -Illustrations by WALTER CRANE. 12mo, cloth, price 75 cents. - -"One of the cleverest and most pleasing stories it has been our -good fortune to meet with for some time. Carrots and his sister are -delightful little beings, whom to read about is at once to become -very fond of."--_Examiner._ - -"A genuine children's book; we've seen 'em seize it, and read it -greedily. Children are first-rate critics, and thoroughly -appreciate Walter Crane's Illustrations."--_Punch._ - - -=Mopsa the Fairy.= By JEAN INGELOW. With Eight page Illustrations. -12mo, cloth, price 75 cents. - -"Mrs. Ingelow is, to our mind, the most charming of all living -writers for children, and 'Mopsa' alone ought to give her a kind of -pre-emptive right to the love and gratitude of our young folks. It -requires genius to conceive a purely imaginary work which must of -necessity deal with the supernatural, without running into a mere -riot of fantastic absurdity; but genius Miss Ingelow has and the -story of 'Jack' is as careless and joyous, but as delicate as a -picture of childhood."--_Eclectic._ - - -=A Jaunt Through Java=: The Story of a Journey to the Sacred -Mountain. By Edward S. Ellis. 12mo, cloth, price $1.00. - -The central interest of this story is found in the thrilling adventures -of two cousins, Hermon and Eustace Hadley, on their trip across the -island of Java, from Samarang to the Sacred Mountain. In a land where -the Royal Bengal tiger runs at large; where the rhinoceros and other -fierce beasts are to be met with at unexpected moments; it is but -natural that the heroes of this book should have a lively experience. -Hermon not only distinguishes himself by killing a full grown tiger at -short range, but meets with the most startling adventure of the journey. -There is much in this narrative to instruct as well as entertain the -reader, and so deftly has Mr. Ellis used his material that there is not -a dull page in the book. The two heroes are brave, manly young fellows, -bubbling over with boyish independence. They cope with the many -difficulties that arise during the trip in a fearless way that is bound -to win the admiration of every lad who is so fortunate as to read their -adventures. - - -=Wrecked on Spider Island=; or, How Ned Rogers Found the Treasure. By -JAMES OTIS. 12mo, cloth, price $1.00. - -A "down-east" plucky lad who ships as cabin boy, not from love of -adventure, but because it is the only course remaining by which he can -gain a livelihood. While in his bunk, seasick, Ned Rogers hears the -captain and mate discussing their plans for the willful wreck of the -brig in order to gain the insurance. Once it is known he is in -possession of the secret the captain maroons him on Spider Island, -explaining to the crew that the boy is afflicted with leprosy. While -thus involuntarily playing the part of a Crusoe, Ned discovers a wreck -submerged in the sand, and overhauling the timbers for the purpose of -gathering material with which to build a hut finds a considerable amount -of treasure. Raising the wreck; a voyage to Havana under sail; shipping -there a crew and running for Savannah; the attempt of the crew to seize -the little craft after learning of the treasure on board, and, as a -matter of course, the successful ending of the journey, all serve to -make as entertaining a story of sea life as the most captious boy could -desire. - - -=Geoff and Jim=: A Story of School Life. By ISMAY THORN. Illustrated -by A. G. WALKER. 12mo, cloth, price 75 cents. - -"This is a prettily told story of the life spent by two motherless -bairns at a small preparatory school. Both Geoff and Jim are very -lovable characters, only Jim is the more so; and the scrapes he -gets into and the trials he endures will, no doubt, interest a -large circle of young readers."--_Church Times._ - -"This is a capital children's story, the characters well portrayed, -and the book tastefully bound and well -illustrated."--_Schoolmaster._ - -"The story can be heartily recommended as a present for -boys."--_Standard._ - - -=The Castaways=; or, On the Florida Reefs. By JAMES OTIS. 12mo, -cloth, price $1.00. - -This tale smacks of the salt sea. It is just the kind of story that the -majority of boys yearn for. From the moment that the Sea Queen dispenses -with the services of the tug in lower New York bay till the breeze -leaves her becalmed off the coast of Florida, one can almost hear the -whistle of the wind through her rigging, the creak of her straining -cordage as she heels to the leeward, and feel her rise to the -snow-capped waves which her sharp bow cuts into twin streaks of foam. -Off Marquesas Keys she floats in a dead calm. Ben Clark, the hero of the -story, and Jake, the cook, spy a turtle asleep upon the glassy surface -of the water. They determine to capture him, and take a boat for that -purpose, and just as they succeed in catching him a thick fog cuts them -off from the vessel, and then their troubles begin. They take refuge on -board a drifting hulk, a storm arises and they are cast ashore upon a -low sandy key. Their adventures from this point cannot fail to charm the -reader. As a writer for young people Mr. Otis is a prime favorite. His -style is captivating, and never for a moment does he allow the interest -to flag. In "The Castaways" he is at his best. - - -=Tom Thatcher's Fortune.= By HORATIO ALGER, JR. 12mo, cloth, price -$1.00. - -Like all of Mr. Alger's heroes, Tom Thatcher is a brave, ambitious, -unselfish boy. He supports his mother and sister on meager wages earned -as a shoe-pegger in John Simpson's factory. The story begins with Tom's -discharge from the factory, because Mr. Simpson felt annoyed with the -lad for interrogating him too closely about his missing father. A few -days afterward Tom learns that which induces him to start overland for -California with the view of probing the family mystery. He meets with -many adventures. Ultimately he returns to his native village, bringing -consternation to the soul of John Simpson, who only escapes the -consequences of his villainy by making full restitution to the man whose -friendship he had betrayed. The story is told in that entertaining way -which has made Mr. Alger's name a household word in so many homes. - - -=Birdie=: A Tale of Child Life. By H. L. CHILDE-PEMBERTON. -Illustrated by H. W. RAINEY. 12mo, cloth, price 75 cents. - -"The story is quaint and simple, but there is a freshness about it -that makes one hear again the ringing laugh and the cheery shout of -children at play which charmed his earlier years."--_New York -Express._ - - -=Popular Fairy Tales.= By the BROTHERS GRIMM. Profusely Illustrated, - 12mo, cloth, price $1.00. - -"From first to last, almost without exception, these stories are -delightful."--_Athenaeum._ - - -=With Lafayette at Yorktown=: A Story of How Two Boys Joined the -Continental Army. By JAMES OTIS. 12mo, cloth, price $1.00. - -The two boys are from Portsmouth, N. H., and are introduced in August, -1781, when on the point of leaving home to enlist in Col. Scammell's -regiment, then stationed near New York City. Their method of traveling -is on horseback, and the author has given an interesting account of what -was expected from boys in the Colonial days. The lads, after no slight -amount of adventure, are sent as messengers--not soldiers--into the -south to find the troops under Lafayette. Once with that youthful -general they are given employment as spies, and enter the British camp, -bringing away valuable information. The pictures of camp-life are -carefully drawn, and the portrayal of Lafayette's character is -thoroughly well done. The story is wholesome in tone, as are all of Mr. -Otis' works. There is no lack of exciting incident which the youthful -reader craves, but it is healthful excitement brimming with facts which -every boy should be familiar with, and while the reader is following the -adventures of Ben Jaffreys and Ned Allen he is acquiring a fund of -historical lore which will remain in his memory long after that which he -has memorized from text-books has been forgotten. - - -=Lost in the Canyon=: Sam Willett's Adventures on the Great Colorado. -By ALFRED R. CALHOUN. 12mo, cloth, price $1.00. - -This story hinges on a fortune left to Sam Willett, the hero, and the -fact that it will pass to a disreputable relative if the lad dies before -he shall have reached his majority. The Vigilance Committee of Hurley's -Gulch arrest Sam's father and an associate for the crime of murder. -Their lives depend on the production of the receipt given for money -paid. This is in Sam's possession at the camp on the other side of the -canyon. A messenger is dispatched to get it. He reaches the lad in the -midst of a fearful storm which floods the canyon. His father's peril -urges Sam to action. A raft is built on which the boy and his friends -essay to cross the torrent. They fail to do so, and a desperate trip -down the stream ensues. How the party finally escape from the horrors of -their situation and Sam reaches Hurley's Gulch in the very nick of time, -is described in a graphic style that stamps Mr. Calhoun as a master of -his art. - - -=Jack=: A Topsy Turvy Story. By C. M. CRAWLEY-BOEVEY. With upward of -Thirty Illustrations by H. J. A. MILES. 12mo, cloth, price 75 -cents. - -"The illustrations deserve particular mention, as they add largely -to the interest of this amusing volume for children. Jack falls -asleep with his mind full of the subject of the fishpond, and is -very much surprised presently to find himself an inhabitant of -Waterworld, where he goes though wonderful and edifying adventures. -A handsome and pleasant book."--_Literary World._ - - -=Search for the Silver City=: A Tale of Adventure in Yucatan. By -JAMES OTIS. 12mo, cloth, price $1.00. - -Two American lads, Teddy Wright and Neal Emery, embark on the steam -yacht Day Dream for a short summer cruise to the tropics. Homeward bound -the yacht is destroyed by fire. All hands take to the boats, but during -the night the boat is cast upon the coast of Yucatan. They come across a -young American named Cummings, who entertains them with the story of the -wonderful Silver City, of the Chan Santa Cruz Indians. Cummings proposes -with the aid of a faithful Indian ally to brave the perils of the swamp -and carry off a number of the golden images from the temples. Pursued -with relentless vigor for days their situation is desperate. At last -their escape is effected in an astonishing manner. Mr. Otis has built -his story on an historical foundation. It is so full of exciting -incidents that the reader is quite carried away with the novelty and -realism of the narrative. - - -=Frank Fowler, the Cash Boy.= By HORATIO ALGER, JR. 12mo, cloth, -price $1.00. - -Thrown upon his own resources Frank Fowler, a poor boy, bravely -determines to make a living for himself and his foster-sister Grace. -Going to New York he obtains a situation as cash boy in a dry goods -store. He renders a service to a wealthy old gentleman named Wharton, -who takes a fancy to the lad. Frank, after losing his place as cash boy, -is enticed by an enemy to a lonesome part of New Jersey and held a -prisoner. This move recoils upon the plotter, for it leads to a clue -that enables the lad to establish his real identity. Mr. Alger's stories -are not only unusually interesting, but they convey a useful lesson of -pluck and manly independence. - - -=Budd Boyd's Triumph=; or, the Boy Firm of Fox Island. By WILLIAM P. -CHIPMAN. 12mo, cloth, price $1.00. - -The scene of this story is laid on the upper part of Narragansett Bay, -and the leading incidents have a strong salt water flavor. Owing to the -conviction of his father for forgery and theft, Budd Boyd is compelled -to leave his home and strike out for himself. Chance brings Budd in -contact with Judd Floyd. The two boys, being ambitious and clear -sighted, form a partnership to catch and sell fish. The scheme is -successfully launched, but the unexpected appearance on the scene of -Thomas Bagsley, the man whom Budd believes guilty of the crimes -attributed to his father, leads to several disagreeable complications -that nearly caused the lad's ruin. His pluck and good sense, however, -carry him through his troubles. In following the career of the boy firm -of Boyd & Floyd, the youthful reader will find a useful lesson--that -industry and perseverance are bound to lead to ultimate success. - - -=The Errand Boy=; or, How Phil Brent Won Success. By HORATIO ALGER, -JR. 12mo, cloth, price $1.00. - -The career of "The Errand Boy" embraces the city adventures of a smart -country lad who at an early age was abandoned by his father. Philip was -brought up by a kind-hearted innkeeper named Brent. The death of Mrs. -Brent paved the way for the hero's subsequent troubles. Accident -introduces him to the notice of a retired merchant in New York, who not -only secures him the situation of errand boy but thereafter stands as -his friend. An unexpected turn of fortune's wheel, however, brings -Philip and his father together. In "The Errand Boy" Philip Brent is -possessed of the same sterling qualities so conspicuous in all of the -previous creations of this delightful writer for our youth. - - -=The Slate Picker=: The Story of a Boy's Life in the Coal Mines. By -HARRY PRENTICE. 12mo, cloth, price $1.00. - -This is a story of a boy's life in the coal mines of Pennsylvania. There -are many thrilling situations, notably that of Ben Burton's leap into -the "lion's mouth"--the yawning shute in the breakers--to escape a -beating at the hands of the savage Spilkins, the overseer. Gracie Gordon -is a little angel in rags, Terence O'Dowd is a manly, sympathetic lad, -and Enoch Evans, the miner-poet, is a big-hearted, honest fellow, a true -friend to all whose burdens seem too heavy for them to bear. Ben Burton, -the hero, had a hard road to travel, but by grit and energy he advanced -step by step until he found himself called upon to fill the position of -chief engineer of the Kohinoor Coal Company. - - -=A Runaway Brig=; or, An Accidental Cruise. By JAMES OTIS. 12mo, -cloth, price $1.00. - -"A Runaway Brig" is a sea tale, pure and simple, and that's where it -strikes a boy's fancy. The reader can look out upon the wide shimmering -sea as it flashes back the sunlight, and imagine himself afloat with -Harry Vandyne, Walter Morse, Jim Libby and that old shell-back, Bob -Brace, on the brig Bonita, which lands on one of the Bahama keys. -Finally three strangers steal the craft, leaving the rightful owners to -shift for themselves aboard a broken-down tug. The boys discover a -mysterious document which enables them to find a buried treasure, then a -storm comes on and the tug is stranded. At last a yacht comes in sight -and the party with the treasure is taken off the lonely key. The most -exacting youth is sure to be fascinated with this entertaining story. - - -=Fairy Tales and Stories.= By HANS CHRISTIAN ANDERSEN. Profusely -Illustrated, 12mo, cloth, price $1.00. - -"If I were asked to select a child's library I should name these -three volumes 'English,' 'Celtic,' and 'Indian Fairy Tales,' with -Grimm and Hans Andersen's Fairy Tales."--_Independent._ - - -=The Island Treasure=; or, Harry Darrel's Fortune. By FRANK H. -CONVERSE. 12mo, cloth, price $1.00. - -Harry Darrel, an orphan, having received a nautical training on a -school-ship, is bent on going to sea with a boyish acquaintance named -Dan Plunket. A runaway horse changes his prospects. Harry saves Dr. -Gregg from drowning and the doctor presents his preserver with a bit of -property known as Gregg's Island, and makes the lad sailing-master of -his sloop yacht. A piratical hoard is supposed to be hidden somewhere on -the island. After much search and many thwarted plans, at last Dan -discovers the treasure and is the means of finding Harry's father. Mr. -Converse's stories possess a charm of their own which is appreciated by -lads who delight in good healthy tales that smack of salt water. - - -=The Boy Explorers=: The Adventures of Two Boys in Alaska. By HARRY -PRENTICE. 12mo, cloth, price $1.00. - -Two boys, Raymond and Spencer Manning, travel from San Francisco to -Alaska to join their father in search of their uncle, who, it is -believed, was captured and detained by the inhabitants of a place called -the "Heart of Alaska." On their arrival at Sitka the boys with an Indian -guide set off across the mountains. The trip is fraught with perils that -test the lads' courage to the utmost. Reaching the Yukon River they -build a raft and float down the stream, entering the Mysterious River, -from which they barely escape with their lives, only to be captured by -natives of the Heart of Alaska. All through their exciting adventures -the lads demonstrate what can be accomplished by pluck and resolution, -and their experience makes one of the most interesting tales ever -written. - - -=The Treasure Finders=: A Boy's Adventures in Nicaragua. By JAMES -OTIS. 12mo, cloth, price $1.00. - -Roy and Dean Coloney, with their guide Tongla, leave their father's -indigo plantation to visit the wonderful ruins of an ancient city. The -boys eagerly explore the dismantled temples of an extinct race and -discover three golden images cunningly hidden away. They escape with the -greatest difficulty; by taking advantage of a festive gathering they -seize a canoe and fly down the river. Eventually they reach safety with -their golden prizes. Mr. Otis is the prince of story tellers, for he -handles his material with consummate skill. We doubt if he has ever -written a more entertaining story than "The Treasure Finders." - - -=Household Fairy Tales.= By the BROTHERS GRIMM. Profusely -Illustrated, 12mo, cloth, price $1.00. - -"As a collection of fairy tales to delight children of all ages -this work ranks second to none."--_Daily Graphic._ - - -=Dan the Newsboy.= By HORATIO ALGER, JR. 12mo, cloth, price $1.00. - -The reader is introduced to Dan Mordaunt and his mother living in a poor -tenement, and the lad is pluckily trying to make ends meet by selling -papers in the streets of New York. A little heiress of six years is -confided to the care of the Mordaunts. At the same time the lad obtains -a position in a wholesale house. He soon demonstrates how valuable he is -to the firm by detecting the bookkeeper in a bold attempt to rob his -employers. The child is kidnaped and Dan tracks the child to the house -where she is hidden, and rescues her. The wealthy aunt of the little -heiress is so delighted with Dan's courage and many good qualities that -she adopts him as her heir, and the conclusion of the book leaves the -hero on the high road to every earthly desire. - - -=Tony the Hero=: A Brave Boy's Adventure with a Tramp. By HORATIO -ALGER, JR. 12mo, cloth, price $1.00. - -Tony, a sturdy bright-eyed boy of fourteen, is under the control of -Rudolph Rugg, a thorough rascal, shiftless and lazy, spending his time -tramping about the country. After much abuse Tony runs away and gets a -job as stable boy in a country hotel. Tony is heir to a large estate in -England, and certain persons find it necessary to produce proof of the -lad's death. Rudolph for a consideration hunts up Tony and throws him -down a deep well. Of course Tony escapes from the fate provided for him, -and by a brave act makes a rich friend, with whom he goes to England, -where he secures his rights and is prosperous. The fact that Mr. Alger -is the author of this entertaining book will at once recommend it to all -juvenile readers. - - -=A Young Hero=; or, Fighting to Win. By EDWARD S. ELLIS. 12mo, cloth, -price $1.00. - -This story tells how a valuable solid silver service was stolen from the -Misses Perkinpine, two very old and simple minded ladies. Fred Sheldon, -the hero of this story and a friend of the old ladies, undertakes to -discover the thieves and have them arrested. After much time spent in -detective work, he succeeds in discovering the silver plate and winning -the reward for its restoration. During the narrative a circus comes to -town and a thrilling account of the escape of the lion from its cage, -with its recapture, is told in Mr. Ellis' most fascinating style. Every -boy will be glad to read this delightful book. - - -=The Days of Bruce=: A Story from Scottish History. By GRACE AGUILAR. -Illustrated, 12mo, cloth, price $1.00. - -"There is a delightful freshness, sincerity and vivacity about all -of Grace Aguilar's stories which cannot fail to win the interest -and admiration of every lover of good reading."--_Boston Beacon._ - - -=Tom the Bootblack=; or, The Road to Success. By HORATIO ALGER, JR. -12mo, cloth, price $1.00. - -A bright, enterprising lad was Tom the bootblack. He was not at all -ashamed of his humble calling, though always on the lookout to better -himself. His guardian, old Jacob Morton, died, leaving him a small sum -of money and a written confession that Tom, instead of being of humble -origin, was the son and heir of a deceased Western merchant, and had -been defrauded out of his just rights by an unscrupulous uncle. The lad -started for Cincinnati to look up his heritage. But three years passed -away before he obtained his first clue. Mr. Grey, the uncle, did not -hesitate to employ a ruffian to kill the lad. The plan failed, and -Gilbert Grey, once Tom the bootblack, came into a comfortable fortune. -This is one of Mr. Alger's best stories. - - -=Captured by Zulus=: A story of Trapping in Africa. By HARRY -PRENTICE. 12mo, cloth, price $1.00. - -This story details the adventures of two lads, Dick Elsworth and Bob -Harvey, in the wilds of South Africa, for the purpose of obtaining a -supply of zoological curiosities. By stratagem the Zulus capture Dick -and Bob and take them to their principal kraal or village. The lads -escape death by digging their way out of the prison hut by night. They -are pursued, and after a rough experience the boys eventually rejoin the -expedition and take part in several wild animal hunts. The Zulus finally -give up pursuit and the expedition arrives at the coast without further -trouble. Mr. Prentice has a delightful method of blending fact with -fiction. He tells exactly how wild-beast collectors secure specimens on -their native stamping grounds, and these descriptions make very -entertaining reading. - - -=Tom the Ready=; or, Up from the Lowest. By RANDOLPH HILL. 12mo, -cloth, price $1.00. - -This is a dramatic narrative of the unaided rise of a fearless, -ambitious boy from the lowest round of fortune's ladder--the gate of the -poorhouse--to wealth and the governorship of his native State. Thomas -Seacomb begins life with a purpose. While yet a schoolboy he conceives -and presents to the world the germ of the Overland Express Co. At the -very outset of his career jealousy and craft seek to blast his promising -future. Later he sets out to obtain a charter for a railroad line in -connection with the express business. Now he realizes what it is to -match himself against capital. Yet he wins and the railroad is built. -Only an uncommon nature like Tom's could successfully oppose such a -combine. How he manages to win the battle is told by Mr. Hill in a -masterful way that thrills the reader and holds his attention and -sympathy to the end. - - -=Roy Gilbert's Search=: A Tale of the Great Lakes. By WM. P. CHIPMAN. -12mo, cloth, price $1.00. - -A deep mystery hangs over the parentage of Roy Gilbert. He arranges with -two schoolmates to make a tour of the Great Lakes on a steam launch. The -three boys leave Erie on the launch and visit many points of interest on -the lakes. Soon afterward the lad is conspicuous in the rescue of an -elderly gentleman and a lady from a sinking yacht. Later on the cruise -of the launch is brought to a disastrous termination and the boys -narrowly escape with their lives. The hero is a manly, self-reliant boy, -whose adventures will be followed with interest. - - -=The Young Scout=; The Story of a West Point Lieutenant. By EDWARD S. -ELLIS. 12mo, cloth, price $1.00. - -The crafty Apache chief Geronimo but a few years ago was the most -terrible scourge of the southwest border. The author has woven, in a -tale of thrilling interest, all the incidents of Geronimo's last raid. -The hero is Lieutenant James Decker, a recent graduate of West Point. -Ambitious to distinguish himself so as to win well-deserved promotion, -the young man takes many a desperate chance against the enemy and on -more than one occasion narrowly escapes with his life. The story -naturally abounds in thrilling situations, and being historically -correct, it is reasonable to believe it will find great favor with the -boys. In our opinion Mr. Ellis is the best writer of Indian stories now -before the public. - - -=Adrift in the Wilds=: The Adventures of Two Shipwrecked Boys. By -EDWARD S. ELLIS. 12mo, cloth, price, $1.00. - -Elwood Brandon and Howard Lawrence, cousins and schoolmates, accompanied -by a lively Irishman called O'Rooney, are en route for San Francisco. -Off the coast of California the steamer takes fire. The two boys and -their companion reach the shore with several of the passengers. While -O'Rooney and the lads are absent inspecting the neighborhood O'Rooney -has an exciting experience and young Brandon becomes separated from his -party. He is captured by hostile Indians, but is rescued by an Indian -whom the lads had assisted. This is a very entertaining narrative of -Southern California in the days immediately preceding the construction -of the Pacific railroads. Mr. Ellis seems to be particularly happy in -this line of fiction, and the present story is fully as entertaining as -anything he has ever written. - - -=The Red Fairy Book.= Edited by ANDREW LANG. Profusely Illustrated, -12mo, cloth, price $1.00. - -"A gift-book that will charm any child, and all older folk who have -been fortunate enough to retain their taste for the old nursery -stories."--_Literary World._ - - -=The Boy Cruisers=; or, Paddling in Florida. By ST. GEORGE RATHBORNE. -12mo, cloth, price, $1.00. - -Boys who like an admixture of sport and adventure will find this book -just to their taste. We promise them that they will not go to sleep over -the rattling experiences of Andrew George and Roland Carter, who start -on a canoe trip along the Gulf coast, from Key West to Tampa, Florida. -Their first adventure is with a pair of rascals who steal their boats. -Next they run into a gale in the Gulf and have a lively experience while -it lasts. After that they have a lively time with alligators and divers -varieties of the finny tribe. Andrew gets into trouble with a band of -Seminole Indians and gets away without having his scalp raised. After -this there is no lack of fun till they reach their destination. That Mr. -Rathborne knows just how to interest the boys is apparent at a glance, -and lads who are in search of a rare treat will do well to read this -entertaining story. - - -=Guy Harris=: The Runaway. By HARRY CASTLEMON. 12mo, cloth, price -$1.00. - -Guy Harris lived in a small city on the shore of one of the Great Lakes. -His head became filled with quixotic notions of going West to hunt -grizzlies, in fact, Indians. He is persuaded to go to sea, and gets a -glimpse of the rough side of life in a sailor's boarding house. He ships -on a vessel and for five months leads a hard life. He deserts his ship -at San Francisco and starts out to become a backwoodsman, but rough -experiences soon cure him of all desire to be a hunter. At St. Louis he -becomes a clerk and for a time he yields to the temptations of a great -city. The book will not only interest boys generally on account of its -graphic style, but will put many facts before their eyes in a new light. -This is one of Castlemon's most attractive stories. - - -=The Train Boy.= By Horatio Alger, Jr. -12mo, cloth, price $1.00. - -Paul Palmer was a wide-awake boy of sixteen who supported his mother and -sister by selling books and papers on one of the trains running between -Chicago and Milwaukee. He detects a young man named Luke Denton in the -act of picking the pocket of a young lady, and also incurs the enmity of -his brother Stephen, a worthless follow. Luke and Stephen plot to ruin -Paul, but their plans are frustrated. In a railway accident many -passengers are killed, but Paul is fortunate enough to assist a Chicago -merchant, who out of gratitude takes him into his employ. Paul is sent -to manage a mine in Custer City and executes his commission with tact -and judgment and is well started on the road to business prominence. -This is one of Mr. Alger's most attractive stories and is sure to please -all readers. - - - - -Transcriber's Note: - -Italic text is denoted by _underscores_ and bold text by =equal signs=. -Punctuation has been standardised. - -The word assauge was changed to assuage. - -Variations in spelling, including dialect, have been retained as in the -original publication. - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Jack the Hunchback, by James Otis - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK JACK THE HUNCHBACK *** - -***** This file should be named 41708.txt or 41708.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/4/1/7/0/41708/ - -Produced by David Edwards, David K. 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