tore the proprietor look

g, in fact, that partook of violence. He always gave it as his opinion that football was a brutal game, equal to the bull r

shop he had seen the little affair on the road, and recogni

come off victor, and that the idle men who gaped at the enco

g in such a fight as this, where a much-n

ut at the same time he thought it his duty

sked, as Darry handed him a list of the ar

. I only wanted to be left alone

ke as not he told you to get off the ear

y with Mrs. Peake, and must move on. I'm quite satisfied wher

for his rights, although I've generally preached the other way. But if you had

ough, sir. He is

ch affairs, Darry?" continued the groce

for trouble. I'd even avoid it if I could; but you know, Mr. Keeler, sometimes

r nodded

y character that day, that might rev

ided to stay with the

nk I shall like to have a home there. You see, sir, outside of th

been a wanderer the brief span of his days, and yet strange

is ways; but then Mr. Keeler had never met Captain Harley,

what I might say, soured on humanity. Abner is meek enough to stand it, but she has had quarrels with many people in the village. Still, who knows but what you may be the very one to do her good. You are about the size of her Joe, and with

at; for he was unused to kindness save from Captain Harley

s were all tied up in a bundle, and after payment had been made Dar

he was not spo

e on their faces as they watched him walk by; but no one ventured to addr

at nickel star on the breast of his coat Darry understood t

y who usually made life miserable for him had come out "second best" Han

lf in undoing his package, and placing the variou

pite her feeling of resentment at Abner, thinking anyone could ever take the p

known a mother's love, nor had a home of any kind,

is coat and carefully fold

ays trying to save his moth

ose to her in doing something to save he

the bundle, Darry?" sh

in some way she must have discovered si

ing that her eyes were fastened on his cheek he put up his hand, i

his fingers he sa

n then, Darry?" she

n't know it until now," he replied, relieved

" she asked, a little coldly; for woman-like, Mr

hing else but defend myself when he came at me. I'm sorry, for I never t

y?" she asked aga

promptly, unconsciously

can't pick out some one of his own size to b

prised to see Da

ley allowed me to box with the sailors, and I learned how to defend myse

r, that good-for-nothing bully who has run the pla

knock him down twice, and the second time he said he wouldn't fight any more b

on him because his father is a bad man. And you did that? Well, the boys of Ashley ought to vote you thanks. And you fought because he wa

is neck and gave him a resounding kiss-perhaps in her heart she was in this way demonstrating he

light heart, such as he had nev

d been to spend his time in the swamps watching the animals at their play; and in the proper season setting his traps to secure the pelts of muskrats, 'coons and sku

be to the devoted heart of the mother to see a stranger touching the things she

had visions of coming days in the marsh and swamp, where fat ducks and squirrels might fall to his ai

ew that his lines had fallen in pleasant place