The Errand Boy; Or, How Phil Brent Won Success by Jr. Horatio Alger (bearly read books .txt) π
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- Author: Jr. Horatio Alger
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Jonas Webb, his step-brother, his freckled face showing a degree of dismay, for he had not calculated on discovery, ran the faster, but while fear winged his steps, anger proved the more effectual spur, and Phil overtook him after a brief run, from the effects of which both boys panted.
βWhat made you throw that snow-ball?β demanded Phil angrily, as he seized Jonas by the collar and shook him.
βYou let me alone!β said Jonas, struggling ineffectually in his grasp.
βAnswer me! What made you throw that snowball?β demanded Phil, in a tone that showed he did not intend to be trifled with.
βBecause I chose to,β answered Jonas, his spite getting the better of his prudence. βDid it hurt you?β he continued, his eyes gleaming with malice.
βI should think it might. It was about as hard as a cannon-ball,β returned Phil grimly. βIs that all you've got to say about it?β
βI did it in fun,β said Jonas, beginning to see that he had need to be prudent.
βVery well! I don't like your idea of fun. Perhaps you won't like mine,β said Phil, as he forcibly drew Jonas back till he lay upon the snow, and then kneeling by his side, rubbed his face briskly with snow.
βWhat are you doin'? Goin' to murder me?β shrieked Jonas, in anger and dismay.
βI am going to wash your face,β said Phil, continuing the operation vigorously.
βI say, you quit that! I'll tell my mother,β ejaculated Jonas, struggling furiously.
βIf you do, tell her why I did it,β said Phil.
Jonas shrieked and struggled, but in vain. Phil gave his face an effectual scrubbing, and did not desist until he thought he had avenged the bad treatment he had suffered.
βThere, get up!β said he at length.
Jonas scrambled to his feet, his mean features working convulsively with anger.
βYou'll suffer for this!β he shouted.
βYou won't make me!β said Phil contemptuously.
βYou're the meanest boy in the village.β
βI am willing to leave that to the opinion of all who know me.β
βI'll tell my mother!β
βGo home and tell her!β
Jonas started for home, and Phil did not attempt to stop him.
As he saw Jonas reach the street and plod angrily homeward, he said to himself:
βI suppose I shall be in hot water for this; but I can't help it. Mrs. Brent always stands up for her precious son, who is as like her as can be. Well, it won't make matters much worse than they have been.β
Phil concluded not to go home at once, but to allow a little time for the storm to spend its force after Jonas had told his story. So he delayed half an hour and then walked slowly up to the side door. He opened the door, brushed off the snow from his boots with the broom that stood behind the door, and opening the inner door, stepped into the kitchen.
No one was there, as Phil's first glance satisfied him, and he was disposed to hope that Mrs. Brentβhe never called her motherβwas out, but a thin, acid, measured voice from the sitting-room adjoining soon satisfied him that there was to be no reprieve.
βPhilip Brent, come here!β
Phil entered the sitting-room.
In a rocking-chair by the fire sat a thin woman, with a sharp visage, cold eyes and firmly compressed lips, to whom no child would voluntarily draw near.
On a sofa lay outstretched the hulking form of Jonas, with whom he had had his little difficulty.
βI am here, Mrs. Brent,β said Philip manfully.
βPhilip Brent,β said Mrs. Brent acidly, βare you not ashamed to look me in the face?β
βI don't know why I should be,β said Philip, bracing himself up for the attack.
βYou see on the sofa the victim of your brutality,β continued Mrs. Brent, pointing to the recumbent figure of her son Jonas.
Jonas, as if to emphasize these words, uttered a half groan.
Philip could not help smiling, for to him it seemed ridiculous.
βYou laugh,β said his step-mother sharply. βI am not surprised at it. You delight in your brutality.β
βI suppose you mean that I have treated Jonas brutally.β
βI see you confess it.β
βNo, Mrs. Brent, I do not confess it. The brutality you speak of was all on the side of Jonas.β
βNo doubt,β retorted Mrs. Brent, with sarcasm.
βIt's the case of the wolf and the lamb over again.β
βI don't think Jonas has represented the matter to you as it happened,β said Phil. βDid he tell you that he flung a snow-ball at my head as hard as a lump of ice?β
βHe said he threw a little snow at you playfully and you sprang upon him like a tiger.β
βThere's a little mistake in that,β said Phil. βThe snow-ball was hard enough to stun me if it had hit me a little higher. I wouldn't be hit like that again for ten dollars.β
βThat ain't so! Don't believe him, mother!β said Jonas from the sofa.
βAnd what did you do?β demanded Mrs. Brent with a frown.
βI laid him down on the snow and washed his face with soft snow.β
βYou might have given him his death of cold,β said Mrs. Brent, with evident hostility. βI am not sure but the poor boy will have pneumonia now, in consequence of your brutal treatment.β
βAnd you have nothing to say as to his attack upon me?β said Phil indignantly.
βI have no doubt you have very much exaggerated it.β
βYes, he has,β chimed in Jonas from the sofa.
Phil regarded his step-brother with scorn.
βCan't you tell the truth now and then, Jonas?β he asked contemptuously.
βYou shall not insult my boy in my presence!β said Mrs. Brent, with a little spot of color mantling her high cheek-bones. βPhilip Brent, I have too long endured your insolence. You think because I am a woman you can be insolent with impunity, but you will find yourself mistaken. It is time that you understood something that may lead you to lower your tone.
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