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like to be dismissed now, you may go. I shall be glad to see you back here to-morrow.”

Without a word, but looking intensely mortified, Ben took his hat and slunk out of the room.

When he had gone Walter said: β€œScholars, I want to ask of you a favor. Ben is mortified by what has happened. I wish you would all abstain from reminding him of it. In that case the lesson he has received may do him good.”

The next day Ben Buffum stayed at home, and did not show himself on the street till evening. When he found that no one spoke to him of the affair he took courage to go to school the day after. Walter overtook him on the way and hailed him in a friendly manner with: β€œWe will forget all about that little affair day before yesterday, Ben. You are pretty strong.”

β€œI couldn't do nothin' against you.”

β€œNo, because I have taken lessons in boxing.”

β€œI'd like to box.”

β€œIf you'll come round and see me this evening, Ben, I'll give you the first lesson.”

The scholars were very much surprised to see Ben and the teacher walking to school together, and were further surprised at the wonderful change for the better that took place in the once rebellious pupil.





CHAPTER XLI





CONCLUSION

Mrs. Deborah Simpkins, a near neighbor of Doctor Mack, was an ill-natured gossip, and had always disliked Walter because he once interfered to prevent a boy of hers from abusing a young companion. One day about two months later she put on her bonnet and with a smile of malicious satisfaction walked over to the doctor's house.

β€œHow do you do, Mrs. Sprague?” she said. β€œI thought I'd run over and have a chat with you.”

β€œCome in, Mrs. Simpkins,” said Nancy, civilly, but not cordially, for she did not like her visitor.

β€œI've got something unpleasant to tell you,” went on the widow, as she sat down in a rocker. β€œI'm awful sorry.”

β€œAre you?” said Nancy, dryly. β€œWhat's it all about?”

β€œI got a letter from my niece Sophrony, out in Iowa, yesterday, and she sent me a cuttin' from an old paper. It's somethin' awful!”

β€œIs it?”

β€œYes, and it's about Walter Sherwood!” continued Mrs. Simpkins, triumphantly.

β€œHe hasn't met with an accident, has he?” inquired Nancy, turning pale.

β€œIt's wuss than that!” answered the widow, nodding her head ominously.

β€œWorse than an accident?”

β€œYes; leastways, I call it so.”

β€œLet me hear it, then, Mrs. Simpkins.”

β€œHere 'tis; you can read it for yourself.”

This was the paragraph:

β€œA young man named Walter Sherwood was arrested yesterday, charged with stealing a valuable mare belonging to Colonel Richard Owen. We understand his trial is to take place this morning.”

β€œWhen is the paper dated?” asked Nancy, who did not appear so much overcome as her visitor expected.

β€œOver two months since. Walter Sherwood is probably in jail now. I feel for you and the doctor,” said Mrs. Simpkins, in a tone far from sympathetic, fixing her beadlike eyes on the housekeeper.

β€œThat's very good of you, but, as we got a letter from Walter yesterday, there ain't no call to be troubled.”

β€œDid he write from the jail?”

β€œDon't be a fool, Mrs. Simpkins! He wrote from the town of Shelby, where he has been teaching a classic school, and he inclosed the program of the exhibition. Perhaps you would like to look at it.”

Mrs. Simpkins took the paper, and looked intensely disappointed as she saw that Nancy had only told the truth.

β€œHe teach school! A boy like him!” she ejaculated.

β€œYes, Mrs. Simpkins, and it's been a great success. They want him to go back next year, but the doctor prefers to have him finish out his college course. We're expecting him home every day.”

There was a noise heard as of the front door opening, and a moment later Walter was in the room.

β€œOh, Walter!” exclaimed Nancy, overjoyed, in her excitement throwing her arms around his neck. β€œI'm so glad to see you!”

β€œAnd I am glad to see you, Nancy, How's my guardian?”

β€œHe's well, and will be home soon.”

β€œGood afternoon, Mrs. Simpkins,” said Walter, politely.

β€œMrs. Simpkins has just been telling me that you were in jail for horse-stealing,” said Nancy. β€œShe is much pleased to find it all a mistake.”

Walter laughed.

β€œI am still more pleased,” he remarked. β€œI find school-teaching much pleasanter.”

β€œI guess I must be goin',” said Mrs. Simpkins, hurriedly.

When Doctor Mack returned he welcomed Walter with a joy not inferior to that of his housekeeper.

β€œAnd so you have succeeded?” he said.

β€œYes; the trustees of the Shelby Classical School want me to come back, as my predecessor has accepted a position in New York. But I think I had better return to college and finish out my course. I have a thousand dollars saved up, and a little more, and I think with economy I can pay my own way for the remainder of the course.”

β€œIt won't be necessary, Walter.”

β€œBut, as my property is lost—”

β€œYou must forgive me, Walter, for deceiving you, but you have just as much property as everβ€”indeed, more, as you only drew one hundred dollars in the past year.”

β€œBut, doctor, why, then, did you lead me to think otherwise?”

β€œIt wasn't altogether a falsehood. About a hundred dollars had been lost in an investment, and I made that a pretext for withdrawing you from college. I saw that you were wasting your time and acquiring expensive habits, so I thought the best remedy would be a year of active life, in which you would be thrown upon your own resources.”

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