The Gayton Scholarship

ick called for his chum as usual,

aid he; "I'll

pictured while walking home from the cricket-ground. He had looked forward to a regular triumph, for it must be c

fully; but he went only a short distan

are!" said Jim peevishl

copy-books. I said that to Laythorne the other day, but he gave

ed to their places. He had heard the sad news, and easily understood why the boys were lat

Jim, resolutely keeping

ed the young master kindly, "if ther

o, expressed his sorrow at what had happened, a

after all. Most of the boys looked at him curiously, but only one

with strange persistence, still cherished t

utly-"no one knows. The papers

her. "It says plainly enough tha

icked up afterwards, or g

of the wreck came to hand. It was supplied by an A.B. name

keep your feet for the wind. Spars snapped like match-boxes, and the barque lay nearly on her beam-ends. It was dark as pitch just then, though it cleared up afterwards. We did what we could to save the ship; but, bless you, we had no more chance than a parcel of babies. She was settling down like a stone, and the old man sung out that we'd better try the boats. I ran to help clear the port quarter boat, and got in, when a heavy sea broke over her, smashing her in two. Down I went a long way, but at last came up to the surface ag

Who a

I sings out

you ho

longer, I

, we must have drifted pretty close together, for, directly day broke, there he w

ody will keep you tight.' With that he swims over and lashes me to the mast. Presently he says again, quiet as anything, 'Look here, Davies; it's no go! This won't h

never reached it, though he was a strong swimmer, too. After that I lost count of things, and don't know anything

tely it extinguished the last spark of hope that, almost unknown, had lurked in the reces

she said, "and find a cheaper one. Th

t Susie?"

y well go out and leave her alone. P

at all, mother?" the

our father's wages, and

rtland sat by the window with some needlework in her hand, though it was too dark t

school and get a place somewhere. I dares

for himself. In the first place he had made up his mind to win the Gayton Scholarship, which was to be a stepping-ston

t of his thoughts, and, cal

up your school at present; I wouldn't like you to do that. I dares

good in trying f

nour for your school if you won it. You

uld stay on at school; and the next week the family move

d his bright smile and cheerful

Jim, pausing in the work of pu

ed Dick, "but it might be worse, you know. O my a

s the

ips of his fingers as if they were sticks of sugar-candy. "

soon had the room looking quite cozy and comfortable. Then they went downstairs; and before night,

e boys about, especially Dick, who good-humouredly obeyed all her commands. He looked on it all as gr

pounds from the "Shipwrecked Mariners' Society," they had absolutely no money, and there seemed little prospect of his mother being able to earn sufficient to keep them. Already

o to work," he said; but to this

d boy," she said; "and without education, you wil

od boy, because, as you will find for yourselves, he was nothing of th

which was such an unusual thing that

, looking at the clock; "but I've

the m

y own account. I've got a place. Don't be vexed. I shan'

ave you

I help on Saturdays too, he'll give me five shillings

no time to study

the money will just pay the rent. Wasn't it lucky I saw the card in the window? Of course I shan't be

what a sacrifice he had made, and hoped,

ously, "will you have to call out 'Paper!'

at the different houses. And now, let me finish my te