Rod of the Lone Patrol

rter after. At any other time Rod would have felt keenly this reprimand. But now it did not trouble him, as he had other things to think about. He

ew them? His brain grew hot as he brooded over these words. Other children had their fathers and mothers with them, and why was it that he had never seen his, and knew nothing about them? Mrs. Royal had told him that his mother was living, and several times she had read her letters to him. But she was a vague person, one he had never seen, and in

f kittens which had been discovered in the barn. The other scholars who had come some distance would have their dinner, and he could n

ved with them. But the teacher stopped him, a

" Rod asked,

e reply. "Some one left

ne to the door, returning shortly with something in her hand. He had

as his surprise to find a dainty lunch lying within. There were several slices of choice

knew that there was only one tree in the neighbourhood which produced such fruit as that. He had often seen the tree from the road, but had never dared to venture near, as it w

asked no questions, however, for she wanted Rod to tell of his own free will how it happened. It was after he was in b

began, "what

home, and no money, and has to

randma?" and the

a chair by the side of the bed. "What makes you ask such

said that I

n did he tel

t me with his whip and mad

O

ecome suddenly aroused, feeling sure that somet

per, dear?" she at length

r, and should be in the Poor House instead of living with decent people. And he said that I didn't k

an expression of deep concer

little left hand in hers. "You have ha

per, grandma?"

rtainly are

n't be in the

where you should be,

not bad, and I wouldn't be a

er, so I think he must be dead. But I belie

she come to s

and in every letter she writes she asks so many questions about you. I have read som

m so glad. Will you rea

ll read you one o

ice. And I am glad tha

w about my mo

, d

Captain Josh k

kes you think

-day. He took my part, and then

s. Royal exclaimed, in su

me this morning it was all knocked out in the road, and I had

ou see

le, and I know where it came from. It grew

take revenge on a little child for what her husband had done. But there was compensation, for Captain Josh's kindness interested her greatly. No one had been able to

esent were over, and as Mrs. Royal watched the little curly head lying upon the pillow, she gave a deep sigh as she bent over and kissed him. Must he go through l

hich was awaiting him. It was then that his wife told him about Rod's experience during the day. The clergyman was deeply interested, an

oing, Daniel?" his wi

tions, and to thank him for what he did for our boy. I have never known Rodney to deceive us.

outside. When it was opened, great was his astonishment to see

surprise," and the cler

make a little call on you and the missus," and he t

, shook hands, and offered the

imed. "I ain't as young as I used to be,

g the captain's fondness for his pipe. "I have some good t

d, after he had filled and lighted his pipe. "A friend like

to say," Mrs. Royal replied, "and we don't

to the air. "I never made many friends in my life. Guess I was too cranky; at any ra

yway, if you don't make many friends, you are able at times to be a friend

h?" and the captain fixed his k

me of the story this evening, and I was just goi

n't give the coward a bigger dose than I did. Oh, how he did squawk when I got both of my hands upon his m

ut Sammie?" th

aven't y

not a

sn't beat all! And

hing to us a

ergyman and then at Mrs. Royal with

he did and not rushin' home all excited, and blattin' out his yarn. But, then, I always knew there was extra stuff in that lad. I have had my eyes on him ever since the mornin' I gave him a cow, ho, ho!" and

tain?" the parson enquired.

night. Sammie has been a regular chip of the old Dunker block ever since he started fer school. He bullied all the little chaps, and h

e Dunker?" the clergyman asked, with a note

an, and when Rod told him to stop, he slapped him in the face. Rod then walked into him and gave him two black eyes,

of pride shone in his eyes. He glanced toward his wife, but her

ght stuff. I know more about him than ye think. I'd 'a' given my cow to have seen him put tha

k it was sheer badness which mad

ng he does into badness, and then account fer it all by sayin' that he is a pauper. But, by jinks! there isn't an ounce of badness about that boy. I've taken an in

n, shrinking back from the huge fist wh

de that ye won't dare to read the Burial Service over him. Everybody knows now that I've taken that boy under my care, and if any o

d at the captain's quaint exp

ome, fill up your pipe again. My city friend would be delighted

re is one thing I want to ask ye, and that's what brought me over here to-night. Me and Betsey are pretty lonely at times. We n

ive my consent, and I feel sure that you w

to go, and it is very thoughtful of you to

ine apples jist waitin' fer him, and several other things to surp