Under Fire: A Tale of New England Village Life

lity of saying good night. This, however, was in keeping with his manner of leavin

cases was quite unlike. In the one instance he was on a mission of revenge, and in the othe

ng this view of the matter, he thought it would be the wise thing for him to c

Simmons couldn't be lonesome, for Tim was with him, and would probably

obable that Jacob would have given him also an exhibition of his muscular powers, and Matthew-the gentle youth of fine clot

. He ran the entire distance to his own home, and even when in his room, with his door locked, he trembled with fear, and ca

accomplish his purpose, but had actually recoiled upon him. He little imagined, though, to what e

laced by jealousy, and a desire for revenge upon Fred Worthington. He cared little what became of Tim, and gave him hardly a passing thou

licious pleasure. But Matthew would have felt no scruples on this point, for it is just what he had planned to do; and now that he had made of

in the situation. He knew that Matthew did not like him, and he had seen him leave the party in an angry mood. Knowing him to be

re, in a very gracious mood, to see him and to talk over the previous evening's en

have trouble with any one, and from the fact that they had not been very good friends of late, and that now

his assistance. But he knew Dave Farrington would not listen to it, for he had already shown a preference for Fred; so he finally concluded to keep his own co

e other boys could not understand what had brought about such a marked change. It was a matter of

Matthew said to us before the party. My idea is that he is the worst boy in the village, and that we have never seen how mean he can be. Fred is a good fellow and is

ut I guess nothing will come of it. I know Matthew always wants his own way, th

atthew he had changed in this respect. Though he firmly intended to do nothing that he would be ashamed of, or that would injure hi

ve a glass of ginger ale. Fred had some conscientious scruples about this, but, lest he should offend his companion, he yielded, saying to

ly led him that way), Fred, feeling that he was under obligations to his companion for his previous treat, invited him in. This time they lingered a

ame, though he had never played before, whi

he air is filled with evil influences and the fumes of rum and tobacco; and, aside from these degrading surroundings, it is a very expensive game. It is a very common o

chuckled over his own success; for, in purposely allowing his opponent to win, and thereby

plishing his purpose seemed to be well nigh surmounted. He had carefully managed his vi

which he arranged with the barte

k, and that they would persuade him to take a glass of lag

t with a view to rendering any ser

ed at the saloon, Matthew

y. Fred, you'd better try the lager, too. It's ever so much nicer than that slop. Just try it now, and if you

d after indorsing all tha

inking ginger ale, nowadays

little word of two letters that he had

ung hypocrite excused himself from playing a game of billiards as he had at first proposed, and induced F

see Fred in a tipsy state he would discharge him. But just before reaching the merchant'

h to answer promptly if

d had become talkative and boisterous, and in such a conditi

Dr. Dutton's house, opposite which they now stood. Fred assented to this, provided Matthew would accompany him

pping in Fred looked about for his co