Driven from Home | Page 5

nearly six feet in height, turned from one to the other, and asked: "What has he done?"
"He knocked me over. I want him arrested for assault and battery."
"And what did you do?"
"I? I didn't do anything."
"That is rather strange. Young man, what is your name?"
"Gilbert Vance."
"You don't live in this town?"
"No; I live in Warren."
"What made you attack Peter?"
"Because he flew at me, and I had to defend myself."
"Is this so, Simon? You saw all that happened."
"Ye--es," admitted Simon, unwillingly.
"That puts a different face on the matter. I don't see how I can arrest this boy. He had a right to defend himself."
"He came up and abused me--the loafer," said Peter.
"That was the reason you went at him?"
"Yes."
"Have you anything to say?" asked the constable, addressing Gilbert.
"Yes, sir; when I came up I saw this boy firing stones at a cat, who had taken refuge in that tree over there. He had just hit her, and had picked up a larger stone to fire when I ordered him to drop it."
"It was no business of yours," muttered Peter.
"I made it my business, and will again."
"Did the cat have a white spot on her forehead?" asked the constable.
"Yes, sir."
"And was mouse colored?"
"Yes, sir."
"Why, it's my little girl's cat. She would be heartbroken if the cat were seriously hurt. You young rascal!" he continued, turning suddenly upon Peter, and shaking him vigorously. "Let me catch you at this business again, and I'll give you such a warming that you'll never want to touch another cat."
"Let me go!" cried the terrified boy. "I didn't know it was your cat."
"It would have been just as bad if it had been somebody else's cat. I've a great mind to put you in the lockup."
"Oh, don't, please don't, Mr. Rogers!" implored Peter, quite panic-stricken.
"Will you promise never to stone another cat?"
"Yes, sir."
"Then go about your business."
Peter lost no time, but scuttled up the street with his companion.
"I am much obliged to you for protecting Flora's cat," then said the constable to Gilbert.
"You are quite welcome, sir. I won't see any animal abused if I can help it."
"You are right there."
"Wasn't that boy Peter Cook?"
"Yes. Don't you know him?"
"No; but I know his stepbrother, Carl."
"A different sort of boy! Have you come to visit him?"
"No; he is visiting me. In fact, he has left home, because he could not stand his step-mother's ill-treatment, and I have come to see his father in his behalf."
"He has had an uncomfortable home. Dr. Crawford is an invalid, and very much under the influence of his wife, who seems to have a spite against Carl, and is devoted to that young cub to whom you have given a lesson. Does Carl want to come back?"
"No; he wants to strike out for himself, but I told him it was no more than right that he should receive some help from his father."
"That is true enough. For nearly all the doctor's money came to him through Carl's mother."
"I am afraid Peter and his mother won't give me a very cordial welcome after what has happened this morning. I wish I could see the doctor alone."
"So you can, for there he is coming up the street."
Gilbert looked in the direction indicated, and his glance fell on a thin, fragile-looking man, evidently an invalid, with a weak, undecided face, who was slowly approaching.
The boy advanced to meet him, and, taking off his hat, asked politely: "Is this Dr. Crawford?"
CHAPTER IV.
AN IMPORTANT CONFERENCE.
Dr. Crawford stopped short, and eyed Gilbert attentively.
"I don't know you," he said, in a querulous tone.
"I am a schoolmate of your son, Carl. My name is Gilbert Vance."
"If you have come to see my son you will be disappointed. He has treated me in a shameful manner. He left home yesterday morning, and I don't know where he is."
"I can tell you, sir. He is staying--for a day or two--at my father's house."
"Where is that?" asked Dr. Crawford, his manner showing that he was confused.
"In Warren, thirteen miles from here."
"I know the town. What induced him to go to your house? Have you encouraged him to leave home?" inquired Dr. Crawford, with a look of displeasure.
"No, sir. It was only by chance that I met him a mile from our home. I induced him to stay overnight."
"Did you bring me any message from him?" "No, sir, except that he is going to strike out for himself, as he thinks his home an unhappy one."
"That is his own fault. He has had enough to eat and enough to wear. He has had as comfortable a home as yourself."
"I don't doubt that, but he complains that his stepmother is continually finding fault with him, and scolding him."
"He provokes her to do it. He is a headstrong, obstinate boy."
"He never had that reputation at school, sir.