Randy: A Story III–IV

RANDY. BY ELVIN J. NORTON, SUPERINTENDENT Y. M. M. I. A., POCATELLO STAKE. III. On ordinary occasions Henry would not have enjoyed being so far from ready when he was called for: but in this instance he was very glad he had a plausible excuse to offer that he might hare time to control his emotions. The hurry of completing his prepar- ations partly restored him, and in a short time he ventured to join his sister. She was attired neatly in a plain dress, which did ser- vice in more places than the ball room. Her one extra ornament was a sprig of holly across her breast. She did not forget to ask him who was behind this time, nor suppress a laugh at his expense when he hesitated to answer. He took advantage of this jocular moment and the partial darkness to thank her for the Christmas present, without showing any outward signs of the emotion that had so affected him. "I'm glad you like it," she said. "I wanted Santa Claus to bring it to you after you'd gone to sleep; but mother thought it would be better to let you have it earlier. Santa Claus has Randy's, anyhow, and will bring it at the regular time. But come on. Don't you think they've waited long enough?" "All right, I'm ready," he said quickly. "Good night, mother, — since you don't seem to be going. Go to bed and rest; we'll try to be good." This last sentence surprised Mrs. Palmer and Rachel; for unimportant as it might be if spoken by any one else, it was very

168 IMPROVEMENT ERA. different from any promise they had heard for a long time from Henry. The darkness, however, hid their inquiring glances; and the mother ventured no farther than to give him an unusually long embrace when he stooped over her for a parting kiss. "Good night, children, " she said, after kissing them both. "Have a good time; and look out for Randy." They hastened down the path and got into the sleigh. George Davis slackened his reins, and th i impatient horses started out, marking their quick steps with a regular jingle that sounded clear and wild in the cold, still night. Henry had not seen such happy moments for many months; and Rachel was troubled by only one thing—the unsatisfactory way in which her conversation with Randy had ended; but as she had no fears for Randy's safety, she, too, was happier than for a long time before, not only because of the gay company, the pleasant ride and the beautiful night, but most of all because of Henri's changed spirit. She therefore led out in a familiar song, which was joined in by all in the sleigh; and their merry voices and the jingling bells united in a chorus that sent Christmas music ringing over the snow-covered fields and even into the homes and hearts of the neighbors. But the song was only half finished; for the spirited horses soon covered the mile between Palmer's and the schoolhouse, and the merry singers had to answer c.iils and greetings from their friends when the sleigh stopped before the gate. George sug- gested that the others go at once into the schoolhouse while he secured the team to one of the fence rails. "0, sha'n t we wait for you?" asked Rachel. "No, go on in," said George; "I want to blanket the horses, and it's too cold for you to wait out here so long;" and without staying for further argument, he drove past several teams that were already tied to the fence, and stopped at the first available space beyond them; while Henry and Rachel led the way to the schoolhouse. The room was well filled when th^y entered, but the sound of more voices at the gate and more bells in the distance was evi- dence that it would soon be overcrowded. Henry and Rachel, after going to the farther end of the room and placing their wraps on the platform under the musicians' bench, sat down and waited

RANDY. 169 for the music. The people continued to come in. The general rule was freedom and sociability. The man of thirty-five, with overalls tucked inside his heavy boots and a baby in his arms, did not hesi- tate to accost familiarly the young man in a new suit wio had just tak^n off his overshoes and was polishing his dancing slippers with a handkerchief; the boy of ten, with clothes worn out at the elbows and knees, and uncombed hair hanging plentifully over his ears and coat collar, had something to say to ev ry one that passed him, and even went so far as to speak boldly to a haughty girl nearly twice his age, who was a student in a distant school and had erne home to spe:>d the vacation; and the young lady who was really '"in style," with "bangs," a "choker" collar, and high- heeled shoes, talked freely with the eccentric woman who insisted on combing her hair smooth and flat and always wearing her apron. Then there were the groups of young people not notice- ably out of date in dress, standing impatiently in different parts of the room, commenting on the unreasonably long time required to harmonize the violins, and threatening to leave and go sleigh- riding if the dance did not soon start; and there was also a group of industrious and economical farmers talking of the early snow and venturing estimates on the amount of hay each would require to last through the winter. In this general characterization of the crowd, there remain yet two comparatively important classes: a few regarded as the vidage "aristocracy,'' who gathered apart in the upper end of the room and c msidered themselves very conde- scending to be present; and a line of young men, none too respect- able, at the opposite end of the room, drawn up at either side of the door, with hats in their hands and handkerchiefs round their necks, who gathered at such places to make things lively with quarrels and other disturbances. At last the musicians settled down to business; and with a degree of harmony pleasing to most of the hearers, united on an air that led out a floor full of waltzers. The groups about the room were now obliged to break up, or at least yield a part of the space in the middle of the floor to those engaged in the dance. Henrv and Rachel were partners in the first number. They threaded their way among their companion couples, following the measure as accurately as the crowded condition would permit.

170 IMPROVEMENT ERA. There were good-natured protests against steppirg on toes, and bursts of hearty laughter when some one stumbled and fell. Heavy boots dragged, rather than glided over the worn floor, but their sound was tolerated as a necessary part of the pastime. Happy voices continued to mingle in pleasant conversation that was at least sociable and harmless. All these joined to drown the mu^ic, except within a few feet of the players; but even if the music could not be heard all the way around the course, the dancers could put themselves "in step" when tney turned at the upper end. Little rest was allowed the musicians during the remainder of the party. The floor manager was stormed with more calls for waltzes and schottishes and polkas, for quadrilles and reels and cotillions, than he could possibly supply. The third or fourth number was a quadrille. Henry and Rachel happened to be in the same set near the door. Henry manifested a wholesome pleasure that he had not shown for a long time, and Rachel noticed with gratitude that he gave little atten- tion to the rowdies collected near them. In this crowd was George Davis, who had not yet offered to join the dancers. He seemed to take more pleasure in cracking stale jokes and leading at inter- vals in a kind of groundless laughter. Rachel caugkt glimpses of him as she turned gracefully in the figures of the dance. He lighted his cigarette and blew the smoke contemptu msly towards the open window, evidently delighted with the offense he gave those near him who were not of his kind. As Rachel read the char- acters in the faces of those young men, she wondered if, after all, such a party was the place for her; and even a glance at the opposite end of the room, where few if any persons of objection- able character could be seen, did not put her at ease; but when she looked again at Henry's face, and thought of the influence George Davis had over her older brother, she was glad she was there, feeling that she could suffer great indignities if her pres- ence could keep a brother from sin. When the music stopped in the middle of the quadrille, George called to Henry. The call was not answered, though Rachel knew that it reached Henry's ears; and George knew it too, for he called again so loud that half the people in the room

RANDY. 171 heard him. Henry blushed with anger and shame as he turned toward the speaker. "Come here a minute!" said George, somewhat more respect- fully. Henry excused himself and stepped out of the set. Rachel trembled when she saw this action. She had hoped he would not notice George's rudeness. She studied the painful expression on her brother's face as he listened to the words whispered to him, and thought she saw resolution in his features wh^n he pulled himself a.\ ay and resumed his place on the floor. George whis- pered something to the young men near him, and then all looked at Henry with a sneering, bantering laugh. This was almost more than Rachel could bear. She hesitated a moment in indecision whether to appeal to those around her for assistance in shaming such disgusting actions, or to address her indignation to George personally. Just then the music started and she was prevented from either course. But in the first change which brought her for a moment to her brother's side, she whispered to him with all the force of earnestness, "Henry, don't, 0, don't forget!" He did not have time to answer, but he held her hand tightly between his for an instant, and she knew that he was still resolved to conquer. She was again happy, and turned her thoughts once more to the dance. George now saw that the company he was in did not con- tribute to his influence over Henry. As soon as the floor was clear, therefore, he walked to the opposite end of the room and dropped his overcoat and hat on a pile of wraps in a corner. Rachel acknowledged to herself, when she saw him apart from the crowd at the door, that he could assume the appearance at least of a gentleman. She saw him cautiously approach Henry, and was in greater fear than before, for she knew that courtesy would have more weight with her brother than ludeness. She saw that Henry's wounded pride slightly relaxed. He listened with some respect to the other's words. Then he even spoke and smiled. Evidently they were talking of something more agreeable to his feelings. Then suddenly George grasped her brother's arm, and she knew he was inviting him to go outside. Again the look of

172 IMPROVEMENT ERA. pain crept over Henry's features. Rachel grieved in her heart as she saw her brother struggling against the cravings of an abnormal appetite. Then, as if by accident, his eyes met hers, which seemed to give him the strength he lacked. He politely released himself from George's grasp, walked across the roon* to Rachel, and led her out for another dance. Rachel purposely avoided the subject that filled both of their minds, and chatted away on anything and everything that would dispel his trouble and draw his thoughts in another direction. When the music stopped, the brother and sister seemed among the happiest in the room. They walked to an open window with a number of others to enjoy the cold, frvsh air. '"You mustn't stand there too long, Ray," said Henry. "I think you'd better sit there in the corner while I go and speak for the next dance with Mary Winnett." "All riiht, go on," answered Rachel, complying with his sug- gestion. But Mary Winnet took the arm of another partner before Henry reached her. "Now, who's left?" said George Davis, walking up to Henry and slapping him on the back. "1 must try again, I suppose,'' was Henry's answer, and he started in another direction, to the great relief of Rachel, who was fearful of results whenever George approached her brother. Just then Rachel looked towards the open window. At the same instant a face appeared shyly on the outside. It drew a^ay quickly, but too late to avoid recognition. In another instant it reappeared with an expression of mingled mischief and shame. Taking a pencil and a small piece of paper from her desk she wrote hurriedly: "Randy: Don't forget our talk. Go home to mother, won't you? Ray." Then folding the paper neatly and quickly, she broke a sprig of holly from her dress, pinned it to the paper, and handed the little packet to her vounger brother. She knew his disposition too well to venture talking with him on the subject of his going . home, when there were so many to hear.

RANDY. 173 For some reason Henry did not find a partner immediately after turning away from Mary Winnett. George noticed this and came up to biugh at the disappointment. Again he began talk- ing wit i Henry, and as before renewed the invitation. Henry was before the tempter. It was now too late to join in this dance. What should he do? Couldn't he partly yield to his craving, and still control himself? Already he had done better than for a long time before. But there was his sister's entreaty, ' Henry, don't, 0, don't forget!" still ringing in his ears. He must seek those eyes again, and receive more strength. But Rachel's eyes are bent over the desk: they do not look up. Again the tempter urges: Suiely Ray and mother do not expect him to break off at once. It will do no harm to, —but when he pressed her haiid he meant his action fur a promise. He must receive more strength from his sister. But again he was deprived of the aid he sought. When he looked toward her, Rachel was handing the note through the win- dow, for she was sure the bright light fr.m within would enable Randy to read it. Randy took the note; but instead of reading it, he hastened away, and Rachel turned from the window in disap- pointment. Then she grew deathly pale, her lip quivered, and her heart sank within her; for she had turned just in time to see George and Henry leave the room. IV. When Randy and Dick had performed the last duty assigned them—that of opening the doors of the schoolhouse and lighting the lamps— they started the round of gathering up their favorite fellows in order to hold a counsel on the extent and nature of their Christmas Eve mischief. Dick's whistle brought out the boys one after another from their several homes, until the band of youthful knights numbered nearly a dozen. These w j re all mounted on separate horses, except Randy, who owned no horse and was obliged to ride behind Dick's saddle. This little band galloped several miles along the country road and back, giving notice by their mere presence that a farmer might expect to find, on the following morning, a neighbor's cows in the warm stall where he

174 IMPROVEMENT ERA. , had fed and bedded a favorite team preparatory for a Christmas sleigh ride; or some unknown bull carefully harnessed to a one- horse sleigh and tied to the front door knob, as though waiting for a tardy Santa Claus to come from the house and cominue his jourrey around the juvenile world. Having agreed upon a plan for the night's adventures, the boys reined up before the schoolhouse just as the sound of dis- tant singing was carried over the snow- "Who is it?" asked one. "Two of them's Ray and Henry Palmer, I'll bet you," said Dick, who knew his schoolteacher's voice. ''Who are they coming with, Randy T 1 'George was going to stop for them," Randy answered. "This way, fellers!" called out Dick, leading the way to an easily accessible place and dismounting. "Here's room for a couple of horses. Let's scatter out so they won't have us in a bunch. Remember, when I whistle twice, run fur your horses and give them a hot foot." All acted with the unconcerned manner of boys not on their first expedition of mischief, and proceeded to carry out "their plans. Just as Randy and Dick turned away from their pony, they saw the sleigh of George Davis stop before the gate. "I'll bet there's something in that outfit," said Dick. "Now see if he don't leave the rest at the gate and drive off alone. And here's the place he'll tie up. Say, Randy, you get in this rig under the hay and quilts, and I 11 stay with old Nibs and then walk away just when he drives up, so he won't think there's anybody close." Randy was none too quick in concealing himself, for George turned the horses in to the fence next to Dick's pony. "Hello, George," cried Dick, pretending to complete an adjust- ment of his saddle. "Hey, Dick! Out for a time?" "You bet I am," Dick answered, and walked away towards the schoolhouse. George carefully tied his horses to the fence and at the same time looked around to make sure whether anyone was watching him. Evidently thinking that he was unseen, but still acting with caution, he drew two flasks from his pockets and buried them in

RANDY. 175 the snow under the fence where he thought they would not likely be disturbed. With a look of satisfaction he walked leisurely to the door of the building. Randy followed in a few moments, and in quiet exultation told Dick what he had seen. "Don't he think he's struck it, though?" said Dick. "He's too sharp to put it in the sleigh. Everybody knows his outfit and what he generally takes with him, too. He'll be after it perty quick, so we'd better get hold of it." "Don't you worry about that," Randy answered. "It's still in the snow, but not where he buried it. "Good for ynu! Now for some fun! It won't be very long, either. There they go for the first dance, and George soon gets thirsty when the music starts. We want to be perty close when he comes cut." But George did not come out as soon as they expected. It has already b en seen how the company he chose at the door was regarded by Henry, whom in particular he was anxious to have share his pleasures. When at last Dick and Randy saw George take a partner for a dance, they suspected that their own actions were known to him, and began to lock for fun in other directions. They moved abnut among their acquaintances to see what success others had met with. They found that several boxes had been lifted from the "bobs;'' three or four sleighs had been tipped over; two teams had been taken from sleighs and each "hitched" in the place of the other; the tail of a saddle pony had been twisted and tied to the fence, the knot cemented with a little water which soon turned to ice; and a carefully hidden bottle or two had been found. "Say, fellers, this is gettin' perty warm," said one who had just joined the others. "Jack Billings is raisin' a big fuss 'cause his cutter wa- tipped over. I b'lieve we'd better kind o' scatter a little. But I don't want to miss the fun.'' "I'll tell you what," said Randy. "Let's go over the fence into Jim Winnett's yard and see what we can do for him.'' "That's a go; and bring the bottles along,'' adied Walt Davis, the boy who had suggested the scattering. "vVe've already emptied the one I found, and I'd like to see what the rest of you's got."

176 IMPROVEMENT ERA. Randy did not favor this addition to his plan, but made no protest. Taking different courses to the Winnett yard, the boys soon collected at the appointed place and opened council between two large hay stacks sufficiently distant from the residence or the schoolhouse to make caution unnecessary to prevent discovery from these places. "Winnett's got some hay loaded up ready to feed in the morn, ing, " observed Randy. "Let's throw it off'm the wagon." "0, let's see that stuff," insisted Walt. "I don't believe you fellers found anything after all." "You don't, eh?" retorted Randy. "Wha'd'ye call this?" and he held up a bottle. "Well now, if he hain't —" began Walt, seasoning his lan- guage with a good supply of profanity. He snatched the bottle from Randy's hand and threw away the cork. "Here's to you, boys," he called out, and took several swal- lows from the bottle. "Not so fast, there!" shouted another; and Walt in his turn lost the bottle. Then a general scramble followed in which all engaged to a greater or less extent except Dick and Randy. Fi- nally, most of the contents of the bottle having run out on the snow, they stopped by common consent to have a taste of what was left. Forming in something like a circle, they passed the bottle round; but when it reached Randy it was empty. "0, it don't matter anyhow, does it, Randy? If ycu'd 'a wanted the bottle you'd 'a' fought for it with the rest of us; but you wouldn't dare take a drink, would you?" said Walt, in a taunt- ing way. Though Randy had expressed no definite opinion about drink- ing, he had managed to follow his mother's and sister's advice in this particular, and he had taken the bottles from the sleigh only to annoy the owner; but it was hard to "take a dare," and quick as thought he held another bottle aloft. "I don't fight for a smell of an empty bottle, when I've got one like this!'* he said hotly, uncorking the bottle and putting it to his lips. "Here, that'll spoil our fun," said Dick, intercepting Randy's act.

RANDY. 177 "No, give it to them that likes it!" shouted Walt, springing to seize the flask; but before his hand touched the object of its grasp, Randy had hurled the bottle through the air; and an instant later was heard the mingled sound of liquid and broken glass splashing and crashing among the spokes of a wagon wheel. In another moment the light of a lantern gleamed round the corner of the huy stack. The boys scattered in all directions except that from which the light came, and left Jim Winnett to spend a half hour fretting and fuming, and trying to find what mischief had been done. Randy did not feel right. He had made up his mind to follow his sister's advice to the extent of letting drink alone, and now he saw that just at the moment when he should have been strong, it was Dick's and not his own courage that had saved him. He was sure that his action had been regarded by his fellows as cowardly, whether they should think of him from the standpoint of temper- ance or intemperance; because, it seemed, he had shown himself either afraid to drink or afraid not to drink, according to the way those present chose to look at it. As soon as he was outside of Mr. Winnett's yard, he walked slowly towards the schoolhouse, not even daring to speak to Dick, who was at his side. As they neared the window Dick turned away, preferring not to be seen by those within; but Randy, lost in the thoughts of self-reproach, walked quite up to the window, and was recalled to himself by the face of his sister, looking at him with considerable surprise. He instantly drew into the shadow; but deciding at the same moment that this was only a second act of cowardice, he boldly stepped to the window again. The smile he met on his sister's face restored him almost to the mood he was in when he left her at home, earlier in the evening. He saw something of sorrow in her face, but there was no mark of reproof. Signing him to wait a moment, she hurriedly prepared and passed him the note already mentioned. With no intention of disappointing her, he hurried away. "You must have found something at the window," said Dick, who, acquainted with Randy's peculiarities, had seen the change eome over his face, and knew that he could now be spoken to. "Come and see what it is," said Randy, taking his friend's

178 IMPROVEMENT ERA. arm and leading him into the light from the front window. Here he carefully took the holly leaves from the folds of the paper, and opening the note read aloud: "Randy: Don't forget our talk. Go home to mother, won't you? Ray." At once there was a conflict within him between reason and a resentment towards advice from others. If he had kept the con- tents of the note to himself, perhaps the result would have been different: but at an unlucky moment when he allowed his haughti- ness to be in the mastery, be said bitterly, "I guess I can't take care of myself!" and tearing the paper up, he threw the note and all away. But the next thought was one of repentance and deeper shame than ever. He saw that he had given way to weakness while in the very act of resolving to be courageous. His mortifica- tion was increased bv Dick, who, with a high regard for the good- will of his school teacher, as well as that of her hot-tempered brother, looked at Randy reproachfully and said, "I don't want her to see me in this crowd; I'm going home." Dick walked away. Randy watched him, and was bitter again. He persuaded himself that Dick was wrong in leaving him thus alone; but Dick should find there were others who would be glad of Randy's companionship. Walt Davis knew how to be true to friends, and—. But he was yielding once more to coward- ice. He thought again of his mother and sister. Almost uncon- sciously he began to look for Rachel's note. Several feet away were the holly leaves, plainly visible on the white snow. He picked them up, and found the cluster unbroken. But the paper was too nearly like the snow to be seen. Stooping down he felt around where he thought he had thrown it. At last he found one frag- ment—a piece much larger than he expected to find— and care- fully put it away with the holly sprig in his inside coat pocket. At that moment he heard a loud voice near him, and turned from further search. In spite of his -anticipation of pleasure in witnessing George Davis's disappointment, Randy was so absorbed in other matters that he had forgotten the bottles. Henry and George were now

RANDY. 179 returning from the fence. George wanted to be angry, but Henry insisted on being good-natured. "I tell you, Henry, it's a shame!" shouted George, with a vol- ley of words that would not sound well reproduced. "0, well, nevermind; let's go in and dance," answered Henry. "We'll soon forget all about it." "I tell you, I can't forget it, and I won't! I've got to have something. Confound it!" and George clenched his fists in disap- pointment, "if I'd known it in time to tell Walt to drive around by Miles' s when I let him have the sleigh. It's ten to one Walt has the bottles himself. But he ain't likely to be back for two hours. Hello, there's Randy. Say, Randy, who got the stuff I left under the fence?" Before Randy's silence could arouse suspicion, a bystander said, "Randy and Dick's been round the house all evening. I don't b'lieve they've been with the other boys." "Confound it!" resumed George, with a finishing of much worse language. "Say, Henry, wha'd'ye think about letting Randy take a ride down to Miles's for us?" "Just as he likes," said Henry, without much enthusiasm. "Wha' do you say about it, Randy?" continued George. Randy was ready to welcome almost any reasonable oppor- tunity to get away from the loafers round the schoolhouse; and as he could not see any reason why he should not go, he consented. "Walt has my team," said George, "but you can take any of these outfits, and I'll make it right. The third one from the corner's just the thing. Tell Miles I want two pints of his best." Leaving Randy to follow out these instructions, George and Henry walked back to the building. There they came suddenly upon Dick, who was looking cautiously about, evidently trying to see everybody without being seen himself. "And here's Dick, " said George; "I thought you wouldn't be far away from Randy. Hurry down to the corner and take a ride with him." Much to the surprise of George and Henry, Dick appeared very unconcerned; and though he walked slowly towards the place indicated, he had by no means made up his mind to go for the proposed ride. As soon, however, as he saw the two young men

180 IMPROVEMENT ERA. enter the building, he quickened his steps; but before he reached the corner Randy had driven away. Dick was not satisfied with the way he and Randy had parted, and had really come back to have a better understanding. Now he was disappointed, and turning about started again towards his pony. On the way he heard some loud talking in a little group, and paused to listen. The scene was not new to him. In the center of the group was a young man so thoroughly intoxicated that he could not stand. The bully of the neighborhood, Jack Billings, who regarded himself as indispensable on all important occasions, had officiously taken upon himself the duty of caring for the drunken man, and was persuading him to go home. "Come with me down to my cutter, Bill," he said, "and let's take a little ride." Slowly the group moved toward the designated place, and Dick followed them. When they had gone a few rods, Jack stopped short upon finding his sleigh gone. Then he burst out in all his fury, calling innumerable cursings down upon the heads of those so free to disregard the rights of others, forgetting that he himself had often been guilty of much worse offenses. He was not long learning where the sleigh had gone. One had seen Randy Palmer come down this way alone. Another had heard George ask Randy to go to Miles's. Still anothor observed that the fact of Randy's being alone was suspicious. At this last suggestion Dick withdrew, for he was aware that all knew who was Randy's closest friend. At a safe distance he listened to the language of Billings, who declared that the time had now come to teach these boys a lesson. "The officer's here tonight, and I'll have Randy Palmer pulled while he's got possession of the outfit!" he declared. "But Randy ain't to blame so much as George Davis," said one, who perhaps felt some guilt at having been so free in giving evidence. "I tell you it's these little devils I'm after!" shouted Jack. "It's them that's done all the mischief here tonight. If Randy ain't guilty, let him prove it. If George Davis wants to stand up for him, let him go ahead. But it's Randy Palmer I'm after. I won't have any trouble, either; the constable's as much in for put-

RANDY. 181 ting this kind of thing down as any one. I tell you I've made up my mind." And so it proved. The constable was ready. Soon the injured Jack was seated beside the dignified officer, and both were on their way to overtake Randy. Dick, who had been undecided what to do a short time before, quickly made ud his mind when the impetuous Jack stepped into the constable's sleigh. Running at his utmost speed, he loosed Nibs from the fence, sprang into the saddle, and then dashed down the road like a meteor, if the snow from his horse's feet could have been seen. The sure-footed Nibs, seeming to understand the situation, required no urging, but in a few moments brought his young master up to the side of Randy's pursuers. The appearance of Dick riding at full speed aroused the suspicions of the men in the sleigh. Not entirely free themselves from the effects of drink, they urged their horses along and for a short distance gave Dick a close race. But Nibs, with his slight burden, was too fast for the other horse-, who was compelled to draw a sleigh with two men. Dick, therefore, was soon in the lead and out of the officer's sight. A few moments later he overtook Randy, who was going leisurely along as though more interested in hisown thoughts than in performing his errand. Dick hastily told why he had come, and proceeded with an explanation of his quickly devised plan. ''Take Nibs and keep out of their reach. I'll tie Jack's horse to the fence, and they'll be sure to stop when they see the outfit standing still. I'll drop into the ditch over the fence and go back home as soon as they leave. They won't look for me because they'll see Nibs ain't here, an' they'll think we're both on him." While speaking, Dick helped Randy in executing this much of his plan. "Now, get on, and go!" said he. Randy quickly mounted, but said, "You come, too." "No," insisted Dick, "you can go faster alone. Tain't far home. After they give you up, come back and sleep with me, or, if you want to go home, fasten the reins to the saddle and Nibs will come back all right. Now go! They're nearly here!" and to stop further protest, he slapped Nibs with his hand, causing the spirited pony to dash away with the hot-tempered,thoughtless Randy. Dick reached the ditch and dropped into it just in time to

182 IMPROVEMENT ERA. escape discovery by the men in the sleigh. As he had predicted, they drew up when they saw Jack's horse. The situation at once dawned on them. "There's no use following them any further," said Billings. "The best way to get them, is to wait till morning. Dick Rogers and Randy Palmer with old Nibs are too sharp to fall into our hands this night." The constable hesitated a moment. "I guess that's right enough," he said, "but it might look a little better—a little more like doing our dooty—to go on a piece." "Yes, I think we'd better go on about as far as Miles's,". returned Jack; and after a few mutual compliments on their love for law and order, e^ch seated himself in his own sleigh and drove to Miles's saloon. But they did not stay long, for it was growing late, and it would not do to have their reputation suffer from false reports of their failure. They must hurry back before the dance closed and see that all went home with an increased respect for Jack Billings and the constable. At the schoolhouse, the most important result of their announcement was one in which Jack and the constable were little interested. As may be supposed, Rachel was in great suspense, and Henry hi*d some concern. Much relief had come to Rachel when Henry told, by his open, triumphant expression, that he had not been drinking, but she had been troubled again at hearing of Randy's errand and Jack's determination. She had just drawn Henry again to her, and was satisfying herself that he had told her everything, when word was brought in that Jack and the con- stable had returned with the sleigh, but that Dick and Randy had escaped on old Nibs. Rachel and Henry returned to their home as happy as they had left it, except that Henry's conscience told him that circum- stances instead of his own strength had kept him sober. Mrs. Palmer, of course, had been troubled by serious misgivings prompted by recollections of the past; but her heart leaped with joy when her son followed Rachel into the "front room," for she well knew that he would not do this had he been drinking. Almost simultaneously the mother and sister inquired for Randy, and each was disappointed in the unsatisfactory answer received; but Henry