THE ACADEMY BOYS IN CAMP

he school-room of Massillon Academy one m

sounded twice before they began to disperse, and even then

tern command from

he roll was called as usual,

he lesson for the day have been torn from my 'Anabasis,' and a rumour has reached me that all the cla

l--some with a laugh, as if they considered it a good joke; others indignant; and all with an

with short, sharp scrutiny, and said

roll. Let each boy answer on his honour. If you say 'No,' I shall unders

es were called, each and all, from Adams to Warden, answered

ed the school. A slow, sweeping glance of th

Joe Chester--"Little Joe" as every one cal

result of guilt; but knowing the boy so well, he felt sure that he h

teacher said, very soberly, and with a peculiar look in his searc

is plain speaking, but the teac

oy who would tell a deliberate falsehood he consid

stood at the head of the class. The word had been spoken almost in a whisper, but with such empha

y to him; and some who had never considered an untruth a ve

h the echo of the terrible word seemed still sounding thro

so early in the day with lessons unheard. The boys passed out

building did any boy venture e

he pupils gathered in knots on the playground, to

was not intending to join the crowd of talkers; but as

en one of the older boys seized him roughly by the col

he class, he stood small chance of escaping his assailant; so laughing good-natur

f till he gives a guess as to t

youth who had appointed himself policeman t

trick with the books, I wouldn't be mean enough to deny it," said Joe stout

billy-goat. He never would do anything bad, would he? Oh no." Then in a change of tone, he add

se not," sai

e eyes fastened searchingly on R

recovered himself, and loosing his grasp on Joe's collar, sa

tor!" said a half-d

care about

from father at home when he sees that torn book. You see my brother Nelson is coming next year, and he w

nger, and turned to go; but Drayton shoute

ly, motioning with his h

o. It's no use to stand here a

on, but Ralph Drayton over

he playground, Drayton turned suddenly and said, "See

on and made

w back there, and I saw it in your red face when

on't want to cheat you. Yes,

know who tor

es

dily, with his eye

k; and Joe, leaning back agai

was

to know,

re I want

and the sooner he goes to Mr. Bernard and owns it

nd said, "Chester, do

ean jus

he was about to assume a fighting attitude, wh

ou are only chaffing. I thought a

ight then," ad

y, but tried to star

dropped before the steady, hon

I did it?" added Drayton hurriedly, f

I had no idea then that you were up to mischief, I felt sure of it

I was burning--some I di

, they were book-leave

furiously. "You hung

ause I left my geometry under the big tree,

ice of the size of the paper. You'd no business there; and I

ept out of it. As for thrashing, you know I don't thrash easy, even by a boy of your size.

Chester not only defying him, but actually

ester: if you breathe a word about

on, you have blustered and fumed long enough. You had

onclusion, and, changing his t

ege, and this would put me back if I get expelled. Don't you tell what you know, will you, Joe?" Then he added hurriedly, "I was an idiot to do it! I knew it as

nto your head?" asked Joe, cu

. We thought it would be fun to get up a

igh of relief, as if his burden were lightened by t

ot, though he hadn't the pluck to carry out the plan. It all rests wit

thing I can, except lie, fo

rnard asks

stion plump and fair, I

ked frighte

ith me, for he will

m over Drayton's shoulder. "Go and tell Mr. Bernard th

e the mischief, but he never would overlook the lie. I would be expell

t me to do that?" int

I hate to go home in disgrace. The fact is, though I have been bragging around here, m

ly am; and you may depend on me never to e

bright

u will k

urse I

or no

asks if I know, I shall be obliged to say

ould threaten

n said, "He would hardly do that, b

llow! Give us your hand! Now mu