The Chums of Scranton High at Ice Hockey

m say that, Thad g

you start cogitating over things there's always so

we were talking about-whether a really bad man, or boy, for that matter, can ever t

ngle instance

that can be proven. I've heard my father mention some of them long ago. But it happens, Thad, that I've been reading over, for the th

the scene where that good priest forgave the rascally Jean Valjean for stealing his silver candlesticks and spoons, after he had been so ki

by society, which shut the door in his face. He was like a wild beast, you remember, and hated everyone. Well, by degrees, Nick is finding himself in just a

about the way it g

ndering, Thad, what if Nick could have a revelation about like the one that came to Jean Valjean at the time that splendid old priest, looking straight at the thief when the officers dragged him back with those silver candle

dogged fashion, as thou

scheme, Hugh, if ever the chance came to you; bu

being, because of his own wrongs; and believing that there was no such thing as honor and justice among mankind. It was done to make his change of heart seem

ittle skeptically stil

ok as a bad egg. He'll fetch up in the penitentiary, or reform school, some of these fine days. I've heard Chief Wambold has declared that the next time he ha

back. Brush fires have been started maliciously, just to see the fire-laddies run with the machine and create a little excitement; orchards have been robbed time and again; and, in

you say is the ex

have broken loose, and gone on night expeditions. They felt pretty safe in doing it, because every citizen would believe Nick was the guilty one. But, in spit

fterwards Thad had it brought to his atten

a little further on,

ed. The mercury had dropped away down in the tube of the thermometer, and every youngster had a happy loo

wanted to accompany them very much, but he had promised his mother to spend a couple of hours that afternoon in mending something, which

lf-past three i

t of the way, as there was some sort of affair scheduled for that evening, which he meant to attend;

ne he heard the delightful clang of steel runners cutting into that smooth sheet of new ice out at the mill pond; and the figures of the happy skaters would pass before his eyes. Yes, probably Sue Barn

hing to do he never allowed temptation to swerve him. And, after all, it was pretty snug and comfortable there i

speaking to someone who m

ght. You will find Hugh in his den, I believe. Hugh

one off skating, and wished to see him about some matter of importance, Hugh, after answering

Then someone gave a gruff cough. Hugh lo

ens, Owen Dugdale, H

ius Hobson he

ome; for, of course, he could give a guess that the other had come agai

it can be understood that Hugh was still bent on studying Nick, with the idea of deciding whether he did actually

ot remember ever seeing Nick look more antagonistic th

st as that good old priest had ever seen at the time he invited the ex-convict into his snug house, and horri

out something, did you,

the room as if it aroused his curiosity, for this was really the

ick's face took on an expressive grin. Then he

I told you I'd managed to get another half dollar by selling a pair of my pi

ext to impossible for him to change his abusive ways. Hugh felt less inclined than ever to accommodate him. Under other and more favorable condi

esent I have no other skates, and, as I expect to take part in a ho

xt week, that I can see; unless mebbe you're just holdin' out

still unc

change my mind, I'll let you know about it. That's final. And when I di

ick had shuffled away, as though meaning to leave the room. When Hugh lo

anct to smooth over the rough places between us; but I see you don't want anything to do w

Hugh, happening to glance over to the table at the side of the