Boys Who Became Famous Men

uted George Byron, bursting into the ro

dly; "you are so bad at numbers that you ou

ser of him to keep silence. Doubtless she had received one of those troublesome business letters again. Such missive

een with scarcely enough to keep herself and her child from want. The tiny rooms in Broad Street were filled with the massive furniture and costly vases, mirrors, and china that Mrs. Byron had brought from her father's house at her bridal; but the cupboard was scantily provisioned,

, repenting her impatience, "put your boo

lves. The odd slide and sudden halt with which he moved, together with the stout cane upon

o unkind as to mention his crooked feet. Athletic sports were his chief delight, although there were few that he could enter. At running, leaping, and dancing he was helpless, always forced to stand aside and watch when these were in progress; but he was an expert archer, could throw farther than any boy at

le girl named Mary Duff. She was such a pretty child that passers-by often turned to look after her, and her soft voice and sweet manner showed her to be a real little gentlewoman. The mothers approved of this fri

t bedtime,

[Pg 48] Mary, Aladdin, and I are go

George felt himself being shaken by the shoulder, wh

third time that I have called

himself and finished his bowl of oatmeal, he joined Mary in the dr

uncheon; and as she slipped off the sofa at George's entrance her pin

bent upon calling for Aladdin, t

g

d by Bobby Black, who, with a group of neighbo

ing to watch the cricket

k his head

g somewhe

boys in chorus, and Bobby c

than with us. You're Mary Duff's bea

annoyance at Bobby's silly taun

Duff's beau until you l

d George and Mary set off in

e its open[Pg 50] door disappeared within, only to return immedi

ed for the boy's convenience in getting about. George's poor feet made walks of any great length p

be seen, and his mane and tail were snowy. He was so fond of his master that he would follow him

basket to the small red saddl

rse. You mount first, and l

g

clasped hands. Then, with her agile spring, he landed her securely on Aladdin's back. She gathered

walks on, while the other trudges along on foot until he comes to the place where the horse is waiting, when he mounts and rides to a second stopping-place, secures the a

e from home, but far enough that they were able to walk on the soft[Pg 52] earth, to stand

lean heavily against a tree or rock, panting violently and clutching at his support with both hands. He dared not drop down on the mossy bank, lest with no one near to lend

ed rider, soon came into view, and

Don't you think we h

where dazzling sunbeams pierced[Pg 53] through the leafy ceiling and lighten

ing Aladdin to his own devices, after prudently free

we do first?

alls," suggested Ge

ning, George cut two slender switches from a willow-tree and presented one to his partner. Then he rolled a bit of clay into

a passing boat, and selecting almost any tree, stone, or sail wit

g

se, and at every swish of the withe he called

t, for her ball seldom soared beyond the shadows of the trees under which they sat, and never by any chance approached the object she had intended

n Mary had spread the repa

, and you be the father, and Heatheress will be the ba

o join any game that he suggested, no matter how much she might dislike it, that he felt in duty bound to play her plays a part of the time. Besides, Mary Duff

ily about the board, "please don't take the trouble to come

ngement, for he ate heartily of the delicious

reen of a blasted oak and sat rigidly still, watching t

g

e river, furnished them with paper sails and pebbly car

Before the reader had reached the climax of the tale, he glanced over his book, only to discover the little girl fast asleep against her tree, with her lap full of wild flowers. Forbearing to disturb her,

eading aloud from

eading aloud from h

mbling up by aid of a slender sapling, he noticed th

g

own curls; "I promised your mother that I would br

proposed, and in five minutes she had sprung into the

George, entering the h

tea," replied May Gray, the Scotc

e. He returned shortly, bringing Mary with him; and the children were in the midst of their meal, when the street door was

d[Pg 58] George, rising, alar

n his shoulders, and looking dow

u, George, are now Lord Byron of Rochdale, mas

g one hand upon the table for support

Lord B

ve heard of it before. I never knew the old gentleman, for he and poor Jack were not the best of friends, but I cannot think that he would have had us left in i

delay its happening until he should become a man. That honor and riches should at this time come to him, little George Byron, of Broad Street, Aberdeen, was an overwhelming surprise. T

hanges to come, and George listened as tho

ed out and imparted the news of her de

g

with guests, and they made so much of George, shaking his hand, patting his head, bowing to him, and offer

loud sigh of relief, and went in search of Mary, with whom he had

w stool, and as George approached he

oked at he

e matter?"

" she whispered, m

u were to wait until your father call

g

sted the child, with

ar

uddenly masterful.

replied, shaking h

very queer. If you're not mad, t

then her brown eyes filled with tears, her

George, because your mother said

e into the circle

a suspicious break in his own voice. "I like you the very s

still shook with grief, George regarded her uncertainly for a moment,

"do you see any difference in m

ughing, without looki

tly, returning to the side of his sorrowful

sleeve rewarded him. Then from the dept

e, you are

rned sadly, "I

dmission, and at his wits' end for means

g

Mary, I'll give

orge, A

ined face, dimpling

ide him, it will be just as nice

she assente

threatened too to strangle him, "let's promise that all our lives you'll like me better

his, and pressed it to his lips, in such fashion as he had r

h an impressive yellow seal, confir

g

which the Byrons had used in the Broad Street flat; and

y at vacation times. Mrs. Byron did not desire to spend the months of George's absence alone in the great establishment, so she had taken a house near the school, where, except for occasional visits

yrons to England, sturdily

oy's promise to send her a letter every week, Mary allowed George to mount to the seat beside his mother; and as the conveyance rolled slow

ngham inn, the Byrons hired a ca

her hand to receive their coins, Mrs. Byron, playfully feigning to be a

es this pla

Byron, has been

next heir?" vent

the woman

g

little boy who l

and at her words, the astonished toll-woman bowed nearly to the ground, hyste

Robin Hood and his merry men. Past the lake, with its fish, pleasure boats, and the toy ships which the old lord had de

princely dwelling. The visitors drove around the ancient pile, feasting their eyes upon its Anglo-Gothic beauties; then they descended from the carriage and entered the building. Guided by one of the servants in charge of the premises, they visited the dim cloisters

on appeared, men uncovered deferentially, and women and children offered sweeping curtsies. Mrs. Byron smiled at these with pro

ring, the party sat down before an open-air luncheon,

eorge's sombre silen

you thinkin

he return

rise; "doesn't the sight of all

"nothing can take

mise to study well at school, and bring in good reports, we will come back t

er, do yo

nly, I

g

or Newstead and Ch

l poem. Upon the first page was printed the title, "Childe Harold," an

he little book, they were spellbound by the beauty of the

chanting lines;" and forthwith they thronged to hi

mped slightly when he walked; others that his features were strikingly handsome; and all agreed that a

en, professors, and even people from the provinces, urging George Byron to visit them and enjoy the hospitality they had to offer. The c

e warmth of their enthusiasm, and t

and found myself fa