The Art Of Writing & Speaking The English Language / Word-Study and Composition & Rhetoric

ly and easily ruined in the city. He knew that there were many such cases, of mere girls, carefully reared, who were drawn to the city only to be singed or ruined, as moths by the glaring

mplish so much by throwing the weight of his infl

Nan to beg on the city streets? Did Nell know about it? he wondered. A vision of her beauty and grace of manner rose before him. What strength of character she seemed to possess, and how thoughtful she was of her father's comfort. But what was the my

to have any idea that he was interested in the Strongs. Though he would not acknowledge it to himself, yet his hesitation, in fact, was due to the feeling that in

e for Jake. It was from Si Stubbles, who wanted Jake to help him that afternoon wit

ur drove away. "He's always thinkin' of himself, an

?" Douglas asked. "It isn't fair

on't help him this afternoon, he'll never fergit it, an' next winter, when I w

suggested. "It will be better for you to st

ed, much relieved. "You w

this was too good an opportunity to miss. He would, no doubt, see Stubbles, and thus be able to f

Everything about the place was in excellent condition, the lawn well kept, and the hedges neatly trimmed. To protect the grounds from trespassers, a strong wire fence had bee

it came in front of the house, Stubbles himself appeared upon the verandah, carrying a table napkin in his hand, fo

driving in front of t

u know an

eamster surlily replied. "If I don't go in this way, how a

out, then, yo

o do it, an' then ye'll growl at m

es roared. "I'll make an example of yo

d there chastise the man with his own hands. As he did so, he stepped off the platform, and with a w

er and man. But when he saw Stubbles take the wild plunge, he rushed forward and picked up the injured man. The l

, Douglas carried him u

came from

r?" she cried. "What h

"Hold the door open while I carry him in

him upon a large sofa near the window. Mrs. Stubbles follow

ie?" she asked. "Shall

ome warm water and bathe my bruises. Confound that teamster! I'll discharge him at once. What busine

home this morning,"

e never does. He should have been here to look after the haying. I've go

Simie. He is to bring the girls, y

terested in business as he is in running around in the car and spending so much time in the

more now, I suppose," D

he room. "I might a

tle squinting eyes upon Douglas' face. For the first time he

" was the reply. "I have come to give

't Jake

n to get in, and so I off

a fix I am in. I don't know what this place is coming to, anyway. One can't get a neigh

" Douglas soothed. "We can get

anything ab

a farm, and should kn

viewed him from head to foot. "Say, are you the

ut that little en

ter. But what are you doing here, anyway? You don't lo

daily bread, and farming s

h you," Stubbles growled. "Get to

pleasant working companion, w

eelin' now?"

ht. He had a nasty fall a

kinned alive by somebody one of these days. I'd like to be around an' hear him squeal. It would make up fer a great deal of impudence I've stood

he matter

trings, ribbons, an' all its other gear. Ben thinks he knows, an' that's where he makes a fool of himself. He gives orde

only son?" D

s bad enough, dear knows, b

does B

wouldn't like

rk at anyth

n'. Instead of stayin' home an' lookin' after the hayin', he went to the cit

yesterday,

ally in the evenin'. He's gine

hy

. Her father doesn't like the Stubbles crowd, an

the professor's daughte

uglas had just handed up. "The whole thing is a mystery. Nell's as fine a girl a

she must know something about his life if what the teamster had just told him were true. He could not understand it. She did not seem like a woman who

teamster was stooping for the reins, when the raucous hon

now," he exclaimed. "Ye'

l get through all rig

vil if ye don't. If ye won't, then I'll have to git down an' do it. T

across the field toward the gate. He did not wish to hurry, as

lazy devil!" Ben shouted.

. But he would have known it anywhere, for it had been indelibly impressed upon his memory. So Ben Stubbles was the contemptible coward who had pushed that woman into the water and left her to her fate! He

. "Didn't you ever see human beings before? Op

eelings he clutched the gate and tore it open. The occupants of the

idn't it?" Ben sneered, as the car lurc

ew what he was doing, so greatly was his mind agitated. Why had he not given that fellow the sound thrashing he deserved? And yet he was thankful that he had controlled himself, as he might have spo

e told him. "Si Stubbles won't t

Douglas replied. "I'm not working by

since the encounter at the gate, and he was hoping that he would not meet him again that afternoon. He did not

it was Ben hurrying after him. As he approached, Douglas saw that his manner was altogether changed, a

"I understand you

it?" Douglas cu

ally do

n I feel

here's to be a dance in the hall this evenin

u get any

ap who tries to, but you would think he wa

can't do

t. Jake and his wife ha

pt

pread the re

y, you'll pla

e act at Long Wharf. He did not want to play at the dance, and yet he knew it would be too good an opportunity

hall?" he at

ner, about a mile a

does the da

. The crowd won't get t

will be there and