Johnny Ludlow, First Series

sad remembrances of some kind living in the mind; and we are apt in our painful regret to say,

t was some miles away from Worcester. The master was Dr. Frost, a tall, stout man, in white frilled shirt, knee-breeches and buckles; stern on occasion, but a gentleman to the back-bone.

Hearn entered. He was eleven years old. We had seen him at the house so

r four quietly faded away one after another, not living to see thirty. Mr. Hearn died, from an accident, when Archie was only a year old. He left no will, and there ensued a sharp dispute about his property. The Stockhausens said it all belonged to the little s

ered how she got on at all. She lived in a cottage about three miles from the Frosts, with one servant and the little child Archi

Frost took him for nothing: but as little Hearn was Mrs. Frost's nephew and we liked her, no talk was made about it. The lad did not much like coming into the house: we could see that. He seemed always to be hankering after his mother and old Betty the servant. Not in words: but he'd stand with his arms on the play-yard gate, his eyes gazing out towards the quarter where the cottage was; as if he w

o set the world on fire. Little Hearn's stories had been of home; of his mother and old Betty. Wolfe's were different. He had had the run of his father's stables and knew more about horses and dogs than the animals knew about themselves. Curious things, too, he'd tell of men and women, who had stayed at old Barrington's place: and what he said of the public school he had

ay he entered, catching hold of little Hearn in t

ubbing his arm-for Wolfe's gr

nfully. "What a precious young fool you

Hearn, taking the question litera

wing up his mouth. "What's

n. Mine's

do every earthly thing that I order you to do. And mind you do it smartly

ervant," returned Archie, i

tale before this time tomorrow. Did

o think the new fellow might be in e

hem, and your back's stiff with smarting and aching-that's the ki

, s

ater. Never mind whether the rules of the house are against hot water, you'll have to provide it, though you boil it in the bedroom grate, or out in the nearest field. You'll attend me at my lessons; look out words for me; copy my exercises in a fair hand-and if you were old enough to do them, you'd have to. That's a few of the items; but there are a h

aw. Lots of the fellows, attracted by the talking, had gathered round. Hearn, honest and straightforward

up-John Whitney. "What is that yo

at's enough. They don't allow servants h

ding by, our mathematical master-of whom you will hear more later. B

ed to be hi

hands, and confronted the new fellow. "Y

Barrington, stari

and be responsible for himself: seniors and juniors alike. You are not at a public-school now, Barrington. In a day or two, when you shall have lear

cried Barrington, a

ees to us out of hours,

king a sneaking appeal to him?" contin

I could not do what you wanted," said

place as this," cried Barrington, passionately. "As to you, you sneaking little devil, it seems I can't mak

k that sent him flying. Bla

coward, Mr.

, his eyes flashing. "You had b

't let me have to report you to Dr. Frost the first day of your arrival. Another thing-I must request y

y he entered; but it did so, word for word, as I have written it. It set some of us rather against Barrington, and it se

or one and another. The worst of him was his roughness. At play he was always rough; and, when put out, savage as well. His strength and activity were some

day when we were in the thick of it, and stopped the game with a sweep of his hand. They play it at Rugby now very much as Barrington made us play it then. The Doctor-standing with his face unusually red, and his shirt and

e pleasantest sight to my mind. Snepp said one day that he looked just like the devil at these times. Wolfe Barrington overheard him, and kicked him right over the hillock. I don't think he was ill-intentioned; but his strong frame had been untamed; it required a vent for its superfluous strength: his animal spirits led him away, and he had never been taught to put a curb on himself or his inclin

m about: perhaps a little ashamed of it when there was no return. In a twelvemonth's time it had quite subsided, and, to the surprise of m

aken himself to Evesham, one half-holiday, without leave. He walked straight into some mischief there, and broke a street boy's head. Dr. Frost was appealed to by the boy's father, and of course there was a row.

afternoon-the school went to a cricket-match; Doctor, ma

led it, mounted it, and was carried to Evesham. There he disported himself for an hour or so, visited the

ne would have known of the escapade but for one miserable misfortune-Archie Hearn happened to have gone that af

a with her sister and Dr. Frost. Without the slightest intention of making mischief, quite unaware that she was doing so, Mrs. Hearn mentioned incidentally that they had seen one of the boys-Barrington-at Evesham on the Saturday. Dr. Frost pricked up his ears at the news; not believing it, however: but Mrs. Hearn said yes, for Archie had seen him eating tarts at the c

in when you saw him on Satu

k's," said Arc

ng?" blandly wen

nly eating tarts," A

ceived the credit of it now. Barrington took his punishment without a word; the hardest caning old Frost had given for many a long day, and heaps of work besides, and a promise

mortification running down his cheeks, fresh and delicate as a girl'

ing, as Snepp used to like to do, thinking to throw us off the scent, he sprained his foot, trying to leap a hedge and dry ditch beyond it. We were on his trail, whooping and halloaing like mad; he kept quiet, and we passed on and never saw h

l come to my mother's house, and you can have as much wa

ged foot made one, and most of them had gone on at a quicker pace. Tod helped

opened the door, and we trooped in, without regard to ceremony. Mrs. Hearn-she had the same delicate face as Archie, the same pink colour and bright brown eyes-came out of the kitchen to stare at

nice a face as hers; very placid, with a sort of sad look in it. Old Betty, that Hearn used to talk about, appeared in a short blue petticoat and a kind of brown print jacket

Archie Hearn heard Barrington giving a sneering account

or one. Some coarse bunting tied round her wa

lady," spoke up Archie bravely. "A lady may make je

n, turning sharply on him. "Keep

, in truth, the small way they were obliged to live in, through Chancery retaining the property, made a sore place in a

y are gentlem

elp having a fling at Barrington. A bi

dlow, or presume to interfere with m

sending us backward. The bell rang f

out its progress, except that the play seemed rougher and louder than usual. Once there was a regular skirmish: scores of feet kicking out at once;

the merest chance that I did so: and I saw To

nning back. "Anythin

He had his eyes shu

matter, Tod?

little," was Tod's answer

rawing it down as far as the back of the ear.

tle fellow. Can you get some

ng it in. It would leak out of my

eyes. Presently he sat up, putting his hands to

you feel

ight, I think.

e said he wouldn't join the game again, but go in and rest. Tod went with him, ordering me t

anky way; for she happened to be in the yard when t

," answered Tod. "Here"-indica

ose you mean,"

call it so. It was

it, Master

not," ret

she went on, grumbling. "I wouldn't, if I kept a school;

earn. "I needn't have come

before he had time to stir from where he stood, he became frightful

ff to that precious football," decided Hall, resentfully. "The wonder is, tha

said Archie, when the sickness had pass

wn in his clothes. Mrs. Hall offered to bring him up a cup of tea; but he said it might make him sick again, and he'd rather be quiet. She went down, and Tod sat on the edge

hetl

old fellow.

hie, speaking in an earnest whisper. "Tel

him," answere

give my dear

I wi

't be down to supper. You will come

g the counterpane about him.

. Than

as a little less rough, and there were no more mishaps. W

cheese, for each fellow; and a drop of beer or water. Our other meals were good and abundant; but the Doctor waged war with heavy suppers

tening and looking. Not that there was much

" whispe

wer. N

asleep, o

ead might be there; for

ing his way towards the bed. "So much the

ered that Tod did go up to him. The most natural thing would have been to come away, and shut the door. Instinct must have guided him-as it guides us

me start. In the dark, and holding

. A light!-quick! fo

er Mother Hall at the foot. I know I snatched the candle that wa

it is,

of his face. Carrying it to the bed, he let its light fall full on Ar

s it that's the

nk we should have been such ignorant fools as to lea

ing still, demanding her candle. Tod said a word

r tricks on me,

see,"

and Mrs. Frost, who had been walking all the way home from Sir John Whitney

know how many more. Nothing could be done for Archibald Hearn: he was not quite dead, but close upon it. He was dead before any one

as possible; at any rate they are not allowed to see any of its attendant stir and details. But this was different. Upon masters and boys, upon mistress and household, it came with the same startling shock. Dr. Frost said feebly that the boys ought to go up to bed, and the

ave been saying a prayer. Just then she lifted her head to look at him. As I ba

his mother, and

kick," quoth the coroner. Tod had said that he saw the kick given: that is, had seen some foot come flat down with a bang on the side of little Hearn's head; and

have been conscious of what he did. No end of thoughts glanced towards Barrington:

d out; and his face and voice were boldly defiant. "It

te as brutal at football as

dful that he should have been left alone to die. Ha

hichever the cap fits may take it to himself. When Hearn was dyi

orch by the stone bench, and Tod took the opportunity to relate what

o it was, then?" a

hink

't you ask him

going to die, Whitney?-or that the kick was to turn out a serious one? Hearn was growing big

way, and said no more. He was to die, himself, the followi

this, looking at the sunset, when Tod

ou gazing a

hinking that if Hearn's up there now h

ny, I am certain Hearn knew who it was," he went on in a low tone. "I am certain he thought

er his shoulders, to make sure no one

Barri

you accus

a grey trouser over it came stamping down (not kicking) on the side of the head. If ever anything was done deliberately, that stamp seemed to be; it could hardly have been chance. I know no more than th

them stood at a distance. "Wolf

ey. It's just this: While I am convinced in my own mind that it was Barrington, there's no sort

been staying at the house, surprised us by coming into the tea-room. She looked very small in her

s with you before I go home," she began, in a kind

cy that some prevision of death must have lain then upon his spirit and caused him to say it, though he himself might not have been quite conscious of it. He died in love and peace with all; a

an always, went up to her fi

if any one of us had done it wilfully, I think, standing to hear you now, we should shrink

has taken him from a world of care to peace and happ

nds with us one by one, giving ea

ton. But he had no feeling: his body was too strong for it, his temper too fierce

nd had it out in private-but it did not come to a fight. Tod was not one to keep in matters till they rankled, and he openly told Barrington that he believed it was he who had caused Hearn's death. Barr

football. And t

fiction. It is so very like a case of retribution. But it is all true, and happ

old Frost over their Greek, and laid the blame upon the hot weather, the Doctor said he had a great mind to keep them in until dinner-time. However, they ate humble-pie, and were allowed to escape. Blair was taking us for a walk. Instead of keeping with the ranks, Barrington and Jessup fell ou

ore we got back, Barrington

g like a couple of mad fellows-as the labourers afterwards said. Making for the waggon, laden high with wheat, they mounted i

pt that he escaped injury-had gone over the stile in defiance of orders, and got on the waggon. Barrington was lying in the blue-room; and Mrs. Frost, frightened out of bed,

had looked at Wolfe and touched him. "I ca

with a fair reputation in his profession. But the two were more accustomed to treating rustic ailments than grave cases, and Dr. Frost knew t

's guardian, came over, and an uncle from London. Altogether it was a miserable time. The masters seized upon it to be doubly stern, and read us lectures upon disobedience and rebe

ed. On the very day after the accident, he asked for some of the fellows to go in and sit with him, because he was dull.

is it, Ludlow!

under pu

n of him. He lay on his back, covered over. As to the low bed, it mi

t, Barrington. We all ar

bear it. The cursed idiots had stacked the wheat sloping to the s

ut regret

regret won't undo it. I mean as to my ge

't hear

month, Ludlow, I should go mad.

fered, telling him he m

ell, what's a bruise? Nothing. Of course there's pain and stiffness, and all that; but so there is af

ight possibly end in death. There was a suspicion of some internal injury that we could not get to know of; and it is said that even Mr. Carden, with all his s

him did, father, doctors, nurses, was to inform him that he would be a cripple for the rest of his days. That was common sense with a vengeance: and about as likely to occur in real life as that I could turn myself into a Dutchman. However, something of the kind did happen in Barrington's case, but through in

l up with m

he summer evening. He had been lying quite silent since I entered, an

ou mean, B

dlow. I say, though it makes one feel queer to find the world

k and Featherstone, else, when they next come; ask Mr. Card

he answered. "Don't both

some one came into the room with a gentle step: a lady in a black-and-whi

ing over him and touching his forehead with her cool fingers. "I hear you have take

he nurse, "and watches me out of the tail of her

e in more than I can help

n, his face looking red and u

st pressing my hand in token

ore immediate danger was surmounted, part of the worst of the pain, it was still

to receive unwillingly what she did for him; but, in spite of himself he grew to

r feelings within him, and won his heart from its hardness? She did do it, and that's enough

sky, and Barrington had been watching it from his bed, he suddenly burst into

ol

hard to h

nk you may be spared; I do indeed. And-in any case-you kn

never had my though

ed now. That i

while to have enjoyed earth. What are my few years compared with the ages that have gone by,

son? As you say-nothing. It seems to me that our well-being or ill-being here need not much concern us: the days

ale tints, shading off one into another, and his eyes

to think how short had been his span of life on this fair earth; how cruel his fate in being taken from

d to cover his face.

so much better to be in heaven than on earth. We, who are here, have to battle with cares and crosses; an

dark. Wolfe's face wa

There is nothing to dread, dying in Christ. Believe me, I would not for the world have Archie back again

," sai

't w

to his face, and she knelt

lled

r throat. Then, drawing away her

think I ha

it?" stammered W

of it. Don't let it trouble you now. Archie forgav

me here to nurse

e anxious to come.

n I was born. I've never had anybody. I've neve

speak, I tried to train him for heaven. It has seemed to me, since, just

I put my foot upon it without a moment's thought. If I had taken th

r," was all she said.

I shall go upon crutches for life. That's bad enough:

y, if you only wish and hope to be made so from your very

heaven's angels," said Wol

bit of the way there; and I think-I do indeed-that this accident, which seems, and is, so dreadful, may have been sent by God in mercy. Perhaps, else, you might never have found Him: and where would you have bee

will h

sure

to a stick. He would never go without that. He would never run or leap again, or kick much either. The doctors looked upon it as a wond

spare time he would go driving over to Mrs. Hearn's. He was as a son to her. His great animal spirits had been taken out of him, you see; and he had to find his ha

men were heard in the wood; a pack of hounds and their huntsmen rode past the cottage at a g

res are barre

you," said Mrs. Hearn, with a meaning

e sat a look of satisfied rest that I am sure had never bee