THE WEST SHORE.
Ill
THE ROMANCE OF DISCOVERY GULCH.
WHERE was a good deal of excitement on the play
1 ground attached to the boys' seminary, presided over
by Dr. Inman. Edward Hunter, a lad of perhaps seven
teen, bad just been furiously injured wliiU piling leap
frog. Just as he was bounding over Kobert Hunter
cousin the latter, in the language of the boys, " humped
himself," and, as a consequence, Edward was flung with
tremendous violence upon a small pile of stones that lay
near to the line of the game. v
At that the game broke up, and the Ixiys crowded
around the inanimate form in great dismay, not knowing
what to do, and too much frightened to reason upon the
subject. Fortunately Dr. Inman had at that very moment
been glancing at the game, and without waiting even to
catch on his hut, ran down from the piazza where he had
beou standing. At the same time the janitor, alarmed
by the cries of some of the smaller boys, came across
from the garden. The two caught up Edward between
them, and as tenderly as possible, carried him to the
house. One of the larger boys wus dispatched on a run
for a doctor and another for water.
Robert Hunter remained on the play ground, sur
rounded by his school-fellows. They were all, with the
exception of Robert and one or two of Iub particular
friends, anxious enough to follow in procession to the
house, but Dr. Inman sternly forbade it; and bo they
remained on the scene of the disaster.
Before long their tongues got to wagging furiously.
There is a great deal of innate savagery about boys; and
yet, after any mischief has been done, and it is too late
for anything but pity, that wells out of their flinty little
hearts in a great river. So Robert Hunter found that
public opinion was setting against him in a great tide;
and even his particular friend, Bracebridge Martin, was
sulkily inclined, and but faint in his defense.
"Don't caro, Bob Hunter," exclaimed one of the
larger boys, "I reckon such things don't happen for
nothing, and it was a mighty mean way to take it out of
him. I'd like to know what boy is going to risk his neck
playing with you if that's the style you're going to follow.
I tell you if he'B killed, it will go mighty hard with you."
Hunter was somewhat frightened over that view of
the case, yet he hardly showed the amount of regret that
an honest-hearted boy naturally would. He was more
inclined to defend himself than confess and avoid.
"He ain't hurt, and I don't see any use making a fuss
over him. He's just playing off, I'll bet you. He's just
that kind of a fellow. He's behind with his algebra
Bums, and I know he hasn't his speech half written, let
alone committed So as he's not ready for to-morrow,
he'll make the most he can out of this. If it don't save
him lots of trouble, I don't know anything alwut Nod
Hunter."
' " Well, you might say you were sorry, anyhow. If I
had laid up my cousin like that, I know I should bo, but
I don't believe you care at alL"
"Oh, don't I ? That's just the way. Didn't he toll
tha doctor who ran away and went to the circus, that
Saturday afternoon we got permission to go to Baynoville,
and didn't he let the cat out and get us all caught in the
melon patch. All the mean jobs evor done here were put
up by him, and now you're juat ugly enough to throw it
up to me that he's my cousin. I can't help that, can I ?
And if his father chooses to waste his money sending
him here, where he'B got no business, instead of putting
him out to a trade, that's something elso I can't help. I
wouldn't hurt him for anything, but if there was only
some way of getting rid of him, you fellows would all m
thankful enough to ma"
"Come now, Bob, you're going a littlo tin) fur. We
don't like him because he's mean and all that ; but when
it comes to lessons, ho's ns good as the best of us. It's
moan for him to toll on us, but if it wasn't for that I
wouldn't wondor at tho doctor liking him. He give him
loss trouble than any of us."
Robert Huuter began an ugly rejoinder, but at that
minute a boy camo running up with intelligence alxtut
the victim, and the attention of everyouo was at once ,
turned to him.
"It might bo worse, but its pretty bad as it is, Tho
doctor says you're all to keep as quiet as you can to give
him a chance, but it will be a couple of weeks before ho
gets out He's jammed up awfully."
" Are any hone broken ? "
"A couple of ribs and his arm is out of joint, and
his head cut open. He's used up, I tell you."
Hearing this, Robert Hunter, followed by his friend,
Martin, strollod away, and he was a good deal more
anxious to get out of earshot of his schoolmates than he
would have been willing to ndmit, for lie really wan
frightened
That evening, when ho hoard that his cousin was
easier and would not probably bo permanently disabled
or disfigured, his mind was a great deal easier, and for
several days it was uoticeablo that ho had lost his over
bearing, domineering manner. Ho hoiiio littlo temporary
good had come out of tho affair.
At first none of the Ixiys were allowed to set) Edward
The doctor hnd provided an experienced unrse, and ho
was kept porfoctly quiet But by and by, when the
danger seemed to lo fairly over, they wore admitted for
a few moments, one or two at a time. Among tho last
to go wore Bracebridge Martin and Rolwrt Hunter.
They came in quietly enough, and by chance they
were left alone with tho patient, who had not been
apprised of their coming.
He looked up in surprise, as they made their appear
ance, but at first seemed inclined to silence.
No doubt RolM-rt would have willingly enough avoided
this visit, but he knew that by many lie had Ixwn looked
ujKin with dislike, and remarks none too kind had 1m;pii
made about him, so that ho felt forced not only to come
into this room, but also to make somo remark, and even,
if possible, to secure forgiveness from one whom ho felt
was to all intent his victim, though of course he had not
intended any wich serious result , , '
"Well Ed," he said, at length, "I hope you're not