Page:American Boy's Life of William McKinley.djvu/202

168 was a page in the House who was a very bad boy. He was bright and clever, but he was also impertinent, and continually plotting mischief, and carrying it out, too. He set himself up as a leader among the pages and soon had a number of other boys following him.

"This won't do," said one of the congressmen, who had had some trick played on him. "We must get rid of that boy or he will demoralize all the rest."

"That is true," said another, and after a consultation, those in authority agreed to send the lad away.

The boy had been warned to reform or he would be dismissed, yet when the actual dismissal came he was stunned. He went home, but he did not dare tell his parents of what had occurred.

McKinley had always liked the lad in spite of his sauciness, and soon he sent for the boy to come to him. The lad came, hanging his head in shame.

"You were dismissed, and you know you deserve it," said McKinley, " but I am inclined to give you another chance. If I speak for you, what will you do?"