Page:Castlemon--Joe Wayring at Home.djvu/32

 accompanied by Roy Sheldon, Uncle Joe taking leave of them at the door, saying that he was going to the post-office.

"I wish every fellow in the world had an uncle like that," said Joe, as he turned about and waved his hand to the gentleman with the gold spectacles.

"So do I," answered Roy, "excepting, of course, Tom Bigden and his crowd."

"I don't except even them," said Joe. "Tom pulls a lovely oar, and I never saw a fellow who could play short stop or train a spaniel like him. I have nothing against any of them, and should be glad to be friends with them if they would let me."

"But haven't you seen to your satisfaction that they won't let you?" demanded Roy, rather sharply. "They've got something against you, and they'll continue to make you suffer for it; see if they don't."

I wondered what it was that any one could have against so fine a young fellow as my new master appeared to be, and it was not many days before I found out. Tom Bigden and his followers did make Joe suffer, but it