Page:Dave Porter at Oak Hall.djvu/118

102 younger years had been allowed to do largely as he pleased, besides having more spending-money than was good for him. But at home he had grown so wild that his father had sent him to Oak Hall to be put in training. Here he gathered around him a number of the boys, who helped him to spend his cash, and who did all sorts of mean and sneaking tasks for him.

Gus Plum's principal tool was Chip Macklin. He was a small lad, with a shock of red hair and eyes that squinted. Hardly any of the other students liked Macklin, but he and Gus Plum got along remarkably well together. Each knew the other's secrets, and neither dreamed of exposing his friend.

After Dave had been at the Hall a week, he wrote long letters to Mr. Wadsworth and to Caspar Potts, telling them of the place and of how he was getting along. These communications were read with interest, and Caspar Potts especially was gratified to learn that the youth was doing so well in his studies.

"Dave says everything seems easy to him," said the old professor. "It is wonderful how quick he is to learn."

"He is the sort that deserves a good education," returned the manufacturer. "I am glad I sent him to Oak Hall, and he shall certainly go to college later on."