Page:Fairview Boys and their Rivals.djvu/19

Rh Tom believe they were going to let him help them cut down a bee tree. They induced him to lug along a heavy log chain nearly ten miles. Then they scurried away, leaving him to guess the trick that had been played upon him, and to find his way back home alone at midnight the best way he could.

Bob and his friends had come across Tom, and had given him food and shelter for the night. Bob had told him how to get even with the schemers. This was to buy two pails of fine comb honey from a farmer, and march back with it to the academy just as if nothing had happened.

"He did it, fellows," said Bob now. "He says he gave the whole school a royal treat, never told a word as to how he got the honey, and crowed over the fellows who played the trick till they were as mum as turtles."

"Well, he's a pretty good fellow," said Frank. "I hope he comes to our school."

"So do I," echoed Sammy. "Here we are."

A turn in the road brought them in full sight of the village schoolhouse. They hurried forward eagerly. There was always a novelty in the first day at school. They looked over the bright active scene before them with interest.

"Pretty near the same old crowd," said Sammy. "See, there's Nellie Somers."

"Hum!" spoke Bob, slyly, "how is it you always manage to see her first, Sammy?"

"Don't get smart, Bob," cried Sammy. "Oh, there's little Benny Lane."

"And Jed Burr, big as life," added Bob. "Look at him, Frank. I should think he'd get tired of that same old trick of his."

"What trick, Bob?" asked Frank.

"Watch him and see."

Their eyes were fixed on a boy who was moving from