got the better of him, so that he attacked a man who had insulted him,
and seriously injured him. That man always had a limp through the
remainder of his life. He and my father became good friends, but my
dad could never forgive himself for what he did. He used to say that
it was a mercy he had not actually killed the man in his blind passion.
And after he died, my good mother, seeing that I had just the same
Morgan temper, once I was thoroughly aroused, feared that it might get
me into some dreadful trouble. And so she told me about my father, and
I made her that solemn promise which, until Friday night, had never
been broken."

There was a suspicious moisture in the eyes of the doctor. He squeezed
the hand of Hugh vigorously, as though he could easily love such a
manly boy.

"Of course you told your good mother all about it, Hugh, when you got
home?" he went on to say, with a trace of huskiness in his voice.

"I could not have slept a wink, sir, if I had not gone to her room, and
kneeling beside her bed poured out the whole story. She cried a
little, because, I suppose, it brought back some old memories that had
often saddened her; but she told me again and again I had done exactly
as she would have wished me to. Oh! she is the most sensible mother
any fellow ever had, I assure you, sir."

"And I also believe that you are supremely blessed in that respect,
Hugh," said the gentleman, solemnly. "Be very careful that you never
in all your life do anything to bruise the heart of that noble mother.
I thought it best not to mention anything in connection with the
matter. For one thing I could see you had done your work thoroughly,
and that Nick had already received sufficient punishment. That is all,
Hugh, and I thank you for taking me into your confidence."

When afternoon finally came around, and school was over early, there
was a scramble among the boys, and a great hurrying home to get a bite
to eat, after which, of course, every fellow who had any sort of
baseball uniform would don the same, and show up at the grounds to take
part in the practice. The air seemed surcharged with some electrical
influence. All the talk was along the line of baseball slang. Even
many of the girls were drawn to the spot to watch what went on, for
they had become enthusiasts, and were in prime condition to "root" for
Scranton High when the time came for the first contest on the diamond.

The scene was a busy one, with s