little black boy and give him a shaking up, just to keep
him out of mischief hereafter, I'll go and help the old lady."

Ajax started on his errand. Pomp, now really alarmed, strove to escape
from this more formidable adversary, but in vain. He was destined to
receive a summary castigation.

Meanwhile, the young man approached Mrs. Payson.

"I hope you're not much hurt, madam," said he respectfully.

"I expect about every bone in my body's broke," she groaned.

Raising her to her feet, it became manifest that the damage was limited
to a pair of hands begrimed by contact with the earth. Nevertheless, the
old lady persisted that "something or 'nother was broke. She didn't feel
quite right inside."

"I shouldn't keer so much," she added, "ef I'd caught that aggravatin'
boy. I'd go fifty miles to see him hung. He'll die on the gallows, jest
as sure's I stan' here."

At this moment a shrill cry was heard, which could proceed from no one
but Pomp.

"Golly, Mass' Jack, don't hit so hard. Couldn't help it, sure."

"You'll have to help it the next time, you little rascal!" responded
Ajax.

"Le' me go. I hope to be killed if I ever do it ag'in," pleaded Pomp,
dancing about in pain.

"I hope you gin it to him," said the old lady, as the driver reappeared.

Ajax smiled grimly. "I touched him up a little," he said.

"Oh, my poor bunnit!" groaned Mrs. Payson, once more, as her eyes fell
upon the crushed article. "What will Cynthy Ann say?"

"Perhaps a milliner can restore it for you," suggested Henry Morton,
with an attempt at consolation.

The old lady shook her head disconsolately. "It's all jammed out of
shape," she said dismally, "an' the flowers is all mashed up. Looks as
ef an elephant had trodden on to it."

"As you are the only one of us that has suffered," said the young man
politely, "I think it only fair that your loss should be lightened. Will
you accept this toward making it good?"

He drew from his portemonnaie a five-dollar greenback, as he spoke, and
offered it to Mrs. Payson.

"Are you in airnest?" inquired the old lady dubiously.

"Quite so."

"You ain't robbin' yourself, be you?" asked Mrs. Payson, with a look of
subdued eagerness lighting up her wrinkled face.

"Oh, no; I can spare it perfectly well."

"Then I'll take it," she responded, in evident gratification, "an'
I'm sure I'm much obleeged to you. I'm free to confess that you're a
gentleman sech as I don't often meet with. I would