,
and often says he wonders why the pests were ever born. I don't remember
doing him any mean thing in my life, but he's got it in for the whole
creation of boys, I expect."

"What did he do to you?"

"Yes, tell us, William. We'll stand by you, never fear."

"He needs a good lesson, the old skinflint. Tell us what happened!"

William grinned, for he saw that he had already captured the hearts
of his comrades, and had small need to fear they would let him seek
satisfaction alone.

Jack Stormways was as deeply interested in the outcome as his chum Paul.

He remembered all his father had said at the breakfast table on the
preceding day, in connection with this same man Growdy.

William was proceeding to thrill his hearers some more. To hear him talk
one might imagine his father was a celebrated lawyer instead of the town
blacksmith, for William had a smooth tongue.

"I guess all of you know by this time what some fellers did to Growdy's
pigs last Saturday night, painting 'em to beat the band? It's the talk
of the town, and lots of folks says that it serves the old crusty just
right. But I was tucked away in my little bed alongside t'other twin that
night, as snug as two bugs in a rug; and consequently had my little
_alibi_ ready to prove I wasn't in the bunch that paid him that sly
visit."

"Oh! we all know who did it, never fear!" cried Joe Clausin.

"He spells his name T-e-d!" echoed Bobolink.

"All right. Because some bad boys played that joke on old Growdy he seems
to have it in for every mother's son in Stanhope. I met him on the road
this afternoon when I was out with a light wagon after some feed. He was
on the way to town to deliver a big load of truck. Everybody's entitled
to half the road; ain't that the law, fellers?"

"Sure it is, William; but that mean man wouldn't budge for you, hey?"
said Jud.

"Not for an inch. Just hauled up there taking two-thirds of the road, and
started to light his pipe. I was in a hurry to get along, and thought
I could just squeeze by; but I made a mistake, and my wagon got upset in
the ditch. He went on, grinning at my trouble, and never offering to
raise a hand to help me out."

Exclamations of indignation arose on all sides.

"He needs another lesson, boys!"

"Say the word, William, and we're with you. Guess I might think up a few
ways for you to get even with the old skinflint!"

Paul saw that they were rapidly being swayed by their feelings of natural
resen