if he can't have his own way."

"I believe you, Ralph. I met him once before, at a hotel back of Westville,
with a chum of his, and he was telling how he was going to get square with
somebody who had done something he did not like."

"Did he say what he was going to do?" asked Ralph, with not a little
curiosity.

"He said something about smashing some glass."

"He did!" Ralph was all attention now. "And did he mention any names, sir?"

"I did not hear the whole talk. I believe he spoke of scaring the widow to
death."

"I thought so!" returned Ralph, bitterly.

"Why, Ralph, do you know anything of this affair?"

"Indeed I do, sir. The widow he spoke of was my mother. Less than two
weeks ago he smashed nearly every pane of glass in our cottage!"

"Really, is it possible!" ejaculated Mr. Larkins. "He must be a thoroughly
bad boy."

"He is, sir.

"Did you suspect him?"

"I did. But I had no proofs, and he is rich, while we are poor."

"That doesn't make it right to smash windows," said the young lady, Mr.
Larkins' niece.

"I know it, but it makes it harder for one to obtain justice, especially as
in this case, when the boy's father is squire."

"I suppose that is so," said Mr. Larkins. "What was the trouble?"

"It's rather a long story, sir, but I'll tell it if you care to listen."

All were more than willing, and Ralph related his trials as the boat sped
on its way. He had three close listeners.

"It's too bad!" cried the young lady. "Uncle Will, cannot you help Mr.
Nelson recover damages from the Paget boy?"

"I don't know but what I can. Still, my evidence may not be sufficient to
prove him guilty."

"I won't bother you to do it," said Ralph. "The glass is in again and paid
for, so let it rest. But if he ever tries to do us harm again I'll tell him
what I know."

"Do so, and I will give you my address, in case you need my testimony,"
returned Ralph's patron.

On Friday Ralph was idle, so far as boating was concerned, but he put in a
full day in the vegetable garden attached to the cottage, and, as the place
needed attention on account of the many weeds, the day was far from lost.
On Saturday he went out with several gentlemen, and they liked his
treatment so well that they gave him a dollar extra, which, with what Mr.
Larkins had given him and his regular wages, made his income for the week
nine dollars and a half.

"That's not bad, is it, mother?" he said, as he placed the money in his
par