ting the poor animal's head into this dirty pool, and keeping it
there till it was nearly suffocated."

"Was you doin' that, Zeke?" asked his father.

"I was havin' a little fun with him," said Zeke candidly.

"It might have been fun to you, but it wasn't to him," said Phil.

"Why didn't you ask Zeke to stop, and not fly at him like a tiger?"
demanded Mr. Tucker.

"I did remonstrate with him, but he only laughed, and did it again."

"He hadn't no right to order me," said Zeke. "It wa'n't no business of
his if I was havin' a little fun with the dog."

"And I had a little fun with, you," returned Philip--"You couldn't have
complained if I had dipped your head in the water also."

"I ain't a dog!" said Zeke.

"I should respect you more if you were," said Philip.

"Are you goin' to let him talk to me like that!" asked Zeke, appealing
to his father.

"No, I ain't," said Mr. Tucker angrily. "You've committed an assault and
battery on my son, you rascal, and you'll find there ain't no fun in it
for you. I could have you arrested and put in jail, couldn't I, squire?"

"Ahem! Well, you could have him fined; but, as he is to be under your
care, Mr. Tucker, you will have a chance of making him conduct himself
properly."

"What do you mean by that, Squire Pope?" asked Philip quickly.

"Young man, I do not choose to be catechized," said Squire Pope, in a
dignified manner; "but I have no objections to tell you that I have made
arrangements with Mr. Tucker to take you into the poorhouse."

"I've heard that before, but I couldn't believe it," said Philip
proudly.

"I guess you'll have to believe it pretty soon, he, he!" laughed Zeke,
with a grin which indicated his high delight. "I guess dad'll make you
stand round when he gits you into the poor-house."

"Don't you consider me capable of earning my own living, Squire Pope?"
asked Philip.

"Ahem! Yes, you will be one of these days. You won't have to stay in the
almshouse all your life."

"You'll have a chance to earn your livin' with me." said Mr. Tucker. "I
shall give you something to do, you may depend."

"You can make him saw and split wood, father, and do the chores and milk
the cow," suggested Zeke.

"I have no objection to doing any of those things for a farmer," said
Philip, "but I am not willing to do it where I shall be considered a
pauper."

"Kinder uppish!" suggested Mr. Tucker, turning to Squire Pope. "Most all
of them paupers is proud; but it's p