ip
would be justified in escaping from the poorhouse?"

"I do," answered Mr. Dunbar. "In this free country I hold that no one
ought to be made an object of charity against his will."

"Philip is strong enough and smart enough to earn his own living," said
Frank.

"That is true. I will myself give him his board and clothes if he will
stay with me and work on the farm."

"I wish he would. He would be a splendid companion for me; but I think
he wants to leave Norton, and try his fortune in some larger place."

"I can't blame him. If his father were living and he had a good home,
I should not think it wise; but, as matters stand, it may not be a bad
plan for him."

"Father," said Frank, after supper, "I am going out and I may not be
back very early."

"Are you going to see Philip?"

"Yes; but I want to see him alone. If possible, I will see him without
attracting the attention of Joe Tucker."

"You won't get into any trouble, Frank?" said his mother anxiously.

"No, mother; I don't know what trouble I can get into."

"You may very likely fail to see Philip," suggested his father. "I hear
that Tucker and his boarders go to bed very early."

"So much the better!" said Frank, in a tone of satisfaction. "The only
one I want to see is Philip, and he isn't likely to go to sleep very
early."

Mr. Dunbar smiled to himself.

"Frank has got some plan in his head," he thought. "I won't inquire what
it is, for he has good common sense, and won't do anything improper."

About eight o'clock, Frank, after certain preparations, which will
hereafter be referred to, set out for the poorhouse, which was about a
mile distant.

CHAPTER XIV. PHILIP MAKES HIS ESCAPE.

It grew darker and darker in Philip's chamber, but no one came to bring
him a light. It was assumed that he would go to bed before he required
one.

By seven o'clock the paupers had settled themselves for the night, and
when eight o'clock struck, Mr. and Mrs. Tucker sought their beds. It
was no particular trial for Joe Tucker to go to bed early, for he was
naturally a lazy man, and fond of rest; while his wife, who worked a
great deal harder than he, after being on her feet from four o'clock in
the morning, found it a welcome relief to lie down and court friendly
sleep. Zeke wasn't always ready to go to bed. In fact, he would much
rather have gone up to the village now and then, but if he had done so
he would have had to stay out all night. There was