ace often belong to
a prepossessing boy of popular manners, but in Andrew's case they were
joined to insignificant features, small ferret eyes, a retreating chin
and thin lips, set off by a repulsive expression.

There was another member of the family--a bound boy--the same one
referred to in Mr. Nathan Badger's letter. This boy was, five years
previous, placed in Mr. Badger's charge by Charles Waldo.

I do not want my young readers to remain under any uncertainty as to
this boy, and I state at once that he was the abducted son of Gilbert
Huet, the hermit of Cook's Harbor, and the rightful heir to a large
estate.

At the time of our introduction to Bill Benton--for this is the name by
which he was known--he had a hoe in his hand and he was about starting
for the field to hoe potatoes.

He was a slender boy, with delicate features and a face which indicated
a sensitive temperament. His hair was dark brown, his features were
refined, his eyes were blue and he looked like a boy of affectionate
temperament, who would feel injustice and harshness keenly. This was
indeed the case. He lacked the strong, sturdy character, the energy and
self-reliance which made Robert Coverdale successful. Robert was not a
boy to submit to injustice or wrong. He was not easily intimidated and
could resist imposition with all his might. But Bill--to call him by the
name given him by Mr. Waldo--was of a more gentle, yielding disposition,
and so he was doomed to suffer.

He was certainly unfortunately situated. Mr. Badger required him to work
beyond his strength and seldom, or never, gave him a kind word. The same
may be said of Mrs. Badger. It was perhaps fortunate for him that he had
a small appetite, for in the Badger household he would have been unable
to gratify the hearty appetite of an average boy.

The table was very mean and the only one who lived well was Andrew
Jackson, whom his mother petted and indulged. There was always something
extra on the table for Andrew, which it was well understood that no one
else in the family was to eat.

Mr. Badger did not interfere with his wife's petting. If he had a soft
place in his heart, it was for Andrew, who seemed to his partial parents
a remarkably smart and interesting boy.

To Bill Benton he was a cruel tyrant. He delighted in making the life of
his father's bound boy intolerable, and succeeded only too well. He was
stronger than Bill, and, backed by the authority of his father and
mo