r as they tell yours was. If I had a gran'father or
gran'mother like yours, there couldn't be none better; but if I had a
father was such a scallywag as yours, I say a good sight better have
none. And you ain't a bit like the old folks, neither; you're another
such a one as your father. _I_ wouldn't own such a one!"

This tirade was interspersed with other expressions more forcible than
choice, and which are better omitted; and, as may be supposed, it did
not tend to mend matters. Recrimination followed recrimination; insults
from one to another went from bad to worse, Theodore being even more of
an adept in such language than Jim, who had always been considered a
proficient; and one of the teachers came upon the playground just in
time to see Jim deal a furious blow at his opponent, who caught sight
of the master before he had returned it, which he would otherwise
doubtless have done; and who immediately assumed an air of innocent,
injured virtue, too lofty-minded and forgiving to return the blow.

As the rules against fighting within school bounds were particularly
severe, Jim's was a heinous offence. He was sternly called to order and
reprimanded with severity; and although, in consideration of his being
a new boy, he was let off with this, he began his school career
somewhat under a cloud; while Theodore posed as a martyr, and a boy
with a regard for school discipline,--to his teachers,--but the other
boys knew better, and with few exceptions espoused Jim's cause, and at
once pronounced Theodore the "sneak" and "bully" that he was. But that
was small comfort to Jim, who, on coming home, had to report, as he
truthfully did, that he had failed to keep his temper on this the very
first day of his entrance into the school.

Milly consoled and encouraged him as best she might, bidding him to
take heart and to struggle even harder for the future, and being very
sparing of blame for his share in the quarrel.

Fate, as short-sighted and with as dull an eye to expediency as uncle
Rutherford, had decreed not only that the two boys, Jim and Theodore,
should be in the same school, but, their attainments being of about the
same range, that they should be put into the same class, an arrangement
which did not tend to the maintenance of the peace so much to be
desired.

But, in spite of his unlucky beginning, Jim speedily became a favorite
in the school, both with masters and schoolmates. His frank, merry
ways, obliging dispos