“I know it—and kept me out of my money, too.”
“You—you——”
“No more compliments, Mr. Hawkins. I say he kept me out of my money, and I mean it. And now he and you are doing about all you can to make me commit suicide.” “Oh! jest to hear thet boy!” burst in Mrs. Hawkins, who had just come up. “Daniel, why don’t yeou birch him?”
“I will, ef he gives me any more sass,” replied her husband. “He shan’t talk about me an’ the squire.”
The old farmer was getting red in the face. He knew that Leo Dunbar was telling the truth.
A year before, Leo’s parents had died, leaving the boy alone in the world.
Mr. Dunbar’s property had been very much involved, and Squire Dobb, the most rascally lawyer in Hopsville, had taken the matter in charge.
At the end of six months he had announced to Leo that there was no money coming to him. Then, as manager of the poorhouse of the district, the lawyer had bound Leo over to Daniel Hawkins at four dollars a month and found.
“I will talk,” cried Leo spiritedly. “I think it about time that I received my rights.”
This remark made Daniel Hawkins’ wrath boil over. He ran toward the barn and presently returned, carrying a heavy hide-bound whip.