Some nights after the exciting incident, Mr. Willard called upon his old friend, Mr. Decker. As the gentlemen sat by themselves, smoking their cigars and discussing public questions, the caller suddenly remarked:
“Decker, do you know you have got a mighty bright boy?”
“Yes; James is a good lad.”
“He’s as full of pluck as an egg is of meat. You heard about his fight with that big bully who tried to impose upon the Goodwin cripple boy?”
“Yes, James told me about it; I was glad you arrived when you did; for you not only gave the scamp a good castigation, but saved James from being badly beaten.”
“I don’t know about that; I think the bully suffered the most, even though he was on top when I appeared on the scene. There’s another fact which gives me pleasure.”
“What is that?”
“Mr. Bryton, the teacher, tells me that your son is his brightest pupil.”
“Since he has told me and his mother the same thing, there must be some truth in the statement. It is a source of gratitude to me that James does so well.”
“What are you going to do with him?”