“Uncle Briscoe always sends it up from Lawrenceburgh to my mother. She used to live down there, you know.”
“No, I didn’t, but the paper seems straight enough, so I suppose it’s all right.”
“You bet it’s all right. And now come on, we’ll spread the news—and if Harry Watson doesn’t wish before night he’d never been born, I’ll miss my guess!”
And together the two boys who hated Harry so bitterly set out to scatter the news of his father’s misfortune broadcast.
CHAPTER XXI—ELMER BAITS HIS RIVAL
Good care did the two boys who were bent on the downfall of our hero take to tell the story of Harry’s father being a forger only to those who were not particularly friendly to the lad—with the result that it found ready credence, and was soon being repeated with all manner of exaggerations.
“I don’t believe a word of it!” declared Viola, when the report reached her. “Harry Watson is a splendid chap. I——”
“But this isn’t Harry, it’s his father whose appeal from a prison sentence has been refused,” laughed a girl who had told the malicious tale.
“It makes no difference, I don’t believe Harry’s father is a man who would stoop to any such act!” retorted Viola, hotly. And, putting her arm through Nettie’s, the richest girl in Rivertown High went off with her chum—for the story had hurt her more than she cared to have her schoolmates see.
Though in high spirits at the amazement their announcement caused among their schoolmates, Elmer and Pud were disappointed that the boy whose father they were traducing did not put in an appearance.