“Well, boys, I turn off here. Don’t forget the meeting of the L. A. O. to-morrow. Something’s got to be done,” said Gordon.
“And the question is—what?” added Hamlin.
And that question was often in the minds of them all through the next twenty-four hours.
CHAPTER VI.
UNPLEASANT FOR CRAWFORD AND HENDERSON.
Crawford’s mother had died before he was five years old. His father outlived her but a few months, and by the father’s will his lawyer, who was also an old friend, was appointed guardian to the child and trustee of the large property to which the boy was heir.
This lawyer, Mr. Chase, was a scrupulously honorable man, but he was a very busy one, and, being a bachelor, knew little about the bringing up of a boy.
At six, Crawford was sent to boarding-school. His bills were promptly paid, and, from the time he was ten, he received a liberal allowance—far too liberal for his own good. His vacations were spent at school or at some gay summer resort, and he was allowed to do pretty much as he pleased, provided he did not run in debt. So that it was not to be wondered at that the boy had grown up wild and selfish and brutal. He had never had a home since he could remember, and thus far in life he had found that money would secure about everything that he wanted.
Once or twice his guardian had remonstrated with him mildly about his low standing in his classes, or the reports of idleness and mischievous behavior in the school-room, but his private opinion was, “Boys will be boys, and he’ll settle down and be steady enough, after a while.”
It was at Crawford’s own request that he had been sent to the high school. The first year he had gotten on fairly well, but this second year his conduct had been so unsatisfactory, that Mr. Horton and Professor Keene had both written to Mr. Chase, and that gentleman had at last come to the conclusion that he must have a serious talk with his ward.