But Abel had seen him, and soon made him let the handle of the cart drop.
All this time Charley stood still with astonishment. He could not conceive what made Oscar so very naughty.
Abel turned back to his work, when, all at once, he heard a dreadful scream. The wicked boy had thrown a large stone and hit the little fellow in the temple.
Abel was very angry, indeed. He wanted to run after Oscar and punish him as he deserved; but he saw his little pet lying on the ground, and he concluded to attend to him, and let the rascal, as he called him, go till another time.
When Mrs. Monson saw her precious child lying faint and trembling in Abel's arms, she was frightened, indeed. She told the man to saddle the horse and ride as quickly as he could for the doctor.
Then she bathed the great swelling with cold water, until the physician came. He said it was a dangerous place to be hurt, and that it would take a long time to heal.
When Charley felt better, she talked with him about Oscar, pitying the child that he had not been better taught, and then asked her boy if he would like to have Abel catch Oscar and beat him, as he was anxious to do.
"Oh, no, indeed, mother! I wouldn't have him hurt for anything."
He lay on his pillow for a long time without speaking, and then he said,—
"Mother, I've thought of a plan. I wish we could get Oscar here. You might talk with him; and then I'd give him some of my toys. I think he would be a good boy if he knew anybody loved him."