"Frank Taylor: Please call at my office to-morrow morning at ten o'clock.
James Ashmead."
This note Frank thought best to show to his mother.
"What does it mean, Frank? Have you any idea?" she asked.
Frank thereupon told her the story of his difficulty with Sam.
"It may be about that," he said.
"Oh, dear," said the widow. "I'm afraid he's very angry. I hope you will apologize, Frank."
"No, mother," said Frank, "I don't see why I should. I only defended myself from a bully. I should be ashamed to do anything else. I didn't hurt him, and didn't intend to, but I wanted to teach him that he couldn't insult me without having to pay for it."
"I am afraid some harm will come of it," said the widow anxiously.
"Don't trouble yourself, mother," said Frank soothingly. "If we do only what's right, God will take care of us."
Still it was with some anxiety that Frank made his way the next morning to the office of Squire Ashmead. This gentleman was the agent of a large manufactory in the town, of which also he was a considerable owner, so that he received an income of over ten thousand dollars a year, which made him the most prominent and influential citizen in the town.