f extreme
peril Jerry had whipped up like a flash on his skates, caught Harry by the
collar, and literally flung himself and the boy, who was then almost a
stranger to him, out of harm's way.

This gallant deed of courage had been warmly applauded by those who saw
it. It also came to Mr. Parker's ears, and from that time on the rich shoe
manufacturer took an interest in the farmer boy. He persuaded Mr. Upton to
allow Jerry to attend the academy, and promised that the boy should have a
good position in the office of the factory, should he wish it, when his
school days were over.

Harry was already a pupil at the academy, and it was here that the two
boys became warm friends. It was nothing to Harry that Jerry was a
farmer's boy and that he was sometimes called Cornfield. He knew and
appreciated Jerry for his true worth.

And now what of Blumpo Brown, you ask? There is little to tell at this
point of our story concerning that semi-colored individual. He was alone
in the world, and had lived in Lakeview some ten years. Previous to that
time his history was a mystery. Where he had come from no one knew, and if
the truth was to be made known, no one but Blumpo himself cared. He was a
very peculiar youth, often given to making the most ridiculous remarks,
and many persons around Lakeview fancied he had considerable Indian blood
in him. He lived in half a dozen places, according to the condition of his
finances, and picked up his precarious existence by working for any one
who would employ him. He might have had a steady situation more than once,
but it was not in Blumpo's composition to stick at one thing for any great
length of time. We will learn much more concerning him as our story
proceeds.

CHAPTER II.

MRS. FLEMING'S RUNAWAY HORSE.

"Well, now that the midsummer holidays have really commenced, what do you
intend to do with yourself, Jerry?" asked Harry, as they took it easy for
a bit after leaving the vicinity of the town.

"I expect I'll have to help on the farm--at least, I think I ought to
help," was the reply. "You know this is the busy season."

Harry's face fell a little at this reply. Evidently something was on his
mind, and this answer did not harmonize with it.

"I'll tell you what I would like mighty well," put in Blumpo. "I would
like to leave town and take to the woods."

"Why, Blumpo, you must have been reading my thoughts!" cried Harry. "I was
thinking exactly the same thing."

"Take