e day he'll land in the stone jug. He scared me the way he
talked. I started to tramp back home, and he kept nagging me all the way
here. In the end he made me so mad I just tackled him. That was what he
wanted. Why, he put me to sleep the easiest way you ever saw. I just
remember him fumbling in my pockets before he hoofed it."

"Well, it was a lucky thing for you, Hank, after all. If you'd kept with
that rascal you'd soon have been just like him. Did you say you meant to
go back home now?"

"That's what I meant to do, but he's fixed it so I can't," muttered the
other, grinding his teeth in fury.

"How's that?" pursued Frank, believing there must be a story back of
his words.

"He took the ten dollars I stole from my dad. I won't never dare face
him and say I lost it. I thought I could put it back in the bureau
drawer, and he'd never know. I'll have to foller that Flimsy, and make
him give it back."

"You can't do that for he'd only laugh at you, and perhaps beat you
again."

"The thief ought to be arrested," grumbled Bluff indignantly.

"That would blow the whole thing, you see, and dad he'd know I grabbed
it. I'm gettin' all I ought to have, I reckon. P'raps I might earn that
ten some way, and hand it over. If I could only get another job as
chauffeur it'd be all right," Hank Brady was mumbling to himself
dejectedly.

"Perhaps you can," said Frank quickly. "I remember, now, that our man
had to go away suddenly the day before yesterday. Look here, Hank! Do
you really mean to do the right thing now? Have you had your lesson
pounded into you?"

"I sure have. Never again for me, I give you my word. I guess my folks
has been worried some on my account, but they don't need to any more.
I've reformed, I have. I'm goin' to walk a straight line after this."

The fellow spoke as though he meant it, and Frank believed he could
detect the ring of sincerity in his voice.

"All right. Shake hands on that, Hank. Don't you forget it, that you'll
find plenty of fellows willing to give you a lift, just as quickly as
some others want to give you a drag down. It all depends on where the
other chap is standing himself. You come and see me to-morrow, some
time. I'm Frank Langdon, and my father is the president of the First
National Bank."

"This is mighty white of you, fellers," muttered the other, apparently
ashamed.

"You can never pay it back to us, Hank, but some time pass it along;
hold out a helping hand to some ot