boarding schools where the boys do just about as they
like."

"Not at the one I'm thinking about," rejoined Aaron. "Not much, they
don't! When Hardach Rally tells a boy to do anything, that boy does it
on the jump."

"Hardach Rally," inquired his brother, "who is he?"

"He's a man after my own heart," answered Aaron. "He's one of the best
disciplinarians I've ever met. He has a large boarding school on Lake
Morora, about a mile from the town of Green Haven, the nearest railway
station. I reckon it's about a hundred miles or so from here. It's a
good school, one of the best I know of. Rally Hall, he calls it, and
under his management, it's made a big reputation. If I had boys of my
own--thank Heaven, I haven't--there's no place I'd sooner send them."

Mr. Rushton and his wife exchanged glances.

"Well, Aaron, we'll think it over," his brother said, "But there's no
special hurry about it, as they couldn't start in till next fall,
anyway. In the meantime, I'll write to Dr. Rally and get his catalogue
and terms."

"It'll be the best thing you ever did," remarked Aaron.

He yawned and looked at his watch.

A surprised look came into his eyes.

"Why!" he exclaimed, "it must be later than that."

He looked again, then put it up to his ear.

"Stopped," he said disgustedly. "I haven't let that watch run down for
five years past. And it hasn't run down now. That's some more of Teddy's
work. I must have jarred it or bent a wheel or something when I went
over into the river."

"Let me have it," said Mr. Rushton, holding out his hand. "I'm pretty
handy with watches and perhaps I can get it started."

Aaron handed the timepiece over. It was a heavy, double-cased gold
watch, of considerable value, and he set a great deal of store by it. It
was of English make, and on the inner case was an engraving of the Lion
and the Unicorn. Under this were Aaron's initials.

His brother shook the watch, opened it, and made several attempts to set
it going, but all to no purpose.

"I guess it's a job for a jeweler," he said at last regretfully. "Of
course, I'll pay whatever it costs to have it fixed."

"By the time you get through settling with Jed Muggs, you won't feel
much like paying anything else," retorted Aaron, "Give me the watch and
I'll take it down town in the morning and leave it to be mended. Chances
are it'll never be as good again.

"I'm dead tired now," and again he yawned. "If you folks don't mind, I
guess I'll