ended
his lessons by quarrelling with his tutor, and setting both father and
mother against him, by which reason the worthy who filled that post at
Bramble Park was usually changed at least once in six or eight weeks,
and thus were matters at the period to which we refer. It seemed as
though Robert was never happy unless he was doing some one harm, or
distressing some of the many pet animals about the spacious grounds; in
this latter occupation he passed much of his leisure time, and was a
great adept at the business.

A fine St. Charles spaniel, belonging to Lady Bramble, had one day,
after being teased beyond forbearance by Robert, at last in
self-defence, snapped at and lightly bit him, in revenge for which the
violent tempered boy vowed to kill him, and the very next opportunity he
had, he seized upon the little pet, and tying a string and stone about
its neck, bore the dog to the large pond in the centre of the part,
where he threw him into the deepest part. Charles at that moment came in
sight, and at once saw the act. Without pausing to take off his clothes
or any part of them, he sprang at once into the pond and dove down for
the dog; but he found the stone about its neck too heavy for him to
bring to the surface, though he struggled long and stoutly to do so
before he yielded.

Swimming to the shore, Charles took his knife from his pocket, and once
more dashed in; and this time diving down he cut the cord, and releasing
the dog from the bottom swam with him to the opposite shore from where
Robert stood, all the while threatening him. Here his younger brother
smoothed the water from the dog's coat, and instinctively rubbing its
benumbed limbs until it became quite resuscitated, and after a short
time, following close to Charles for protection, it returned to his
mother's side in her boudoir. But Robert had been there before him, and
had already manufactured a story redounding to Charles's discredit, and
provoking both his mother's and father's anger, the latter of whom at
Robert's instance, even struck the gallant-hearted boy a severe blow
with the flat of his hand as a punishment for what he denominated an
interference with his brother's sport.

Charles said nothing; he knew the prejudice which Robert's constant
misrepresentations had created against him in his parents' breasts; he
realized too, young as he was, that it was useless for him to attempt to
explain, though he felt the injustice of this treatmen