a little as he
touched it; but that clasp sealed the compact between these two boys. It
began Fred Sargent's revenge.

"Now be off, will you, before the clerks come? They will see the things
and catch you here. I'll be round to your house soon and we will see."

Even in this short time Fred had formed a general plan for saving Sam.

The boy, stretching himself out flat, slipped down the transverse beam
into the water, dived at once and came up under the bridge a few rods
distant, then coolly passed down the river and swam to shore under a
bunch of alder-bushes, by which he was concealed from the sight of the
passers-by.

Fred sought his father, told him the story, then brought him to the
spot, showed the goods which the boy had returned, and begged as a
reward for the discovery to be allowed to conceal his name.

His father of course hesitated at so unusual a proposition; but there
was something so very much in earnest in all Fred did and said that he
became convinced it was best, for the present at least, to allow him to
have his own way; and this he was very glad he had done when a few days
after Fred asked him to do something for Sam Crandon.

"Sam Crandon?" he asked in surprise. "Is not that the very boy I found
you fighting in the street with?"

"Yes, sir," said Fred, hanging his head, "but he promises to do well,
if he can only find work--HONEST work; you see, sir, he is so bad nobody
helps him."

Mr. Sargent smiled. "A strange recommendation, Fred," he said, "but
I will try what can be done. A boy who wants to reform should have a
helping hand."

"He does want to--he wants to heartily; he says he does. Father, if you
only will!"

Fred, as he stood there, his whole face lit up with the glow of this
generous, noble emotion, never was dearer to his father's heart; indeed
his father's eyes were dim, and his voice a little husky, as he said
again:

"I will look after him, Fred, for your sake."

And so he did; but where and how I have not space now to tell my
readers. Perhaps, at some future time, I may finish this story; for
the present let me say there is a new boy in Mr. Sargent's store, with
rough, coarse face, voice and manners; everybody wonders at seeing him
there; everybody prophesies future trouble; but nobody knows that this
step up in Sam Crandon's life is Fred Sargent's revenge.

THE SMUGGLER'S TRAP.

Hubert had accompanied his father on a visit to his uncle, who lived in
a fine old