"Please, ma'am, could I speak to you? It is something veryimportant," said Nat, popping his head in at the door of Mrs.Bhaer's room.

It was the fifth head which had popped in during the last half-hour;but Mrs. Jo was used to it, so she looked up, and said, briskly,

"What is it, my lad?"

Nat came in, shut the door carefully behind him, and said in aneager, anxious tone,

"Dan has come."

"Who is Dan?"

"He's a boy I used to know when I fiddled round the streets. Hesold papers, and he was kind to me, and I saw him the other day intown, and told him how nice it was here, and he's come."

"But, my dear boy, that is rather a sudden way to pay a visit."

"Oh, it isn't a visit; he wants to stay if you will let him!" said Natinnocently.

"Well, I don't know about that," began Mrs. Bhaer, rather startledby the coolness of the proposition.

"Why, I thought you liked to have poor boys come and live withyou, and be kind to 'em as you were to me," said Nat, lookingsurprised and alarmed.

"So I do, but I like to know something about them first. I have tochoose them, because there are so many. I have not room for all. Iwish I had."

"I told him to come because I thought you'd like it, but if there isn'troom he can go away again," said Nat, sorrowfully.

The boy's confidence in her hospitality touched Mrs. Bhaer, andshe could not find the heart to disappoint his hope, and spoil hiskind little plan, so she said,

"Tell me about this Dan."

"I don't know any thing, only he hasn't got any folks, and he's poor,and he was good to me, so I'd like to be good to him if I could."

"Excellent reasons every one; but really, Nat, the house is full, andI don't know where I could put him," said Mrs. Bhaer, more andmore inclined to prove herself the haven of refuge he seemed tothink her.

"He could have my bed, and I could sleep in the barn. It isn't coldnow, and I don't mind, I used to sleep anywhere with father," saidNat, eagerly.

Something in his speech and face made Mrs. Jo put her hand onhis shoulder, and say in her kindest tone:

"Bring in your friend, Nat; I think we must find room for himwithout giving him your place."

Nat joyfully ran off, and soon returned followed by a mostunprepossessing boy, who slouched in and stood looking abouthim, with a half bold, half sullen look, which made Mrs. Bhaer sayto herself, after one glance,

"A bad specimen, I am afraid."

"This is Dan," said Nat, presenting him as if sure of his welcome.

"Nat tells me you would like to come and stay with us," beganMrs. Jo, in a friendly tone.

"Yes," was the gruff reply.

"Have you no friends to take care of you?"

"No."

"Say, 'No, ma'am,' " whispered Nat.

"Shan't neither," muttered Dan.

"How old are you?"

"About fourteen."

"You look older. What can you do?"

"'Most anything."

"If you stay here we shall want you to do as the others do, workand study as well as play. Are you willing to agree to that?"

"Don't mind trying."

"Well, you can stay a few days, and we will see how we get ontogether. Take him out, Nat, and amuse him till Mr. Bhaer comeshome, when we will settle about the matter," said Mrs. Jo, findingit rather difficult to get on with this cool young person, who fixedhis big black eyes on her with a hard, suspicious expression,sorrowfully unboyish.

"Come on, Nat," he said, and slouched out again.

"Thank you, ma'am," added Nat, as he followed him, feelingwithout quite understanding the difference in the welcome given tohim and to his ungracious friend.

"The fellows are having a circus out in the barn; don't you want tocome and see it?" he asked, as they came down the wide steps onto the lawn.

"Are they big fellows?" said Dan.

"No; the big ones are gone fishing."

"Fire away, then," said Dan.

Nat led him to the great barn and introduced him to his set, whowere disporting themselves among the half-empty lofts. A largecircle was marked out with hay on the wide floor, and in themiddle stood Demi with a long whip, while Tommy, mounted onthe much-enduring Toby, pranced about the circle playing being amonkey.

"You must pay a pin apiece, or you can't see the show," saidStuffy, who stood by the wheelbarrow in which sat the band,consisting of a pocket-comb blown upon by Ned, and a toy drumbeaten spasmodically by Rob.

"He's company, so I'll pay for both," said Nat, handsomely, as hestuck two crooked pins in the dried mushroom which served asmoney-box.

With a nod to the company they seated themselves on a couple ofboards, and the performance went on. After the monkey act, Nedgave them a fine specimen of his agility by jumping over an oldchair, and running up and down ladders, sailor fashion. Then Demidanced a jig with a gravity beautiful to behold. Nat was calledupon to wrestle with Stuffy, and speedily laid that stout youth uponthe ground. After this, Tommy proudly advanced to turn asomersault, an accomplishment which he had acquired by painfulperseverance, practising in private till every joint of his little framewas black and blue. His feats were received with great applause,and he was about to retire, flushed with pride and a rush of bloodto the head, when a scornful voice in the audience was heard tosay,

"Ho! that ain't any thing!"

"Say that again, will you?" and Tommy bristled up like an angryturkey-cock.

"Do you want to fight?" said Dan, promptly descending from thebarrel and doubling up his fists in a business-like manner.

"No, I don't;" and the candid Thomas retired a step, rather takenaback by the proposition.

"Fighting isn't allowed!" cried the others, much excited.

"You're a nice lot," sneered Dan.

"Come, if you don't behave, you shan't stay," said Nat, firing up atthat insult to his friends.

"I'd like to see him do better than I did, that's all," observedTommy, with a swagger.

"Clear the way, then," and without the slightest preparation Danturned three somersaults one after the other and came up on hisfeet.

"You can't beat that, Tom; you always hit your head and tumbleflat," said Nat, pleased at his friend's success.

Before he could say any more the audience were electrified bythree more somersaults backwards, and a short promenade on thehands, head down, feet up. This brought down the house, andTommy joined in the admiring cries which greeted theaccomplished gymnast as he righted himself, and looked at themwith an air of calm superiority.

"Do you think I could learn to do it without its hurting me verymuch?" Tom meekly asked, as he rubbed the elbows which stillsmarted after the last attempt.

"What will you give me if I'll teach you?" said Dan.

"My new jack-knife; it's got five blades, and only one is broken."

"Give it here, then."

Tommy handed it over with an affectionate look at its smoothhandle. Dan examined it carefully, then putting it into his pocket,walked off, saying with a wink,

"Keep it up till you learn, that's all."

A howl of wrath from Tommy was followed by a general uproar,which did not subside till Dan, finding himself in a minority,proposed that they should play stick-knife, and whichever wonshould have the treasure. Tommy agreed, and the game was playedin a circle of excited faces, which all wore an expression ofsatisfaction, when Tommy won and secured the knife in the depthof his safest pocket.

"You come off with me, and I'll show you round," said Nat, feelingthat he must have a little serious conversation with his friend inprivate.

What passed between them no one knew, but when they appearedagain, Dan was more respectful to every one, though still gruff inhis speech, and rough in his manner; and what else could beexpected of the poor lad who had been knocking about the worldall his short life with no one to teach him any better?

The boys had decided that they did not like him, and so they lefthim to Nat, who soon felt rather oppressed by the responsibility,but too kind-hearted to desert him.

Tommy, however, felt that in spite of the jack-knife transaction,there was a bond of sympathy between them, and longed to returnto the interesting subject of somersaults. He soon found anopportunity, for Dan, seeing how much he admired him, grewmore amiable, and by the end of the first week was quite intimatewith the lively Tom.

Mr. Bhaer, when he heard the story and saw Dan, shook his head,but only said quietly,

"The experiment may cost us something, but we will try it."

If Dan felt any gratitude for his protection, he did not show it, andtook without thanks all that was give him. He was ignorant, butvery quick to learn when he chose; had sharp eyes to watch whatwent on about him; a saucy tongue, rough manners, and a temperthat was fierce and sullen by turns. He played with all his might,and played well at almost all the games. He was silent and gruffbefore grown people, and only now and then was thoroughlysociable among the lads. Few of them really liked him, but fewcould help admiring his courage and strength, for nothing dauntedhim, and he knocked tall Franz flat on one occasion with an easethat caused all the others to keep at a respectful distance from hisfists. Mr. Bhaer watched him silently, and did his best to tame the"Wild Boy," as they called him, but in private the worthy manshook his head, and said soberly, "I hope the experiment will turnout well, but I am a little afraid it may cost too much."

Mrs. Bhaer lost her patience with him half a dozen times a day, yetnever gave him up, and always insisted that there was somethinggood in the lad, after all; for he was kinder to animals than topeople, he liked to rove about in the woods, and, best of all, littleTed was fond of him. What the secret was no one could discover,but Baby took to him at once gabbled and crowed whenever hesaw him preferred his strong back to ride on to any of the othersand called him "My Danny" out of his own little head. Teddy wasthe only creature to whom Dan showed an affection, and this wasonly manifested when he thought no one else would see it; butmothers' eyes are quick, and motherly hearts instinctively divinewho love their babies. So Mrs. Jo soon saw and felt that there wasa soft spot in rough Dan, and bided her time to touch and win him.

But an unexpected and decidedly alarming event upset all theirplans, and banished Dan from Plumfield.

Tommy, Nat, and Demi began by patronizing Dan, because theother lads rather slighted him; but soon they each felt there was acertain fascination about the bad boy, and from looking down uponhim they came to looking up, each for a different reason. Tommyadmired his skill and courage; Nat was grateful for past kindness;and Demi regarded him as a sort of animated story book, for whenhe chose Dan could tell his adventures in a most interesting way. Itpleased Dan to have the three favorites like him, and he exertedhimself to be agreeable, which was the secret of his success.

The Bhaers were surprised, but hoped the lads would have a goodinfluence over Dan, and waited with some anxiety, trusting that noharm would come of it.

Dan felt they did not quite trust him, and never showed them hisbest side, but took a wilful pleasure in trying their patience andthwarting their hopes as far as he dared.

Mr. Bhaer did not approve of fighting, and did not think it a proofof either manliness or courage for two lads to pommel one anotherfor the amusement of the rest. All sorts of hardy games andexercises were encouraged, and the boys were expected to takehard knocks and tumbles without whining; but black eyes andbloody noses given for the fun of it were forbidden as a foolish anda brutal play.

Dan laughed at this rule, and told such exciting tales of his ownvalor, and the many frays that he had been in, that some of the ladswere fired with a desire to have a regular good "mill."

"Don't tell, and I'll show you how," said Dan; and, getting half adozen of the lads together behind the barn, he gave them a lessonin boxing, which quite satisfied the ardor of most of them. Emil,however, could not submit to be beaten by a fellow younger thanhimself, for Emil was past fourteen and a plucky fellow, so hechallenged Dan to a fight. Dan accepted at once, and the otherslooked on with intense interest.

What little bird carried the news to head-quarters no one everknew, but, in the very hottest of the fray, when Dan and Emil werefighting like a pair of young bulldogs, and the others with fierce,excited faces were cheering them on, Mr. Bhaer walked into thering, plucked the combatants apart with a strong hand, and said, inthe voice they seldom heard,

"I can't allow this, boys! Stop it at once; and never let me see itagain. I keep a school for boys, not for wild beasts. Look at eachother and be ashamed of yourselves."

"You let me go, and I'll knock him down again," shouted Dan,sparring away in spite of the grip on his collar.

"Come on, come on, I ain't thrashed yet!" cried Emil, who hadbeen down five times, but did not know when he was beaten.

"They are playing be gladdy what-you-call-'ems, like the Romans,Uncle Fritz," called out Demi, whose eyes were bigger than everwith the excitement of this new pastime.

"They were a fine set of brutes; but we have learned somethingsince then, I hope, and I cannot have you make my barn aColosseum. Who proposed this?" asked Mr. Bhaer.

"Dan," answered several voices.

"Don't you know that it is forbidden?"

"Yes," growled Dan, sullenly.

"Then why break the rule?"

"They'll all be molly-coddles, if they don't know how to fight."

"Have you found Emil a molly-coddle? He doesn't look much likeone," and Mr. Bhaer brought the two face to face. Dan had a blackeye, and his jacket was torn to rags, but Emil's face was coveredwith blood from a cut lip and a bruised nose, while a bump on hisforehead was already as purple as a plum. In spite of his woundshowever, he still glared upon his foe, and evidently panted torenew the fight.

"He'd make a first-rater if he was taught," said Dan, unable towithhold the praise from the boy who made it necessary for him todo his best.

"He'll be taught to fence and box by and by, and till then I think hewill do very well without any lessons in mauling. Go and washyour faces; and remember, Dan, if you break any more of the rulesagain, you will be sent away. That was the bargain; do your partand we will do ours."

The lads went off, and after a few more words to the spectators,Mr. Bhaer followed to bind up the wounds of the young gladiators.Emil went to bed sick, and Dan was an unpleasant spectacle for aweek.

But the lawless lad had no thought of obeying, and soontransgressed again.

One Saturday afternoon as a party of the boys went out to play,Tommy said,

"Let's go down to the river, and cut a lot of new fish-poles."

"Take Toby to drag them back, and one of us can ride him down,"proposed Stuffy, who hated to walk.

"That means you, I suppose; well, hurry up, lazy-bones," said Dan.

Away they went, and having got the poles were about to go home,when Demi unluckily said to Tommy, who was on Toby with along rod in his hand,

"You look like the picture of the man in the bull-fight, only youhaven't got a red cloth, or pretty clothes on."

"I'd like to see one; there's old Buttercup in the big meadow, ride ather, Tom, and see her run," proposed Dan, bent on mischief.

"No, you mustn't," began Demi, who was learning to distrust Dan'spropositions.

"Why not, little fuss-button?" demanded Dan.

"I don't think Uncle Fritz would like it."

"Did he ever say we must not have a bull-fight?"

"No, I don't think he ever did," admitted Demi.

"Then hold your tongue. Drive on, Tom, and here's a red rag toflap at the old thing. I'll help you to stir her up," and over the wallwent Dan, full of the new game, and the rest followed like a flockof sheep; even Demi, who sat upon the bars, and watched the funwith interest.

Poor Buttercup was not in a very good mood, for she had beenlately bereft of her calf, and mourned for the little thing mostdismally. Just now she regarded all mankind as her enemies (and Ido not blame her), so when the matadore came prancing towardsher with the red handkerchief flying at the end of his long lance,she threw up her head, and gave a most appropriate "Moo!"Tommy rode gallantly at her, and Toby recognizing an old friend,was quite willing to approach; but when the lance came down onher back with a loud whack, both cow and donkey were surprisedand disgusted. Toby back with a bray of remonstrance, andButtercup lowered her horns angrily.

"At her again, Tom; she's jolly cross, and will do it capitally!"called Dan, coming up behind with another rod, while Jack andNed followed his example.

Seeing herself thus beset, and treated with such disrespect,Buttercup trotted round the field, getting more and morebewildered and excited every moment, for whichever way sheturned, there was a dreadful boy, yelling and brandishing a newand very disagreeable sort of whip. It was great fun for them, butreal misery for her, till she lost patience and turned the tables inthe most unexpected manner. All at once she wheeled short round,and charged full at her old friend Toby, whose conduct cut her tothe heart. Poor slow Toby backed so precipitately that he trippedover a stone, and down went horse, matadore, and all, in oneignominious heap, while distracted Buttercup took a surprisingleap over the wall, and galloped wildly out of sight down the road.

"Catch her, stop her, head her off! run, boys, run!" shouted Dan,tearing after her at his best pace, for she was Mr. Bhaer's petAlderney, and if anything happened to her, Dan feared it would beall over with him. Such a running and racing and bawling andpuffing as there was before she was caught! The fish-poles wereleft behind; Toby was trotted nearly off his legs in the chase; andevery boy was red, breathless, and scared. They found poorButtercup at last in a flower garden, where she had taken refuge,worn out with the long run. Borrowing a rope for a halter, Dan ledher home, followed by a party of very sober young gentlemen, forthe cow was in a sad state, having strained her shoulder jumping,so that she limped, her eyes looked wild, and her glossy coat waswet and muddy.

"You'll catch it this time, Dan," said Tommy, as he led thewheezing donkey beside the maltreated cow.

"So will you, for you helped."

"We all did, but Demi," added Jack.

"He put it into our heads," said Ned.

"I told you not to do it," cried Demi, who was most broken-heartedat poor Buttercup's state.

"Old Bhaer will send me off, I guess. Don't care if he does,"muttered Dan, looking worried in spite of his words.

"We'll ask him not to, all of us," said Demi, and the others assentedwith the exception of Stuffy, who cherished the hope that all thepunishment might fall on one guilty head. Dan only said, "Don'tbother about me;" but he never forgot it, even though he led thelads astray again, as soon as the temptation came.

When Mr. Bhaer saw the animal, and heard the story, he said verylittle, evidently fearing that he should say too much in the firstmoments of impatience. Buttercup was made comfortable in herstall, and the boys sent to their rooms till supper-time. This briefrespite gave them time to think the matter over, to wonder whatthe penalty would be, and to try to imagine where Dan would besent. He whistled briskly in his room, so that no one should thinkhe cared a bit; but while he waited to know his fate, the longing tostay grew stronger and stronger, the more he recalled the comfortand kindness he had known here, the hardship and neglect he hadfelt elsewhere. He knew they tried to help him, and at the bottomof his heart he was grateful, but his rough life had made him hardand careless, suspicious and wilful. He hated restraint of any sort,and fought against it like an untamed creature, even while he knewit was kindly meant, and dimly felt that he would be the better forit. He made up his mind to be turned adrift again, to knock aboutthe city as he had done nearly all his life; a prospect that made himknit his black brows, and look about the cosy little room with awistful expression that would have touched a much harder heartthan Mr. Bhaer's if he had seen it. It vanished instantly, however,when the good man came in, and said in his accustomed graveway,

"I have heard all about it, Dan, and though you have broken therules again, I am going to give you one more trial, to pleaseMother Bhaer."

Dan flushed up to his forehead at this unexpected reprieve, but heonly said in his gruff way,

"I didn't know there was any rule about bull-fighting."

"As I never expected to have any at Plumfield, I never did makesuch a rule," answered Mr. Bhaer, smiling in spite of himself at theboy's excuse. Then he added gravely, "But one of the first and mostimportant of our few laws is the law of kindness to every dumbcreature on the place. I want everybody and everything to be happyhere, to love and trust, and serve us, as we try to love and trust andserve them faithfully and willingly. I have often said that you werekinder to the animals than any of the other boys, and Mrs. Bhaerliked that trait in you very much, because she thought it showed agood heart. But you have disappointed us in that, and we are sorry,for we hoped to make you quite one of us. Shall we try again?"

Dan's eyes had been on the floor, and his hands nervously pickingat the bit of wood he had been whittling as Mr. Bhaer came in, butwhen he heard the kind voice ask that question, he looked upquickly, and said in a more respectful tone than he had ever usedbefore,

"Yes, please."

"Very well, then, we will say no more, only you will stay at homefrom the walk to-morrow, as the other boys will and all of youmust wait on poor Buttercup till she is well again."

"I will."

"Now, go down to supper, and do your best, my boy, more for yourown sake than for ours." Then Mr. Bhaer shook hands with him,and Dan went down more tamed by kindness than he would havebeen by the good whipping which Asia had stronglyrecommended.

Dan did try for a day or two, but not being used to it, he soon tiredand relapsed into his old wilful ways. Mr. Bhaer was called fromhome on business one day, and the boys had no lessons. They likedthis, and played hard till bedtime, when most of them turned inand slept like dormice. Dan, however, had a plan in his head, andwhen he and Nat were alone, he unfolded it.

"Look here!" he said, taking from under his bed a bottle, a cigar,and a pack of cards, "I'm going to have some fun, and do as I usedto with the fellows in town. Here's some beer, I got if of the oldman at the station, and this cigar; you can pay for 'em or Tommywill, he's got heaps of money and I haven't a cent. I'm going to askhim in; no, you go, they won't mind you."

"The folks won't like it," began Nat.

"They won't know. Daddy Bhaer is away, and Mrs. Bhaer's busywith Ted; he's got croup or something, and she can't leave him. Weshan't sit up late or make any noise, so where's the harm?"

"Asia will know if we burn the lamp long, she always does."

"No, she won't, I've got a dark lantern on purpose; it don't givemuch light, and we can shut it quick if we hear anyone coming,"said Dan.

This idea struck Nat as a fine one, and lent an air of romance to thething. He started off to tell Tommy, but put his head in again tosay,

"You want Demi, too, don't you?"

"No, I don't; the Deacon will rollup eyes and preach if you tellhim. He will be asleep, so just tip the wink to Tom and cut backagain."

Nat obeyed, and returned in a minute with Tommy half dressed,rather tousled about the head and very sleepy, but quite ready forfun as usual.

"Now, keep quiet, and I'll show you how to play a first-rate gamecalled 'Poker,' " said Dan, as the three revellers gathered round thetable, on which were set forth the bottle, the cigar, and the cards."First we'll all have a drink, then we'll take a go at the 'weed,' andthen we'll play. That's the way men do, and it's jolly fun."

The beer circulated in a mug, and all three smacked their lips overit, though Nat and Tommy did not like the bitter stuff. The cigarwas worse still, but they dared not say so, and each puffed awaytill he was dizzy or choked, when he passed the "weed" on to hisneighbor. Dan liked it, for it seemed like old times when he nowand then had a chance to imitate the low men who surroundedhim. He drank, and smoked, and swaggered as much like them ashe could, and, getting into the spirit of the part he assumed, hesoon began to swear under his breath for fear some one shouldhear him. "You mustn't; it's wicked to say 'Damn!' " cried Tommy,who had followed his leader so far.

"Oh, hang! don't you preach, but play away; it's part of the fun toswear."

"I'd rather say 'thunder turtles,' " said Tommy, who had composedthis interesting exclamation and was very proud of it.

"And I'll say 'The Devil;' that sounds well," added Nat, muchimpressed by Dan's manly ways.

Dan scoffed at their "nonsense," and swore stoutly as he tried toteach them the new game.

But Tommy was very sleepy, and Nat's head began to ache withthe beer and the smoke, so neither of them was very quick to learn,and the game dragged. The room was nearly dark, for the lanternburned badly; they could not laugh loud nor move about much, forSilas slept next door in the shed-chamber, and altogether the partywas dull. In the middle of a deal Dan stopped suddenly, and calledout, "Who's that?" in a startled tone, and at the same moment drewthe slide over the light. A voice in the darkness said tremulously, "Ican't find Tommy," and then there was the quick patter of bare feetrunning away down the entry that led from the wing to the mainhouse.

"It's Demi! he's gone to call some one; cut into bed, Tom, and don'ttell!" cried Dan, whisking all signs of the revel out of sight, andbeginning to tear off his clothes, while Nat did the same.

Tommy flew to his room and dived into bed, where he lay,laughing till something burned his hand, when he discovered thathe was still clutching the stump of the festive cigar, which hehappened to be smoking when the revel broke up.

It was nearly out, and he was about to extinguish it carefully whenNursey's voice was heard, and fearing it would betray him if he hidit in the bed, he threw it underneath, after a final pinch which hethought finished it.

Nursey came in with Demi, who looked much amazed to see thered face of Tommy reposing peacefully upon his pillow.

"He wasn't there just now, because I woke up and could not findhim anywhere," said Demi, pouncing on him.

"What mischief are you at now, bad child?" asked Nursey, with agood-natured shake, which made the sleeper open his eyes to saymeekly,

"I only ran into Nat's room to see him about something. Go away,and let me alone; I'm awful sleepy."

Nursey tucked Demi in, and went off to reconnoitre, but onlyfound two boys slumbering peacefully in Dan's room. "Some littlefrolic," she thought, and as there was no harm done she saidnothing to Mrs. Bhaer, who was busy and worried over littleTeddy.

Tommy was sleepy, and telling Demi to mind his own businessand not ask questions, he was snoring in ten minutes, littledreaming what was going on under his bed. The cigar did not goout, but smouldered away on the straw carpet till it was nicely onfire, and a hungry little flame went creeping along till the dimitybedcover caught, then the sheets, and then the bed itself. The beermade Tommy sleep heavily, and the smoke stupified Demi, so theyslept on till the fire began to scorch them, and they were in dangerof being burned to death.

Franz was sitting up to study, and as he left the school-room hesmelt the smoke, dashed up-stairs and saw it coming in a cloudfrom the left wing of the house. Without stopping to call any one,he ran into the room, dragged the boys from the blazing bed, andsplashed all the water he could find at hand on to the flames. Itchecked but did not quench the fire, and the children wakened onbeing tumbled topsy-turvy into a cold hall, began to roar at the topof their voices. Mrs. Bhaer instantly appeared, and a minute afterSilas burst out of his room shouting, "Fire!" in a tone that raisedthe whole house. A flock of white goblins with scared facescrowded into the hall, and for a minute every one waspanic-stricken.

Then Mrs. Bhaer found her wits, bade Nursey see to the burntboys, and sent Franz and Silas down-stairs for some tubs of wetclothes which she flung on the bed, over the carpet, and up againstthe curtains, now burning finely, and threatening to kindle thewalls.

Most of the boys stood dumbly looking on, but Dan and Emilworked bravely, running to and fro with water from the bath-room,and helping to pull down the dangerous curtains.

The peril was soon over, and ordering the boys all back to bed, andleaving Silas to watch lest the fire broke out again, Mrs. Bhaer andFranz went to see how the poor boys got on. Demi had escapedwith one burn and a grand scare, but Tommy had not only most ofhis hair scorched off his head, but a great burn on his arm, thatmade him half crazy with the pain. Demi was soon made cosy, andFranz took him away to his own bed, where the kind lad soothedhis fright and hummed him to sleep as cosily as a woman. Nurseywatched over poor Tommy all night, trying to ease his misery, andMrs. Bhaer vibrated between him and little Teddy with oil andcotton, paregoric and squills, saying to herself from time to time,as if she found great amusement in the thought, "I always knewTommy would set the house on fire, and now he has done it!"

When Mr. Bhaer got home next morning he found a nice state ofthings. Tommy in bed, Teddy wheezing like a little grampus, Mrs.Jo quite used up, and the whole flock of boys so excited that theyall talked at once, and almost dragged him by main force to viewthe ruins. Under his quiet management things soon fell into order,for every one felt that he was equal to a dozen conflagrations, andworked with a will at whatever task he gave them.

There was no school that morning, but by afternoon the damagedroom was put to rights, the invalids were better, and there wastime to hear and judge the little culprits quietly. Nat and Tommytold their parts in the mischief, and were honestly sorry for thedanger they had brought to the dear old house and all in it. ButDan put on his devil-may-care look, and would not own that therewas much harm done.

Now, of all things, Mr. Bhaer hated drinking, gambling, andswearing; smoking he had given up that the lads might not betempted to try it, and it grieved and angered him deeply to find thatthe boy, with whom he had tried to be most forbearing, should takeadvantage of his absence to introduce these forbidden vices, andteach his innocent little lads to think it manly and pleasant toindulge in them. He talked long and earnestly to the assembledboys, and ended by saying, with an air of mingled firmness andregret,

"I think Tommy is punished enough, and that scar on his arm willremind him for a long time to let these things alone. Nat's frightwill do for him, for he is really sorry, and does try to obey me. Butyou, Dan, have been many times forgiven, and yet it does no good.I cannot have my boys hurt by your bad example, nor my timewasted in talking to deaf ears, so you can say good-bye to them all,and tell Nursey to put up your things in my little black bag."

"Oh! sir, where is he going?" cried Nat.

"To a pleasant place up in the country, where I sometimes sendboys when they don't do well here. Mr. Page is a kind man, andDan will be happy there if he chooses to do his best."

"Will he ever come back?" asked Demi.

"That will depend on himself; I hope so."

As he spoke, Mr. Bhaer left the room to write his letter to Mr.Page, and the boys crowded round Dan very much as people doabout a man who is going on a long and perilous journey tounknown regions.

"I wonder if you'll like it," began Jack.

"Shan't stay if I don't," said Dan coolly.

"Where will you go?" asked Nat.

"I may go to sea, or out west, or take a look at California,"answered Dan, with a reckless air that quite took away the breathof the little boys.

"Oh, don't! stay with Mr. Page awhile and then come back here;do, Dan," pleaded Nat, much affected at the whole affair.

"I don't care where I go, or how long I stay, and I'll be hanged if Iever come back here," with which wrathful speech Dan went awayto put up his things, every one of which Mr. Bhaer had given him.

That was the only good-bye he gave the boys, for they were alltalking the matter over in the barn when he came down, and hetold Nat not to call them. The wagon stood at the door, and Mrs.Bhaer came out to speak to Dan, looking so sad that his heartsmote him, and he said in a low tone,

"May I say good-bye to Teddy?"

"Yes, dear; go in and kiss him, he will miss his Danny very much."

No one saw the look in Dan's eyes as he stooped over the crib, andsaw the little face light up at first sight of him, but he heard Mrs.Bhaer say pleadingly,

"Can't we give the poor lad one more trial, Fritz?" and Mr. Bhaeranswer in his steady way,

"My dear, it is not best, so let him go where he can do no harm toothers, while they do good to him, and by and by he shall comeback, I promise you."

"He's the only boy we ever failed with, and I am so grieved, for Ithought there was the making of a fine man in him, spite of hisfaults."

Dan heard Mrs. Bhaer sigh, and he wanted to ask for one moretrial himself, but his pride would not let him, and he came out withthe hard look on his face, shook hands without a word, and droveaway with Mr. Bhaer, leaving Nat and Mrs. Jo to look after himwith tears in their eyes.

A few days afterwards they received a letter from Mr. Page, sayingthat Dan was doing well, whereat they all rejoiced. But threeweeks later came another letter, saying that Dan had run away, andnothing had been heard of him, whereat they all looked sober, andMr. Bhaer said,

"Perhaps I ought to have given him another chance."

Mrs. Bhaer, however, nodded wisely and answered, "Don't betroubled, Fritz; the boy will come back to us, I'm sure of it."

But time went on and no Dan came.