Randy of the River; Or, The Adventures of a Young Deckhand

ng, Randy. Do you

mpson, a bright, manly youth of fourteen.

ned Jack Bartlett, a boy who was but a few mont

et them in less

an hour. I was thinking of going up the river

I was up there and caught

in Riverport, Randy," went on Jack Bartlett, a

ow when I caught my mess of fourteen two other boys were up to the Hole. But just because the fish did not bite

patient if I know I am g

ndy laughe

. But I always reckon it's a good thing t

fair trial to-day," answered Jack Bartlett. "Remember, th

ants me to do something for her

dy had no brothers or sisters, and lived with his father and mother in a modest cottage on one of the side roads leading to the hills back of the town. Randy was a scholar

heavy doctors' bills to pay, but his parents had told him to t

er husband. "He has applied himself very c

now when I was a boy I loved a vacation." He was a kind-hearted man and thou

air, containing but five rooms, yet it was large enough for the family, and Randy, who had never known anything better, considered it a very good home. There was a small white

ied Randy, running around to the kitchen, where hi

wn her flatiron and giving him a smile. "I s

an I do anything fo

ket of water and ano

andy, and caught up the wa

yourself while you

, mother. Remember, I

be careful anyway," answe

ormed these chores. Then the youth ran for his fishing outfit, after which he took the spade, w

f, mother!"

nd waved him a pleasant adieu

r had," thought Randy, as he wal

Mrs. Thompson. "Oh, I hope h

out the boat and cleaned it up and got the oars. He was all read

in, a big seal ring, and a diamond shirt stud. He might have been good-look

he called out. "What are you

dly offensive and did

ny of your business, Bob B

g out his boat," went on Bob Bangs. "If

to hire one,"

as known as the town bully. His father was rich and for th

are to touch i

ht to touch Jack's boat without his

is is none of

l make it m

you may get

u don't get out of tha

ng to get out

b Bangs came a step closer, and put h

the boat alone," s

out of th

for

point of catching Randy by the collar

's voice, as he approached on a swift walk. "I

Bob Bangs fell

e waiting for Jack?" he said to Ra

me, that's why,"

uble?" question

e to leave th

ained the big boy. "I didn't know you cared to go out

out with Randy?" a

to go out with the son

onsider myself as good as

um

her is a carpenter," said Jack. "It'

ine," answered Bob Bangs, loftily, and sta

ssed them and said nothing. In a moment more s

aid Jack, quickly. "He thinks a few

mind him-m

get out of my b

t know I was w

a good jok

tand why he is

ing outfit. "His father is the same way and so is his mother. They think that just beca

your father is as

be h

n't put on

thing to have, but it isn't everything

nt me out in his

't like to go out

. I am getting so I

we meet he tries to impress it upon me that

ther have some business

company,-and from what father says, I think

father come

m him. If Mr. Bangs can get control he will, so father says, join the company of a larger concern, an

dn't that

er says," answered Jack, and heaved a

e as well as for your fol