CHAPTER IIA SKIRMISH
Andy Burke was not the boy to run away from an opponent of his ownsize and age. Neither did he propose to submit quietly to thethrashing which Godfrey designed to give him. He dropped his stick andbundle, and squared off scientifically at his aristocratic foe.
Godfrey paused an instant before him.
"I'm going to give you a thrashing," he said; "the worst thrashing youever had."
"Are you, now?" asked Andy, undismayed. "Come on, thin; I'm ready foryou."
"You're an impudent young ruffian."
"So are you."
Godfrey's aristocratic blood boiled at this retort, and he struck outat Andy, but the latter knew what was coming, and, swift as a flash,warded it off, and fetched Godfrey a blow full upon his nose, whichstarted the blood. Now, the pain and the sight of the blood combinedfilled him with added fury, and he attempted to seize Andy around thewaist and throw him. But here again he was foiled. The young Irish boyevaded his grasp, and, seizing him in turn, by an adroit movement ofthe foot, tripped him up. Godfrey fell heavily on his back.
Andy withdrew a little, and did not offer to hold him down, as Godfreywould have been sure to do under similar circumstances. "Have you gotenough?" he asked.
"That wasn't fair," exclaimed Godfrey, jumping up hastily, deeplymortified because he had been worsted in the presence of John, who,sooth to say, rather enjoyed his young master's overthrow.
He rushed impetuously at Andy, but he was blinded by his ownimpetuosity, and his adversary, who kept cool and self-possessed, had,of course, the advantage. So the engagement terminated asbefore--Godfrey was stretched once more on the sidewalk. He was aboutto renew the assault, however, when there was an interruption. Thisinterruption came in the form of Colonel Preston himself, who wasreturning from a business meeting of citizens interested inestablishing a savings bank in the village.
"What's all this, Godfrey?" he called out, in a commanding tone.
Godfrey knew that when his father spoke he must obey, and he thereforedesisted from the contemplated attack. He looked up at his father andsaid, sulkily:
"I was punishing this Irish boy for his impertinence."
John grinned a little at this way of putting it, and his father said:
"It looked very much as if he were punishing you."
"I didn't get fair hold," said Godfrey, sulkily.
"So he was impertinent, was he? What did he say?"
"He said I was no gentleman."
Andy Burke listened attentively to what was said, but didn't attemptto justify himself as yet.
"I have sometimes had suspicions of that myself," said his father,quietly.
Though Godfrey was an only son, his father was sensible enough to befully aware of his faults. If he was indulged, it was his mother, nothis father, that was in fault. Colonel Preston was a fair and justman, and had sensible views about home discipline; but he wasoverruled by his wife, whose character may be judged from the factthat her son closely resembled her. She was vain, haughty, and proudof putting on airs. She considered herself quite the finest lady inthe village, but condescended to associate with the wives of theminister, the doctor, and a few of the richer inhabitants, but evenwith them she took care to show that she regarded herself superior tothem all. She was, therefore, unpopular, as was her son among hiscompanions. However, these two stood by each other, and Mrs. Prestonwas sure to defend Godfrey in all he did, and complained because hisfather did not do the same.
"I didn't think you'd turn against me, and let a low boy insult me,"complained Godfrey.
"Why do you call him low?"
"Because he's only an Irish boy."
"Some of our most distinguished men have been Irish boys or of Irishdescent. I don't think you have proved your point."
"He's a beggar."
"I'm not a beggar," exclaimed Andy, speaking for the first time. "Inever begged a penny in all my life."
"Look at his rags," said Godfrey, scornfully.
"You would be in rags, too, if you had to buy your own clothes. Ithink I should respect you very much more under the circumstances,"returned his father.
"The colonel's a-givin' it to him," thought John, with a grin."'Twon't do the young master any harm."
"What is your name?" inquired Colonel Preston, turning now to ourhero, as his son seemed to have no more to say.
"Andy Burke."
"Do you live here?"
"I've just come to town, sir. My mother lives here."
"Where does she live?"
"I don't know, sir, just. He knows," pointing out John.
"I calcerlate his mother lives in old Jake Barlow's house," said John.
"Oh, the Widow Burke. Yes, I know. I believe Mrs. Preston employs hersometimes. Well, Andy, if that's your name, how is it that I catch youfighting with my son? That is not very creditable, unless you havegood cause."
"He called my mother a low woman," said Andy, "and then he run up andhit me."
"Did you do that, Godfrey?"
"He was putting on too many airs. He talked as if he was my equal."
"He appears to be more than your equal in strength," said his father."Well, was that all?"
"It was about all."
"Then I think he did perfectly right, and I hope you'll profit by thelesson you have received."
"He is a gentleman," thought Andy. "He ain't hard on a boy becausehe's poor."
Colonel Preston went into the house, but Godfrey lingered behind amoment. He wanted to have a parting shot at his adversary. He couldfight with words, if not with blows.
"Look here!" he said, imperiously; "don't let me see you round hereagain."
"Why not?"
"I don't want to see you."
"Then you can look the other way," said Andy, independently.
"This is my house."
"I thought it was your father's."
"That's the same thing. You'd better stay at home with your mother."
"Thank you," said Andy; "you're very kind. May I come along the roadsometimes?"
"If you do, walk on the other side."
Andy laughed. He was no longer provoked, but amused.
"Then, by the same token, you'd better not come by my mother's house,"he said, good-humoredly.
"I don't want to come near your miserable shanty," said Godfrey,disdainfully.
"You may come, if you keep on the other side of the road," said Andy,slyly.
Godfrey was getting disgusted; for in the war of words, as well as ofblows, his ragged opponent seemed to be getting the better of him. Heturned on his heel and entered the house. He was sure of one who wouldsympathize with him in his dislike and contempt for Andy--this was, ofcourse, his mother. Besides, he had another idea. He knew that Mrs.Burke had been employed by his mother, occasionally, to assist in thehouse. It occurred to him that it would be a fine piece of revenge toinduce her to dispense hereafter with the poor woman's services. Benton accomplishing this creditable retaliation, he left his youngopponent master of the field.
"I must be goin'," said Andy, as he picked up his bundle and suspendedit from his stick. "Will I find the house where my mother lives,easy?"
The question was, of course, addressed to John, who had just turned togo to the stable.
"You can't miss it," answered John. "It's a mile up the road, stands alittle way back. There's a few hills of potatoes in the front yard.How long since you saw your mother?"
"It's three months."
"Does she know you are coming to-day?"
"No. I would have wrote to her, but my fingers isn't very ready withthe pen."
"Nor mine either," said John. "I'd rather take a licking any time thanwrite a letter. Come round and see us some time."
"The boy'll lick me," said Andy, laughing.
"I guess you can manage him."
Andy smiled, for it was his own conviction, also. With his bundle onhis shoulder he trudged on, light of heart, for he was about to seehis mother and sister, both of whom he
warmly loved.