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He had made everybody respect him. His position as principal of the school gave him almost as much importance in the community as the minister. But not all the Polktown folk loved Nelson Haley. He had made enemies as well as friends since coming to the lakeside town.
The ruins of the ancient fortress across the lake to the north still frowned in the mists of night when Janice left her bed and peered from the open window, looking westward. Behind the mountain-top which towered over Polktown it was already broad day; but the sun would not appear, to gild the frowning fortress, or to touch the waters of the lake with its magic wand, for yet several minutes.
"I suppose if I don't go ahead in the matter, the railroad will never get its branch road built into Polktown?" and she laughed. "That's about the size of it!" cried Bowman, as the wheels began to roll.
You must not take it so to heart. You will not bear it all alone, Nelson. Every friend you have in Polktown will help you." She had come close to him, her hands fluttering upon his breast and her eyes, sparkling with teardrops, raised to his face. "Oh, Janice!" he groaned, and swept her into his arms. That was a very serious Saturday night at the old Day house, as well as at the Beaseley cottage.
Let me tell you, Janice," he added earnestly, "I believe that if these fellows had it to vote on right now, they'd vote 'no license' for Polktown yes, ma'am!" "Oh! I wish we could all vote on it," cried Janice. "I am sure more people in Polktown would like to see the bar done away with, than desire to have it continued." "I guess you're right!" agreed Bowman.
There's a brick in your hat!" Another shout of laugher and a second boy exclaimed: "Look out, old feller! You'll spill it!" All the voices seemed those of boys; but this was an hour when most of the town lads were supposed to be under the more or less eagle eye of Mr. Nelson Haley, the principal of the Polktown school.
In an hour the story, with many additions, had spread over Polktown. A fire before a high wind could have traveled no faster. Uncle Jason listened, digested, and made up his mind. Although a moderate man, he thought to some purpose. He was soon satisfied that the four committeemen, having got over their first fright, would do nothing rash.
"Jack went up to Massey's the other night to try to get his old job back, and Massey turned him out of the store. Told him his breath smothered the smell of iodoform in the back shop," and Marty giggled. "That's how Jack come to get a pint and wander up into our sheep fold to sleep it off." "Oh, dear, Marty," sighed Janice, "this drinking in Polktown is getting to be a dreadful thing.
"I'd go plumb away from here an' never come back to Polktown no more!" declared the heated Marty, coming in with an armful of wood. "I feel as though I might as well do that, Marty, when I hear you speak," said Nelson, shaking his head. "What good does it do you to go to school? I have failed somewhere when you use such poor grammar as "
She could barely keep her mind upon her studies at the seminary. Nelson Haley's salvation was the attention he was forced to give to his classes in the Polktown school. One or another of the four committeemen who had constituted themselves his enemies, were hovering about Nelson all the time. He felt himself to be continually watched and suspected. Mr.
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