Chapter XIII. Mischief on Foot

by Horatio Alger

　　As may be supposed, John Haynes was deeply incensed with FrankFrost for the manner in which he had foiled him in his attackupon Pomp. He felt that in this whole matter he had appeared byno means to advantage. After all his boasting, he had beendefeated by a boy younger and smaller than himself. The oldgrudge which he had against Frank for the success gained over himat school increased and added poignancy to his mortification. Hefelt that he should never be satisfied until he had "come up"with Frank in some way. The prospect of seeing him ejected fromthe farm was pleasant, but it was too far off. John did not feellike waiting so long for the gratification of his revengefulfeelings. He resolved in the meantime to devise some method ofinjuring or annoying Frank.He could not at once think of anything feasible. Several schemesflitted across his mind, but all were open to some objection.John did not care to attempt anything which would expose him, ifdiscovered, to a legal punishment. I am afraid this weighed morewith him than the wrong or injustice of his schemes.At last it occurred to him that Mr. Frost kept a couple of pigs.To let them out secretly at night would be annoying to Frank, asthey would probably stray quite a distance, and thus a tediouspursuit would be made necessary. Perhaps they might never befound, in which case John felt that he should not grieve much.Upon this scheme John finally settled as the one promising themost amusement to himself and annoyance to his enemy, as he choseto regard Frank. He felt quite averse, however, to doing the workhimself. In the first place, it must be done by night, and hecould not absent himself from the house at a late hour withouthis father's knowledge. Again, he knew there was a risk of beingcaught, and it would not sound very well if noised abroad thatthe son of Squire Haynes had gone out by night and let loose aneighbor's pigs.He cast about in his mind for a confederate, and after awhilesettled upon a boy named Dick Bumstead.This Dick had the reputation of being a scape-grace and ane'er-do-well. He was about the age of John Haynes, but had notattended school for a couple of years, and, less from want ofnatural capacity than from indolence, knew scarcely more than aboy of ten. His father was a shoemaker, and had felt obliged tokeep his son at home to assist him in the shop. He did not provea very efficient assistant, however, being inclined to shirk dutywhenever he could.It was upon this boy that John Haynes fixed as most likely tohelp him in his plot. On his way home from school the nextafternoon, he noticed Dick loitering along a little in advance."Hold on, Dick," he called out, in a friendly voice, at the sametime quickening his pace.Dick turned in some surprise, for John Haynes had a foolishpride, which had hitherto kept him very distant toward those whomhe regarded as standing lower than himself in the social scale."How are you, John?" he responded, putting up the knife withwhich he had been whittling."All right. What are you up to nowadays?""Working in the shop," said Dick, shrugging his shoulders. "Iwish people didn't wear shoes, for my part. I've helped make myshare. Pegging isn't a very interesting operation.""No," said John, with remarkable affability. "I shouldn't thinkthere'd be much fun in it.""Fun! I guess not. For my part, I'd be willing to go barefoot, ifother people would, for the sake of getting rid of pegging.""I suppose you have some time to yourself, though, don't you?""Precious little. I ought to be in the shop now. Father sent medown to the store for some awls, and he'll be fretting because Idon't get back. I broke my awl on purpose," said Dick, laughing,"so as to get a chance to run out a little while.""I suppose your father gives you some of the money that you earn,doesn't he?' inquired John."A few cents now and then; that's all. He says everything is sohigh nowadays that it takes all we can both of us earn to buyfood and clothes. So if a fellow wants a few cents now and thento buy a cigar, he can't have 'em."John was glad to hear this. He felt that he could the morereadily induce Dick to assist him in his plans."Dick!" he said abruptly, looking round to see that no one waswithin hearing-distance, "wouldn't you like to earn a two-dollarbill?""For myself?" inquired Dick."Certainly.""Is there much work in it?" asked indolent Dick cautiously."No, and what little there is will be fun.""Then I'm in for it. That is, I think I am. What is it?""You'll promise not to tell?" said John."Honor bright.""It's only a little practical joke that I want to play upon oneof the boys ""On who?" asked Dick, unmindful of his grammar."On Frank Frost.""Frank's a pretty good fellow. It isn't going to hurt him any, isit?""Oh, no, of course not.""Because I wouldn't want to do that. He's always treated mewell.""Of course he has. It's only a little joke, you know.""Oh, well, if it's a joke, just count me in. Fire away, and letme know what you want done.""You know that Frank, or his father, keeps pigs?""Yes.""I want you to go some night--the sooner the better--and let themout, so that when morning comes the pigs will be minus, andMaster Frank will have a fine chase after them.""Seems to me," said Dick, "that won't be much of a joke.""Then I guess you never saw a pig-chase. Pigs are so contrarythat if you want them to go in one direction they are sure to goin another. The way they gallop over the ground, with theirlittle tails wriggling behind them, is a caution.""But it would be a great trouble to Frank to get them back.""Oh, well, you could help him, and so get still more fun out ofit, he not knowing, of course, that you had anything to do withletting them out.""And that would take me out of the shop for a couple of hours,"said Dick, brightening at the thought."Of course," said John; "so you would get a double advantage.Come, what do you say?""Well, I don't know," said Dick, wavering. "You'd pay me themoney down on the nail, wouldn't you?""Yes," said John. "I'll show you the bill now."He took from his pocketbook a two-dollar greenback, and displayedit to Dick."You could buy cigars enough with this to last you some time," hesaid insinuatingly."So I could. I declare, I've a good mind to take up your offer.""You'd better. It's a good one.""But why don't you do it yourself?" asked Dick, with suddenwonder."Because father's very strict," said John glibly, "and if Ishould leave the house at night, he'd be sure to find it out.""That's where I have the advantage. I sleep downstairs, and caneasily slip out of the window, without anybody's being thewiser.""Just the thing. Then you agree?""Yes, I might as well. Are you particular about the night?""No, take your choice about that. Only the sooner the better."The two boys separated, John feeling quite elated with hissuccess.