94 THE OAKS.

Schneckenburg, had written to Dr. Newman that he
must be taken away and put toa trade. Now they began
to regret their ridicule of the stranger, and were busy
contriving some way to help him, for they could not
bear the thought of losing so amiable and clever a
companion.

“Tl tell you what it is,” said Murdock, who was
the son of Captain Murdock of the army, “I'll give all
my pocket-money for the year rather than let the Dutch-
man suffer.”

‘ Dutchman!” cried Merriman, who slept in the same
chamber, “I will tell you he is no Dutchman; he isa
German boy, from Bingen on the Rhine, and his father
was a judge in that town.” |

“Never mind, Merriman,” said Murdock, “ Dutch-
man or German is all one; he is a fine little man if he
does call think sink, and bath bass. Put my name
down for as much as you choose. Dr. Newman has
my money for the quarter, and he says it’s too much
by half.”

“We are all ready,” said Mack, who was a square-
built, rosy-cheeked, brave-looking boy; “I don’t believe
there is a fellow on our side who will refuse to give
something—all he can, but the thing is, how shall we
do it?”

“True enough,” said Burnham, “it will never do to
hurt the little man’s feelings. He is quiet and he is
poor, but then he is very proud; no, not proud exactly ;