Part 4 (2/2)

”Leave it to me.”

Amos seized the excited barber before he could move, for he knew how Hardy would break the sad news to the poor mother, and did not intend she should suffer more than was absolutely necessary.

”Here is Master Revere!” he said, with a sigh of relief, as he struggled to prevent the apprentice from leaving him. ”He is the one who should speak to Mrs. Snyder, not you, Hardy. Take hold of Chris a moment while I speak with him.”

Master Piemont's a.s.sistant was not pleased at thus being prevented from appearing as one of the princ.i.p.al characters in this terrible drama; but Chris Gore, understanding as well as did Amos, why Hardy should not be allowed to go to the widow's home, forced him to remain by saying:

”You must stay with me until I can get home.”

”Are you hurt very much?”

”It may be that I am,” Gore replied, knowing that if he made light of his wounds Hardy would consider himself at liberty to act upon his own suggestion.

Hurriedly Amos explained to the goldsmith what had occurred, and what he desired the latter to do, after which he came back to his two friends.

”Master Revere will go to poor Chris's mother, and since there are more than enough to give him all the care he needs, we can attend to you.”

”Do you think the little fellow will die?” Gore asked, more concerned regarding his friend than for himself.

”I am afraid the wound is a serious one,” Amos replied, sadly. ”The blood was coming from his mouth, and I am told that is a bad sign.”

”If it's signs you're looking for, see there!” and Hardy pointed up the street, where the crowd was marching as if in procession behind those who carried the dying boy. ”If that doesn't look like a funeral, what should you say it was?”

Amos gave one quick glance and turned his head away.

It seemed as if he was in a certain degree responsible for this death; but the barber's apprentice, who was equally culpable, had no such misgivings.

One would have said Hardy Baker found a certain degree of pleasure in dwelling upon the fact that he had been instrumental in this day's work, since it would bring his name into greater prominence than he could ever have hoped for otherwise, however conscientiously he might discharge his duties as Master Piemont's apprentice.

[Footnote B: In 1809 this same Christopher Gore became Governor of the Commonwealth of Ma.s.sachusetts.]

[Footnote C: Now Boylston Street.]

CHAPTER III.

LIBERTY HALL.

Not until nightfall, on this day of the tragical ending to the lesson given Master Lillie and the other faithless merchants, did Amos Richardson meet those who had aided him in the work of erecting the symbol in front of the shop on Hanover Street.

He and Hardy Baker had a.s.sisted Chris Gore to his home, and the injured boy's father had sent the barber's apprentice in search of a surgeon.

There was nothing Amos could do to aid this family, and having no desire to listen to Hardy's foolish threats, as he would probably be forced to do in case he waited for that young gentleman's return, he walked slowly toward Frog Lane, repeating again and again to himself that, if little Chris Snyder's death should follow as a result of his wound, those who had erected the symbol of warning would at least be morally responsible.

He had arrived at the Liberty Tree, where was a great throng of people waiting, as if believing that here in the so-called Liberty Hall they would the sooner receive tidings of the injured lad's condition, when he met Master Revere, returning to his place of business.

”I think, Amos,” the goldsmith said, as he attracted the boy's attention by tapping him on the shoulder, ”that it would be well if you were to go to the Widow Snyder's home. She may need a.s.sistance in caring for her son, and you are more to be relied upon than any lad of your age whom I know.”

<script>