6 ACORN You Can't Always Tell "I guess we had better meet in the barn, except Milt," said the town Bully, Tad Bennett. "Say Milt, does your mother still sit by your bed and sing you to sleep?" Milton didn't say a word, but knit his brow and clinched his fists 'til blood came. "Well, it's 8 o'clock," said Tad again. "It must be your bedtime, isn't it Milt?" Still Milton held his peace, but kept his eyes forever on Tad as if he were looking a hole through him. Milton Blueford was a new comer in Chesterfield, his father having moved there so Milton could attend the high school. Ever since the day he came Tad and his gang would taunt, tease and do everything in their power to get Milton to "show his yellow," as they called it. "I wonder if the Kid is deaf?" said one of the crowd. Blueford spoke for the first time. "No I'm not deaf." "Well I know something you are if you're not deaf. If I heard some one say I was scared-" "I guess you would," broke in Milt. "I can't help it if you talk this way to me; look at the size of you." As a matter of fact Tad was at least three inches taller than Milt. "Yes," said Tad, "if you aggravate me I will have to take you over my knee and give you a good spanking." He turned on his heel and began talking about the things they were going to do that evening. "Now fellers, we want to make this Hallowe'en one that will never be forgotten," said Tad. "There's Mr. Spinks' new milk wagon, we will take it up on the sand bank and let it roll into the river." At this moment Milton left the gang and went home. As he left he felt that his schoolmates were jeering at him, which made him feel very sad. "I tell you what we could also so," said Blacky. "If Milt comes around, just 'nab him,' lock him in the wagon and let him roll into the river." "A bully idea," said Tad. "That may scare some of the sissyness out of him." In the meanwhile Milton had arrived home. He sat down and read 'til supper was ready, and although there was something that pressed heavily on his mind, he ate a hearty supper and engaged in the chat with his father and mother. After desert was served he pushed back from the table and looked at his father. "I guess he's nearly ripe," he said. "Who?" ACORN 7 "The boy told you about Bennet." "Nearly to the end of his rope, is he?" "Yes, and in about another day he will break it." "I think it's a shame that the boys can't leave you alone," sighed his mother. "You never have been a boy to pick a quarrel." "No mother but I don't think they will bother me after tonight," said Milton. "Father, may I go out tonight?" "Yes," said his father. "But do be careful, and remember what I've told you." Milton put on his cap and was gone like a flash. When he finally came to the orchard behind Mr. Spinks' barn everything was quiet save the occasional snort of Napoleon, the horse and the stamping of the cattle. Milton sprang behind the rows of current bushes to reconnoiter. There stood the milk wagon untouched. He climbed into it through the window and waited. In about fifteen minutes he heard the sound of feet. "Here they come," he thought. "We four ought to be able to get it up the hill," said Tad. "It's only a light affair." As Tad was about to pass the wagon, Milt reached out and put his hand on his shoulder. Tad jumped and backed away. "What's that?" he said. "It's me," Milt said. "You said the only thing that could make this funnier would be to lock me up in the wagon, and let me roll down the hill." He stopped, leaped to the ground and stood face to face with Tad. "Well, I'm here. Put me in if you think you're man enough." "You'd best get out of here and mind your business," Tad whispered, enraged at being frightened. "You get, or I'll give you the spanking I was talking about this afternoon." "That is what I came for," Milt said. Then he reached forward and pulled Tad's ear. "Maybe that will make you more anxious to go ahead." Tad could do nothing but stare at Milt. "Isn't that enough?" asked Milt. "You see, Tad, you carried it farther than I could manage to stand. This afternoon finished it. I don't like to fight and wouldn't if you fellows would leave me alone." "You mean you'll fight me?" exclaimed Tad angrily. "There's a pasture back of the orchard," Milt said. "We can go there." Tad was more angry than astonished. He did not know what to make of Milt. "Come on then," he said. The five boys went to the pasture. After the combatants had tussled and exchanged blows for several