Horatio Alger

“ He was within a quarter of a mile of his destination when his attention was drawn to a boy of about his own age, who was amusing himself and a smaller companion by firing stones at a cat that had taken refuge in a tree. Just as Gilbert came up, a stone took effect, and the poor cat moaned in affright, but did not dare to come down from her perch, as this would put her in the power of her assailant.
"That must be Carl's stepbrother, Peter," Gilbert decided, as he noted the boy's mean face and turn-up nose. "Stoning cats seems to be his idea of amusement. ”

“ I live in Warren."
"What made you attack Peter?"
"Because he flew at me, and I had to defend myself."
"Is this so, Simon? You saw all that happened."
"Ye--es," admitted Simon, unwillingly.
"That puts a different face on the matter. I don't see how I can arrest this boy. He had a right to defend himself."
"He came up and abused me--the loafer," said Peter.
"That was the reason you went at him?"
"Yes."
"Have you anything to say?" asked the constable, addressing Gilbert.
"Yes, sir; when I came up I saw this boy firing stones at a cat, who had taken refuge in that tree over there. ”