CHAPTER VIII.

Jasper Grinder is dismissed.

Dick was greatly surprised over the news which Peleg Snuggers conveyed to him.  He knew that Jasper Grinder was an intensely passionate man when aroused, as on the occasion of the attempted caning, but he had not imagined that the man would fall into a fit while in such a condition.

“Did he come out of the fit all right?” he questioned soberly.

“When he came around he was as weak as a rag, and I and one of the big boys had to help him up to his room.  He stayed there the rest of the evening, and the other teachers had to take charge.”

“What do they say about the matter?”

“As soon as the captain got back all of ’em got in the private office and held a long talk.  Then the captain had a talk with Mr. Grinder, and after that the captain sent me off to look for you.  He said you must be at the Lanings, or at Mrs. Stanhope’s, or else somewhere in Cedarville.”

“We are stopping with Mrs. Stanhope.  Sara is sick with a heavy cold.”

“It’s not to be wondered at.  Master Tubbs has a cold, too, and the captain had Mrs. Green give him some medicine for it.”

“Has he punished Tubbs?”

“No.  He’s awfully upset, and I don’t think he’ll do anything right away,” concluded the general utility man.

The cutter was turned around, and Dick and Snuggers hurried toward the Hall.  Their coming was noticed by a score of boys who were snowballing each other oh the parade ground, and a shout went up.

“Dick Rover is coming back!  Snuggers has brought Dick Rover back!”

“Take care of the horse, Snuggers,” said Dick.  “Do the right thing, and I won’t forget to pay you at Christmas-time.”

“All right Master Rover; thank you,” answered the man of all work.

Dick was at once surrounded, but before he could answer any questions he saw Captain Putnam appear at one of the windows and at once went inside to greet him.

“Well, Rover, what does all this mean?” demanded the head of the school, but there was not much sternness in his tone.

“It means Captain Putnam, that Sam, Tom, and I couldn’t stand the treatment we received from Mr. Grinder.  For a little set-to which Sam and Tubbs had in the gymnasium Mr. Grinder put Sam in the ice-cold storeroom, and was going to keep him there all night, with nothing but stale bread to eat and cold water to drink.  If Sam had remained in the storeroom he would have died from the effects of it.  As it is, he is now in bed at Mrs. Stanhope’s, and we had to call in Dr. Fremley to attend him.”

“Is he very ill, Rover?  Tell me the exact truth.”

“I have never told you anything else, Captain Putnam.  No, I don’t think he is very ill, but he’s got a bad cold.  He is very hoarse, and he complained of such a pain in the chest that Mrs. Stanhope put on some plasters, and when the doctor came he left some more.”