Out For Business or Robert Frost's Strange Career. Stratemeyer Edward

is not lazy, James," she said. "If I were poor and there were any need of it, he would willingly saw and split the wood."

      "Perhaps he would and perhaps he wouldn't. From what I have seen of him, I am decidedly of the opinion that he has been pampered and spoiled. He has a very bad temper–"

      "Oh, James!"

      "It is true, but it is partly because of his bringing-up. He needs to have his will broken. He has always had his own way, and it is quite time that he learned who is master here."

      "You are very hard and cruel, James," said his wife, the tears filling her eyes.

      "You think so, but I am only seeking the boy's good. I am quite decided on this point. We will drop the discussion."

      "Oh, what will happen?" thought the poor mother. "Robert will never submit, and there will be serious trouble."

      The next morning was Saturday, and Robert had a holiday from school. He was out in the yard, after breakfast, and was about to leave the premises, when his step-father appeared in the doorway.

      "Stop a minute," he called out in a tone of command.

      Robert looked back in surprise.

      "What is wanted?" he asked.

      "Where are you going?"

      "Out fishing with Harry Baker."

      "I think you had better postpone it."

      "Why?" demanded Robert in surprise.

      "Come out in the back-yard and I will tell you."

      Very much surprised, Robert followed his step-father out into the back-yard.

      "What does all this mean?" he thought.

      "I want you to spend the forenoon in sawing and splitting wood. Your mother tells me there is need of a fresh supply."

      "I don't understand you, sir," said Robert coldly. "Mr. Webber always saws and splits wood for us."

      "He always has hitherto, but this arrangement is to be changed."

      Robert's eyes flashed. He was beginning to understand now.

      "Why? Is my mother unable to pay him?"

      "That is not the point. You are strong and well able to do the work. There is no need of going to unnecessary expense."

      Robert's lip curled.

      "You really expect me to work at the woodpile?" he said.

      "I do. What is more, I command you to go to work at once."

      Robert looked his step-father firmly in the face.

      "You command me to go to work?" he repeated slowly.

      "Yes, I do," blustered Mr. Talbot, thinking by his loud voice to intimidate the boy.

      But he didn't understand the boy with whom he had to deal. Robert eyed his step-father contemptuously. James Talbot, though perhaps an inch taller, was less heavily built, and looked thin and puny beside the sturdy boy whom he was trying to coerce. He felt the contempt which Robert's face so plainly expressed, and it enraged him, for he was a man of violent temper.

      "I think, Mr. Talbot," said Robert, after a pause, "that you will have hard work in getting your orders obeyed."

      If James Talbot had not been beside himself with rage, he would not have dared to act as he did. He seized a stout stick lying on the ground and sprang towards his disobedient step-son.

      Robert instantly seized the ax, which was conveniently near, and brandished it in a threatening manner.

      "Don't you dare to touch me!" he exclaimed in excitement.

      James Talbot turned pale.

      "Are you insane?" he demanded, drawing back in affright.

      "No, but I don't propose to be bulldozed. Just lay down that stick, if you please."

      Mechanically Talbot dropped it.

      "You have a terrible temper!" he exclaimed.

      "I hope not, but I am quite prepared to defend myself, Mr. Talbot."

      "How old are you, sir?"

      "Sixteen."

      "Then you are under authority. You are bound to obey me."

      "Am I? I don't recognize you as having any authority over me."

      "Evidently you have a good deal to learn. Once more, will you obey me?"

      "Once more, I won't," returned Robert firmly.

      "You will be sorry for your disobedience. You haven't seen the end of this."

      He turned and walked back to the house, feeling with mortification that he had been worsted in this first encounter with his step-son.

      "I'd like to flog that boy within an inch of his life," he muttered spitefully. "I—I wish I dared to grapple with him."

      Robert and his step-father didn't meet at dinner or supper, as the latter had to go away on business.

      "Mother," said Robert, "do you wish me to take Mr. Webber's place at the woodpile?"

      "No, Robert. It was Mr. Talbot's idea. He thought it would be healthful exercise for you."

      "Why not for him?"

      "I will try to get him off the idea."

      "It makes no difference. He can't make me do it, though he threatened me with a stick this morning."

      "Surely he did not strike you?" said his mother nervously.

      "No, I guess not. He did not dare to."

      It so happened that James Talbot did not reach home till a late hour in the evening, when Robert was already in bed. He went upstairs softly, ascertained from Robert's regular breathing that he was sound asleep, then taking the key from the lock inside, locked the door from the outside, and went downstairs with a smile.

      "When the boy wakes up, he will find himself a prisoner," he said. "I shall get even with him, after all."

      CHAPTER IV.

      MR. TALBOT IS MYSTIFIED

      Robert slept soundly, and didn't wake till near breakfast-time. He jumped out of bed and hastily dressed himself. Then he went to the door of his chamber, and tried to open it. To his surprise, he found himself unable to do so. For the first time he noticed that the key was not in the lock.

      "What does this mean?" he asked himself.

      He peered through the key-hole and detected the key sticking in from the other side of the door.

      "This is Mr. Talbot's work," he decided. "What does he expect to gain by it?"

      Robert was quite cool, and upon the whole, rather amused. It seemed to him a childish trick to play upon him.

      "What a contemptible fellow he is!" he said to himself. "It mortifies me to think he is my mother's husband."

      Robert's room was a large front apartment on the third floor. It was quite as handsome as any on the second floor. It was directly over the room occupied by his mother. She, however, must already be downstairs.

      "I am sure mother can't know of this," he decided.

      Just then the breakfast bell rang, and Robert wondered whether anyone would come up to see why he did not come down.

      Presently he heard a step on the stairs, and a minute later he heard the voice of his step-father.

      "Robert!" he called out, "are you up?"

      "Yes, Mr. Talbot. Why did you lock me in?"

      "I had my reasons. You were disobedient to me yesterday."

      Robert laughed, a little to Mr. Talbot's annoyance. He hoped to find the boy in a state of alarm, ready to submit to his orders.

      "About the wood, I suppose you mean."

      "Yes."

      "Are you going to unlock the door?"

      His voice was quite calm, and he showed