The King of the School, or, Who will Win? — page 9: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

THE KING OF THE SCHOOL: WHO WILL WIN? aoomeaeen® (1. O-O am CHAPTER I. BACK TO Back to school! There could not be the least doubt that such was the business, and the ultimate destination of a dozen or more well-dressed lads, varying in age from ten up to sixteen years, who had met at one of our great London railway stations. | Hearty greetings passed between them. All the little differences that had arisen during the previous school term had been forgotten during the holidays —old friendships remaining unchanged. “ Not many fellows hereyet,” observed ‘a tall youth, dressed rather loudly. “¢ T shall do a weed while these porters are putting the train together.” To prove that he was in earnest, he produced a cigar-case, and took from it a very thick regalia, which he lighted, and proceeded to smoke with a pre- tence of enjoyment. “ Any of you fellows feel inclined to blow a cloud?” he added, handing his case round the group. | Two or three accepted the offer. By way of introducing this young gentleman to our readers, it will be necessary to observe that his name was Albert Marsham; he was the son of a very rich city merchant, and, though not entirely bad by nature, had some faults. He drank quantities of beer after school hours, backed racehorses, and went the pace gaily; yet, during the SCHOOL. hours allotted to study, he was tolerably steady, though he gained no prizes. His friends, Burton Templeton, Ger- rard Stanhope, and George Lascelles, imitated him to a certain extent. _“ Here comes Charlie Fitzgerald ;” suddenly exclaimed the last young gen- tleman; ‘‘and who is that with him ?” Noone was able toanswer the question. Charlie Fitzgerald came forward and shook hands all round. ‘Who is your friend?” asked Las- celles. “One of the jolliest fellows living His name is Frank Egerton. Frank let me introduce you to my friends and schoolfellows,Stanhope, Lascelles, Mar- sham, and Templeton.” | Egerton at oncemade himself friendly with his future companions. ‘“* Here comes Baynes !” observed one of the party; and a youth entered the refreshment-bar of the railway, where all the party where assembled. —T “TY don’t think I shall like him,” whispered Frank Egerton to his friend Fitzgerald. “ Why not?” “ He looks like a sneak.” Fitzgerald smiled as he replied— ‘¢ He is one, and a bully as well.” “ He had better not bully me,” said Egerton, half clenching his hands. | The youth had remarked that Baynes was received on all sides with far less cordiality than he had received—a cir~ _cumstance which he attributed correctly A) COMM DOO EO mn