Along the street in front of him many children followed and jeered in the wake of a man who slouched some distance ahead of them.

As Joel came nearer, one boy, bolder than the others, ran forward and tugged sharply at the victim's ragged gray coat.

At this he turned upon his pursuers, and Joel Rae saw his face,--the face of an imbecile, with unsteady eyes and weakly drooping jaw.

He raised his hand threateningly at his tormentors, and screamed at them in rage.

Then, as they fell back, he chuckled to himself.