Do and Dare β a Brave Boy's Fight for Fortune by Jr. Horatio Alger (good books for 8th graders .TXT) π
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- Author: Jr. Horatio Alger
Read book online Β«Do and Dare β a Brave Boy's Fight for Fortune by Jr. Horatio Alger (good books for 8th graders .TXT) πΒ». Author - Jr. Horatio Alger
It was the voice of George Melville. The tramp turned swiftly and stared in ill-disguised dismay at Melville and Herbert.
βWhat business is it of yours?β he demanded, in a blustering tone.
βWe make it our business to defend this lady from your thievish designs,β said Melville.
βYou!β exclaimed the tramp, contemptuously. βWhy, I could twist either of you round my little finger.β
βYou'd better not try it!β said Melville, not showing the least trepidation. βMrs. Cole, has this man anything of yours in his possession?β
βHe has my spoons and I have just handed him ten dollars.β
George Melville turned to the tramp.
βBe kind enough to lay the spoons on the table,β he said, βand give back the ten dollars Mrs. Cole handed you.β
βYou must think I'm a fool!β said the tramp.
βNo; but I think you are a prudent man. If you do as I say we will let you go; if notββ
βWell, if not?β blustered the tramp.
βIf not, you may regret it.β
All this time George Melville had spoken in his usual tone of voice, and the tramp was puzzled to know whether he had any weapon with him. For himself, he was unarmed, and this made him feel rather ill at ease, notwithstanding his superiority in physical strength. He was rather disposed to think that George Melville had a pistol, for he could not understand how otherwise he should dare to confront a man of twice his size and strength.
βI don't care for the spoons,β he said, βbut I will take the money.β
βNo, you will return the money,β said Melville, calmly.
βWho will make me?β demanded the tramp, defiantly.
βI will.β
βWe'll see about that!β said the tramp, desperately, and he sprang towards Melville, who had in the meantime entered the house and stood only six feet distant.
βStay where you are!β exclaimed Melville, resolutely, and he drew a pistol, which he leveled at his formidable antagonist.
βThat settles it, stranger!β said the tramp, βYou've got the advantage of me this time. Just wait till we meet again.β
βI am willing to wait for some time,β said Melville, shrugging his shoulders. βI have no desire to cultivate your acquaintance, my friend.β
βThere are the spoons!β said the tramp, throwing them down on the table.
βNow for the money!β
The tramp looked at George Melville. Melville still held the pistol in his hand leveled at his breast. The thief was a large man, but he was not a brave one. He cowered before the resolute glance of his small opponent.
βWon't you interfere with me if I give back the money?β he asked.
βNo.β
βWill you let me go without firing at me?β
βYes.β
βPerhaps you won't keep your agreement,β suggested the tramp, nervously.
βI am a man of my word,β said Melville, calmly.
His calm, resolute tone, free from all excitement, impressed the tramp with confidence. He drew the notes from his vest pocket, where he had thrust them, and threw them on the table.
βNow, may I go?β he said.
In answer, George Melville, who stood between him and the door, drew aside, still, however, holding the pistol in position, and the tramp passed out, not sorry, it may be said, to get out of range of the weapon.
They watched him striding through the yard, and when he was fairly gone Mrs. Cole said:
βOh, how can I thank you for saving me from this wretch?β
βI am glad to have been the instrument of deliverance,β said Melville, politely.
βIt was fortunate you had the pistol with you, Mr. Melville,β said Herbert.
βWell, yes, perhaps it was,β said Melville, smiling.
βPray, put it up, Mr. Melville,β said the farmer's wife, βit always makes me nervous to see a loaded pistol.β
Melville bowed, and put back the pistol in his pocket.
βAs your unpleasant visitor has gone,β he said, βI may as well relieve your fears by saying that the pistol is not loaded.β
βNot loaded!β exclaimed Herbert and Tom Tripp in concert.
βNo; it has not been loaded to my knowledge for a year.β
βThen how could you stand up against that man?β asked the farmer's wife, in wonder.
βHe thought it was loaded!β replied Melville, βand that answered the purpose. I should be very reluctant to use a loaded pistol, for I have a high idea of the sacredness of human life, but I have no objection to playing upon the fears of a man like that.β
Melville and Herbert remained at the farmhouse for half an hour, till the return of the farmer, when they resumed their river trip. They returned about noon. When they were walking through the main street, Herbert saw the town constable approaching with the air of a man who had business with him.
βDid you wish to speak to me, Mr. Bruce?β he asked.
βYes, Herbert. I have a warrant for your arrest.β
βFor my arrest!β exclaimed Herbert, in amazement. βWhat for?β
βOn complaint of Eben Graham, for abstracting postage stamps and money from the post office last evening.β
CHAPTER XI. TRIED FOR THEFT.
Herbert stared at the constable in blank amazement.
βI am charged with stealing stamps and money from the post office?β he said.
βYes.β
βWho makes the charge?β demanded Herbert, in great excitement.
βEben Graham.β
βI don't know what it means,β said our hero, turning to George Melville.
βIt means,β said Melville, βthat the fellow is envious of you, and angry because he cannot supersede you with me. He evidently wants to do you an injury.β
βIt must be so; but I did not imagine that
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