"Haven't I got a right to the money he makes?" growled the man.
"Not to misuse," retorted Dick quickly. "The boy is right in protecting his mother, and if he can do it by withholding money to be used in buying strong drink which takes away your reason, he has a right to do so. Why don't you go to work?"
"You better mind your own business!" with a snarl. "I am a gentleman and wasn't brought up to work."
"The greater misfortune!" shortly. "If you had known the dignity of labor, you would not be the wretched man you are now. Go to work and stop making a beast of yourself, or you may end your days on the gallows or in a prison."
"If he don't give it to me now, I'll get it out of him another time," the man growled. "I've a right to the money, and I'll flay him alive if I don't get it!"
"If I hear of your harming the boy I'll have you sent to jail," said Dick decidedly. "Run home, boy, and give the money to your mother. If this man troubles you or your mother, go and tell General Putnam, and we will see that the offence is not repeated."
"We'll see whether you will or not!" hissed the man, suddenly flying at Dick as if to annihilate him.
In a moment Dick was on the defensive, and, then, taking the offensive, sent the man rolling into the gutter.
"There! Perhaps you think I can do as I say now!" he said. "Keep on with your abuse of your wife and family and you will catch it still worse. A word to the wise is sufficient."
The boy ran away, quickly disappearing down a narrow street, while the man, getting on his feet, glared at Dick and said: