CHAPTER XII
LARRY MEETS HIS OLD ENEMY
When Larry was walking along a street that led to the thoroughfare on which he lived, he was suddenly brought to a halt in front of a brilliantly-lighted cigar store, by hearing someone exclaim:
“Well, if there isn’t my old friend, Larry Dexter! How are you, Larry? Still on the Leader?”
Larry turned, to behold Peter Manton, a former copy boy on the newspaper, a lad with whom Larry had had numerous fallings out, and once quite a fight. He had not seen Peter often since the memorable race to get first to the telegraph office with news of the big flood.
“How do you do?” asked Larry, not very cordially, for he felt that Peter was an enemy.
“I’m fine,” replied Peter. “What’s your hurry? Wait, and I’ll buy you a cigarette.”
“I don’t smoke cigarettes,” rejoined Larry, not caring to announce that, as yet, he did not smoke at all.
“Well, don’t get mad,” said Peter, good-naturedly. “I suppose you have a grudge against me?”
“Well,” replied Larry, frankly, “I think you acted pretty mean when you smashed my boat.”
“I guess I did,” admitted Peter. “But you must remember I was very anxious to get my copy on the wire first.”