The boy who had wrongfully collected Josiah’s dime saw the three as they crossed the street toward him, and, as a matter of course, recognized his victim. He turned as if to beat a hasty retreat, but, seeing the officer, wheeled once more, only to face a second guard, and then stood at bay.
“Look here, young feller, you pulled ten cents outer my friend, an’ I want you to give it back to him mighty quick,” Bob said sternly.
“Oh, you do, eh? S’pose you try to make me.”
“I ’low it wouldn’t be sich a terrible big job, anyhow; but I’ve got other business on hand jest now, an’ I’m reckonin’ you’ll give it up rather’n have me tell a policeman.”
For an instant it seemed as if the boy meditated resistance; and then he must have realized how useless such a course would be, for he delivered the money to Bob, as he started at full speed across the lawn, regardless of the warning signs to “keep off the grass,” striking Josiah a heavy blow on the side of the head as he departed.
“Here, take your dime! I’ll thump the nose offer that feller!” Bob cried angrily, as he handed the money to Josiah, and was on the point of pursuing the enemy, when Tom caught him by the arm.
“Now, don’t go to makin’ a fool of yourself, ’cause they’ll have you in the station-house quicker’n lightnin’ if you try anything like that! Better let him go, an’ say no more ’bout it.”
“But what did he hit Josiah for? I ain’t goin’ to stand still an’ let him thump my visitors.”
“You can’t help yourself, now it’s done. It’s only a case of gettin’ inter trouble if you keep on this way,” Tom said sharply, and Josiah added:—
“Don’t pay any attention to him, Bob. It didn’t hurt me so very much, an’ I oughter got it worse’n that for bein’ so mighty green.”