“IF YOU PICK ANY ROW WITH HIM, YOU PICK IT WITH ME AND JOHNNY.”
He was trying to call up all his strength and will in defence of his own rights, even though he knew the struggle could not be a long one, owing to the numbers that were opposed to him, when suddenly the crowd were pressed apart at one side, and Ben and Johnny stood ready to defend their guest.
“This feller lives with us,” said Ben, defiantly, as he looked fiercely at the boy who had been trying to rob Paul, “an’ he’s goin’ to sell papers here every day. Now don’t any of you forget that if you pick any row with him, you pick it with me an’ Johnny.”
More than one of those present knew just what Ben could do if he should swing that box around in defence of any one who was being imposed upon, and they concluded that it was not best to discuss the matter any further. The crowd fell back, and Paul was safe, for a short time, at least.
Johnny had sold all his own stock out, and taking half of Paul’s, the two commenced business again. They had no further trouble from those who had been so eager to drive the new boy away, and by dinner-time all the papers were sold. But Paul was ignorant that in every one was an advertisement setting forth an exact description of himself, together with the promise of a large reward to the person who would take him to his father at police head-quarters.