"But where are you going to ride?" I queried.
"On top, o' course."
I knew that it was useless to argue with him, and followed him up the ladder. We sat down on the top of a car, with the rain simply pouring down upon us. Pretty soon the whistle tooted and the train started. As we pulled out of the yards the brakeman came over the train, and espied me instantly.
"Hello, Shorty!" he said, in a jovial way. "Where you goin'?"
"Oh, just up the road a bit. No objections, have you?"
"No, I guess I ain't got no objections. But say, you lads are big fools."
"Here, here!" said Fatty, angrily. "Who you callin' fools?"
"I'm callin' you fools, 'n' y' are, too."
"See here," continued Fatty; "if you call me a fool agen I'll put yer face in—I will, by gosh!" and he stood up to make good his threat.