"He had no right to give you my place."
"That's his business. What shall I do next, James?"
"Go to the barn and shake down some hay for the horses."
"All right."
Sam walked off, deeply incensed, muttering threats of vengeance against Tony.
Three days later a boy entered the stable, and calling for Tony, presented the following missive:
"If you ain't a coward, meet me to-morrow night at seven o'clock, back of the school house, and we'll settle, by fighting, which shall have the place, you or I. If you get whipped, you must clear out, and leave it to me.
"Sam Payson."
Tony showed the note to the hostler.
"Well, Tony, what are you going to do about it?" asked James, curiously.