“Then I shall take the liberty to return it to him,” I replied. “If you will relieve me of it now, it is at your disposal.”
I took the watch from my pocket, detached the chain from my vest, and offered it to him.
“I don’t want it. It only shows what a fellow you are. After all we have done for you, Wolf, you go over on the other side, and do all you can to injure us—to injure the Lake Shore Railroad.”
“Allow me to call your attention to the fact that you discharged me,” I answered mildly. “I must work for a living, and when the president of the steamboat company offers me a situation at three dollars a day, I can’t afford to refuse it.”
“Can’t you!” sneered he. “Allow me to call your attention to the fact that, after all we have done for you, on this side, you got up a row in the car, and broke my leg.”
“You got up the row yourself, as you will remember, if you recall the facts. You insisted upon putting two passengers out of the car after they had paid their fare, and while they were behaving themselves in a proper manner.”
“You thought you were going to rule the Lake Shore Railroad. You tried to do it; and that was what made the row. Do you suppose I would submit to your dictation? Do you think I had not the right to discharge an employee of the road? I don’t see it.”
“Probably we shall not make much by discussing the matter here, though, if you wish to do so, I will meet you for that purpose when and where you please,” I replied.
“I’ll meet you on Monday forenoon, at ten o’clock,” said he suddenly and maliciously.
“I am engaged then. Of course I mean any time when my business will permit.”