A moment later Larry had fairly shoved the fellow from the car to the station platform.
“Now you can wait until the rest of us get on!” said the young reporter. “And if this young lady wants to make a charge against you, I’ll be a witness.”
“Say, what’s the matter with you, anyhow?” demanded the bully angrily. “I’ll punch you good for this!”
“No, you won’t,” interposed the burly guard of the train. “You didn’t get half you deserved. I saw you crowd on, shovin’ everybody to one side, and I saw you elbow this young lady. You didn’t get more than was comin’ to you.”
“That’s right!” exclaimed several men.
“Unmannerly boor!” said an elderly woman. “If he was down South he’d be taught a lesson!”
“I think he has received the beginning of one now, madam,” said an old gentleman, courteously bowing to her.
“All aboard!” sung out the guard, as a warning bell came to him from the car behind, telling him that the doors were closed. “All aboard.”
“Can you walk?” asked Larry of the young lady, though, as he looked at her pretty face, he made up his mind that helping her along would not be unpleasant.
“Oh, yes, I’m all right now,” she answered with a blush, as she moved on, and away from Larry’s supporting arm. “He kicked me in the ankle, and for a moment I couldn’t stand. I’m all right now, thank you,” and she went into the car with a slight limp.