"I will give bonds to a large amount for his appearance at any time that you may appoint."
"Why, the grocer thinks that he is in a court of law," the colonel said, with a most insulting sneer.
"No, sir," I replied, "I thought that I was in the presence of gentlemen."
"None of your insolence here," the bully roared, not liking the smile which he saw upon the faces of his officers.
"Insolence is but a poor weapon to gain a cause, and a gentleman should never use it unless to rebuke presumption," I replied.
"We cannot take the bail that you offer," the commissioner said. "Your partner was arrested for giving vent to treasonable expressions, and after he was taken into custody, on his person was found a dangerous weapon, in the shape of a revolver."
"Don't say that the pistol was dangerous to any one but himself," the colonel cried. "I dare say that if he had attempted to shoot any one, he would not have known how."
"There is where you do the gentleman an injustice," an officer remarked.
"If you did not think him dangerous, you should have met after the scene in our store," I said, addressing the colonel, and alluding to the blow which Fred had struck him.
"I am not accustomed to meet every pauper that presents himself for battle. I don't wish to place him on a level with myself, and therefore will wait until he proves himself a gentleman."