His mountain blood was aflame in an instant, and seeing only that his assailant was a negro boy but little larger than himself, he let drive with his fist and sent the other staggering against the wall.
"Gret king!" exclaimed the darky, rubbing his ear, which had received the blow, "What yo' do dat for, anyhow?"
"To teach folks to mind their own business," replied Ralph, turning to his half stuck poster again.
"P'lice have you, when yo' stick dat up dar. Disher's private proputty."
"Can't I stick these wherever I want to?" asked Ralph, in surprise.
"Cou'se not. Better tear dat one down."
Ralph hesitated, then deeming that in his ignorance of city life, he had better be prudent, he removed the offending poster, then turned to the negro, who still stood angrily looking on.
"I'm sorry I hit you," said Ralph. "You see, you took hold of me pretty rough and I—ain't used to it exactly."
At this apology the colored lad grinned, then explained in his own terse way that only certain places were set aside for bill sticking. even these were rented out to regular bill posters who paid the city for the privilege of using them.
Ralph listened in astonishment.