Now or Never

a long walk, is certainly a debatable question; but as my young readers would probably object t

y miles in a day. About ten o'clock, though he did not feel much fatigued, he seated himself on a rock by a brook from which he had just taken a drink, to res

sight, and his first impulse was to increase his speed so that he should the sooner gratify his curiosity; but a second thought reminded him that he had eaten nothi

" interrupted his farther progress. Unlike many others, Bobby took this sign literally, and did not venture to cross the bridge. Having some doubts as to the dire

and Annie, for the time, in the absorbing interest of the exciting scene. The Common beat Riverdale Common all hollow; he had

are!" exclaimed he, much to the amu

fences here,

ll these fol

o ask them, if y

auntered along, and the gayly dressed ladies, that flaunted like so many idle butterflies, on the sidewalk. It was an exciting scene; but it did not look real to him. It was more like Herr G

he busy throng, was, that he was one of the puppets. He did not seem to have any hold u

lf at last. "I am here. Now's my t

a Riverdale institution, and Bobby was a little perplexed about finding the one indicated. A little study into t

e read; "this

ragged boy, who dodged acros

Bobby, a little nettled at

he little vagabond from th

We'll settle that mat

ich subjected him to the remarks of others, and as he entere

nd the counter, who cast a mischi

keep here?"

ll the folks up country?" replied

ated Bobby, the colo

-ow do t

mselves better t

gre

mimicking the soft, silky ton

y sappy?" asked the

you mean

you know w

let you know what

of this spirited conversation. "You will learn better by a

" said Bobby, approaching the sal

ee him!" gro

n't

alesman, who seemed to have a profound respect for Bobby'

Bobby, seating himself o

e young lion, cast an occasional glance of hatred at him. He had evidently found that "Country" was an embryo

ruce clerk, ready as he had been to d

liatory tone, and with a smile on his face which ought to

so?" replied T

ces. You have a big store, and

nd perhaps he had been impressed by the fact fr

which, when interpreted, might have meant, "I took you

out before you are

t?" continued Bobby, without clearly compreh

hat's tha

d to go int

ha! Good!

eemingly unconcerned at

ospect. "But let me tell you, you can't do it. Bayard has all the help he wa

see him," adde

us

in seei

that lay on the counter, and

wn!" said the ami

o had just fixed his eye upon some v

ed Mr. Timmins, in a

much intimidated by the harsh tones of the clerk, did not kno

s, magnificently; "and what's m

lerk would not have been so bold if he had not. Som

nd to have one, in which to keep his accounts; and he thought, while he was waiting, that he would purchase one. He

encouraged in his aggressive intention

t to b

don't; pu

of these?" asked

your bu

asked Bobby, with a little sternness in hi

it

ot; I say I w

you d

the pri

d Timmins, which was just f

e cents! Th

t down

ce?" asked Bobby, who wa

on't put it down, I'll ki

hen I won't

ire was up, and he walked round from b

en like Timmins. There are always men enough in the world who are ready and willing to quarrel on any provocation;

"I want to buy this book, and I am willing to pay a fair price for it. But I happ

g Bobby by the coat collar for the purpose of ejec

seemed like an invasion of his inalienable rights. No time was given him to make a formal declarat

lar, and Bobby hung back like a mule; and for

" said a voice, at which the valiant