# Bound to be an Electrician/Chapter 31

CHAPTER XXXI.
A BATTERY TURNS THE TABLES.
Franklin's entrance was so totally unexpected that Montague Smith could do little else but stare at him in open-mouthed amazement. Mrs. Bliss started back in affright, and then gave a joyous cry.
"Oh, how glad I am that you have come back!" she cried.
"So it is you!" burst from the lips of Montague Smith, at last. "The young fellow that worked for me last week! What does this mean?"
"It means that you are not to mistreat Mrs. Bliss," returned Franklin, as calmly as he could, although he was wrought up to the top pitch of excitement.
"See here, are you merely a spy?" fumed the part owner of the battery works, as he left the woman's side and confronted the young electrician. "Did you merely hire out with me for the purpose of watching my doings?"
"Never mind about that," returned Franklin, coldly. "I am here just now to defend this lady, and I propose to do it."
​"You—a boy!" sneered Montague Smith, but for all his words he appeared decidedly uneasy in mind.
"Yes; I am only a boy; but I am pretty strong and quick, as you will find if you molest Mrs. Bliss any further."
"How did you get into this house?" asked Montague Smith, curiously.
I crawled into one of the windows."
"Do you know I can have you arrested for that?"
"I am willing to risk it. I fancy you would like first rate to have me tell my story in court."
The part owner of the battery works bit his hp. Frankhn's appearance on the scene had completely nonplussed him, and he knew not how to proceed.
"You have been here before," he went on, after a pause.
"I have."
"For what purpose?"
"That is my affair—and Mrs. Bliss."
"And I'll make it my affair, too!" cried Monta-Smith, savagely. "Put down that chair."
"Not much!"
"You won't?"
"No."
"Do you want me to shoot you?"
"Oh, no! no! no!" shrieked Mrs. Bliss, in immediate and wild alarm. "Do not shoot my one friend!"
​For the instant Franklin was startled. But as Montague Smith failed to exhibit any firearm he concluded that the man was merely trying to frighten him.
"You would not dare shoot me," he said. "The neighborhood would be aroused."
"Nonsense! the next house is fully five hundred feet away!"
"Not over two hundred. Besides, you forget that I have been here before, and—"
"Well?"
"Would it not be natural, after learning of Mrs. Bliss's situation, to summon assistance.
Montague Smith turned pale. The shot had struck home. A brief vision of policemen filing into the house and arresting him and Fipher crossed his mind. He sprang forward and hurled Franklin and the chair against the wall.
"I am not caught so easily!" he cried. "Fipher! Fipher! come up here, quick!"
Thrown up against the wall, Franklin was for a few seconds at a disadvantage. But he recovered, and then he and Montague Smith began to wrestle for the possession of the chair.
At length Franklin pushed the chair over his head, and, putting out his foot, he sent the part owner of the battery works on his back. Montague Smith's head struck the corner of a bureau, and he gave a cry of pain.
​"I'll fix you for that, boy!"
"I don't intend yon shall have the chance!" panted Franklin, almost winded by the short but sharp struggle. "Lie still where you are, unless you want the chair over your skull!"
"That's right—don't let him get up again!" put in Mrs. Bliss, in a trembling voice. "He will kill you if he gets the chance I I know just how violent he is when he is aroused."
"If I had a cord I would bind him," said Franklin. "That man, Fipher may come—"
"Hi! what's the matter here!" demanded a voice from the hallway, and then Nathan Fipher strode into the room, a look of commingled bewilderment and astonishment upon his rather dried-up features.
"Seize the young rascal!" cried Montague Smith "Seize him, Fipher, and don't let him get away!"
"But who is he?"
"A friend of Mrs. Bliss. I don't know how he has learned of her being here. Catch him, I tell you, before he makes for the door and gets away from us!"
At the command Nathan Fipher sprang upon Franklin and a fierce struggle ensued. Montague Smith, thinking he now had a chance to join in, attempted to rise, but before he could accomplish it Mrs. Bliss sprang at him, a heavy water pitcher in her uplifted hand.
"Stay where you are, Montague Smith!" she ​said, shrilly. "Both of you shall not fight that brave boy!"
"Nonsense. Mrs. Bliss! It is for the best. He is no friend to you," fumed the part owner of the battery works.
He pushed the woman aside, and, though she brought down the pitcher with all her force, he was lucky enough to dodge it. The next moment both he and Nathan Fipher had Franklin flat on his back on the floor, and were doing their best to beat him into insensibility with their fists.
The young electrician objected very strongly to this treatment. The first blow sent the hot blood surging through his veins, and the second made him truly desperate.
Drawing up his knee, he kicked out vigorously, and his heavy shoe caught Nathan Fipher directly in the chin, causing that individual to howl with sudden pain. Then Franklin turned all of his attention to Montague Smith.
Over the two rolled, until they lay almost directly under the stand upon which stood the battery Wilbur Bliss had made for his sister's use, to cure her rheumatism.
"Look out for my battery!" cried Mrs. Bliss. "Don't knock it over!" No one paid any attention to her. Nathan Fipher had somewhat recovered from the shock of the kick in the chin, and again came forward, bent upon planting his heel upon Franklin's chest.
​The young electrician saw the man's movement, and caught Fipher's boot in his hand. Unable to balance himself on one leg, Fipher fell to the floor upon Montague Smith, Franklin just managing to roll to one side. Franklin immediately scrambled to his feet.
"Up and after him!" cried the part owner of the battery works, wrathfully. "Get off of me, Fipher!"
He gave a push and attempted to rise. His push sent Fipher against the stand, and over came Mrs. Bliss's battery, knocking the cells, plates, and other articles in all directions.
On the instant a fearful yell from both Montague Smith, and Nathan Fipher arose. They had been severely burned by some chemicals from the battery, and for the time being could think of nothing but their own pains.
"Let us go!" whispered Franklin to Mrs. Bliss, and hand in hand they darted out of the room.