Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-11-09
CHAPTER u,-(Continued.)

CHAPTER II.-(Continued.)
This. very evidently, was a sensl
tive boy, unaccustomed to chatting
with really elegant, palpably prosper
Gus strangers The startled eyes ran
over Anthony again and frown came
into them.
.What's the idea?" he asked briefly.
''There is a very large idea. which
I should like to make clear to you,
Mr.. Fry went on smoothly. 81 should
like to have talk with you, young
man-not here, of course, but when
the fight is overland it will be to
your considerable advantage"
II don't want to buy anything, the
canny young man informed him.
"And ! don't want to sell you any
thing" Anthony laughed, "but do
/. wish to present to you proposition
which will be of much interest"
This time, possibly not without
warrant, the boy shrank unmistak-
ably from him, hitching his collar a
little higher and his cap little far
Their down.
at wouldn't interest me-" he said
with some finality. I'm just "A poor
lad. you know, and haven't cent
to invest in anything
~But you have an hour to invest,
perhaps?" Anthony smiled.
"Nope!"
sOh, yes you have" the owner OF
Ffy's Imperial Liniment persisted. 1T
n for NO purpose of my own, save
perhaps to justify small contention,
but wish you to come home with me
for little while.'
''What?' said the boy.
As johnson Boiler observed, sigh
ing heavily and shaking his head as
he observed it, the young man was
down right scared now. An older
citizen would have spoken his candid
thoughts to Anthony Fry, doubtless
and chilled him back to reason; but
this one drew away from Anthony
wtn he bumped into Johnson Boiler,
pardon and then gazed at Anthony
with eyes which, II not filled with ter
for, certainly held quantity of some
what amused apprehension.
He shook his' head determfnedlysan
seemed to be seeking words, and as
he sought them a new element en-
tsred the situation. The red-faced
pefsm Just behind Anthony Fry, hav-
fn8 FAXED suddenly from the young
ster to the maker Of theories, lurched
forward suddenly and spoke.
LET that KID alone!"
. sEh!~ Anthony said amazed1y.
Johnson Boiler leaned forward
sStop right there, Anthony he
Missed. Don't answer him.
why on earth shouldn't I answer
him?" Anthony snapped.
"You keep out Of it, Young Teller"
the red-faced one told Johnson Boiler,
and one saw that his honest rage was
rising fast. "He's gotter let that kid
alone."
WEEK. confound your Ampudence,
sir!" Anthony began. q"
None O. that stuff" the total
stranger said hotly. *You cut ont
picking on the kid or I'll step on your
face,
And here his redder-faced compan-
ION leaned forward and demanded
thickly:
woody do ter kid Joe? Huh?
wozzer matter-huh? Nozzer trouble
'th you-huh?''
Johnson Boiler was On his feet and
IN the aisle, pertmbed and still able
TO see how the unexpected had been
planned for his especial benefit.
This is where we get of, Anthony"
he said briefly, II could smell it COM
ing. Come along
Is there going to be fight here? ''
de boy IN the chair between asked,
With . quantity Of eager excitement.
II know the signs, ten seconds
hence this spot is going to look like
detail Of the Battle Of the Marne,"
Md Mr.. Boiler. "And you want to
ct out Of It quick or you'll be hurt
lid. You scoot right down that way,
the way you came, and get clear of
- crowd before It starts"
He pointed. He waited. But the boy
6M not start
Who. IN the calmer afterward, shall
Wpaatn just how these gunpowder sit
uz&1on develop, grow instantaneously
hcandescent, and explode?
The atmosphere was one Of plrysic-
u battle; the redfaced gentlemen
vere filed with alcoholic spirits; yet
Who shah say inst why the red-faced
MN, bis friend stumbling against him
gained the impression that Anthony
Fry had struck him a coward's blow
from behind? Or why with a roar of
heohefent fury, he aimed dreadful
punch at Anthony himself, standing
Mers quite collected If somewhat
pa3er7
That h what happened, although by
no means all that happened. The I'M
fortunate SPOT came three seconds
later when Anthony, side-stepping the
alcoh0lfsed tab, threw up his hand to
fend OF the jabbers whole ,swaying
personal---very. them. all unwttingly
% that his right fist settled squarely
on = red nose, drawing therefrom
magic squirt Of blood!
After that, for a little, nothing was
very clear. Three sets of fists began
10 hammer in Anthony's general di-
rection: three Threats shouted-and
three hundred took up the shout.
Men came tumbling toward Box B
and into it. A large person in bright
blue shirt sleeves, with derby on
the back Of his head Of his head, re-
ceived the third blow intended for
Anthony and returned it with inter
est, just as that startled person was