Part 46 (2/2)
”No, I do not wish to fight I merely wish to be left alone”
Matt had hardly spoken when the tipsyauctioneer by the throat But Matt was too quick for him He stepped backward, and the consequence was that thethe floor with such force that every article in the store shook and rattled
”You--you young villain!” panted the tipsy man, as he attempted to rise to his feet ”What do you mean by such conduct? Helpto assist you until you pro to look at those pistols first,” growled the intoxicated one, and by holding fast to the counter he ed, but not without much difficulty, to rise to his feet once entleman!”
”It was your own fault You had no business to try to catch me by the throat”
”And you had no business to be saucy, understand, boy, saucy? I never allow any one to be saucy to me Now the, Matt tried to push the ht that if he could get him out near the door he would then be able to summon assistance and have the tipsy individual taken away
Evidently the man suspected his intention He declined to be pushed back, and seeing what he considered a good chance, he hurled himself at Matt oncedown, the young auctioneer struck his head upon the sharp corner of a box He was partly stunned, and for several seconds could not -rod flew out of his hand, and this his opponent picked up
”I'll teach you to talk to a gentlerowled the tipsyauctioneer's head with the weapon he had secured
The blow failed to reach its athered hiether and prepared for a second attack
CHAPTER xxxVIII
A SURPRISING DISCOVERY
It looked as if the young auctioneer was in for a serious time of it
As has been said, the would-be purchaser of a pistol was just drunk enough to be ugly and unreasonable He had refused to leave the auction store, and noas bent upon doing mischief to the boy who had failed to treat hiht to be served
”No do you like that, you young rascal?” growled the -rod down for a second time
”I don't like it at all,” returned Matt, as he recovered sufficiently to dodge out of the way, although the stick came uncomfortably close to his ears ”Letto teach you a lesson to be civil to custo yourself into serious trouble”
”Ho! ho! I reckon I aht to strike Matt, and this ti auctioneer's shoulder, and caused him to cry out with pain
At that instant the door opened, and Andy entered the store, carrying on his arm the new overcoat he had just purchased
”What's the matter, Matt?” he cried, in quick alar to knock me out with that stick!”
The senior partner of the firm needed no second call for assistance
Without hesitation he flung the overcoat on a packing case, and rushi+ng up to Matt's assailant, caught hied him from behind the counter