Part 11 (2/2)
”He's a very impulsive youth,” put in Postmaster Hooker, thinking it time to bolster up the squire's remarks. ”He is, I am afraid, too hot-headed to have on the bridge, not to say anything about this attempt to--ahem!--cast an unworthy reflection on the fair name of our squire's son.”
And the postmaster looked as important as possible as he spoke.
Uriah d.i.c.ks caught the drift of the talk and looked perplexed, not knowing exactly upon which side to cast his opinion.
But he soon made up his mind. Ralph was a poor boy, with little or no influence, while the squire was rich and powerful.
”I don't know but what you are right, gentlemen,” he said. ”He certainly talked putty sharp-like about Percy last night.”
”I shall make him suffer for that, never fear,” said the squire, pointedly. ”He shall not insult my son with impunity!”
Ralph was about to speak, but Horace Kelsey checked him.
”It will do you no good to talk,” he said, in a low tone. ”They are against you, and we can prove nothing. Better drop the matter, at least until something more in your favor turns up.”
”But I am certain the bill is mine----”
”So am I, but it is one thing to know it and quite another to prove it.”
”Hadn't you ought to be on the bridge now?” asked Uriah, sourly.
”Bob Sanderson is tending for me.”
”Who give him that right?” asked Squire Paget.
”Certainly not the town committee.”
”Mr. Foley said I might have him help me during slack hours,” returned the young bridge tender, mentioning the name of another of the committeemen.
”He ain't got no power,” put in Uriah. ”It wasn't never put to a vote.”
”I must have some help.”
”A young man that was really willing to work wouldn't need no help,”
grumbled the miserly storekeeper. ”It is only on account of laziness you need help.”
”That's so,” added the postmaster, willing to ”pile it on” when there was such a good chance. ”Better get back to work at once!”
”I will,” replied Ralph, and, not wis.h.i.+ng to lose his job on the spot, he left the store, followed by Horace Kelsey.
”It's a shame the way they treat you!” burst out the young man, as the two walked toward the bridge. ”I don't really see how they can do it.”
”I suppose they will discharge me now,” returned Ralph, bitterly. ”And all because I claim a bill that I am positive is my own!”
”If they discharge you, I would make that Percy Paget prove where he got the bill. If he cannot prove it, that will be one point in your favor.”
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