asked the checker, a y

your business." repli

im talk for all. Superintendent Hawkins had rounded up the forem

aid Payson, looking the lot

e indignant spokesman, a big,

ll of you who belong to my gang. Chec

s, the workmen stood by in sullen silence. When the last name h

thing as the right of appeal in this camp, or are we

ollowing orders. Any man who feels that he was justified in being away, and that he ought to

fly. "That youngster is doing all the d

to his office," no

o," announced

" added

n. "I think Bellas feels that he's

crowd, while Mr. Payson led Bella

andful of old letters

" was Bellas's

n," smiled T

o talk to," Bellas snarl

name?" asked

of y

rtesy," smiled Reade. "Mr. Payson, show the m

t!" blustered Bellas, swinging his big arms

like a man, we'll do our best to show you out," Tom retorted,

een fired?" r

guess?" q

to town and bein

r not being on ha

ny work to do,"

in camp, as your time belonged to the railroad by, right of pur

my own business

amblin

of y

d out at the big sink of the Man-killer last night. Any man who goes away from camp and 'enjoys' himself for hours among those who are trying to put us out of busi

ellas sullenly, "and I can

uts you off from this camp. Now, I think you will understand that it is some of our business whether you have been over in town emptying your pockets, into Jim Duff's hat. If that is what you have been doing, then we don't want you here, and won'

red-you kid!" burst

"and I'm not interested in your impressions of me. Do you wish to make

o do is to show you my opinion of you, Tommy! I can d

etween the big, angry human bu

l of letters into his coat and tossing that garment to the back of the room. "If Be

des. He didn't look by any means alarmed, though Bellas a

nt, Bellas looked astounded. Then, with a roar, he

he leaped forward, making a low tackle and rising with both arms wrapped around Bellas's knees.

e was not hurt, beyond a jolting, and

it," smiled Tom, shaking his head.

pper!" roared Bellas, making a

d have crushed him. Though Tom hated to do it, there was no alternative but to choke the powerful bully. Bellas soon let go, dazed

is great load over one shoulder. Reaching the line, Tom gave another heave. Bellas rolled on the ground.

ellas hadn't attacked me. I had to defend myself. Now, while I'm here, does any man wi

tioned as to whether they had spent the night among Jim Duff's friends all the speakers

those of you who feel hurt, but while there is bad blood in the air every man must choose bet

money," declared one

on't be a very good friend to a penniless man. Didn't yo

o let us starve?

an who can do the work of a railway laborer in this country doesn't have t

e discharged men left the railroad's property. In less than half an hour the disgruntled one

e office he found M

ou handled it splendidly. You made it plain enough, too, to the m

," called the opera

two hours," cried Tom, looking up from the paper, his eyes dancing.