"The first boy to hit me will get paid back with interest,"said Joe,sharply."I don't like to fight but I can do it if I have to."One or two had edged forward but when they saw his determined air they slunk back.
"Go on and fight him,Jack,"said one."This is your mix-up,not ours.""You said you was going to do him up brown,"put in another.
"Ain't I got the heartburn?"blustered the bully."I can't do nuthin'when I git that.Wait till I'm well;then I'll show him.""If you ever touch me again,Jack Sagger,I'll give you the worst thrashing you ever had,"said Joe,loudly."Remember,I am not the least bit afraid of you.The best thing you can do is to keep your distance.""Humph!"
"I don't want to quarrel with anybody,but I am always ready to stick up for my rights,just you remember that."So speaking Joe backed out of the crowd,that opened to let him pass.Several of the boys wanted to detain him,but not one had the courage to do so.As soon as he was clear of his tormentors,he hurried back to the hotel.
"How did you make out?"asked Mr.Drew.
"It's all right,sir,and they'll send the things to-night,sure,"answered Joe.He hestitated for a moment."I had a little excitement on the way.""How was that?"
"Jack Sagger and some other boys followed me up and wanted to polish me off.""You don't look as if they had done much polishing."And the hotel man smiled.
"No,Jack Sagger got the worst of it.I guess he'll leave me alone in the future.""You mustn't fight around the hotel,Joe."
"This was on the way to Jackson &Bell's,sir.I was bound to defend myself.""To be sure.Sagger came to me yesterday and wanted to be taken back,but I told him no--that I wouldn't have such an impudent fellow around."As the winter season came on the hotel began to fill up and Joe was kept busy from early in the morning until late at night,and so was Frank Randolph.The two boys were firm friends,and on Sunday went to Sunday School together and also to church,when their hotel duties permitted of it.
In the corridor of the hotel Joe,one day,met the timid Felix Gussing,the young man who had once had so much trouble in driving a horse.
"How do you do,Mr.Gussing,"said our hero politely.
"Why if it isn't Joe!"cried the young man,and smiled."What are you doing here?""I work at this hotel now."
"Is it possible!Didn't you like it at Riverside?""Yes,but the place is shut up for the winter.""Ah,I see."
"Are you stopping here,sir?"
"Yes,I came in an hour ago.I have business in Philadelphia.""Maybe you're buying horses,"said Joe,slyly.
"No!no!No more horses for me,"ejaculated the dude.
"I--er--this is of more importance."
No more was said just then,but later our hero met Felix Gussing again,and on the day following had an errand that took him to the young man's room.
"Joe,you are quite a wise boy,perhaps I can confide in you,"said Felix Gussing,after some talk on other subjects.
"I'll be glad to be of service to you,Mr.Gussing.""I have a delicate problem to solve.Sometimes a young man can give better advice than an older person,"went on the dude.
"Don't flatter me,Mr.Gussing."
"I am in love,"went on the young man,flatly.
"Yes,sir."
"I am quite sure the young lady loves me."
"Then I suppose you are going to get married.""There is an obstacle in the way."
"Oh!"
"Perhaps I had better tell you the whole story--if you'll listen to me,"went on the dude.
"Certainly I'll listen,"said Joe."I've got a little time off."And then Felix Gussing told his tale of woe,as will be found in the next chapter.
