questioned represented the affair as of no especial importance.

Mrs. Byram had a fairly good idea of the case, however, when he said
despondently:

"I believe it would be better to try some other kind of work. Why can't
we go to the city?"

"Because our capital is so limited. To come here it was only necessary
to move our furniture three miles, and the promise of needle-work from
the superintendent's family assured us sufficient income to meet the
absolute cost of living. But you need not go to the breaker again; it
may be possible to find employment elsewhere."

"There's little chance of that in this town, mother," Fred replied with
a brave attempt at cheerfulness. "I should be worse than a loafer to
remain idle while you were working, and by keeping my eyes open that
crowd can't do very much mischief."

"Wouldn't it be better to pay your 'footing' as they call it? Once that
has been done there can be no excuse for troubling you."

"I won't give them the value of a penny, and I'll stick to my job.
Perhaps, by flogging the bully I can teach them to let me alone."

"But you musn't fight, Fred," Mrs. Byram said, in alarm.

"It's better to have one regular battle than to get such a drubbing as
this every night. If they make any more fuss I shall take care of
myself."

Now that the first sense of injury had passed away, Fred felt as if he
had been at fault to allow himself to be so easily overcome, and,
distasteful as was the work in the breaker, he had fully resolved to
remain and assert his rights in a manly way.

CHAPTER II

THE WARNING

On the second morning Fred did not present himself at the dingy old
building until nearly time for the whistle to sound, and those whom he
had good cause to look upon as enemies were already at their places by
the chute.

"I heard some of the fellers served you out last night," Chunky said,
much as if such proceedings were a matter of course.

"They'd better not try it on again," Fred replied, in a tone of
determination.

"Are you goin' to fight?"

"I'll protect myself, if nothing more."

"It won't do any good to try."

"Why not?"

"Because there are too many of 'em, an' Skip Miller can down any feller
in this breaker."

"Who is Skip Miller?"

"The boss of the crowd who laid for you."

"Then I'll settle matters with him, and when he gets the best of me it
will be time to pay my footing; but not before."

"He'll chew you all up."

"I ain't so s