lip that he
had a fine chance to bully them, in the name of Mr. Hammond.

Striding up to them, with an air of authority, he said:

"Look here, you children, what business have you in this field?"

"It isn't yours, is it?" asked Tommy, independently.

"It belongs to my friend, Mr. Hammond," said Philip. "He don't allow all
the loafers in town here."

"Tommy and I are not loafers," said Rose.

"All the same, you are trespassing on Mr. Hammond's pasture. Come, clear
out."

"Mr. Hammond gave us leave to come here, and I don't see what business
it is of yours," said Tommy.

"I don't believe he gave you permission at all, and I'll let you know
what business it is of mine, you little rascal," said Philip, in a
bullying tone.

Luckily for Tommy and Rose, there was a friend near at hand, who was not
disposed to see them abused. Harry Gilbert had reached the bars between
the berry pasture and the next field in time to hear Philip's attempt to
bully the young brother and sister.

"Just like Philip," he thought, with a feeling of disgust. "He is always
trying to bully those younger than himself, especially if they are
poor."

Tommy and Rose were the children of a widow, no better off than Mrs.
Gilbert, and Harry felt a greater sympathy for them on that account.

Meanwhile, Philip, not aware that there was help at hand, continued his
persecutions.

"Well, are you going to clear out?" he demanded, in a threatening tone.

"No," said Tommy. "Mr. Hammond said we might pick berries here, and you
have no right to touch us."

"I'll show you whether I have or not," said Philip, in his most
dominating tone.

He drew back his foot, and deliberately kicked over the children's
pails, one after the other. Probably there was not more than a pint in
either pail, as the children had just commenced picking, but it was
certainly aggravating.

Rose began to cry, while Tommy, his face turning red, said:

"I wish I was big enough; I'd make you sorry for what you have done."

"I see I shall have to give you a lesson," said Philip. "I'll teach you
to be impudent to me."

He advanced toward Tommy in a threatening manner, and Harry thought it
time to interfere.

"Don't touch that boy, you contemptible bully!" he exclaimed,
indignantly, hurrying to the scene of conflict.

"Oh, Harry, make him stop," exclaimed Tommy, in joyful tones.

"I will," said Harry, resolutely.

Philip Ross was very much annoyed by the unexpected arrival