oy of spirit, and he
did not propose to be swindled.

"Sir," he said in a louder tone, "I am a poor boy trying to earn an
honest living. If you don't pay for this package I shall have to."

"That is none of my business. I shall not pay for what I haven't got.
Boy, you are very impertinent. I shall report you to the president of
the road."

"You may do so if you want to. I can't afford to give away my stock in
trade."

"Boy," interposed a pompous gentleman sitting opposite, "I quite agree
with this gentleman. You are not employed to insult passengers."

"Or to be cheated by them," said Fred hotly.

"If you treated me in this way, I would make it my business to have you
discharged."

"Even if I was right?"

"Of course you are not right. This gentleman's word outweighs yours."

"Why should it?"

"He is a respectable gentleman, and you are only a poor train boy."

"That may be, sir, but I always tell the truth."

"Like George Washington," sneered the stout gentleman.

Fred felt that he was losing his case, and the mean passenger smiled
with satisfaction. But his triumph was short-lived. The train boy found
an unexpected defender.

"The boy is right," said a young lady sitting directly behind the
passenger with whom Fred had his difficulty. "I saw this man take the
package and put it in his pocket. I have waited with some curiosity to
see whether he would persist in his attempt to cheat the boy out of his
money."

There was an instant revulsion of feeling. The attempted swindler
looked as if a bombshell had exploded at his feet.

"There is some error," he stammered. "The young lady is mistaken."

"I am not mistaken," said the young lady positively "If this man will
allow his pockets to be examined, the package will be found."

The man rose from his seat and prepared to leave the car.

"I ain't used to being insulted," he said.

"Gentlemen," said the young lady, "you have only to look at this man's
side-pocket to see that it contains the package."

The passenger wore a sack coat, and it was plain to all that the young
lady was right.

"I will pay for the package if the passenger is not honest enough to do
it himself."

"No, miss," said a rough-looking man who looked like a western miner.
"This man must pay, or I'll pitch him out of the car myself."

"I think you had better pay, sir," said the pompous looking man with an
air of disgust. "I took your part, because I supposed you were a
gentleman.