The Young Bridge-Tender | Page 9

in his thoughtfulness. "But to think he would turn pickpocket!"
"Maybe the money fell from your pocket during the quarrel, and he picked it up."
"It would be just as bad as stealing. He knew it was my money. He saw me put the money in my pocket when he came on the bridge."
"It would certainly seem that it was your bill."
"I'll go down and question Will Dicks about it. Or, perhaps, you did so?"
"No, I only listened to what he told his father, and then came home. If you go down, Ralph, be careful and avoid more trouble."
"If it is really my bill I am not going to stand being cheated."
"Remember, Squire Paget is an influential man----"
"I don't believe his influence will count in this case. But I will be careful," Ralph added, to overcome his mother's anxiety.
Without further words, he put on his coat and hurried down into the village. When he reached Uriah Dicks' general store he found father and son in the act of putting up the shutters for the night.
"I would like to see you a minute, Will," Ralph said to the son.
"All right," returned Will Dicks, and, leaving his father to place the last of the shutters up, he led the way inside the store.
"I believe Percy Paget paid you a twenty-dollar bill this afternoon," began Ralph, hardly knowing how to open the conversation.
"He paid it to me just before supper time."
"Did he say anything about where he got it?"
"Why, no. Why do you ask?"
"I have my reasons, Will. Will you let me see the bill?"
"What's the trouble?" asked Will Dicks, and his father stepped into the doorway to hear what the young bridge tender might have to say.
"I would like to see the bill, that is all."
"But, can't you tell me what the trouble is?" insisted Will Dicks.
"Maybe Ralph intends to accuse Percy of obtaining it feloniously," put in Uriah Dicks, cautiously. "Speak up, boy, and let us know what's in your mind."
"I would rather not say, Mr. Dicks. I wish to look at the bill, that is all."
"Well, if you can't tell me of the trouble, I don't know as I will let you see that bill," returned Uriah, sourly.
"And what is your objection?"
"I ain't a-going to be accommodating to a boy that puts me off in the dark."
"It may save you some trouble, Mr. Dicks."
"What, me? What do you mean?" and the general storekeeper turned slightly pale.
"Just what I say! If you won't let me see the bill, I'll have to go further for my information."
"Oh, of course I ain't scared to show you this bill, Ralph," returned Uriah, hurriedly. "Say!" he burst out, excitedly. "It's a good bill, ain't it?"
"It ought to be, if it's the one I think it is," replied the young bridge tender.
Going to his desk in the rear of the store, Uriah brought out a tin box and unlocked it. From a long, flat wallet, he drew several bills.
"There's the bill Percy Paget gave to Will," he said, as he handed over the banknote.
There was but a single oil-lamp left burning in the store, and to this Ralph walked and examined the bill. There was his banknote, true enough, with the grease spot from the sandwich in one corner.
"Well, what do you make out?" questioned Uriah, with breathless interest.
"I make out that this bill belongs to me," returned Ralph, boldly.
"To you!" exclaimed both father and son, in one voice.
"Yes, sir, to me."
"But Percy gave me this bill," said Will Dicks. "He didn't steal it from you, did he?"
"I haven't anything to say about that. But it's my bill, just the same."
"You can't have the bill!" snarled Uriah, snatching it from Ralph's hand. "Why, I never heard tell of such high-handed proceedings in my life before!" he went on.
"You can keep the bill for the present, Mr. Dicks----"
"Of course I will! Do you suppose I'm going to lose twenty dollars?"
"But you must promise me not to give it out until you hear from me again."
"I don't see what right you have to dictate to me what I should do an' what I shouldn't do----"
"I am not dictating. The bill is mine, and I intend to have it, sooner or later."
"But where do we come in?" asked Will Dicks, who was cooler than his parent.
"You will have to look to Percy Paget to make the loss good."
"If he has cheated me I'll have him locked up!" cried Uriah, drawing down his sharp face. "But you haven't proved the bill yours yet."
"I know that. All I am asking is that you keep the bill for the present, and not pay it out to any one."
"Well, I'll do that," responded Uriah, after some meditation.
"You'll hear from me again, soon," concluded Ralph, as he walked from the store.
"Well, he carries a high hand,