GIVEN A CHANCE
"Come in, Mr. Bagley," I said, "and bring the children. I want to talk with you all. Merton, you go home with Junior."
But, papa--" he objected.
"Do as I bid you," I said, firmly, and I entered the squalid abode.
The man and the children followed me wonderingly. I sat down and looked the man steadily in the eye for a moment.
"Let us settle one thing first," I began. "Do you think I am afraid of you?"
"S'pose not, with sich backin' as yer got," was the somewhat nervous reply.
"I told Mr. Jones after I came home last night that I should fight this thing alone if no one stood by me. But you see that your neighbors have reached the limit of forbearance. Now, Mr. Bagley, I didn't remain to threaten you. There has been enough of that, and from very resolute, angry men, too.
