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Rh "Get up off him then!" returned Harry. "He did me a good turn and I'm going to stand by him. Get up, quick!"

He struck at Nolan again, and to avoid the crutch the Irish boy was compelled to spring away. Jackson had already retreated and with these two gone Franklin had no difficulty in regaining his feet. Felter rose slowly and painfully, having had the wind knocked completely out of him.

"This is no way to fight," put in one of the workmen from the other shop. "Why don't you go at it man to man?"

"I'm not in favor of fighting," said Franklin. "I was only defending myself. He stole Harry's shoes, and was going to make him walk home barefooted, and I wouldn't allow it."

"You're a good fighter," put in the lame boy, with a grimace. "If I had been you I would have killed him."

Jackson and Nolan wished to have it out with Harry for hitting them with the crutch, but some of the men interfered at this, and the lame boy soon got away untouched, at least for the time being.

Seeing that the men would not allow the others to help him, and being somewhat afraid of Franklin now, Felter did not again attack the young electrician. He muttered something about having to get home and settling it another time, and then