A League of Three: Boy's Detective Stratagems — page 34: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

A LEAGUE OF THRHE. “Qh! for fun?” “Yes, country. Don’t you like it?” “I suppose I must like it for the present.” “Where are you from?” “A long way from here, and I hope to get a long way the other side of here if the way you treated me is a sample ef the people around here.” “Don’t you like the people around here?” fo NO.” “Then ‘git.’” “J will.” “Git away quick.” The fellow advanced in a threatening manuner. “Did I ever do anything to offend you?” “Yes, you did.” “ When?” “A little while ago.” “7 did?” “Yes.” “How?” “You're too smart,” “Well, do you find fault with a fellow for being smartr” “Yes, when he’s too smart.” «“A)}l right; Ill try and not be so smart in future.” Madie moved on, and as he did so the fellow who claimed to have fired the potato gave hima kick. Our hero did not resent the kick at the time, and the other fellow gave thim a kick also. Our hero had not said anything offensive, but his man- mer, it appears, was not quite meek enough for the three young lads of the town. } Wid “T°]l give those chaps a little of our mountain style be- fore the night’s over. I don’t fancy being kicked and cuffed in that manner, but { mean to do it right, just right, and I’ll succeed.” ae