Ragged Dick, Or, Street Life in New York with the Boot-Blacks by Horatio Alger
page 118 of 233 (50%)
page 118 of 233 (50%)
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Aldermen. Maybe you was a innocent victim of oppression. I aint a
goin' to say." Micky's freckled face grew red with wrath, for Dick had only stated the truth. "Do you mean to insult me?" he demanded shaking the fist already doubled up in Dick's face. "Maybe you want a lickin'?" "I aint partic'larly anxious to get one," said Dick, coolly. "They don't agree with my constitution which is nat'rally delicate. I'd rather have a good dinner than a lickin' any time." "You're afraid," sneered Micky. "Isn't he, Jim?" "In course he is." "P'r'aps I am," said Dick, composedly, "but it don't trouble me much." "Do you want to fight?" demanded Micky, encouraged by Dick's quietness, fancying he was afraid to encounter him. "No, I don't," said Dick. "I aint fond of fightin'. It's a very poor amusement, and very bad for the complexion, 'specially for the eyes and nose, which is apt to turn red, white, and blue." Micky misunderstood Dick, and judged from the tenor of his speech that he would be an easy victim. As he knew, Dick very seldom was concerned in any street fight,--not from cowardice, as he imagined, |
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