"for this manly interference. It is no more than I should have expected from you."
"I never suffer a young man to strike an old man," said Lyon, firmly. "Apart from that, Mr. Hargrove, there are other reasons why your person must be free from violence where I am."
"This is a bad place for you, Lyon," said Mr. Hargrove; "and I've said so to you a good many times." He spoke in rather an undertone. "Why will you come here?"
"It's a bad place, I know," replied Lyon, speaking out boldly, "and we all know it. But habit, Mr. Hargrove—habit. That's the cursed thing! If the bar-rooms were all shut up, there would be another story to tell. Get us the Maine law, and there will be some chance for us."
"Why don't you vote the temperance ticket?" asked Mr. Hargrove.
"Why did I? you'd better ask," said Lyon.
"I thought you voted against us."
