Transcriber's note: Unusual and inconsistent spelling is as printed. [Illustration: "We'll make our own terms. We'll be the masters now!"] TOO DEARLY BOUGHT OR THE TOWN STRIKE. BY AGNES GIBERNE AUTHOR OF "HIS ADOPTED DAUGHTER," "THE OLD HOUSE IN THE CITY," "WILL FOSTER OF THE FERRY," "MADGE HARDWICKE," ETC. With Illustrations. LONDON: JOHN F. SHAW AND CO. 48, PATERNOSTER ROW, E. C. STORIES BY AGNES GIBERNE. IDA'S SECRET; or, The Towers of Ickledale. Cr. 8vo, 2/6. WON AT LAST; or, Mrs. Briscoe's Nephews. Cr. 8vo, 2/6. "The treatment is so admirable we can understand Miss Giberne's book being a help to many."—_Athenæum._ HIS ADOPTED DAUGHTER; or, A Quiet Valley. Large Cr. 8vo, 5/—. "A thoroughly interesting and good book."—_Birmingham Post._ THE EARLS OF THE VILLAGE. Large Cr. 8vo, 2/6. "A pathetic tale of country life, in which the fortunes of a family are followed out with a skill that never fails to interest."—_Scotsman._ THE OLD HOUSE IN THE CITY; or, Not Forsaken. Crown 8vo, cloth, 2/6. "An admirable book for girls."—_Teachers' Aid._ FLOSS SILVERTHORN; or, The Master's Little Hand-maid. Cr. 8vo, 2/6. "We should like to see this in every home library."—_The News._ MADGE HARDWICKE; or, The Mists of the Valley. Cr. 8vo, 2/6. "An extremely interesting book, and one that can be read with profit by all."—_The Schoolmaster._ WILL FOSTER OF THE FERRY. Cr. 8vo, 2/6. "We are glad to see this capital story in a new shape."—_Record._ TOO DEARLY BOUGHT. Cr. 8vo, 1/6. "A timely story, which should be widely circulated." LONDON: JOHN F. SHAW & CO., 48, PATERNOSTER ROW, E.C. [Illustration] CONTENTS. CHAP. I. FLAGS AND BANNERS II. PETER POPE'S SPEECH III. THE STRIKE BEGUN IV. WHAT STUCKEY THOUGHT V. DUCKED VI. SEED-CAKE VII. THE CHILDREN VIII. HOLDFAST'S SPEECH IX. A COLD EVENING X. THE QUEER LOOK OF THINGS XI. BABY HARRY XII. ANOTHER MEETING XIII. A DISCUSSION XIV. HOW IT ALL ENDED [Illustration] TOO DEARLY BOUGHT OR THE TOWN STRIKE. CHAPTER I. FLAGS AND BANNERS. THE procession was coming down Pleasant Lane!