HAMILTON
5
Here's a hundred dollars going to the highest bidder. Will any one bid five? [Holding up a paper.
First Man.
What state is it on?
Reynolds.
South Carolina.
[Laughter from the crowd.
First Man.
I'll give you sixpence for it.
[Louder laughter.
Giles.
[Seated r. of round table, down stage l.] Where'd you get all this paper all of a sudden, Reynolds?
[William B. Giles is a small, squat man, with swarthy, dirty-looking skin and a sharp eye. His features are thick and his manner coarse. His boots are heavy, his dress untidy, and his voice loud. He has the air of a successful bully and prizefighter.
Reynolds.
[r. c. down stage.] I got it from the soldiers, Mr. Giles. The poor soldiers have entrusted me
Giles.
Huh! They'll be very poor soldiers if they trust you.
[General laugh.
Reynolds.
[Reading from a second paper.] Here's six months' pay due Private Hiram Mott—ninety-six dollars due from the state of Virginia.
