Page:Hugh Pendexter--Tiberius Smith.djvu/140

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TIBERIUS SMITH

will result in no stamp to-morrow. Be sunny in looks if you can^t be sunny in your heart. You can't eat your cake and have it. Don't try to pick a quarrel with Little Bob again. That's why you lost your chance to-day.'

"Well, sir, it was simply beautiful to see Slouchy throw amiability into his gnarled countenance. His eyes showed green, while his bearded lips cracked in an awful contortion meant for a sweet smile. Every time he caught Tib's eye he would fracture his face with merriment.

"The majority of the gang took immensely to the idea. They began to realize that, although left out one day, they might enjoy the good things on the next. There was a fascination, too, in seeing who would be passed by at each nightly assembly. The big fellow, Gumpy, was so good the second day that Tib gave him three stamps, and he ate a small jar of strawberries, had his reefer mended by Tib, and cried over 'My Old Kentucky Home,' while Daggett, fallen from grace, was denied all of these pleasures.

"‘I am simply showing you, gentlemen, that it really pays to be proper. There is no investment that will bring such big returns as decency,' explained Tib, as he waved Daggett aside with some beans and onions. 'Now, Slouchy yesterday wanted to kill Little Bob. To-day he helped Little Bob

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