Page:Hugh Pendexter--Tiberius Smith.djvu/141

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page needs to be proofread.

THE REFORM AT RED ANT

mend his rocker. Some different, eh? Something cheery cropping out, eh? Good nature assaying top high, eh? Billy, give Slouchy four tickets for trying to reform,' And Slouchy^s face glowed with pride as he squandered his surplus.

"‘But I want ter hear "Blue Bells o' Scotland,"’ groaned Daggett.

"‘Go and listen in a sea-shell,' advised Tib, kindly. 'If you can't be desirable, your existence will consist largely of potatoes. Another time don't tell a man he has only one choice of locating a claim in the future state, and that it won't be Alaska weather. Leave something to the imagination.'

"‘What? Can't I cuss at my work, jest to ease my mind?' cried Daggett.

"‘No, siree! No profanity goes in this camp,' declared Tib, as he loaned a man a picture-book for two stamps.

"‘That's proper,' affirmed Ruddy Mac, who at times was most impolite in his language. 'Dag got a stamp yesterday, and now he thinks he can run the whole damned shooting-match.'

"‘No stamp for you to-morrow, Mr. Mac,' snapped Tib.

"Mac gulped back a throatful of expletives, grew blue in the face, but mildly said, 'All right, Mr. Smith.'

129