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136
RALPH OF THE ROUNDHOUSE
"Oh, he wouldn't do that!"
"Gasper Farrington has a heart as hard as flint," said Denny, "and would do anything for money."
"Farwell Gibson," murmured Ralph, memorizing the name.
When quitting-time came that evening, Ralph left the roundhouse alone, Limpy having been sent with a message to the depot.
As usual, he saved distance by following the tracks where they curved, then at a certain point cut through the unfenced back yards of some small stores fronting the depot street.
Beyond this was a prairie. Turning a heap of ties to take a last straight shoot for home, Ralph found his progress abruptly blocked.
"Thought we'd get you!" announced a familiar voice, and Ike Slump stepped into view.
