herein he should go? I began this soul-raising
labor some time ago, but an unexpected hitch occurred in the proceeding:
there must be no more such now.

I found Hodge awaiting me at the station: he said that Hartman was
arranging the tackle for to-morrow. The fact is, it is one of Jim's
notions not to keep a horse, but to depend on Hodge for his
communications with the outside world; and another never to see the
railroad when he can help it.

"Well, old man," I said as the effete steed began laboriously to get in
motion, "how is your valuable health?"

"Pooty tollable. How's them gells o' yourn as wanted to foller ye up
here las' time?"

"The ladies are reasonably well, and will be flattered by your
inquiries. How is Mr. Hartman?"

"Wall, Square, I ain't none too satyfied 'bout him. He don't say nothin
to nobody, but he seems kinder low in his mind, like. Ever sence you
played that durn trick on me and him, he's ben someways diffurnt. He--"

"Look here, my aged friend; why should you accuse me of playing durn
tricks on people? To what circumstance do you allude?"

"I ain't alludin' to nothin; I says it out plain. If ye don't know,
Id'no as I'm called to tell ye. Me an' Hartman was gittin on fust rate,
till ye come and upsot us; we ain't used to bein upsot. So when our
commydations wan't good enough for ye an' yer gells, ye went and got
Hartman down thar in the city, or wharever 'twas. An' Id'no what ye done
to him thar, an' I spose it's no good to ask a feller like ye; but he
ain't ben the same man sence. That's how _he_ is. He uster be chipper,
an' peart, an' clost frens with me; an' now he don't say nothin. Ye can
see fur yerself pooty durn soon."

And the native bestowed on me a malign glance. I trotted him out and
entertained myself with his paces (which were livelier than those of his
nag) for the next three hours. Those who like nature unadorned can find
it here. As a specimen of unbridled rancor Hodge deserves a prize. I
believe I have got to the bottom of his luminous intellect--not that it
was worth the labor, if one had anything else to do. Supposing himself
Jim's most intimate friend, he is jealous of me as a rival in that
capacity; and he has never forgiven the slight put on his establishment
in connection with the girls' proposed visit. I partly appeased him by
suggesting that he supply the shanty with a new signboard labeled
'Palace Hotel.' Fortunately I don't have to put up there this time.

Of