like that," said Slum, protestingly, while the butcher guffawed and
stretched his arms further along the bar.

"Guess he's had some," observed the carpenter, shuffling his cards
anew. "I 'lows that bed has bugs, an' the wash-bowl's mostly used
dippin' out swill," he finished up scornfully.

Ranks eyed the sad-faced man with an unfriendly look. "Guess I never
knew you but what you was insultin', Shaky," he observed, in a tone of
pity. "Some folks is like that. Guess you git figgerin' them cards
too close. You never was bustin' wi' brains. Say, Carney," turning
back to the bar complainingly, "wher's them durned brandy 'cocks' Mr.
Tresler ordered a whiles back? You're gettin' most like a fun'ral on
an up-hill trail. Slow--eh? Guess if we're to be pizened I sez do it
quick."

"Comin' along, Slum," replied Carney, winking knowingly to let Tresler
understand that the man's impatience was only a covering for his
discomfiture at Shaky's hands. "I've done my best to pizen you this
ten year. Guess Shaky's still pinin' fer the job o' nailin' a few
planks around you. Here you are. More comin'."

"Who's needin' me?" asked Shaky, looking up from his cards. "Slum
Ranks?" he questioned, pausing. "Guess I've got a plank or two fit fer
him. Red pine. Burns better."

He lit his pipe with great display and sucked at it noisily. Slum
lowered his cocktail and turned a disgusted look on him.

"Say, go easy wi' that lucifer. Don't breathe on it, or ther' won't be
no need fer red pine fer you."

"Gentlemen, gentlemen," cried Carney, jocosely, "the present--kep to
the present. Because Slum, here, runs a--well, a boardin'
establishment, ther' ain't no need to discuss his future so coarsely."

"Not so much slack, Carney," said Slum, a little angrily. "Guess my
boardin' emporium's rilin' you some. You're feelin' a hur'cane; that's
wot you're feelin', I guess. Makes you sick to see folks gittin' value
fer their dollars, don't it?"

"Good fer you, good fer you," cried the butcher, and subsided with a
loud guffaw.

The unusual burst of speech from this man caused general surprise. The
entire company paused to stare at the shining, grinning face.

"Sail in, Slum," said a lean man Tresler had heard addressed as
"Sawny" Martin. "I allus sez as you've got a dead eye fer the
tack-head ev'ry time. But go easy, or the boss'll bar you on the
slate."

"Don't owe him nuthin'," growled Slum.

"Which ain't or'nary in this company," observed the s