I c'n
set up long enough to have my bed made. Come last night, I s'pose?
Anybody to the deepo to bring ye over? This time o' year once 'n a while
the' don't nobody go over for passengers."
John said that he had had no trouble. A man by the name of Robinson had
brought him and his luggage.
"E-up!" said David with a nod, backing up to the fire which was burning
in the grate of the Franklin stove, "'Dug' Robinson. 'D he do the p'lite
thing in the matter of questions an' gen'ral conversation?" he asked
with a grin. John laughed in reply to this question.
"Where'd you put up?" asked David, John said that he passed the night
at the Eagle Hotel. Mr. Harum had seen Dick Larrabee that morning and
heard what he had to say of our friend's reception, but he liked to get
his information from original sources.
"Make ye putty comf'table?" he asked, turning to eject a mouthful into
the fire.
"I got along pretty well under the circumstances," said John.
Mr. Harum did not press the inquiry. "How'd you leave the gen'ral?" he
inquired.
"He seemed to be well," replied John, "and he wished to be kindly
remembered to you."
"Fine man, the gen'ral," declared David, well pleased. "Fine man all
'round. Word's as good as his bond. Yes, sir, when the gen'ral gives his
warrant, I don't care whether I see the critter or not. Know him much?"
"He and my father were old friends, and I have known him a good many
years," replied John, adding, "he has been very kind and friendly to
me."
"Set down, set down," said Mr. Harum, pointing to a chair. Seating
himself, he took off his cap and dropped it with his gloves on the
floor. "How long you ben here in the office?" he asked.
"Perhaps half an hour," was the reply.
"I meant to have ben here when you come," said the banker, "but I got
hendered about a matter of a hoss I'm looking at. I guess I'll shut that
door," making a move toward the one into the front office.
"Allow me," said John, getting up and closing it.
"May's well shut the other one while you're about it. Thank you," as
John resumed his seat. "I hain't got nothin' very private, but I'm
'fraid of distractin' Timson's mind. Did he int'duce himself?"
"Yes," said John, "we introduced ourselves and had a few minutes
conversation."
"Gin ye his hull hist'ry an' a few relations throwed in?"
"There was hardly time for that," said John, smiling.
"Rubbed a little furn'ture polish into my char'cter an' repitation?"
insin
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