undetermined."

"Of course, sir. Your own affair. Yes, sir. But we shall hope to make
Benton pleasant for you. The greatest city in the West. Anything you want
for pleasure or business you'll find right here."

"The greatest city in the West--pleasure or business!" A bitter wave of
homesickness welled into my throat as, conscious of the enveloping dust,
the utter shams, the tawdriness, the alien unsympathetic onlookers, the
suave but incisive manner of the clerk, the sense of having been "done"
and through my own fault, I peeled a greenback from the folded packet in
my purse and handed it over. Rather foolishly I intended that this display
of funds should rebuke the finicky clerk; but he accepted without comment
and sought for the change from the twenty.

"And how is old New York, suh?"

A hearty, florid, heavy-faced man, with singularly protruding fishy eyes
and a tobacco-stained yellowish goatee underneath a loosely dropping lower
lip, had stepped forward, his pudgy hand hospitably outstretched to me: a
man in wide-brimmed dusty black hat, frayed and dusty but, in spots,
shiny, black broadcloth frock coat spattered down the lapels, exceedingly
soiled collar and shirt front and greasy flowing tie, and trousers tucked
into cowhide boots.

I grasped the hand wonderingly. It enclosed mine with a soft pulpy
squeeze; and lingered.

"As usual, when I last saw it, sir," I responded. "But I am from Albany."

"Of course. Albany, the capital, a city to be proud of, suh. I welcome
you, suh, to our new West, as a fellow-citizen."

"You are from Albany?" I exclaimed.

"Bohn and raised right near there; been there many a time. Yes, suh. From
the grand old Empire State, like yourself, suh, and without apologies.
Whenever I meet with a New York State man I cotton to him."

"Have I your name, sir?" I inquired. "You know of my family, perhaps."

"Colonel Jacob B. Sunderson, suh, at your service. Your family name is
familiar to me, suh. I hark back to it and to the grand old State with
pleasure. Doubtless I have seen you befoh, sur. Doubtless in the City--at
Johnny Chamberlain's? Yes?" His fishy eyes beamed upon me, and his breath
smelled strongly of liquor. "Or the Astor? I shall remember. Meanwhile,
suh, permit me to do the honors. First, will you have a drink? This way,
suh. I am partial to a brand particularly to be recommended for clearing
this damnable dust from one's throat."

"Thank you, sir, but I prefer to tidy my