Page:Castlemon--Joe Wayring at Home.djvu/23

 It may have been all imagination on my part, but I would have been willing to affirm that his nickel-plated ornaments grew a shade dimmer as he was taken out of the case, and I am of the same opinion still. By his boasting he had led us all to believe that he was worth at least two or three hundred dollars; and you can imagine how surprised we were when we learned that he was valued at a very small fraction of that sum.

"Aw! That looks more like a gun," said the customsr. "That's a piece, don't yer know, that a fellah can show to his friends. Hit'll shoot, I suppose?"

"Oh, yes, it will shoot, but it will not do as clean work as the one I just showed you."

"Hi'll take the risk. 'Ow much for 'im?"

"Twenty-live dollars; and that includes a trunk-shaped case, loading-tools, wiping-rod and fifty brass-shells."

The young man handed over the money and went out, after requesting that his purchase might be sent up to the Lambert House at once, as he wished to start for the woods on the following day. As soon as the door was