Page:Hugh Pendexter--Tiberius Smith.djvu/141

 mend his rocker. Some different, eh? Something cheery cropping out, eh? Good nature assaying top high, eh? Billy, give Slouchy four tickets for trying to reform,' And Slouchy^s face glowed with pride as he squandered his surplus.

"‘But I want ter hear "Blue Bells o' Scotland,"’ groaned Daggett.

"‘Go and listen in a sea-shell,' advised Tib, kindly. 'If you can't be desirable, your existence will consist largely of potatoes. Another time don't tell a man he has only one choice of locating a claim in the future state, and that it won't be Alaska weather. Leave something to the imagination.'

"‘What? Can't I cuss at my work, jest to ease my mind?' cried Daggett.

"‘No, siree! No profanity goes in this camp,' declared Tib, as he loaned a man a picture-book for two stamps.

"‘That's proper,' affirmed Ruddy Mac, who at times was most impolite in his language. 'Dag got a stamp yesterday, and now he thinks he can run the whole damned shooting-match.'

"‘No stamp for you to-morrow, Mr. Mac,' snapped Tib.

"Mac gulped back a throatful of expletives, grew blue in the face, but mildly said, 'All right, Mr. Smith.'