Page:Melville Davisson Post--The Man of Last Resort.djvu/64

40 “Since that time we have had our ups and downs, if God's creatures ever had 'em. We have lied a lot, and we've stole some, and we 've starved most of the time, and we have been poor and miserable and broke, but we have played fair with each other, and we have never stacked the pack nor dealt from the bottom. Then, one day, the luck turned and we won out through the roof, just like it always does if you stay long enough and keep doubling the bet. You two were elected, and Al appointed me.

“I reckon none of us are going to forget the hell that appointment raised. They said I was an ignorant understrapper, a short card gambler, and a leary element; and it was true, every blooming word of it Then the newspapers pitched into Al; they said that it was to be hoped that the new Governor would now have 'the moral courage to at least suppress the shady member of his machine'—them are the very words; I 'll never forget 'em, and they meant me.

“I guess I went to you boys, and told you I had better keep out, but I reckon I did n't