Page:Traveler from Altruria, Howells, 1894.djvu/253

Rh the natives. Then, there is a construction train over at the junction, and I know a lot of the fellows. I guess some of 'em would like to come."

"The tickets are a dollar each, you know," she suggested.

"That's all right," said Camp. "Well, good afternoon."

Mrs. Makely turned to me with a kind of gasp, as he shambled away. "I don't know about that!"

"About having the whole crew of a construction train at the Talk? I dare say it won't be pleasant to the ladies who have bought tickets."

"Oh!" said Mrs. Makely with astonishing contepmt, "I don't care what they think. But Reuben has got all my tickets, and suppose he keeps them so long that I won't have time to sell any, and then throws them back on my hands? I know! she added joyously. "I can go around now, and tell people that my tickets are all gone; and I'll go instantly and have the clerk hold all he has left at a premium."

She came back looking rather blank.

"He hasn't got a single one left. He says an old native came in this morning and took every last one of them—he doesn't remember just how many. I