"
As Luke did not mention the kind of hard work by which the money was
obtained, I may state here that an evening's luck at the faro table
had supplied them with money enough to pay the fare to Boston by
railway; otherwise another year might have found them still in St.
Louis.
"Hard work doesn't suit your constitution, does it?" said Ferguson,
slyly.
"I can work as well as anybody," said Luke; "but I haven't had the
luck of some people."
"You were lucky enough to have your fare paid to the West for you."
"Yes, and when we got there, the rascal left us to shift for
ourselves. That aint much luck."
"I've always had to shift for myself, and always expect to," was the
reply.
"Oh, you're a model!" sneered Clapp. "You always were as sober and
steady as a deacon. I wonder they didn't make you one."
"And Walton there is one of the same sort," said Luke. "I say,
Harry, it was real mean in you not to send me the money I wrote for.
You hadn't it, had you?"
"Yes," said Harry, firmly; "but I worked hard for it, and I didn't
feel like giving it away."
"Who asked you to give it away? I only wanted to borrow it."
"That's the same thing--with you. You were not likely to repay it
again."
"Do you mean to insult me?" blustered Luke.
"No, I never insult anybody. I only tell the truth. You know, Luke
Harrison, whether I have reason for what I say.
Pages:
189
190
191
192
193
194
195
196
197
198
199
200
201
202
203
204
205
206
207
208
209
210
211
212
213