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Yes, there it was, well chalked out in Minky's bold capitals an invitation to all his customers to trade all the gold they chose to part with to him at the usual rates, or to ship direct to the bank at Spawn City by a stage that was to leave Suffering Creek at eight o'clock on Wednesday morning, its safe delivery insured, at special rates, by the storekeeper himself.
Furthermore, he became a prominent devotee at the poker table in Minky's store, and, by reason of the fact that he usually lost, as most men did who joined in a game in which Wild Bill was taking a hand, his popularity increased rapidly, and the simple-minded diggers dubbed him with the dazzling sobriquet of "Lord James."
Someone sarcastically suggested that they had gone off to inspect the gambler's rich strike before Sandy got to work on it on the morrow. This drew a great laugh at Wild Bill's expense. And it was only the loyal Minky's voice that checked it. "You'se fellers are laffin'," he said, in good-humored reproval. "Wal, laff.
"An' as for you, Sunny," he went on, turning on the Trust secretary, "I'll set the boys to wash you clean in Minky's trough if you so much as smile ag'in till we're through. Fix them candles, an' sit right down the lot of you." He stood for a moment eyeing the lurid face of Toby. Nor did he move until the burly remittance man had pulled himself together.
"Say, pres," he went on, "I'd like to pass a vote o' thanks fer the way you conducted this yer meetin', an' put it to the vote, that we accept the treasurer's invitation to take wine. All in favor will " "Mine's rye," cried Sandy promptly. "An' mine," added Toby. "Rye for me," nodded Sunny at Minky's grinning face. "Bill ?" But Bill shook his head.
Scipio gazed up at the store in a bewildered way. He saw the great letters in which Minky's name and occupation were inscribed on its pretentious front, and it seemed to bring back his purpose to his distracted mind. Instantly the other's words became intelligible to him, and his native kindliness prompted him. "You been sick?" he demanded.
I'll be back to hum day after to-morrer, or the next day, an', meanwhiles, you'll see things are right with Zip. An' don't kep far away from Minky's store when strangers is around. Minky's a good friend o' mine, an' a good friend to most o' you, so well, guns is good med'cine ef folks git gay, an' are yearnin' to handle dust what ain't theirs." "Them strangers?" suggested Sandy. "Is ?"
"Mebbe you're right 'bout funerals an' nigger lynchin's," he whispered back, "but they's jest a matter o' livin' an' dyin'. Y'see, Minky's gamblin' sixty thousand dollars o' good red gold." Brand nodded. And somehow he appreciated the point and became easier. Later on Minky appeared in the store, and almost automatically every eye was turned expectantly upon him.
He knew that all he required to know would reach him through a channel that was quite effortless to himself. Again he stretched himself out on the bench, and his twinkling eyes closed luxuriously. Minky's store was very little different from other places of its kind. He sold everything that could possibly be needed in a newly started mining camp.
Y'see, they kids needs nourishin', an' that orter fix them 'bout right. I don't know 'bout them new sides o' sow-belly Minky's jest had in. Seems to me they'll likely need teeth eatin' that. Seein' you ain't a heap at fixin' beans right, we best cut that line right out though I 'lows there's elegant nourishin' stuff in 'em for bosses. Best get a can o' crackers an' some cheese.
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