"It's about all any of us do, ain't it ?" "Do ye take it this 'ere Merrick's goin' to farm, er what ?" asked Nib, speculatively.
"I take it he's plumb crazy," retorted the agent, rubbing the fringe of hair behind his ears.

"One thing's certain boys, I don't do nuthin' foolish till I see the color of his money." "Make him send you ten dollars in advance," suggested Seth.
"Make him send fifty," amended the store-keeper.

"You can't buy a cow, an' pigs, an' chickens, an' make repairs on much less." "By jinks, I will!" cried McNutt, slapping his leg for emphasis.

"I'll strike him fer a cool fifty, an' if the feller don't pay he kin go to blazes.

Them's my sentiments, boys, an' I'll stand by 'em!" The others regarded him admiringly, so the energetic little man stumped away to indite his characteristic letter to Major Doyle.
If the first communication had startled the little village, the second fairly plunged it into a panic of excitement.