I allowed I'd ruther have somebody that didn't know nobody, than such a clackin' ole he-hen as Chet." "I should have said that it was rather a hazardous thing to do," said John, "to put a total stranger like me into what is rather a confidential position, as well as a responsible one." "Wa'al," said David, "in the fust place I knew that the Gen'ral wouldn't recommend no dead-beat nor no skin, an' I allowed that if the raw material was O.K., I could break it in; an' if it wa'n't I should find it out putty quick.

Like a young hoss," he remarked, "if he's sound an' kind, an' got gumption, I'd sooner break him in myself 'n not--fur's my use goes--an' if I can't, nobody can, an' I get rid on him.

You understand ?" "Yes," said John with a smile.
"Wa'al," continued David, "I liked your letter, an' when you come I liked your looks.

Of course I couldn't tell jest how you'd take holt, nor if you an' me 'd hitch.

An' then agin, I didn't know whether you could stan' it here after livin' in a city all your life.