human
Thought mebby you might be among th' dear departed this mornin', remarked Ed carelessly.
gpt
Heard a shot soon after you left last night, but they're so common 'round here that I didn't get none excited. Have any trouble in Red Frank's?
human
You better pinch yoreself, retorted Johnny.
gpt
You saw me an' Idaho settin' right in this room, playin' cards long after that shot. I was upstairs when I heard it. Didn't go to Red Frank's. Changed my mind when I got around at th' side of th' hotel, an' went through th' kitchen, upstairs lookin' for Idaho. What business I got playin' nurse to four growed-up men? A lot they'd thank me for cuttin' in on their play.
human
Did they have any trouble?
gpt
No; they wasn't in Red Frank's at all--anyhow, that's what they said. Somebody playin' a joke, or seein' things, I reckon. Seen Idaho this mornin'?
human
No, I ain't, answered Ed sleepily.
gpt
Reckon he's still abed. Say, was that yore outfit under my winder before dawn? I come cussed near shootin' th' loud-mouthed fool that couldn't talk without shoutin'.
human
I reckon it was. They was sore about havin' to go home. Know of any good yearlin's I can buy cheap?
gpt
Too close to Ridley. Folks down here mostly let 'em grow up an' sell 'em to him. Prices would be too high, anyhow, I reckon. Better hunt for 'em nearer home.
human
That's what I been doin', growled Johnny.
gpt
Well, mebby yo're right about local prices an' conditions; but I'm goin' to poke around an' ask questions, anyhow. To tell you th' truth, a town looks good to me for a change, 'though I'm admittin' this ain't much of a town, at that. Sorta dead--nothin' happens, at all.
human
That's th' fault of th' visitor, then, retorted Ed, another yawn nearly disrupting his face.
gpt
Ho-hum! Some day I'm goin' out an' find me a cave, crawl in it, close it up behind me, an' sleep for a whole week. An' from th' looks of you, it wouldn't do you no harm to do th' same thing.
human
I'll have plenty of time for sleep when I get home, grinned Johnny.
gpt
I got to get some easy money out of this town before I think of sleepin'. Kane's don't get lively till dark, does it?
human
Was you sayin' easy money?
gpt
I was.
human
Oh, well; if you must, I reckon you must,
gpt
A new man, playin' careful, allus wins in a place like Kane's, if he's got a wad of money as big as mine,
human
Huh! Lord help that wad!
gpt
It's got all th' help it needs, countered Johnny.
human
I'm its guardian. I might change it for bigger bills, for it's purty prominent now. However, that can wait till it grows some more. He burst out laughing.
gpt
Big as it is, there's room for more.
human
Better keep some real little ones on th' outside, suggested Ed wisely.
gpt
You show it too cussed much.
human
Do you know there's allus a right an' a wrong way of doin' everythin'? asked his companion.
gpt
A man that's got a lot of money will play safe an' stick a few little ones on th' outside; but a man that's got only little bills will try to get a big one for th' cover. One is tryin' to hide his money; th' other to run a bluff. Wise gamblers know that. I got little bills on th' outside of mine. You watch 'em welcome me.