Phil Rushington's Friends, or, Springvale Boys in a Lumber Camp — page 24: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

22 practice. There are things which I do not profess which I also practice, upon occasion.” “You talk too much through your hat, and your hat isn’t a good kind to talk pote Se anyway, growled Vint. The big fellow had been aching from the first to say what he thought of the professor, straight, and now there seemed to be an ex- cellent opportunity for doing so. “Thank you, Mr. Vinton. You are blunt, which is not the worst of qualities. I know you distrust me. I have been shown injus- tice of many kinds, and it does not cut as it once did. You are at liberty to say what you please, if it does you any good. But I was about to speak in behalf of Mr. Rushington, whom I have good reason to like.” “What were you going to say.” “He is keen, remarkable in all respects, yet so honest that he trusts too far to appear- ances, while you may not trust far enough.” “What are you driving at? Did you know that you might get at all the meat there is in your discourse with less expenditure of wind, Mr. Parker?” ; “Professor,” he said: “Words have two uses. murmured the other. Then One is to com- municate ideas, the other to conceal thoughts. Both are legitimate. But you interrupt me with your odious comments, Mr. Vinton—not to be too blunt.” “Go ahead.” “Mr, Rushington evidently believes that he will have no further trouble in holding the camp against the former boss.” “What can Rock do, with all the men against him, and we in possession ?” “The man for whom he worked has another camp about five miles from this one, and more than fifty men at work,” Vint pricked up his ears. He suddenly realized that Professor Parker might, after a be Asti to do them a service. | wads was pancther eee near sel tc oa | DO AND DARE WEEKLY. “You think he went to that camp?” Vi asked. “s = “Isn’t it likely, Mr. Vinton ?” a “Looks like it. But you don't pone could get those men to come here and t oy take possession again, do you?” 4 ee “Tt would be merely a matter of persuading a the boss a the other crew to take a hand in 2 aes ce fc Ss 3 a le the game.”’ “But he wouldn’t want to mix up in it.” | “Tt is a matter of maintainig discipline over | the gangs. One boss is always ready to help out another in case of mutiny for he is liable % ee é to need the same aid himself.” “By Jupiter!” exclaimed Vint. a: “You express yourself mildly, Mr. Vin- es bP ton. “See here, professor—you are a brick—not to be too blunt, as you say. Why, old man, pull off that finger-freezer that you wear in <<“ = the place of a glove, and accept these. I’ve . worn ‘em only two days, and I’ve another pair | : hte like em. Wait, shake hands before your Oe a? ~~ ’ ane. oe: i.e Vinton nia his own elegant fur gloves in the hands of the seedy professor as he 3 Then they shook hands, and Professor — i Parker seemed too much touched by the heartiness of the other for a moment to speak. “You are kind,” he said. Then, with an spoke. ‘airy gesture, he added: | ee “You will speak of the matter just men- os i tioned to Mr. Rushington ?” ek “We'll both do so. Why, if Rock scale = come down on us with the other gang, and the a9 men should be armed, we would be i in for a . racket, don’t you think ?” ee “Tt would be unpleasant, but rather excit. ing,’ ’ admitted the professor. oo is At that moment Rush came in, coisa by y totage > Gray and Danny. Ina few words he was ‘ace : quainted with the new suggestion of danger. “T had thought of it, but was not sure a s thas in : ~ ESINTEHOOKS.com