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Harte, Bret, 1836-1902

"The Story of a Mine"


I'm jist lying here, with a derringer into each hand,--jist lying here
kivered up and holdin' in on'y to keep from blowin' the top o' this
d----d skunk's head off. I kinder feel I can't hold in any longer. What
I want to say to ye, stranger, is that this yer skunk--which his name
is Wiles--hez bin tryin' his d--dest to get a bribe onto Josh, and Josh,
outo respect for his constituents, is jist waitin' for some stranger to
waltz in and stop the d--dest fight--"
"But, my dear Mr. Sibblee, there must be some mistake," said Wiles
earnestly.
"Mistake? Strip me!"
"No! No!" said Wiles, hurriedly, as the simple-minded Dobbs was about to
draw down the coverlid.
"Take him away," said the Hon. Mr. Sibblee, "before I disgrace my
constituency. They said I'd be in jail afore I get through the session.
Ef you've got any humanity, stranger, snake him out, and pow'ful quick,
too."
Dobbs, quite white and aghast, looked at Wiles and hesitated. There was
a slight movement in the bed. Both men started for the door; and the
next minute it closed very decidedly on the member from Fresno.


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