The stranger shrugged his shoulders.
"I don't worry about that," he said. "I'll stretch myself out
somewhere when night comes. I'm used to roughing it."
"Won't you get cold sleeping out of doors?" asked Ben.
The other gave a short, quick laugh.
"What do you take me for, boy? I don't look delicate, do I?"
"Not very," answered Ben, smiling.
"I've slept out under the stars pretty reg'lar for the past six
months. I only wish I was back to the mines."
"Do you think I can go in?" Ben said hesitatingly.
"Yes, youngster, there's nothin' to bender, but take a fool's
advice, and ef you've got money in your pocket, don't do it."
"You don't think I'd gamble, do you?" said Ben, horror-struck.
"I've seen youngsters smaller than you bet their pile."
"You won't catch me doing it. I am a poor boy, and have nothing to
lose."
"All right, then. You're a country boy, ain't you?"
"Yes."
"So was I once, but I've had the greenness rubbed off'n me. I was
jest such a youngster as you once. I wish I could go back twenty
years."
"You're not very old yet," said Ben, in a tone of sympathy. "Why
don't you reform?"
"No, I'm not old-only thirty-six-and I ain't so bad as I might be.
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