Part 32 (2/2)
”Well, it's worth trying for,” said Monroe.
”Say, by the by, Monroe; I received this today from Europe. Read it,”
said Peter, handing Monroe a letter, which had the following P. S. at the end: ”I have lost fifteen at Monte Carlo; send ten, or I will return at once. (Signed) J. D.”
”Does he mean fifteen thousand and ten thousand?” asked Monroe.
”He does.”
”What will you do?”
”Send for Jacob Cobb.”
”What will he do?”
”Furnish the money, of course.”
”Jim Dalls is bleeding you for all the game is worth,” said Monroe.
”We can do nothing else till we cease bleeding other people.”
”You are plain about it, Peter.”
”I am always plain, Monroe.”
”Have you seen Cobb lately?” asked Monroe.
”Yesterday.”
”How're things coming?”
”They're coming for the present,” answered Peter. ”Don't you think I need them coming to keep up this establishment when I am fully in the swim?”
”You probably do, Peter. I will run opposition to you when I get what's coming to me.”
”Be sure you don't get into the Pen, Monroe,” said Peter, looking up sidewise at Monroe, with a strange meaning in his eyes.
”And you?” asked Monroe.
”Oh, they can't get me; too much pull with the--”
Just then a howling brat, in silks and satins, came tearing into the room, riding a bra.s.s curtain pole as his ”horse.” On seeing a stranger, the youngster promptly made a flail out of the said curtain pole, and began to belabor Peter over the head with such effectiveness that Peter caught the child by the seat of his breeches, and hurled him blubbering into a corner.
”I thought you enjoyed your new existence,” humorously remarked the staid Monroe.
”I do,” answered the angered Peter, with a ”humph.”
”Well, if that is an example of what married life is, I don't think I want any of it in mine,” said Monroe, with some dejection in the curl of his lips.
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