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Chapter 10 The tattered man stood musing. Well, he was reglar jim-dandy fer nerve, want he, said he finally in a little awestruck voice. A reglar jim-dandy. He thoughtfully poked one of the docile hands with his foot. I wonner where he got is strenth from? I never seen a man do like that before. It was a funny thing. Well, he was a reglar jim-dandy. The youth desired to screech out his grief. He was stabbed, but his tongue lay dead in the tomb of his mouth. He threw himself again upon the ground and began to brood. The tattered man stood musing. Look-a-here, pardner, he said, after a time. He regarded the corpse as he spoke. Hes up an gone, aint e, an we might as well begin t look out fer ol number one. This here thing is all over. Hes up an gone, aint e? An hes all right here. Nobody wont bother im. An I must say I aint enjoying any great health mself these days. The youth, awakened by the tattered soldiers tone, looked quickly up. He saw that he was swinging uncertainly on his legs and that his face had turned to a shade of blue. Good Lord! he cried, you aint goin tnot you, too. The tattered man waved his hand. Nary die, he said. All I want is some pea soup an a good bed. Some pea soup, he repeated dreamfully. The youth arose from the ground. I wonder where he came from. I left him over there. He pointed. And now I find im here. And he was coming from over there, too. He indicated a new direction. They both turned toward the body as if to ask of it a question. Well, at length spoke the tattered man, there aint no use in our stayin here an tryin t ask him anything. The youth nodded an assent wearily. They both turned to gaze for a moment at the corpse. The youth murmured something. Well, he was a jim-dandy, want e? said the tattered man as if in response. They turned their backs upon it and started away. For a time they stole softly, treading with their toes. It remained laughing there in the grass. Im commencin t feel pretty bad, said the tattered man, suddenly breaking one of his little silences. Im commencin t feel pretty damn bad. The youth groaned. O Lord! He wondered if he was to be the tortured witness of another grim encounter. But his companion waved his hand reassuringly. Oh, Im not goin t die yit! There too much dependin on me fer me t die yit. No, sir! Nary die! I cant! Yed oughta see th swad a chilren Ive got, an all like that. The youth glancing at his companion could see by the shadow of a smile that he was making some kind of fun. As they plodded on the tattered soldier continued to talk. Besides, if I died, I wouldnt die th way that feller did. That was th funniest thing. Id jest flop down, I would. I never seen a feller die th way that feller did. |
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