A. H. L.




WOLFVILLE NIGHTS

CHAPTER I.

The Dismissal of Silver Phil.

"His name, complete, is 'Silver City Philip.' In them social
observances of the Southwest wherein haste is a feacher an' brev'ty the
bull's eye aimed at, said cognomen gets shortened to 'Silver Phil.'"

The Old Cattleman looked thoughtfully into his glass, as if by that
method he collected the scattered elements of a story. There was a
pause; then he lifted the glass to his lips as one who being now evenly
equipped of information, proposed that it arrive hand in hand with the
inspiration which should build a tale from it.

"Shore, this Silver Phil is dead now; an' I never yet crosses up with
the gent who's that sooperfluous as to express regrets. It's Dan Boggs
who dismisses Silver Phil; Dan does it in efforts he puts forth to
faithfully represent the right.

"Doc Peets allers allows this Silver Phil is a 'degen'rate;' leastwise
that's the word Peets uses. An' while I freely concedes I ain't none
too cl'ar as to jest what a degen'rate is, I stands ready to back