not return the next day, and lose the money at the same table, really
appeared incredible. Yet such was the fact. A day or two passed without
any known investment of Mr. Hawkins's recently-acquired capital. "Ef he
allows to send it to that 'Hag,'" said one prominent citizen, "suthin'
ought to be done. It's jest ruinin' the reputation of this yer
camp,--this sloshin' around o' capital on non-residents ez don't claim
it!" "It's settin' an example o' extravagance," said another, "ez is
little better nor a swindle. Thais mor'n five men in this camp, thet,
hearin' thet Hawkins hed sent home eight thousand dollars, must jest
rise up and send home their hard earnings too! And then to think thet
thet eight thousand was only a bluff, after all, and thet it's lyin'
there on call in Adams & Co.'s bank! Well, I say it's one o' them things
a vigilance committee oughter look into."

When there seemed no possibility of this repetition of Hawkins's folly,
the anxiety to know what he had really done with his money became
intense. At last a self-appointed committee of four citizens dropped
artfully, but to outward appearances carelessly, upon him in his
seclusion. When some polite formalities had been exchanged, and some
easy vituperation of a backward season offered by each of the parties,
Tom Wingate approached the subject.

"Sorter dropped heavy on Jack Hamlin the other night, didn't ye? He
allows you didn't give him no show for revenge. I said you wasn't
no such d----d fool; didn't I, Dick?" continued the artful Wingate,
appealing to a confederate.

"Yes," said Dick promptly. "You said twenty thousand dollars wasn't
goin' to be thrown around recklessly. You said Cyrus had suthin' better
to do with his capital," super-added Dick with gratuitous mendacity. "I