Ivory Elephant Tusks, 80 peculs of rice
and 400bbls. prime mess pork from Indian Spring;" and another beginning
"Honored Madam," and conveying in admirably artificial phraseology the
"lamented decease" of the lady's husband from yellow fever, contracted
on the Gold Coast, and Uncle Ben was surveying his work with critical
satisfaction when the master, somewhat impatiently, consulted his watch.
Uncle Ben looked up.
"I oughter told ye that Rupe didn't kalkilate to come to day."
"Indeed--why not?"
"I reckon because I told him he needn't. I allowed to--to hev a little
private talk with ye, Mr. Ford, if ye didn't mind."
Mr. Ford's face did not shine with invitation. "Very well," he said,
"only remember I have an engagement this afternoon."
"But that ain't until about sundown," said Uncle Ben quietly. "I won't
keep ye ez long ez that."
Mr. Ford glanced quickly at Uncle Ben with a rising color. "What do you
know of my engagements?" he said sharply.
"Nothin', Mr. Ford," returned Uncle Ben simply; "but hevin' bin layin'
round, lookin' for ye here and at the hotel for four or five days allus
about that time and not findin' you, I rather kalkilated you might hev
suthin' reg'lar on hand.
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