over anyways.
We don't ast to be born, an', comin' into the world wi'out no
by-your-leave, I don't figger as folks has a right to say we've got to
take a hand in any bluff we don't notion."

"Perhaps you've a certain amount of right on your side." Tresler felt
that this hopeless pessimism was rather the result of drink than
natural to him. "But you said you had two things that you considered
worth living for?"

"That's so. I ain't goin' back on what I said. It's jest that other
what set me yarnin'. Say, guess you're mostly a pretty decent feller,
Tresler, though I 'lows you has failin's. You're kind o' young. Now I
guess you ain't never pumped lead into the other feller, which the
same he's doin' satisfact'ry by you? You kind o' like most fellers?"

Tresler nodded.

"Jest so. But I've noticed you don't fancy folks as gits gay wi' you.
You kind o' make things uneasy. Wal, that's a fault you'll git over.
Mebbe, later on, when a feller gits rilin' you you'll work your gun,
instead of trying to thump savee into his head. Heads is mighty
cur'us out west here. They're so chock full o' savee, ther' ain't no
use in thumpin' more into 'em. Et's a heap easier to let it out. But
that's on the side. I most gener'ly see things, an' kind o' notice
fellers, an' that's how I sized you up. Y' see I've done a heap o'
settin' around M'skeeter Bend fer nigh on ten years, mostly watchin'.
Now, mebbe, y' ain't never sot no plant, an' bedded it gentle wi'
sifted mould, an' watered it careful, an' sot right ther' on a box,
an' watched it grow in a spot wher' ther' wa'n't no bizness fer
anythin' but weeds?"

Tresler shook his head, wonderingly.

"No; guess not," Joe went on. "Say," he added, turning and looking
earnestly into his companion's face, "I'm settin' on that box right
now. Yes, sir, I've watched that plant grow. I've picked the stones
out so the young shoots could git through nice an' easy-like. I've
watered it. I've washened the leaves when the blights come along. I've
sticked it against the winds. I've done most everythin' I could, usin'
soap-suds and soot waters, an' all them tasty liquids to coax it on.
I've sot ther' a-smilin' to see the lovesome buds come along an' open
out, an' make the air sweet wi' perfumes an' color an' things. I've
sot right ther' an' tho't an' tho't a heap o' tho'ts around that
flower, an' felt all crinkly up the back wi' pleasure. An' I ain't
never wanted ter leave that box. No, sir, an' the days