The Best American Humorous Short Stories

on the broad porch when the Van Ramps came contentedly

hat could be easily overheard by anyone impolite enough to listen. "That delightful old-fashioned firep

passed the place, if you will remember, how charming it would be to stop in th

and wormwood to Mrs. Ellsworth, and she gazed after the retreating Van Kamps

e carried herself with a most delectable grace. As the party drew away from the inn s

or a walk, but naturally

rth. "I want you to turn those peop

a railroad and made one, and had operated successful corners in nutmegs

s paying you for those

le Billy informed him,

nd twiddling his thu

ust set their baggage outside and

lly. "A bargain's a bargain, an

had noticed a wince of regret in his landlord. He sat down on the porch and lit a strong cigar. His wife did not bother him. She gazed complacen

d to Uncle Billy a few minutes later. It had occurred to h

ly's eyes

. "I reckon a ho-tel man's got a rig

has. How muc

not asking this sort of folks enou

hain't enough I'll tell ye. You want to

h a smile. He was on the point of offering a hundred dollars, when he

considered a fine horse-trader in that part of the coun

h counted ou

he said. "That ought

e," insisted

r counted off the extra money and handed i

eek, an' o' course all th' money that's tooken in is your'n. You kin do as ye please about rent