“Yes, I get you, Whimp. I’ve had you for many moons. Now have you told me all you know?”
“Dere’s jes’ one t’ing more,” replied the John Yegg. “But before I spring her, won’t youse promise to slip me—”
“I’ll give you ten bucks,” said Joshua, “and not one cent more. That’ll get you to Spur and give you two-fifty to go on the road with. You’ve traveled a thousand miles on less.”
“But, Jack—”
“Shut up! I know you! Not another penny. Take it or leave it—and I’ll make you tell me everything you know about this business whether you accept or decline.”
“Jack, youse’re crool!” the panhandler reproached.
“I’m worse than that,” Joshua told him, and extended a ten-dollar bill.
With a sigh of resignation the tramp clutched it in his talons.
“This is stage day,” Joshua reminded him. “The stage will pass us about ten o’clock, I imagine. Then you can swing off and get aboard.”
“But I’ll get de rats before I get to Spur,” wailed The Whimperer. “I gotta go on to Ragtown an’—”