When the story-teller had concluded amidst a general call for more drinks, Sperry approached the driver. The latter recognizing him, turned to his companion carelessly, said, “Here's one of 'em,” and was going away when Sperry stopped him.
“We were expecting a young man.”
“Yes,” said the driver, impatiently, “and there he is, I reckon.”
“We don't mean the new expressman,” said the minister, smiling blandly, “but a young man who”—
“THAT ain't no new expressman,” returned the driver in scornful deprecation of his interlocutor's ignorance. “He only took Hill's place from Montezuma. He's the new kid reviver and polisher for that University you're runnin' here. I say—you fellers oughter get him to tell you that story of Sam Barstow and the Chinaman. It'd limber you fellers up to hear it.”
“I fear there's some extraordinary mistake here,” said Mr. Peaseley, with a chilling Christian smile.
“Not a bit of it. He's got a letter from Sam for one of ye. Yere, Charley—what's your name! Com yere. Yere's all yer three bosses waiting for ye.”
And the supposed expressman and late narrator of amusing stories came forward and presented his credentials as the assistant teacher of Pine Clearing.