“No danger of my ever forgetting it,” grimly responded 64 Ruggles; “what I want to know is whether I have served out my full term.”
“You have unquestionably.”
“Is there anyone here disposed to dispute this statement?” asked Wade, standing very erect and looking around in the faces of his friends.
No one interposed an objection. He had not only the sympathy but the respect of every one.
“You sarved your time like a man,” remarked Ike Hoe; “the week is up and you’ve give good measure.”
“Which the same being the case, I invite all to come forward and liquidate.”
Never was an invitation responded to with more enthusiasm. The grinning Ortigies set out a couple of bottles, intending as a matter of course to join in the celebration. He feelingly remarked:
“Wade, my heart bled for you and thar ain’t a pard here that wouldn’t have been willing to take your place––that is for a limited time,” the landlord hastened to add.
Each tumbler was half-filled with the fiery stuff and all looked in smiling expectancy at their host to give the cue. He poured a small quantity into his glass, and elevating it almost to a level with his lips, looked over the top.
“Are you ready, pards? here goes.”