"Thank you, sir, for your kind offer; but my head aint insured," said Ben, who saw the joke, and enjoyed it.
"Look here, boy," said the puzzled traveller, "what possible good would it do you to smash my baggage?"
"That's the way I make a livin'," said Ben.
"Do you mean to say any persons are foolish enough to pay you for destroying their baggage? You must be crazy, or else you must think I am."
"Not destroying it, smashin' it."
"What's the difference?"
Here a person who had listened to the conversation with some amusement interposed.
"If you will allow me to explain, sir, the boy only proposes to carry your valise. He is what we call a 'baggage-smasher,' and carrying it is called 'smashing.'"
"Indeed, that's a very singular expression to use. Well, my lad, I think I understand you now. You have no hostile intentions, then?"
"Nary a one," answered Ben.