'Yah-hoo-a!' yelled another owl.
'For the sake o' humanity don't kill me!' said the conductor.
'I'm jest a going to shoot you a little bit for the fun o' the thing,' says I.
'Mercy, man!' he prayed.
'Ticket!' says I.
"He groaned the awfulest kind, and, by the moonlight, I saw 'at the big tears was running down his face. I felt sorry for him, but I kinder thought 'at after what he'd done he'd better pray a little, so I mentioned it to him.
'I guess it mought be best if you'd pray a little,' says I, cocking the pistol. My voice had a decided sepulchreal sound. The pistol clicked very sharp.
'O, kind sir,' says he, 'O, dear sir, I never did pray, I don't know how to pray!'
'Ticket or check!' says I, and he knowed I was talking kind o' sarcasm. 'Pray quick!'
"He got down and prayed like a Methodist preacher at his very best licks. He must 'a' prayed afore.