“Don’t say a word this time, and I won’t ‘soger’ any more.”
“It’s none of my business, Higgins, but you are sawing off your own nose, and playing the trick upon yourself. I would be a man and face the music like one, if I were you.”
“I will face the music if you won’t say anything.”
“All ready, Mr. Conductor!” I shouted, when I had steam enough.
“All aboard!” yelled Higgins, rather glad to change the subject when he found that I did not appreciate his deception.
I ran the dummy out of the house, and stopped her near the head of the steamboat wharf. The car was still so great a novelty that many people gathered around to examine it. The cushions were now well dried, and though the cloth had suffered somewhat from the effects of the bath, it looked very nice inside of her.
“Have you a watch, Higgins?” I asked of the gentlemanly conductor.
“Yes,” replied he, producing a small gold one.
“We will leave Middleport on the hour, and Spangleport on the half hour,” I added. “I wish I had a watch.”
“Why don’t you have one?”