Tramp. (Drinks glass of whiskey Minnie had poured out) Ah, that’s good! That brings back old times. You wouldn’t think, Guv’ner, that I was a prosperous man once. (Horace indicates that whiskey is responsible.) No, it wasn’t drink that ruined me. Drink may have kept me down, but it didn’t throw me. I’m an engineer by trade—leastways, I was, but I ain’t worked at it now these five years. Thank you kindly for the whiskey. Good night, sir.
Horace. Care to take another?
Tramp. Thank you, sir, I would. (Helps himself.) Your health, Guv’ner! You wouldn’t think there was much of the inventor about me? Would you? But I’ve got some ideas, good uns too, only I ain’t got the capital, see?
Horace. I see.
Tramp. I’ll let you into one of my ideas, Guv’ner, if you’ll take it up. It’ll make your fortune.
Horace. Thanks. I have all the money I require.
Tramp. Have you, now? I haven’t, that’s the difference. Feels pretty comfortable, doesn’t it? I was doing very well once, over there in the States.
Horace. America?
Tramp. Yes. They’re pretty smart there, but I showed them I was as good as they. I made a steam valve that’s on most boilers to-day. Yes, I did. Just me. I got ten thousand dollars down before I got my papers out. But my partner got ahead of me. I never saw another cent. I fought him as long as the money lasted. But it didn’t go far in the Courts of Justice. It was the Law as downed me, Guv’ner. Drink?—only damned me.