"
"Huh?" grunted Grayson, and then to Bridge, "Well, what
the devil DO you want?"
"A job," replied Bridge, "or, to be more explicit, I need a
job--far be it from me to WISH one."
The Easterner smiled. Grayson looked a bit mystified--and
irritated.
"Well, I hain't got none," he snapped. "We don't need
nobody now unless it might be a good puncher--one who
can rope and ride."
"I can ride," replied Bridge, "as is evidenced by the fact
that you now see me astride a horse."
"I said RIDE," said Grayson. "Any fool can SIT on a horse.
NO, I hain't got nothin', an' I'm busy now. Hold on!" he
exclaimed as though seized by a sudden inspiration. He looked
sharply at Bridge for a moment and then shook his head
sadly. "No, I'm afraid you couldn't do it--a guy's got to be
eddicated for the job I got in mind."
"Washing dishes?" suggested Bridge.
Grayson ignored the playfulness of the other's question.
"Keepin' books," he explained. There was a finality in his
tone which said: "As you, of course, cannot keep books the
interview is now over. Get out!"
"I could try," said Bridge. "I can read and write, you
know. Let me try." Bridge wanted money for the trip to Rio,
and, too, he wanted to stay in the country until Billy was
ready to leave.
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