The landlord, himself returned from a long hunt, set up his whiskey with a
lavish hand.
"He was the best man we had, boys," said Landis, as he poured the little
glasses full. "We'd ort of sent him to the legislative halls of Washington
long ago. He'd of done us honor there; but we never thought of doin'
anything fer him; jest set 'round and let him build up the town and give
him empty thankyes. Drink hearty, gentlemen," he finished, gloomily, "I
don't grudge no liquor to-day--except to Lige Willetts."
"He was a good man," said young William Todd, whose nose was red, not from
the whiskey. "I've about give up."
Schofields' Henry drew his sleeve across his eyes. "He was the only man in
this whole city that didn't jab and nag at me when I done my best," he
exclaimed, with an increasing break in his utterance. "Many a good word
I've had from him when nobody in town done nothin' but laugh an' rile an'
badger me about my--my bell." And Schofields' Henry began to cry openly.
"He was a great hand with the chuldern," said one man. "Always have
something to say to 'em to make 'em laugh when he went by. 'Talk more to
them 'n he would to grown folks. Yes, sir."
"They knowed _him_ all right," added another. "I reckon all of us did,
little and big."
"It's goin' to seem mighty empty around here," said Ross Schofield.
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