"
The Oskaloosa Kid flushed up to the tips of his ears.
"But can't you sell me something?" he begged.
"I might let ye have some milk an' eggs an' butter an'
a leetle bacon an' mebby my ol' woman's got a loaf left
from her last bakin'; but we ain't been figgerin' on sup-
plyin' grub fer the United States army ef that's what yew
be buyin' fer."
A frowsy, rat-faced woman and a gawky youth of four-
teen stuck their heads out the doorway at either side of
the man. "I ain't got nothin' to sell," snapped the woman;
but as she spoke her eyes fell upon the fat bank roll in
the youth's hand. "Or, leastwise," she amended, "I ain't
got much more'n we need an' the price o' stuff's gone
up so lately that I'll hev to ask ye more'n I would of
last fall. 'Bout what did ye figger on wantin'?"
"Anything you can spare," said the youth. "There are
three of us and we're awful hungry."
"Where yew stoppin'?" asked the woman.
"We're at the old Squibbs' place," replied The Kid.
"We got caught by the storm last night and had to put
up there."
"The Squibbs' place!" ejaculated the woman. "Yew
didn't stop there over night?"
"Yes we did," replied the youth.
"See anything funny?" asked Mrs.
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