mebby, the wisdom of the wise law-makers increasin' our revenues by such
means.

No; he had all he could do to set and look at the bare stun walls, and
figger out this sum--on one side the three cents profit; and substract
from it--a bright young life ended, lifelong agony to the hearts that
loved her.

His own old mother's and sister's heads and hearts bowed down in shame
and sorrow.

His own hopeful life cut short at the edge of the scaffold, and for the
future--what?

He couldn't quite work that out, for this text kep comin' into his
sum--"No drunkard shall inherit eternal life."

And then another text kep a-comin' up--

"Cursed is he that putteth the cup to his neighbor's lips."

No, he didn't feel the triumphant wisdom of the licker traffic. He
wouldn't feel like rattlin' the three cents round in his pockets if he
had 'em, but he didn't have 'em. His sum, no matter how many times he
figgered it out, stood nothin' but orts, nothin' but clear loss to him,
here and hereafter.

Wall, I have rode off considerable of a ways with my wagon hitched on in
front of my horse, and to go back to the horse's head agin.