Page 152 - In A New World

"Just my luck!" ejaculated the thief dolefully. "After all the pains I've taken,
too."

"Yes, it is hard lines on a poor industrious man like you!" said the

new-comer cynically. "You're not smart enough to be a successful thief."

"I suppose you are," retorted the other resentfully.

"Yes, I flatter myself I am," returned the other composedly. "When I take

anything, at any rate I have the sense to take something worth carrying
away--not a worthless rock like this. You must have had a fine time lugging
it from the mines."

"It nearly broke my back," said the thief gloomily.

"And now you don't know what to do with it? Take my advice, my friend,
and carry it back to the original owner. He may find it handy another time."

"I'll be blessed if I do," growled the unhappy thief.

"I doubt that," said his companion dryly. "However, do as you please. It
don't interest me. I don't think on the whole I will accept your offer of a

partnership. When I take a partner I want a man with some small supply of
brains."

The first looked at him resentfully. He did not like these taunts, and would
have assaulted him had he dared, but the new-comer was powerfully built,

and evidently an unsafe man to take liberties with. He threw himself back
on the pallet and groaned.

"Well," said the second after a pause, "when you've got through crying over
spilt milk, will you kindly tell me where I can get something to eat?"

"I don't know."