Just principle, that's all.
Well, for more 'n two year the Colonel 'as been pestering 'er almost
to death, and she 'as to stand it because he's got such a terrible
'old on 'er 'usband. You see, the Colonel lent Tom a good bit of money
when he bought old Van Slye out season afore last. I will say this for
Tom, he paid 'im back dollar for dollar. We 'ad a good season and he
got the show cheap. Tom give up riding because he was tight all the
time, nearly killing Christine once or twice. Every once in awhile,
come so the Colonel would turn up and travel with the show for a week
or so, inducing Tom to play poker and drink. Tom allus lost and then
the Colonel'd stake 'im for a month or so to run the show on. This 'as
gone on for two years, Tom getting wuss all the time and the Colonel
more persistent. Tom 'as lost all sense of honor and decency. He knows
the Colonel is trying to get 'is wife away from 'im, and he ain't got
spunk enough left to object to it. He don't even try to protect 'er
from the old villain. They say Grand 'as promised 'er a fine 'ome in
Washington and will edicate Christine abroad, besides offering enough
diamonds to fill a 'at.
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