But just let Virtue hook up with Vice for ten minutes, unsuspecting
like, and see what the world says. Kid, that little ten minutes of bad
company would upset a lifetime of continuous Sundays. 'Specially in
the eyes of a cop. A cop ain't acquainted with virtue. My advice to
the young and innocent is to avoid evil companions and cops. It's a
long ways to heaven, and lonesome traveling at that, but it's only a
step to hell, and the crowdin' is something awful. It's mighty nigh
impossible to turn back once you get started, on account of the mob.
I'm not saying you won't run across worse guys than I am at the swell
hotel you'll stop at, but they ain't on speaking terms with the
police."
David went to one of the big hotels patronized by all well to do
Southerners of the day. At the railway station he looked about for the
philosophic jailbird, but he was not to be seen. The Virginian drove
to the hotel, conscious of a strange loneliness, now that the
resourceful rogue was not at his elbow. He found some consolation in
Dick's promise to communicate with him before the close of the
following day, when doubtless he would be able to furnish news of
interest, if not of importance.
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