"That pays better than hoeing pertaters, Joe." "You are right, Mr.Bickford.

You are ten dollars ahead of me.

I am afraid you will lose on our partnership." "I'll risk it, Joe." Hogan was the only member of the party who was not satisfied.
"Can't you take me into partnership ?" he asked.
"We can, but I don't think we will, Hogan," said Mr.Bickford.
"It wouldn't pay.

If you don't like workin' for us, you can take a claim of your own." "I have no tools." "Why don't you save your money and buy some, instead of gamblin' it away as you are doin' ?" "A man must have amusement," grumbled Hogan.

"Besides, I may have luck and win." "Better keep clear of gamblin', Hogan." "Mr.Hogan, if you want to start a claim of your own, I'll give you what tools you need," said Joe.
Upon reflection Hogan decided to accept this offer.
"But of course you will have to find your own vittles now," said Joshua.
"I'll do it," said Hogan.
The same day he ceased to work for the firm of Bickford & Mason, for Joe insisted on giving Mr.Bickford the precedence as the senior party, and started on his own account.
The result was that he worked considerably less than before.