'That moon story prepares us for anything.' "'Texas,' observes the Colonel, a heap severe, 'I'd hate to feel that your observations is the jeerin' offspring of distrust.' "'Me distrust!' replies Texas, hasty to squar' himse'f.

'I'd as soon think of distrustin' that Laredo divorce of my former he'pmeet! An' as the sheriff drives off two hundred head of my cattle by way of alimony, I deems the fact of that sep'ration as fixed beyond cavil.

No, Colonel, you has my fullest confidence.

I'd go doubtin' the evenhanded jestice of Cherokee's faro game quicker than distrustin' you.' "'An' I'm present to say,' returns the Colonel mighty complacent, 'that I looks on sech assoorances as complimentary.

To show which I onhesitatin'ly reels off that eepisode to which I adverts.
"'I'm only a child; but I retains my impressions as sharp cut an' cl'ar as though she happens yesterday.