"If you can't help it you ought at least pick on your friends, or the town people--not strangers." "Have--a--drink," sputtered Pepper, with his hand at his hip.
"No, thanks." "Have--a--cigar." Lane laughed.

He had been informed that Colonel Pepper's failing always took this form of remorse, and certainly he would have tried it upon his latest victim had not Lane interfered.
"Colonel, you're hopeless," said Lane, as they walked out.

"I hope somebody will always be around to protect you.

I'd carry a body guard....

Say, have you seen Blair Maynard or Holt Dalrymple to-night ?" "Not Blair, but Holt was here early with the boys," replied Pepper.
"They've gone to the club rooms to have a little game.