Both of us had seen rough times and plenty of rustling and danger, and I tell you it was great to hear the rain and the sleet dashing against the windows of nights, and be warm and safe and comfortable, and know you could get up in the morning and be shaved and have folks call you ‘mister.’ And then, I had the finest wife and kids that ever struck the range, and my old friend with me enjoying the first fruits of prosperity and white shirts, and I guess I was happy. Yes, I was happy about that time.”
The major sighed and glanced casually out of the window. The bank examiner changed his position, and leaned his chin upon his other hand.
“One winter,” continued the major, “the money for the county taxes came pouring in so fast that I did n’t have time to take the stuff to the bank for a week. I just shoved the checks into a cigar box and the money into a sack, and locked them in the big safe that belonged in the sheriff’s office.
“I had been overworked that week, and was about sick, anyway. My nerves were out of order, and my sleep at night did n’t seem to rest me. The doctor had some scientific name for it, and I was taking medicine. And so, added to the rest, I went to bed at night with that money on my mind. Not that there was much need of being worried, for the safe was a good one, and nobody but Bob and I knew the combination. On Friday night there was about $6,500 in cash in the bag. On Saturday morning. I went to the office as usual. The safe was locked, and Bob was writing at his desk. I opened the
