“Here; fill this up,” he said to Lucky Todd.

The somber-faced proprietor turned his gaze from the Merrick group to the stranger, eyed him pensively a moment and then faced the wagon again.  The man in gray got up, placed the empty glass in Todd’s hand, whirled him around facing the door and said sternly: 

“More milk!”

The landlord walked in like an automaton, and a suppressed giggle came from the girls in the wagon.  Uncle John was likewise amused, and despite the unknown’s frazzled apparel the little millionaire addressed him in the same tone he would have used toward an equal.

“Don’t blame you, sir.  Nobody ever tasted better milk than they have at the Junction House.”

The man, who had resumed his seat, stood up, took off his hat and bowed.  But he made no reply.

Out came Mrs. Todd, accompanied by another frowsy woman.  Between them they bore a huge jug of milk, a number of thick glasses and a plate of crackers.

“The crackers come extry, Mr. Merrick,” said the landlady, “but seein’ as milk’s cheap I thought you might like ’em.”

The landlord now came out and placed the stranger’s glass, about half filled with milk, on the table before him.  The man looked at it, frowned, and tossed off the milk in one gulp.

“More!” he said, holding out the glass.

Todd shook his head.

“Ain’t no more,” he declared.

His wife overheard him and pausing in her task of refilling the glasses for the rich man’s party she looked over her shoulder and said: 

“Give him what he wants, Lucky.”

The landlord pondered.

“Not fer ten cents, Nancy,” he protested.  “The feller said he wanted ten cents wuth o’ breakfas’, an’ by Joe he’s had it.”

“Milk’s cheap,” remarked Mrs. Todd.  “It’s crackers as is expensive these days.  Fill up his glass, Lucky.”

“Why is your husband called ‘Lucky,’ Mrs. Todd?” inquired Patsy, who was enjoying the cool, creamy milk.

“’Cause he got me to manage him, I guess,” was the laughing reply.  “Todd ain’t much ’count ’nless I’m on the spot to order him ’round.”

The landlord came out with the glass of milk but paused before he set it down.

“Let’s see your money,” he said suspiciously.

It seemed to the girls, who were curiously watching the scene, that the tramp flushed under his bronzed skin; but without reply he searched in a pocket and drew out four copper cents, which he laid upon the table.  After further exploration he abstracted a nickel from another pocket and pushed the coins toward the landlord.

“’Nother cent,” said Todd.

Continued search seemed for a time hopeless, but at last, in quite an unexpected way, the man produced the final cent and on receiving it Todd set down the milk.

“Anything more, yer honor?” he asked sarcastically.

“Yes; you might bring me the morning paper,” was the reply.