noon
There are no secrets in my business ; the reason of my success is simple -- my cattle were always there on the appointed day , humanely handled , and generally just a shade better than the specifications . My home country has the cattle for sale ; I can tell within two bits a head what it will cost to lay them down here , and it 's music to my ear to hear you insist on the best . I agree with you that the firing-line is entitled to special consideration , yet you know that there are ringsters who fatten at the expense of the rank and file . At present I have n't a word to say , but at noon to-morrow I shall tender the post commander at Ford Buford , through his quartermaster , ten thousand beeves , as a sub-contractor on the original award to The Western Supply Company . '' The post commander , an elderly , white-haired officer , rode over and smilingly said : `` Now , look here , my Texas friend , I 'm afraid you are borrowing trouble . True enough , there has been a protest made against our receiving your beeves , and I do n't mince my words in saying that some hard things have been said about you . But we happen to know something about your reputation and do n't give credit for all that is said .