Women who would voluntarily accept of a position in a dance-house are not the ones to whom the world is accustomed to look to for the strictest morals. The probabilities are that Mary and Maud were not so astonishingly innocent nor so amazingly ignorant as not to know the character of the place to which they went. Be that as it may, the injury to their reputation was not of such a serious nature but that it could be made good by the application of a soothing plaster in the shape of a greenback. A ten-dollar note paid to each sufficed to heal their wounded honor, and prevent them from appealing to the law for vindication. Let it be added, however, that the women hailed from Pittsburg, which may explain for their natural tendency toward blackmailing. During the history of the Elk City house it was not an infrequent occurrence for farmers from the neighboring country to drive up to Ben's place with lumber or produce, which they offered for sale. Although Hogan rarely had any use for these articles, he would invariably offer to take them at the farmer's own terms. Once inside the house, and with the prospect of a good bargain before him, the rural visitor would avail himself of the opportunity to see, at least, a part of the elephant. The animal usually proved so interesting that it was hard to turn away from the sight. Ben would post the girls, who in turn would one and all profess to be smitten by the farmer. This would tickle his vanity, and besides indulging in every dance that was called, he would order the wine with the utmost liberality. The more he danced, the more he drank; and the more he drank, the more firmly he became convinced that every woman in the place was desperately in love with him. This was pleasant while it lasted, but it was also expensive. Before he had finished seeing the elephant, the farmer would invariably find that he had run up a bill considerably in excess of the amount due him for his produce. If farmers had only been plenty enough, Ben would never have been called upon to expend a cent for eggs, butter, or vegetables. [Illustration: "_JENNIE._"] While still managing the house in Elk City, Hogan went to Bullion, where he bought Frank Nesbit's hotel, paying him therefor four thousand dollars. He did not really want this property, but was forced to take it because he failed in his efforts to get a lease of any more suitable premises. Mr. Sincox, who refused to grant the lease in question, was particularly anxious to prevent Ben from locating in Bullion. When he found that the latter had secured the hotel, he drew up a petition to have him ejected from the town; but, to his surprise, he found that the very men whom he had counted on to sign this petition were ready to sign one in favor of Hogan's right to remain. Nesbit, who knew Ben to be a thorough man in his line of business, readily disposed of his property to him.