And how gently the old man had talked to him and pointed out the sin of which he had been guilty ! He had never stolen again , but in other respects he had not mended his ways much . Behind old Stephen 's back he laughed at him and his `` preaching . '' But Stephen Strong had never lost faith in him . He had always asserted mildly that `` Ben would come out all right by and by . '' Ben Butler remembered this too , as he sat on the fence . He had `` always liked old Stephen , '' he told himself . He was sorry he had fallen on such evil times . `` Preaching and praying do n't seem to have brought him out clear after all , '' he said with a chuckle that quickly died away . Somehow , even in his worst days , Ben Butler had never felt easy when he mocked old Stephen . `` Three thousand dollars ! I could do it but I reckon I 'd be a blamed fool . I ai n't a-going to do it . Three thousand ai n't picked up every day , even in the Kootenay -- ` specially by chaps like me . '' He patted his pocket knowingly . Fifteen years previously he had gone to the Kootenay district with visions of making a fortune that were quickly dispelled by reality . He had squandered his wages as soon as paid , and it was only of late years that he had `` pulled up a bit , '' as he expressed it , and saved his three thousand dollars . He had brought the money home with him , having some vague notion of buying a farm and `` settling down to do the respectable . '' But he had already given up the idea . This country was too blamed quiet for him , he said .
He would go back to the Kootenay , and he knew what he would do XXXXX his money .
Behind after as at by for in of on with