The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1903-06-21

| hand. The long-awaited Fasteners
were to arrive that very day to look
over the property. Billy Knapp had
already driven to Rapid to meet Them
and their coming was momentdrily OK
| pected
The camp had discussed long and
heatedly the method of their reception
Billy Knapp, and with him a strong
contingent, advocated best clothes, an
imported brass band, and a generally
restal appearance of evergreens and
bunting. But this, Moroney, Lafond
and Graham decidedly opposed.
The way to make men give you
| things" said the last, lis to pretend
you don't want them"
But it was Moroneys eloquence that
carried the day. In fervid rhetoric he
| pointed out that men were more apt to
join an already prosperous community
than to furnish prosperity to one sad
ly in need of it. He also pointed out
many other things, including the Bat
tie of Bunker Hill and the Bird of
Freedom. But that was what he meant.
So when Billy and the blackboard
drove dashingly up to Bill Martin
stoop, the white road was to all intents
and purposes deserted-unnaturally SO,
for not a living thing was to be seen
Looks if your town was dead" re-
marked one of the Fasteners, with a
laugh.
"Oh. no!' treasured Billy, seized with
a sudden anxiety lest the thing had
been overdone. But the boys is all off
in TIL Hills workin'."
AS a matter of fact, the boys were
doing nothing of the kind. They were
behind the cracks of doors and the
ia rxnoSS Of Windows H1baf Ohi1O On craY-lxy
every move of the Decentralization, on
which they whispered excited COM
ments. Bill Martin was there outside,
of course; Lafond sauntered over from
the Little Nugget; the gambler sat
chair tilted, blowing cigarette rings to-
ward Ragged Top, never even turning
his head to see the arrivals, impertur-
bable Indifferent as ever; Graham and
Moroney were on hand by especial re-
quest; and of course no one could keep
Peter and the Kid away. The men in
the cabins We're satisfied with their
representatives.. They need not worry
about Graham and Moroney, anyway
The first of the newcomers rolled out
over the wheel, stood up on two fat
legs. and shook himself in a manner
winch proclaimed to the dullest that mis-
round face did not belle his good hui
NOR. He at once looked about him and
laughed The second was seen to be a
tall, spare man, gray-faced, deep-lin-
ed but with the wrinkles of laughter
about his eyes. He wore a long linen
buster and was evidntly of the sort that
seasons its most serious transactions
with dry and facetious humor The
third was short, small and irrepressi-
BILE. He looked as though he should be
named Frank, as in fact he was AL
though all three were dressed for trav-
cling, they carried with them solid
air of financial responsibility quite for
eign to Copper Creeks experience, a
certain shreWdness which no new cir
cumstance could ever abash to the ex-
tent to forgetting the swiftest means to
the main chance. But over this shreWG-
ness now was brushed a film of op-
timism, the over abundant hilarity of a
business man on a holiday outside his
accustomed surroundings. expanding in
high spirits, persiflage and practical
jokes. During their stay in Copper
Greek this never left them. They were
as delighted with the country as chill
dren with a new toy and took it about
as seriously.
The concealed onlookers saw the lit
tie group stand talking a moment,
and then turn into the hotel Black
Jack unloaded from the back of the
blackboard several substantial leather
bound valises. Billy drove the horses
home, and returned on foot. He was
bounced upon eagerly. Billy was still
glowing with self-induced enthusiasm
over Copper Creek.
IT'S all right, boys!" he cried, ex-
ultantly. They shore has the right
idee! They tells me they thinks this is
shore the finest kentry they ever see!"
What to do next?" they inquired.
anxiously.
DO? Nothin'! This amt no circus.
When tn grub bell rings, mosey on over
as usual, and alter feedin we insti-
tutes some sort of a game outside"
When the grub bell rang, the miners
| filed solemnly into the dining room,
| darting covert glances at the three Wis
itors, already seated with their enter
tanners. Some nodded solemnly. The
Fasteners were laughing and Joking
each other in the most childish fashion.
BY Jove, there's a girl; only one
I've scent" cried the little man named
| Frank. as Molly came in and took her
seat an another table.
What of. it?" asked Stevens, the tall
man, with his mouth full of Black
Jacks boiled potatoes
But she's pretty girl"
Murphy, the fat, jolly one, carefully
removed his butter and soda biscuits
of which the visible supply seemed lin
tied, beyond Franks reach, and VEN
| tured a glance.
She is pretty" he agreed, firmly
| thwarting the little mans attempt to
steal the butter in spite of his precau-
tons.
He turned to Dan Barker and re-
sumed a labored discussion of the
country's game and fishing. The tall
man took up his conversation with
Billy.
Yes" said he, Il go through that
! every morning. I find it invaluable.
II keeps me as hard as nails. Feel
| there"
He doubled his arm. and Billy placed
MS huge fingers gingerly over the
FASTENERS biceps. Down the long Ia
Bile the miners and prospectors ate I'M
easily with frequent glances toward
the noisy strangers, exchanging rare
low-voiced comments, and twisting
| tneir feet. Between Molly and the man
| whom the others called Frank there
| sprang up an incipient Irritation OF
| glances. u
After dinner everybody went IN.
| side into the open air, where the gath-
| ering relaxed it's fOrmality ana rnpn
/ breathed more freely Murphv cor,
yersed with several on the subtact -
/ Colts forty-ayes. He expressed a ae.
| sire for shooting match. 10 which end
1 he borrowed Rllly's siK-shooter ana
handed " 20 recklessly that eyerybody
wanted 10 duck
Finally he planted the muzzie av,n.
! ~ between his fat legs, rested hctb
I henes on the buff, ana looked ohotit
| him triumphantly
What a 1 hitY' be asked
God knows" CALCULATED tbe fesf