The Minneapolis journal., 1903-04-27
CHAPTER X.

"
AS the train resumed speed after stop
ping at a station. Grant. the porter, came
back to the observation room of the BineS
car with a telegram for Uncle Peter. The
old man read it and for a time unused him
self into seeming oblivion. Across the
car near by, Percival lounged In a wicker
arm chair and stared cheerfully out into
gathering night He. too, was musing. his
thoughts keeping pleasantly in time with
the rhythmic click of the wheels over the
rail-jonts. After a day in the open air
he was growing sleepy.
Uncle Peter aroused him by making
his way back to the desk the roll-top OF
which he lifted with a sudden rattle. He
called to Percival Sitting down at the
desk he read the telegram again and
handed it to the young man. who read:
Party will try to make good; no bluff.
Won't compromise inside limit set. Have
seen paper and wish another interview be-
fore following original instructions. Party
will wait forty eight hours before acting.
Where can you be seen? Wire office to-
night. -TAFE d COPLEN.
The young man looked up with mild
interest Uncle Peter was writing on
telegraph blank
'rafe & Coplen, Butte Mont
due Butte 1880 a. m. to morrow. Join
me on car nought sixteen go to Montana
City PETER BlNES.
TO the porter who answered his ring
he handed the message to be put off: at the
first stop. -. . -,
But what's it all about?' asked Per-
cval, seeing by Uncle Peters manner that
he was expected to show concern.
Uncle Peter closed the desk hghted one
of his best cigars and dropped into a. ca
pacious chair" The young man seated
himself opposite. .<. ~. ......
well, son. it's matter caFlated first
off to handle myself, but it looks now as
if YOU better be in on it. I don't know
Just how much you knew about your pa S
ways, but, anyhow, you wouldn't play
him to grade much higher above standard
than the run of 'em out here that, has
had things comm too easy for EN-. He
was all right Dan'l j. was God knows
| amt discountin the comfort I've always
took in him. He'd stand acid all right. at
any stage of the game. Don't forget that
about your pa
The young man reflected.
THE worst story I ever heard of. pa
was about the time lie wanted to draw
$4,000 from the bank in Tacoma. They
telegraphed the Butte National to wire
his description, and the answer was tall
and drunk" @~r.<~,2.>
well son, his periodicals want all.
Seems as if this crowd has a way fur
women. and they generally get the gaff
because they're SO blamed easy. You
don't hear of them eastern big men gettin'
it so often. but I've seen enough of 'em
to know it amt because they're any
straighter They're jest a little keener
on business propositions. They draw a
fine site when it comes to splittin pennies,
while men out here like your pa IS lavish
and careless. You know about lots Of the
others. >
"There's Sooley Pentz. good -hearted a
man as ever sacked ore. and plenty Iona
headed enough for the place he s"bought
in the senate. but Sooley is restless until
he's bought up one end Of every town he
goes into, from Eden plumb over to Wash
ington, D. C.-and faint cverrthe Sunday
school end Sooley buys either. If he was
maxim two million month instead OF
one Sooeyd grieVe himself to death be-
cause they don't make that SIS kind Of wine
fast enough.
Then there was Seth IIarby. We're Jest
gettin' to the details Of Seth's expense
account after he found the Lucky Cuss
see the courts have decided against the
widow and children. and so they'll have
to worry off about five or six millions for
the poor lady he duped so outrageously-
with q checker on the chips. -
"As fur old Nate Kranil, lawyer from
Cheyenne was telin' me his numerous
widows by courtesy was goin' to form ar
associa tion and share his leavin's pro raty
Said they'd all got kind of acquainted ant
made up their minds they was such g
reg lar band OF wolves Ftnat none Ol eli
was able to do any of the others in the
long run, so they'd divide even.
..Then there was Dave F<isber. and =
'Never mind any more Perciva
broke in. do you mean that my fathel
was mixed up like those old Indians?"
Looks now as if he was That tele
gram from Coplen is concernin' of lady
a party that with him when HI
died The press report sent out that thu
young and beautiful Mrs. Bines was will
her husband, and was Frustrated will