Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-10-20

TITS part Of the scheme" he explained.
1T came to me In fash as was talking
with your father in the hall. l don't want
to explain anything yet, but when l leave
l must be run of the grounds"
An hour later Pat Durgan observed with
interest the exit Of Jim Treston. the
choleric Coville had the young man by the
collar of his coat, and as they reached the
gate he administered a parting KICK IN
accordance with Instructions But In the
excitement he administered a heavier pro-
pulsion than had been contemplated, ana II
was with no simulated expression OF pain
that Treston limped down the road.
That man sure do be tn very divv VII, +,
should know it all these years: Won't you
sit down and rest a minute, Mr.. Treston
It'll be aisier after bit"
Painfully Treston climbed the fence and
took a seat beside the old man.
about this in the village" he said. Il
should not like to have it known"
it's bad Enough to have tn oud
terror act like that without all tn Dyes
kiddin' ye It's to meself I'll kape it."
You are to blame, you know laughed
Treston. This newest torment OF yours
put him In violent humor.'
80 he don't like~it, don't he?" chuckled
Durgan. well, he's only himself to
thank. Since that young snip of lawyer
Teller made thin raise me taxes I've got
to be dom somethin' to make tn money"
II thought the chickens were profitable?
suggested Jim.
The old man smiled.
'Divvil a Bit he explained. What I
make on the eggs lose on tn ROSTERS.
"How's that?' demanded Treston.
Durgan dropped on the fence.
Come with me till I show ye,' he Of
fered.
They passed beyond the little house
where Durgan made his home Back of
the grounds the long hen-runs extended to
H. tnr -
could see that there were some three hun
dred roosters to about half as many hens.
II make something on the chicks 1 sell, -
explained Durgan. but the eggs just about
pay for the feed
He looked up expectantly. but Treston' 9
face only expressed surprise, not the ap-
probation which Durgan anticipated. He
waited a moment anxiously. then came a
little closer.
9TH hens can't crow" he whispered.
Now dye seer
Treston broke into roar of laughter.
1t was clear enough! The yard was ten
anted only by sufficient number of hens
to pay the feed bills. The rest of the
chicks were the ROSTERS of whose Growing
Colville had often complained. Treston
had often wondered why the yard should
have been SO much noisier than other poul-
try farms. Now for the first time he ap-
preciated the refnements of Durgans re-
venge
Durgan, glowing with pride, led the way to
the house, where he produced bottle and
two glasses, and they pledged friendship
and mutual revenge. After that 1t was
seldom that a day passed when Treston
did not drop in for chat, and he grew to
have an honest liking for the shrewd old
man.
That Durgan had been a miner and
prospector in his younger days Jim had
always known, but in the chats that en-
sued he learned that the old man had been
In almost every country on the globe. He
fascinated Jim with his stories Of adven-
ture, related with the unconcern of one to
whom adventures was everyday affair.
1t was several weeks before Jim was
ready to spring his scheme. Out In Mon
tana he had a ranch on which was an aban-
doned prospect hole. He had sent word to
his agent to have the hole sailed, and, when
the time was ripe, he induced Durgan to
go out and send him report of the NINE
Durgan was willing to oblige friend, SO
he closed up the little shanty for time
and took train for the west. In two weeks
his glowing report came back. Traces had
been found and the property would be worth
developing. Treston promptly wrote back,
offering to exchange the Montana land for
the Durgan strip.
Its giving you the best Of the same" he