Montpelier examiner. [volume] (Montpelier, Idaho) 1895-1937, 1906-05-18

They found that spot nve miles De-
low the works, and Barker, with
sigh, half relief, half anger, accepted
the situation. 1t meant at least q
days delay, for he would have to drag
out the discarded trucks and beg, buy,
borrow or steal mules to haul them
which meant more expense.
Naturally, he came face to face with
the mule problem. Barker sent for half
a dozen of his minor executives and
instructed them to sally forth and
gather such mules and work horses
rare things in that locality-as might
be obtained, on any terms.
One of the six was Abner Green, and
as they filed out Barker detained him.
"Er-Green." The superintendent
snapped his fingers impatiently. See
here, somebody or other said that
you've got two or three mules"
Few"
"All right. We want to hire 'em.
How many are there?"
ADner braced himself.
'Sixty-one, sir"
"Hey? How many, Green?" Bar
ker's chair whirled about.
"Sixty-one."
"Sixty-one mules?"
Eyes, sir"
"Six-" Barker stopped and shrugged
his shoulders. We'll, it's rather a
happy chance, Green, although didn't
know you had gone in for mule
ranching. How much do you want to
hire them out by the day."
IL amt anxious to hire 'em, Mr..
Barker. They're for sale"
For sale, Ell? Well-how much for
the lot, them"
"Three thousand dollars"
what"
"Three thousand dollars, SIR"
you want too much altogether.
Green" Barker stiffened. I'VE don't
need them. That's ALL"
Abner departed. The seekers OF
mules were already gone. The day
wore onward rapidly-the first OF those
fifteen hundred dollar days.
At eventide the five returned-five
men, three mules and an anaemic horse.
They had secured Broadbury; they
had descended upon Red Eagle; they
had searched the country In between.
1t was rather staggerer for Bar
ker. Doubtless there were more mules
in the state. But the price seemed to
be racing along with the demand, and
60 or 70 mules would total a tremen-
dous figure. Meanwhile, the fifteen
hundred per day
Barker choked down his feelings
and sent for Green, who was working
in the finishing room.
81 find that 1t is going to take good
deal of time to buy the mules we
need, Green. We have decided to take
yours"
But you know" said Abner, mules
have riz since mornin'."
"Eh?"
"You can have 'em for Eve thousand,
SIR"
Barker was ON his feet. Dull purple
surged into his cheeks. Infrequent as
such an occurrence was, the general
superintendent was losing his temper
Green, you go to the devil!" shout
| ed the other. Il won't be bled, and
won't allow this firm to be bled, by
any such trick of an employee as that!
Get out of here!"
Abner trudged homeward through
the rain, serene and elated.
Barker had been wiring details in.
termittently to the home Office. A
message from there overlook Merrill
himself in his parlor car, as he spec
westward on little unannounced visit
to Greerville, to superintend in person
the monster Champlin Mills delivery.
He arrived at two o'clock on Tues
day morning and listened silently II
/ Bankers full report. He took pencil
and paper and figured for some Is min
utes. Arrived at result, he looked VI
and said dryly:
Send for this man Green, Barker"
The foreman returned with the mes
senger.
Merrill looked him over quizzically.
4 what is the current quotation OF
your mules. Mr.. Green?" he inquired.
i Abner glanced fiittingly at Barker.
six thousand dollars, SIR"
i Merrill turned imperturbably to tn
superintendent.
Got that much banked at Broad
bury?"
, mot hundred dollars more, Ger
tainiy."
, "Give Mr.. Green his check. And sen
somebody up for the mules, Barker"
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