Free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1888-1908, 1906-08-25
THE
SULTAN'S
DRAFT
By GEORGE DALTON.
By GEORGE DALTON.

lust his thoughts to what had just hap
pened, and to what should be said hrSt
'Confound it, Hazleton," broke out De
Loss. Il didn't intend to see the amount
of that check 1t fluttered my way and
| couldn't help it. l had no curiosity
and I never dreamed it was for such
stunning amount.
Never mind, De-" returned Hazleton,
az he arose to stand before the window
with his hands in his pockets, while he
ran his eve far down the many-storied
business Pueblo on the opposite side OF
the street gorge. Il didn't mind your
seeing it." He wheeled about and rested
his hand on his friends shoulder. DE
Loss, it's been on my mind long time
to tell you the story of the Sultans
"The Sultan's Draftr" exclaimed De
Loss; "the amount was princely. knew
YOU had done we'll, but
ooh. Pm not speaking of the check:
You didn't suppose l would, even II l
were rich enough, give nearly $4,000 to
the solicitor for the refugee fund Z!
Hazleton chuckled with pure joyousness.
at don't believe have made enough yet
70 plav that much against the Unspeak-
able Turk. At any rate, l know l
wouldn't if it were not for the Sultans
"The Sultan's Draft! In heavens
name what do you mean by the Sultan's
Draft?" cried De Loss.
"Well, De Loss, we have been through
a lot since we were boys, but you weren
in on this deal. 1t was when the panic
caught me. For weeks hung on by my
eyeiids while l tried to pull my business
through. How l came out OF 1t l never
told you, and you may be sure Oshkosh
didn't not he. Yes, old oshkosh
Raudebaugh, dead and gone to glory
peace to his great, big soul! he was
at the bottom of it. 1t was tricky and It
was awfully risky, but old man Kaude-
baugh-God bless him-gave me the
chance, and with American gall and good
luck l did the rest.
Oshkosh had allowed me an overdratt
at his bank for far more than my stand
ing would warrant. Unexpected things
one after another, dropped on me. Bills
pavable were fired into me without
mercy. like bullets, and bills receivable
were fired back to me, as worthless as
naper Wads. All the resources l had
were strained to the uttermost to make
one dollar fill the need of FIVE. AT last,
after careful figuring, found that L
must have fifteen thousand dollars before
thirty days or go up.
"Raudebaugh, you know, De, always
treated me like his son, and knew II
he could do anything to help me 1t would
be done; if not, and / had to let go, 1t
was only fair he should know 1t and his
bank should have the advantage of put
ting in its claim first
Il went down to the bank as blue as
that remnant over there on the hotel,
went on Hazleton Oshkosh and went
through the business together, canvasslng
it bit by bit; the good old dog did his
best to figure it out, but 1t seemed too
tough a proposition.
"'Sorry for you, James, my boy, he
kept saying as he studied it, but 1t looks
very bad. Fifteen thousand dollars
thirty days-thirty p and he'd look at
me- and I'd nod my head.
1--WE sat long time thinking 1t over
Oshkosh totally lost in 1t and checking
off the things he was going over IN HI:
mind with his pencil on the blotting pad
This bank is going to save you i
it con, James, my son; but I'm afraio
nothing can be done
"'At this oracular drone my hear
went up and then sank down, though
bit Raudebaugh looked up slyly.
"'Don't you know somebody, James
YOU can draw onP
"'What, for fifteen thousand dollars
Nobody?
"'This is too serious for me to jok
about. Mr. Raudebaugh.'
lanes, son, don't you know some
body YOU may draw on, somebody ava
on-a long Wav off /?
Oshkosh began to fairly purr hi
temptation, and for moment my hop
leaped ZIP as | caught his idea and III
breath of relief il would give.
Somebody in Thibet, or Archange
or up the Congo?'
THE sporting spirit that had been nj
dormant second self, or had been boun
and captive through long life of busi
ness integrity ragged in him on the mer
thought of flyer l tell you, he falrl
sang his allurement like siren, and
though sick with dread of its Grimm;
trickery, sweetened to the idea.
"No, but I mean it. coaxed the oil
man. Now, suppose l draw
dr-a-a-a-w-' and while I sulked in II
despairing collapse that followed my SCI
ond and better judgment of the thing
although ] was even then paying deb
like mad IN my lmaglnation on the illol''
this impossible possibility might give II
for a few days-Oshkosh scratched ava
on a block of drafts. He finished an
tossed it before me on the extension le'
of his desk.
TT was a draft on the Sultan Z
Turkey for fifteen thousand dollars
sight.
"'Sign it, sign it. Raudebaugh urged
no have a
10 YOUR credit. This will be the clevere
niece of check-kiting ever done
'T signed it before I knew it. makir
kind of plunge of it and with a fee
ing of a gamble on liberty and life at
throw.
Il buried my face in my hands wh'
the old man went out to the countin
room with the condemned draft to
$3.50 70 my credit Heaven only knON