The San Francisco call., 1906-04-01
Z&&z.

coat off in this ere scrimmage. You
see the fur fly purity soon l reckon. he
sent word as how he wanted to see us
this mornin', and that's why were here
You're all right. young 'un- Don't worry
about Mister Bill He'll be here in time
no kind of doubt, and IL he amt he'll be
where he orter be-
The young man, however, was far from
being reassured by these unqualified ex-
pressions Of confidence on the part of the
easy-going Westerner. who seemed not to
realize the serious nature OF the situa-
ton
'How's the little missusg' inquired
Dave, abruptly changing the subject a
broad grin spreading over his rough
bronzed face. There's a rare little filly,
young un-they don't grow out our way
jest her gait. I'd like mighty well 70
take her back with me. but I'm feared
she'd buck and cut up troublesome like.
Wouldn't like to give her up nohow, ]
guess7" he queried. good natureoly.
"Set down and make yourself to home,
young 'un-ain't nothin' 70 worry about. "
said Joe, quietly amused at the nl-sup-
pressed impatience of the youth which
kept him pacing nervously back and forth
looking at his watch at short intervals.
Have a smoker" he ingenuously IN
quired Offering Jack a cigar which that
young man wisely declined to negotiate.
Il lowed it war a little heavy for your
weight. Dave and me likes 'em as bites.
when we don't have our old pipes. We
amt no highfalutin notions, but we sort
Of agreed we wouldn't smoke our old
stokes on this ere trip. They don't look
none too good. and then again, maybe
nobody would care so much about havin'
'em 'round-ot US either. We're rough
old chaps, and there's heap of things
we don't know. but when we take a shy
into another mans country we're as de-
cent as we know how to be same as we
expect him TO be when he comes on TO our
section"
A brisk step was heard in the hall and
Waldron suddenly appeared. much to
Jacks relief. Hello, jack Morning,
boys-comfortable, ] see!" greeting his
friends with CHEEKY good nature.
wouldn't they give you a cigar. Jack?'
he inquired, as he rolled back the cover
of his desk. Personally, I never take
any chances with those cigars. Dave oc-
casionally seems to think that I need an
emetic and prescribes one of his dry
dopes which 1 indulge by proxy through
joe"
~An right, Jack-much obliged" was his
brief reply.
What do you want of us, Mister BilI?"
inquired Dave.
Il called a meeting of the board this
morning-two or three questions to be
considered. You need not go. Jack. This
is not q secret session" he laughed
merely an informal discussion. Before
night, gentlemen, you will be richer or
poorer men
Did you get us down here to tell us all
that2" Dave inquired. rather disguestediy.
You might have waited It'll night, and
then you'd know all about it, for sure"
Your position is too well taken TO ad-
nit of argument, David. The thought
occurred to me, however, that less en-
barrassment might result II / told you
this morning that your worldly possess
sions might take wings during the day,
than to be compelled to inform you to-
night that they had actually flown.
Merely technical difference, to be sure"
You don't pear to be worryin' much
yourself. When you get Uneasy, time
enough for me TO get nervous" replied
Dave
Same here said Joe.
What are the views of the board con-
cerning settlement should we succeed in
stampeding our opponents"
Il say give 'em hell" vigorously de-
clared Dave Bishop, bringing his chair
down on the floor with a resounding
'em busy on their own claim tending TO
their own business for a spell. and let
other folks alone. Give 'em the same
as they give US. and I'll be satisfied. Any
man orter to be willin' to take thatr'
Sure thing," chimed Joe.
I'VE are bound to recognize the fact,
however, that in forcing settlement be-
yond certain limits, we may lose all that
we might gain by more moderate de-
mands. Now is it desirable TO take unnec-
essary risks for the sake of paying old
scores?"
Anything you say goes. Mister BILL"
declared Dave. We're in this thing to
see her through, and we amt no cutters
and no kickers. Then again, we amt so
crazy to corral all the dust in sight We
jest want what belongs 10 US, and we
amt objectfng TO purity fair interest, and
leetle somethin' or other, maybe, for
our trouble
IF you can manage to land them fell
lows a few good sockdolagers where
they'll do the most good-jest compli-
mentary like, to let 'em know we amt
forgot what they've done for us in the
same way-the boys won't offer no OBJ
JectiOns, and ii VIII kind of please EN-
seem as how they amt here to see the
dirt fly,' was the frankly expressed opin-
ion Of Mr.. Sutter.
Now, then, gentlemen, there is another
aspect Of the case we are also bound to
pose we suddenly find ourselves con-
fronted by an overwhelming force, and
il is a case of-well hands up?''
Amt never seen you throw up your
hands yet, Mister Bill said Dave, with
supreme assurance.
Nor me, neither. and I don't cal'late
as how 1 will in this ere fracas" Joe
opined, with equal compiacency.
Thank you, gentlemen laughed WAL
dron. Your compliments are as graf
flying as they are unnegotiable, the
voice Of the meeting seems to be unani-
nous that we give EN- hell-so far as
may be consistent with our own safety.
Has the board any further suggestions
to offer?"
Mary oner' said Dave.
Nope" assented Joe.
Very well. gentlemen. the business of
the meeting is transacted. Our next Of
fetal duties will presumably be in the
nature of obsequies of our friend the
enemy, or-our own. 1 trust you will be
on hand in case I am compelled to offer
you up as a sacrifice" he told them,
with brutal candor.
The meetings of the full board of d.
rectors Of this unique company differed
little except in the number of partici-
pants from the informal affair just re-
corded. In all respects were they marveis
of simplicity The meetings were attend