Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1907-12-07


Lancaster stared. ''EIuudered"' he
cried. You got tn grass staggers.
Five hundercdr'
Braden pursed his lips, his thumbs in
his aVmholes again Three numbered
and nifty, say" he compromised. I'D
be willin { give you that"
y moment since the section boss had
been downcast. Now, he guffawed.
Would "" he asked; would W"
There was sage CLEAN in his eye.
II would
Lancaster sucked his teeth impor-
family. ~ couldn't hev it Il cent short
o. sevca numbered an fifty" he de-
clarcd.
You'll never git it, sir. never! Five
numbered 3 spankin' fgger."
"Bahr
Telling YOU what's what. There's
thousands of acres around here Just as
good as yorr'n any day in the week.
Eat yoa got this end of the ford. That
makes a little difference"
Makes bout fifteen numbered dol
lars difference"
1t WAS Bradcn's turn to laugh. My
friend you'll hist to two thousand
pretty SOON he warned. and arose.
Better take five numbered and fifty
when it's offered He flung out his
hands as if he were feeding hens.
Lancaster got up with him, right
eously angry. Say, you amt no south
'ner.' he cried. "Jes' slick Yank All
en- see through You like winda paner'
Braden laughed again. tapping the
shoulder of the section boss. You amt
wise he confided "Farmin' out here
with cows around means fences. But
hang on if you want to- It's your
land" He ended this with a jovial
slap and made for the door. From it
he could see the girls. lie gave them a
magnificent bow. "Mornin', mornin',"
he said aud walked out.
Lancaster went back To the hearth
fairly weak with delight. Dallas and
Marylyn joined him. Wat d Y
think" gurgled their father Say,
been born with
Don't like him." Dallas declared.
'PiC eyes" suggested Marylyn
At that The section boss Gained.
WAL" he said, hes Us good anyhow
as SIopoyer soldiers"
Meanwhile Braden was on his way
to the Troopers Delight. his face gum,
| his step quick, his arms cutting the
ain like propcllers. When he lumber
ell into it he creaked up to the plank
bar and helped himself to finger of
whisky. Then he propped himself on
an elbow and stood scowling into the
rear of the room.
From the gaming table sounded the
ratllery of a dozen men. Matthews
was there, heels up, hat tipped back,
cigar set between his little teeth.
What v givin' as" cried one of his
; companions. You're drunk, Nick
! plumb drunk"
/ Braden listened, turning away. An
advertisement of brandt hung from a
shelf on the far side of the bar He
| toycd with his goblet. his eyes fixed
on the gaudy. fly specked picture.
| II amt drunk Matthews declared
: y never been drunk. My stomick amt
big 'nough to hold the reequissit
amount"
/ There was more laughter The in
| terpreter. well pleased with himself
surveyed his audience, pointing the
, cigar, now up. now down, so that its
glowing end threatened to burn his
shirt collar or, fitting sEyward, al
but singed what there was of a tow
eyebrow.
| And that amt the best part of tht
story he went on AS | was sayin'
not darned pound of ice was left il
Boston. Well, what IL " think n,
old man does? He rents the tastes
coast steamer he can find. Then b.
goes way up north in. the Atlantic ant
lays to with his weather eye Open
Day or two long comes a iceberg bi:
as house, and, by -, he bitches t,
1t, and Boston gifts icer'
And now. like ponderous bobca
descending upon ITS prey. Braden stol,
soft footed across the Room. Nick
he said. His jaws came together Will
the Click OF i steel trap.
Matthews lowered his heels. Jump
in buffalo, ne cried i'll amazement
al Braden. Where ;" you com
from?' He took the OF D s hand. a
the same time pulling him slowly to
ward the door. Away from the crowd
they brought up.
'"Well, you're a nice oner' was Bra
denis answer You're "A nice one
'Lettin' that bend slip through you
fingersw
All the interpreters cocksureness wa
gone. He threw the cigar into tn
sand box under the stove and looke'
on the verge of following it.
Say, you talk of feecin'!' taunte'
Braden. why, you been skinned cleal
s whistle! And by a old fool duffe
from Texasr
81 was at Dodge when he come,
snarled Matthews, finding his voice.
What you go streakin' off to Dodg
. for after the tip giveY'
: "Well, no one here was talkin' raj
D road, SO I-well, r.
Braden addressed the ceiling his fa
j hands outspread. NO one here wa
! talkin' railroad; no one here was talkil