The Kennewick courier. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1905-1914, 1907-06-21
KennewiCk Courier
Friday, June Fl, 1907

Not bit of it, said Bradley COM
fortably, blissfully ignorant of the fact
that the colonel himself had been SUBJ
jected to that indignity. as we'll as all
and sundry of his previous guests who
had strayed into the Palace. We had
a couple Of bottles of champagne and
quite Il long chat"
All Of the guests were regarding
Bradley curiouSly, but that did not af-
feet Bradley. He was chatting with
Nancy. and he did not even hear the
coionels muttered explanation:
He was so little they were ashamed
to hurt him.
Era1s.y's visit was the first of sew
era! during the week, and when he
started back 70 town il was with bot
lie of 'Ruckley's best" (Which was
very bad indeed in his travelling bag
aud a hearty sendOff from the .'resu-
lars
He was back again in a couple of
weeks, and the colonel regarded curl
OuSly the smile of cOntentmcnt that
played about his lips when Minimum
was mentioned. Bradley refused to
diyulge any Of his plans and diverted
discussion by the announcement that
the l.. C. L. had decided to run the line
three miles farther to the south.
The statement was received with in
credulity until Bradley pointed out the
advantages to be gained, and the colo
mel sighed contentedly. Not only would
the line leave his property untouched,
but Minimum would not be a railroad
town.
Down at Minimum the news was re-
ceived with less placidity. Buckley
promptly decided that it was the colo
nels work and was for immediate ex-
termination of his neighbor. Only
Bradley's arguments induced him to
abandon the plan, and when his ex-
element had cooled somewhat he and
Bradley went into executive session.
That evening as Bradley strolled in
to dinner the smile had brOadened. and
he looked pityingly at young Callen-
dar, who was generally supposed to be
the coloners choice for a son-in-law.
1t was when the others had gone off
to play billiards that he dropped into
the library. where the colonel sat WRIT
Ing.
Its going to cost you about $50, 900
and two half sections Of good land"
he announced. evil that be all
right?'
(which half sections"' queried the
colonel.
Bradley indicated them on the map.
I'll deed them to you tomorrow"
agreed the colonel. "How did you do
it:''
"Sympathizcd with Buckley" ex-
planned Bradley. "Told him it was a
shame that the line of the road was
transferred south, without explaining
that it took me week to argue nv
uncle into changing the route-Uncle
Jim's president of the road. you know.
Then l pointed out that we could get
some land to the south where we could
spread out as we never could in Mini
mum, and undertook to induce you to
give up the land.
'Then volunteered the promise that
"" "ouiN Tue tOWu
1ngs on the new site as 4 bonus, and
Buckley gets the extra quarter section
for more town lots. He's so profound
ly grateful that he wants to take me
IN as partner
And all this has taken YOU less than
three weeks said the colonel. admir-
ingly. Why. man. I've worked for
twelve years to get that quarter sec
ton
by force alone We shall not CON
Guer, quoted Bradley softly. Even
we little fellows have our uses. colonel.
l guess I'll see if there's a chance to
get into the game in the billiard room.
We can fix up the titles and the con
tracts in the morning.
He strolled out, but the colonel did
not resume his work. He wheeled
about, staring into the fire.
1t was a twelve mile drive to the
county seat, where the papers were re-
corded, and as they drove home in the
twilight Of the next evening the colo
mel refined in his horse in front of Mini
mum. Across the front of the Palace
nilclnth Siryn 1x-hi %