Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1907-05-24

"ID GIVE HALF A MILLION TO HAVE THAT
COLLECTION OF DIVES MOVED"
BILE and picked up his cue. Il thought
that people out here had quit those
fool tricks" he explained, his teeth
still chattCring
"Thcy have. except for special Occa
sions. Eut when they do turn loose
they g2-erally give us a salute in
passing
The Ialace is that drinking place
down the road"
just tAat You see," explained Cal
lendar, when Colonel Shaw bought
his ranch there was one quarter section
h. could not get hold Of owned by a
stubborn brute of a fellow who would
not let so. That was the foundation
of tie town Of Minimum"
"Funuy name" commented Bradley.
That's why they took it. The origi-
nal holder has been dead some years
now, but the town goes on. You see,
it's nearer the mines by ten miles than
the railroad town, and between the
miners and the cowboys things are
kept lively"
"Thcy don't like the colonel because
he objects TO the rum holes they run, al
most ut his door, and when things are
mUssel up, they generally ride past
and give US Il salute. It's only once or
twice that the shots have come
through. AS a rule they fire into the
air"
Some Gre called Bradley to make his
shot and the matter was not again
taken u until late that evening. when
Bradlc~ and his host sat chatting In
the 81 ing room, and the guests good
naturcdly told the story of his fright.
"Td give half million to have that
collection Of dives moved away" said
Colonel Shaw bitterly. Il suppose when
the railroad comes it will be still
worse"
THE l.. c. L. cutoff?" asked Bradley.
"Are they coming through hereE'
Right past the town. assentcd the
colonel. 81 think I shall have to give
up the idea of living here | had hoped
to buy up all the land and have the
finest place around here in my old
age"
How much are you really willing to
spend" demanded Bradley II mean
business"
"And | meant the half million. l Of
fered cid Pete $3C0000 for the quarter
before the town grew up, when he just
had a little saloon down in one corner"
Bradley gravely put out hand so
white and slender that men seldom an
ticipat2d the strength of his grip. 'I'Il
do it and make profit in the end" he
announced.
Colonel Shaw shook hands gravely
enough, bit he smiled beneath his
heavy mustache A six footer himself.
he had all the big mans contempt for
the little fellow. How could Bradley,
with his five feet seven. conquer where
his six feet two had failed?
But he rather liked Bradley in spite
OF his handicap Of size. OF course. he
was impossible as sutton for Nancy's
hand though personally he was a good
sort Of chap.
The following morning Bradley
strolled down to the Palace for a drink
and in ten minutes he had picked I'D
an acquaintance with the proprietor,
That oEoning at the dinner table his
announcement that he found Pete
Buckley rather Il companionable sort
OF chap created an even greater sensa-
ton than had his performance of the
night before
He didn't throw you out ?" cried
Colonel Shaw in amazement.
Not lit of it, said Bradley com. |
fort1bly blissfully ignorant OF the fac,
that the colonel himself had been sub. |
jectcd to that indignity. as we'll as all
and aundry of his previous guests who
had strayed into the Palace. I'VE had
couple Of bottles of champagne and
quite long chat"
All or the guests were regarding
Bradley curiously, but that did not af. |
rect Bradley. He was cbattinp with |
Nancy, ana he did not even hear the
colonels muttered explanations;
lie was SO little they were ashamed
to lv.t him."
Irat 'eEs visit was the first of soy. |
efal during the week, and when he |
started back to town it was with a bot !
Tie OF "Euckl"y's best (Which was
very Lad tndet'D in his travelling bag
ana hearty sendoff from the .'regu |
lars" 80"
lie was back again in "A couple of
weeks, and the colonel regarded curl |