Golden Valley chronicle. (Beach, Billings County, N.D.) 1905-1916, 1907-02-14
BY Motor to
Showdown
BY Owen Oliver
Copyright. by Joseph b. Bowles.)

AIillbank. Local wits call us the Mill
stones; but this is a Jest.
Stone" said I, Il have been think
Ing" l rubbed my hands, that An.
drew Mckenzie did not behave well in
the matter Of that land. His last let
ter was scarcely polite"
almost offensive. He insinuated
we we're lacking in truth and homes
lty!"
THE offer that we made him was
LIBERAL
almost reckless
The price he asked was exces-
sive.'
"a barefaced attempt at eXtortion,"
said warmly. IF you would like to
make him an offer-shall we say 49,
GOO?"
Ten thousand, five hundred dol
lars" said Stone quietly. looked at
him in amaze.aent.
1T Il BARELY worth 100000" Stone
held up his finger.
IF the Showdown and Golight]y rail-
way should propose to build a goods
station there?"
"Ah!" said.
"A little bird" he remarked, play.
fully, has whispered to me that they
do. fear they will have to give at
least s12.5Oo.'
He passed me over letter from the
little bird"
I went over to Showdown BY the
1915 train. Mckenzie became civil
as soon as l explained the object of
my visit.
We'll deal with the matter in
generous spirit on both SIDES he
said. will you make it $10,s0o?" He
is a man with no conscience what
ever.
"Stone would never agree to pen
ny more than $10,500," declared.
Its out of the question"
Yell make it free conveyance?
mo. no! But we'll do it cheaply;
and quickly"
by the new year?'
by Christmas" promised. So we
closed the bargain.
Stone rubbed his hands when | told
him.
I'VE will take it over for signature
on Tuesday," he pronounced.
We had investigated the title during
;le previous. negotiations. saw to
the matter myself, as Stone was busy
trying a new motor-a form of con-
veyance of which do not approve.
was reading the document for the last
time, on Monday morning, when my
partner rushed into our room.
Put on your top coat and hat and
come" l looked at the clock.
We're too late for the train.
Well go on the motor
"Umph!" must confess that did
not trust it. Il don't see why we need
be in such hurry"
His brother is going over by the
train. He has heard something about
the station"
The motor was at the door, putting
and rafting III an unpleasant m2nner
l did not like venturing on the thing
but Stone hustled me into seat. Then
he turned wheel and 1t bolteti for
ward with a jerk tlst threw my hat
into the road 1t was nearly new hat
and some small boys were playing
football with it when we turned the
corner.
why didn't you stop?' I demanded
We've barely time to beat the
train.'
Il shall catch my death of cold"
"Tfe handkerchief round youl
head" he suggested.
commenced knotting my handker
chief at the corners; but Stone turned
too sharply at the end of the street
and we ran against the curb. In catch
ing hold of the car to save myself lei
the handkerchief 20. Stones umbrella
went also. l will not say that l was
glad, but l hoped it would be a lessor
to him, and told him so.
Zone must take these little things
philosophically,' he said. I've {
spare handkerchief that I'll lend you
1t was large silk one, and made ar
excellent head covering, but unfortu
nately 1t was bright red in color, ant
excited remarks from people We
passed.
1T goes" he remarked, with salts
faction.
Il shall be glad when it stops
replied. Il don't consider it is under
proper control"
my dear Flint, can guide it to ar
inch. See me run over that piece Of
orange peel; and that fragment of pa
per. Now round that old woman
Good Heavens!"
He had overlooked heap of stones
and we mounted high over them.
turned backward somersault on the
seat, and only saved myself from goins
out of the car by clasping him rount
the neck with both legs
We rushed upon policeman like
an avalanche. He bolted for the foot
path, shouting something about tn.
county council and ten miles an hour
They've escaped from an asylum,
cried lady as We passed. Look a
their caps"
IF we aren't smashed. we shall bea
the train by 20 minutes" said Stone
1T means $4,000"
LESS damages" corrected. ~
we-Oh!" The car skipped over /;
rough place and nearly went out.
Hold tighter" he told me.
How can IL" | asked Indignantly
1t was necessary. The machine wa:
no longer running, but taking Ions
leaps, and whenever We turned cor