Evening journal., 1907-06-17


I'D GIVE HALF 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 chattering.
iThey have, except for special occa-
siOns. But when they do turn loose
they generally give US a salute In
passing"
eThe Palace is that drinking place
down the road?"
"Just that You see" explained Cal
lendar. when Colonel Shaw bought
his ranch there was one quarter section
he could not get hold Of, owned by a
stubborn brute of a fellow who would
not let go. That was the foundation
of the town Of Minimum"
Funny namer' commented Bradley.
That's why they took It. The origl-
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"
"They don't like the colonel because
he objects to the rum holes they run, al
most at his door. and when things are
mussed up, they generally ride past
and give US q salute. It's only once or
twice that the shots have come
through. As a rule they fire into the
air"
Some one called Bradley to make his
shot. and the matter was not again
taken up until late that evening. when
Bradley and his host sat chatting In
the smoking room, and the guests good
naturedly told the story OF his fright.
'Td give half million TO have that
collection Of dives moved away" said
Colonel Shaw bitterly. 81 suppose when
the railroad comes it viii be still
worse"
''The l.. c. L. cutoffT' asked Bradley
"Are they coming through here?"
Fright past the town." assented the
colonel. Il think l 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 tc
spendTi demanded Bradley. Il mean
business"
"And / meant the half million. OF
fered old Pete 100000 for the quarter
before the town grew up. when he JUS
had a little saloon down IN one corner
Bradley gravely put ont a hand s'
white and slender that men seldom an
ticipated the strength OF his grip. III
do it and make profit in the end" h'
announced.
Colonel Shaw shook hands gravel'
enough, but he smiled beneath hi
heavy mustache. A six footer himself
he had oil the big mans contempt 70
the little fellow. How could Bradley
with his FIVE feet seven, conquer wher
his six feet two had failed?
But he rather liked Bradley in spit
Of his handicap of size. OF course, h
was impossible as q suitor for Nancy
hand though personally he was goo
sort of chap.
The following morning Bradle
strolled down to the Palace for a drink
and in ten minutes he had picked u
an acquaintance with the proprietor
That evening at the dinner table hi
announcement that he found Pet
K Buckley rather a companionable sol
Of chap created an even greater sense
ton than had his performance of th
l night before.
Z 'He didn't throw you outr erie
Colonel Shaw in amazement.
sNot n bit Of It." said Bradley con
fortably, bllssfuIly ignorant Of the fa'
that the colonel himself had been sal
1ected to that indignity, as well as
and sundry Of his previous guests WI
had strayed into the Palace. I'VE ha