The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1907-06-13
From Minimum
to Maximum.
ny WILLIAM r. BRYAN.

Out OF the night came the sound OF
galloping hoofs and the staccato bark
Of small arms. Little Bradley, who
had arrived at the Shaw ranch that
evening on his first visit west, prompt
ly dropped under the billiard table.
The others, to whom II was an old
story, glanced out Of the window and
went on with their game.
Looks like part Of the d outfit" "
remarked Calendar carelessly as he
chalked his cue Come on out, Brad
ley. They're merely some joyous COW
punching souls on their evening out.
Going down to the Palace, ! Imagine" !"
Bradley, red both from exertion and
chagrin, emerged from beneath the Ia
Die ana picked up his cue, Il thought
that people out here had quit those
fool tricks" he explained, his teeth
still chattering
'They have. except for special occn-
sions. But when they do turn loose
they generally give us a salute In
passing"
THE Palace Is that drinking place
down the road"
Just that You see,' explained Cal
lendar, when Colonel Shaw bought
bis ranch there was one quarter section
he could not get hold Of, owned by n
stubborn brute OF 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 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"
''They don't like the colonel because
he objects to the rum holes they run, nl-
most at his door. and when things are
mussed up, they generally ride past
and give us 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 10 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.
"I'd give half million to have that
collection Of dives moved away" said
Colonel Shaw bitterly. II suppose when
the railroad comes It will be still
worse"
The l.. G. l.. cutofff' asked Bradley.
Are they coming through here|
Right past the town." assented the
colonel. Il think 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
nge."
How much are you really willing 10
spendT 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 just
had a little saloon down In one corner"
Bradley gravely put out hand 80
white and slender that men seldom M
ticipnted the strength OF his grip. "I'll
Go II and make a profit In the end" be
announced.
Colonel shaw shook hands gravely
enough. bot he smiled beneath his
heavy mustacbe. A tx footer himself,
he had al the big mans contempt for
the iittie fellow. How could Bradley.
with his Ave feet seven conquer where
lis six feet two had faiiedf
But be- rather liked Bradley In spite
~ his handicap of size Of course, he
was Impossible as suitor fCr Nancy's
hand, though personally be was a good
tort of chap
The following morning Bradley
,trolled down 10 the Palace for drink.
aud IN Ten minutes he had picked up
an acquaintance with the proprietor
That evening nt the dinner table bis
announcement that bs found Pete
Buckley rather compaajonabls sort
~ chap created al even greater sensa-
ton than had his performances Of the
night befofe.
He didn't throw you outY' cried