The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1908-02-06

lures; nevertheless he cared not for
those who used IT,
In his part of the west a man would
no more think of giving a false i'm
preston of his financial standing 10
alter his position in ones regard than
he would wear Corsets. Money was OF
small consequence; its sequclae Of less
Men spoke openly Of how much they
made, how they liked the job, how
their claims were paying. Such mat
ters we're neutral ground of chance
conversation as the weather Is in the
east. The rapid and unpredictabic
changes of fortune gave a tendency To
make light Of ones present condition
A man would say I'm busted with
out any more feeling than he would
say II have a cold Now. in Fair
field. that Is not likely lonesome in
that respect. one Of the principal OBJ
jeCts in life was To conceal the pov-
erty which wonld persist in sticking
its gaunt elbows through the cloth Of
words spread over 1t. Red asked
straightforward questions shrewd
ones. toe seeing that the other was
ollt VI MS oN II btllu anu NOulI lol re-
sent IT,
Lettis wanted nothing better than "A
chance to expand on the subject 1t
was close 10 his heart. He had been
a subordinate about as long as a proud
and maStcrful Young fellow ought 10
hc. Now he was quiycring to try his
own strength. and. seeing. for his part,
tina his host was inspired with a gem
ulnc interest and not curiosity, he
gave him all the Information in his
power.
Bat Il plant like that is going to
cost some money, amt IT, asked Red.
TOO much for me, I'm afraid" re-
piled I.ettis Il have 5000 to put in.
and suppose / could borrow the rest.
but that's sadd.ing the business with
too heavy charges right in the begin
ming SIN il may not be as bad as
fancy"
Red drummeI On the table, thinking
Il wouldn't mind getting into Il bust
ness of some kind as long as 1t was
making things" he said. Il don't
banker to keep store much. suppose
/ L ~ 'tf'iN- 81 ltH va " lAA u . va iA'A ''I'
/ how much straw is raised and the rest
of IT,"
"Would youT" cried the Young fell
low eagerly Try George. sir. I wish
You could see your way clear to take
hold Of IT, Could you stand $4,000.
for instance: Excuse the question, but
! I'm SO anxious over this
lord what's the harm Of asking
factsf" said Red, Then, with CLEAN
of genial pride, Ten thousand wouldn't
break me by a durn sight
Lettis' bofigh face fairly glowed. 1T
was my good angel made me stop in
front of your fence" he said. Il saw
! you all eating in here, and you looked
so jolly that | thought I'd stop on the
chance YOU might he the man l was
| looking for. Now I'll 20 right on and
see Mr.. Demilt ana find out what he
wants to do in the natter
| "Wait for the wagon and YOU can
ride" said Red. Boys gone home to
see his dad about working for me this
afternoon. In the meantime, if you're
not too proud to take hold and help
us with this dod rated fence, I'll be
obliged to you"
Bring on your fence! I'm ready
said Lettis.
'Come on, boys said Red, and the
party rose from the table. Later the
wagon came up.
"Well, good day, Lettis," said Red.
"If you can't get quarters anywhere
else. come on and help me hold the
barn down.
do you sleep in the barn? Then
I'll come back sure. Tell you how 1t
Is, Mr.. Saunders. I've been stuck up
In three by nine Office for four years
nose held to a to NJ. western branch
and If I'm not sick of 1t there's no
such thing as sickness. To get ont
and breathe the fresh air, to see the
country, To be my own master-well |
sir, it just makes me tremble TO think |
of it! | hope you find the strawboard |
what you want TO take up"
Il shouldn't wonder If 1t would be-" |
answered Red. We'll make a corking |
team to do business. Lettis, | can see |
that-so cautious and full of tricks and |
all that"
The young man laughed aud then |
sobered down. "Of course | know the |
whole thing would look insane to most |
people, lie said sturdily. but I've
been in business long enough to see
sharp gentlemen come to grief In spite
of their funny work. don't believe
man'll come to any more harm BIZ |
believing people mean well by him
than he would by working ON the other
tack"
Good boy" said Red, slapping him
ON the back. You stick to that and
you'll get satisfaction out Of 1t that
mouey couldn't buy you. Another
thing, you'd never get cent out of |
me in this world If you We're one of |
these smooth young men. My eye teeth |
are cut. son, for all may seem easy. |
The man that does me trick has a |
chance for bad luck. and you can bet |
on that"
lord, believe your replied Lettis, |
taking In the dimensions of his new
friend. well, goodby for the present |
Mt Saunders. Thank you for the din |
e0p nj ctil t<~