Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1908-04-17


was close To his heart. He had been
q subordinate about as long as proud
and masterful young fellow ought to
be- Now he was Quivering to try his
own strength. and, seeing. for his part,
! that his host was inspired with gem
uinc interest and not curiosity he
gave him all the Information In his
power.
but a plant like that is going TO
cost some money, amt IT." asked Red.
TOO much for me, I'm afraid" re-
piled Lettls. II have 5000 to put In,
and suppose could borrow the rest,
but that's saddllnS the business with
too heavy charges right In the begin
ming Still, 1t may not be as bad as
( fancy"
| Red drummed on the table, thinking
II wouldn't mind getting into bust
ness of some kind as long as 1t was
making things" he said. Il don't
banker to keep store much. Suppose
go alo-g with you when you look up
how much straw is raised and the rest
Of it?"
Would you:" cried the young fell
low eagerly. "Dy George. sir, l wish
you could see your way clear to take
hold Of 1t! Could you stand $4,000,
for instance? Excuse the question, but
I'm so anxious over this
Lord, what's the harm of asking
facts?" said Red. Then, with a CLEAN
Of genial pride, "Ten thousand wouldn't
break me by durn sight"
Lettis' boyish face fairly glowed. ut
was my good angel made me stop in
front Of your fence" he said. II saw
you all eating in here, and you looked
so jolly that thought I'd stop on the
chance you might be the man 1 was
looking for. Now I'll 60 right on and
see Mr. Demilt and find out what he
wants to do In the matter"
"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. boysr' 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 it
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 rs sickness. To get out
and breathe the fresh air, to see the
country, to be my own master-well,
sir, 1t just makes me tremble to think
Of 1t! 1 hope you find the strawboard
what you want to take up"
II shouldn't wonder II it would be-"
answered Red. well make q corking
team to do business. Lsttis, car see
that-so cautious and full OF tricks and
all that"
The young man laughed and then
sobered down. "Of course I know the
whole thing would look insane to most
people," he said sturdily, but I've
been In business long enough to see
sharp gentlemen come to grief in spite
Of their funny work. I don't believe
a man'n come to any more harm by
believing people mean we'll 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 a satisfaction out of 1t that
money couldn't buy you. Another
thing. you'd never get q cent out Of
me In this world II you were one of
these smooth young men. My eye teeth
are cut, son, for oil l may seem easy.
The man that does me a trick has q
chance for bad luck. and you can bet
on that"
Lord. I believe your replied Lettis.
taking In tho dimensions Of his new
friend. "Well. goodby for the present
Mr.. Saunders. Thank you for the din
ner and still more for the heart you
have put into me-"
At 6 o'clock the fence was not quite
finished.
III you'll stay with me until the
lhins's done. I'll stand another dollar
oil around" said Red. II don't want It
to stare me in the face tomorrow"
The eldest spoke up. well stay
with you. Mr.. Saunders, but We don't
want any money for II. do we. fel-
lers?"
NO." they replied In chorus, well
meaning what they said.
why. you're perfectly welcome to
the cashw said Red.
"And you're welcome to the work"
retorted the boy. "Wc're paid plenty
as 1t is"
III that's the way you look at Il,
I'm much obliged to you." said Red,
who would not have discouraged such
feeling for anything. He said to
himself. This don't seem much like
tie kind of people I've heard inhabited
these Parts. Those boys are all right.
RECKON II you use people decent they'll
play up to your lead. no matter what
country 1t Is"
At 7:30 the fence was done. gorgeous
In a coat Of fresh red paint, and
the hands departed, each with a slice
OF Miss Mattie's chocolate cake. q
thing to make the heather gods feel
cOntemptuOus Of ambrosia.
They went straight to the black.
smiths shop. where they were anxious
ly expected.
Good Lordw he said q little later,
IF you fellers will talk one Mt time,
p'raps l can make out what's hap
pened. Now. Sammy, s'p'ose you do
the speakingy"
Whereupon Sammy faithfully chron-
icled the events of the day. The boys
had behaved themselves as II there
was nothing out Of the common hap
pening while they were with Red, be-
ing held up by a sense of pride, but
naturally the splendid physique Of the
cowman. his picturesque attire, his