Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1908-04-24

this: Some people try TO play system
at faro. and they last about as quick
as those TINT don't l always put the
limit on the card that's handiest, and
the game don't owe me cent. As
matter of fact some of the tin horns
used TO wear palned expression when
they saw me coming across the room.
I've split 'cm from stem to keelson
more than once and never used a cop
per In my life. Played 'em wide open
all the time. Now" and he brought
his fist down on the table. I'm going
to play that young man wide open.
and I'll bet you l don't lose by him
neither. He looks Us honest as mas
tiff pup for all he dresses kind Of nice.
l might Just as well try him on the
fly as to go Junk heading around and
get stuck anyhow. with the unsatis-
factory addition Of feeling that was
fool as well as confiding."
Most Of the argument had been an
cient Aryan to Miss Matte, but the
ring Of the voice and the little she I'M
derstoOd made the tenor plain. A sud
den moisture gathered IN her eyes as
she said: you're too good and honest
and generous n man to distrust any
body. That's what l think, Will"
Matte. l wish you wouldn't talk
like that" said he In IN injured voice.
1T amt hardly respectable"
After which there was silence for
a short tine. Then said Miss Matte,
do you think you could content your
self here, VIII, after all the things
you've seem"
Red frightened at the change Of
topic. "I'n tell you how that Is. II 1
hadn't any capital and had to work
here as a poor man, don't believe I'd
take the trouble to try and live. I'd
smother. But, having that pleasant
little crop Of long green's securely
planted In the bank where the wild
time doesn't grow and thusly being
able to cavort around as it sweetly
pleases me, why, like the country.
It's sport to take hold Of place like
this that's only held together BY its
suspenders and try to make a real live
mans town out Of it."
Miss Matte drew a deep breath Of
relief. "You came like the hero in Il
fairy story. VIII. and 1 was afraid
you'd 60 away like one," she said.
lie reached across the table and pat
ted her hand. YOU'D have had to
gone, too" said he. 1.-THE family IL
stick together"
She thanked him In a soft little
voice. Dear me-" she murmured. lit
Goes seem that you've been here u
year. VIII"
"Never was told that was such
slow company before"
You know perfectly we'll that that
isn't what mean"
We'll. you'll have to put up with
me for awhile whatever / am. inso-
much as I'm to be q manufacturer and
the Lord knows what. Then some
day I'm going to have IN awful hank
ering for the land where the breeze
blows, and then we'll take q shute for
open prairie. It's cruelty to animals
for me to straddle horse now. yet
there's where I'm ut home. and I'm
going to buy me cayuse Of some
kind. Say. ought to get at that. II
I'm going around with Lettis I want
to ride a horse. Know anybody that's
got real live horse for sale. Matte
No? Well, I'll stop In and see tho
lady that deals the mail. I'll bet you
what that woman doesn't know about
what's going ON in this camp will new
er get into history. Be back right
away!'
Said he to the postmistress: MY
names Saunders, ma'am-cousin to
Miss Matte. just stopped in to find
out II you knew any one that had a
viding horse for sale-horse with four
good legs thatu carry me all day.
and about the rest don't care q frollc-
some cuss."
The postmistress replied at sucll
length and with such velocity that
Red was amazed. He gathered from
her remarks that a certain Mr.. Upton
had an animal. purchased Of a chance
likely he would dispose Of. as the first
time he had tried the brute 1t went
up into the air all sorts of ways and
caused the owner to perform such
tricks before high heaven rs made the
angels weep.
''Where does this man liver asked
Red. with kindling eye.
HE lives ABOUT three miles out on
the Peterville road, but he's in town
tonight visitin' Miss Alders. johnny
to a small boy who had been following
the conversation. his wide open eyes
bent on Red and his mouth and wig
Cling bare toes expressing their delight
In vigorous contortions. Johnny, you
run tell Mr.. Upton there's a gentleman
In here wants to see him about buying
q horse"
Don't disturb him II he's visiting
demonstrated Red.
HE won't call that disturbing him,
replied the postmistress, with shril
laugh. Hell be here In no time"
She was q true prophet. 1t seemed
rs II the boy had barely left the stor'
when he returned with q stoop shout