Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1908-09-10


stroke Of genius was the least BIZ
"clevah."
"Deuced bad FORM he muttered In
unreasonable resentment, quite forget
ting his own turpitude In the matter
of name appropriation. II wouldn't
have believed that Williams fellow
such a selfish beast, you know" How
ever, In the pleasure he took In Miss
Sempton's message the noble earl soon
dismissed the other episode from his
mind.
"Now," said Uncle Michael when the
doors OF the hall were closed, I'VE can
breathe once more" He unfolded bis
telegram and smoothed II out with a
soft caressing hand, cleared his throat
and began again: II have here q mes
sage from friend Of mine In Austin,
Texas, In which one or both Of you
gentlemen may perhaps be interested.
II seems that the state Legislature
adjourned just after certain deep
water harbor bin was passed"
In truth. both gentlemen were more
than interested, and In the tantalizing
pause which the little lawyer made
that poor old hackneyed pin might
haze again done service In dropnipg
"But--but," stammered the cham
pion OF Longmatt, 81 don't understand.
Why, the legislature is fixed! FL
bought itr'
$50 did Ip' asserted the cattle king.
Wrong again, gentlemenw chuckled
the little Irishman. "That august and
honorable body can't-be-boughtw
Explain cried Mr.. Renwyck. tot
tering to his feet. what do you
mean. Michael? What do you know
about It, anyway
Lots" laughed Mr.. Corrigan. BE
sides. it's very simple when you get
down to the facts. You see, there was
a gentleman in New York the other
day-the Hon. Mr.. Kinwait, l believe
he is called--a man welding quite a
big stick among certain members of
the Legislature. You. Mr.. Williams,
mixed toddy for him In San Antonio.
while Jacob took him out to lunch in
New York and presented him with a
fine cigar"
The Texan and the New Yorker
glared savagely. but Uncle Michael
smiled blandly and continued:
1.-THE Hon. Mr.. Kinwait. being thus
beholden to both Of you for your gen.
erous hospitality, became doubtful as
to which to serve. and while strug
Cling with his india rubber conscience
third party came along and offered
him board and lodging In the peniten.
tiary. All things being equal. he for.
got both toddy and cigar and dumped
his influence on the side Of sweet
Olivia and the Peace and Good VIII
Realty company. Am clearY'
He was more than clear. for both
Of the old casehardened schemers saw
at glance how cleyerly they had been
overreached by a little one horse or.
ganization that masked a serpents
fang under the cloak of pious. inof.
fensfve title. with a guileless individ.
ual named Fishcall as Its outward ex.
ponent!
Good Lord" sighed Bill Williams,
''and sold 'em the land to do 1t within
Mr. Renwyck had done the same. but
had not the grace to admit it
'Who the devil Is back of this Peace
and Good VIII Realty company he
demanded. forgetting the presence OF
the ladies in his anger and chagrin.
The little freshman made as graceful
a bow as his embonpoint would per.
init.
II am"
-Your' gasped MIR. Renwyck,
"Yes. jake, dear, / also interviewed
the Hon Mr.. Kinwait."
"But, man." storIned Mr.. Renwyck
"don't you know that half my fortune
Is invested In that deal7 You-you've
swindled mel"
Bill Williams laid his hand on Mr.
Corrigan's shoulder and spoke calmly
but reproachfully:
1T was my pet scheme. Mike, and
you knew it. Half my pile is gone
too I didn't think you'd do me up
like that"
II was merciful," said Uncle Michael
cooIly. II left you each half You
won't starve. l might have taken all
| II Mr.. Corrigan fancied that he was
ironing out the crinkled shirt Of trou
Bile by proving to the rivals that mel
| Their one had been successful. be found
himself vastly mistaken. The tempest
| was loosed again. and Richard the
| Brazen took turn at the thunder box
| look here" he cried, striding up t.
Uncle Michael and spinning that port
" little man about without Difference
| to his age or size, mr.. Corrigan, II yor
We're twenty years younger I'd give
| you the soupdest thrashing you eveI
had In all your lifel"
! AT this surprising development thu
entire company. with the exception Of
the lawyer. were too amazed to d.
aught but stare at the furious youni
man. The furious young man contin
ned, oblivious to his surroundings:
! II came to you In confidence. sir. a
my attorney. at your own suggestion
and asked advice. was helpless, a
you knew. hanging between duty +
dad and my pledge to Mr.. Renwyck
You've swindled "a all sir-these gen
tlemen Of their harbors. me Of what
placed confidently In your hands-m,
honor"
"Honori" sneered M. Renwych
sHonorl'
~Whatr' beloved the cattle king
~You knew all about Il. Dick. and yo'
didn't tell uel Oh. Dick. Dickr
i Richard turned to explain to his n
proachful father, but Mr.. Renwycl
turned upon the young man nercely,