Mountain Home maverick. [volume] (Mountain Home, Idaho) 1906-1911, 1909-09-16

has his money his millions maybe. be
means well when be refuses to give
his men fair share Of what they pro-
duce Means well? Yes. he does
notr'
"Joe. are you crazyg' demanded his
wife alarmed and a little angry at his
outburst
"Well. there's a whole lot Of truth
in what Joe says" put in Smith con
ciliadngly. "You see. Williams did
start out as a captain Of a south Pa
cifc trader but. like most Of them
fellows. I guess he stole a good deal
more than be traded. lie had the rep
utation Of being the strongest man on
the coast or i'm the tropics-could break
q mans arm with as much ease as
you'd snap a straw He's harsh. VII
liams is-harshl When he cane east
he got control Of the Latin-American
lie loved money. and he got Utmost
any way he could Yes. Joe ought to
have more, that's sure lie ought to
have more"
"You know should" went on
Brooks. somewhat mollifed 10y his
friends acquiescence and support and
drawing a bulky pocketbook from the
inside pocket of his walstcoat Eve
got control Of all the money of the
company. That's my job. Why here.
this alone is the afternoon collections.
too late to put in the safe. nearly
$4,000. more than twice as much as J
get in a year. l could take it all and
then not be caught or at least not for
months. but
"Why. joe I'm surprisedv' his wife
broke in.
"Of course Joe wouldn't take a cent
that don't belong to him." said Smith.
81 know that. Williams does too. SO
I guess he figures him safe and don't
see the least bit of use in paying him
more"
"But I won't stand it," Brooks de-
clared, waxing wroth again and fling
ing himself in his chair "Why do you
get raises, Jimsy? You've been adj
vanced time and time again."
Lord, l don't know" he replied. Il
just tell the old fellow that l calculate
I'm worth more money. Come across
or we separate. say. and so far he's
always come"
Il was so glad to hear of your last
good luck" remarked Emma sincerely.
A look Of regret came over Smiths
face.
Il only wish Joe had got it instead
Of me-" he said.
Brooks jumped to his feet
frXor Hor,ft r,ood 70
Smith," he cried excitedly. I'm no
'object Of charity-no. l amt. And
you're like all the rest Of the capital
istic crowd-grind, grind, grind. Well,
look out there's going to be a smashup
you understand? A smashup, and you
all go-millionaires, toadies and-well.
that's all I've got to say"
He snatched his hat from a hook in
the hail and went out without another
word, slamming the front door behind
him so heavily that the glasses on the
sideboard ratified
Emma gazed at Smith in blank dis
may.
Il can't understand joe" she said,
shaking her head in worry and per-
plexity. He's growing so morose and
disconnected
ITS funny, amt it." observed Smith
rehectively. "Joes Just rushed out,
filed up to the throat with anarchy,
socialism. smashups and all that stuff,
almost ready to throw bomb"
''Nonsensel'
HE is. yet if Williams had raised
him today $40 a week he would have
been a firm believer in capital and the
way it works"
She sighed, took a seat opposite to
him at the table and with great ear
nestness started in to question him.
"Jimsy" she began. tell me honest
ly-why doesn't Joe get onT'
Il really don't know" he averred
Pm afraid you do" Emma insisted.
Honest. / don't I've been so busy
getting along myself that l haven't
paid much attention to any one else"
He paused and gazed up at the cell
ing, engrossed in thought.
you know. Emma" he went on sud
denly. turning toward her. "this get
ting along business is a funny game.
Such a lot depends on what man
means when he gets along. Some get
along when they have got a lot Of
money, some when they have a wife
and a home and a bunch Of kids, some
when they are able to pick pockets
and fool the coppers. Getting along
and why you do or why you don't de-
ponds a good deal on where you want
to get"
and you, JimsyT she questioned.
'Have you been getting along?"
ooh. yes, l guess so. l amt got a
whole lot to kick about; perhaps a lit
tie less, maybe a little more, than Joe.
But the great idea is not to get sore.
Joe's all right. Maybe he's just being
prepared for a better living. When it
comes he'll appreciate it more"
Somehow l don't seem to under
stand him as l used to-" she confessed.
There's been a change that worries