Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-03-13

m putin IN two hundred dollars tor loss OF
perspectin' while you was away on Gov ment
service.
Meekns drew hand across his forehead and
there was bewildered look in his eyes. Guess
can't keep up with you. Peloo, in that state
ment of account; there's too many fggers.
How does she stand now?"
Trout made an addition, and then answered,
Five hundred an forty dollars-not DANCED
cent too much!''
Guess l best leave it to you, Peloo: but
they'll chop it down some, bet"
That's what I'm allowin' for-ten per cent.
off for cash, to speak. Ill write it out in Of
fetal form an send her in at wunst."
FOR thirty days Peloo and Meekins discussed
daily the probable outcome of their claim
for salvaging Moody. Then one day Peloo took
Meekins to his room. saying, guess your
check has arrove. Red: leastwise this looks
kinder suspicious" and he held out long
white envelop which carried red official seal.
Il hope they amt cut it moren about half,
Meekins said Peloo opened the letter.
They jus run it through the Gov ment
meat chopper. that's all they did, Red" Peloo
answered dryly as he passed Meekins check.
Thirteen dollars an twenty-five cents!
the latter read aloud in tones of deep disgust.
"Cussed if ! didn't eat up more'n that in
tobacker! What does Premier Wilson say in
that letter about it,"
"'Tain't from the Premier, Red; it's from
some DANCED understrapper who signs himself
Secretary to the Dep'ty Minister of the Depart
ment."
Then Peloo proceeded to read the letter
The secretary pointed out that the Govern
ment should not be held responsible for four
dogs which had evidently been lost through the
owners carelessness after his arrival at Silver
City, as he had charged for their services up to
that time, eighteen days in all.
The item of eighteen days in making one
hundred and eighty miles was an overcharge.
With a team of ordinary dogs this distance
should be covered in, at most. six days.
The item of two hundred dollars for loss to
Mr.. Meekins' business while absent appeared to
be claim without any foundation, as evidently
said Meekins was on his way to Silver City when
Mr.. Moody engaged transportation.
The secretary was further instructed to adj
wise that Mr.. Moody was not authorized to en-
gage Mr.. Meekins, and it appeared to the D. M.
that Mr.. Meekins should obtain payment from
Mr.. Moody
But as this matter of a Government en-
ployee's right to take sick leave in special
cases without first applying to the head OF his
D. NJ. had passed order for the payment
to Mr.. Meekins of the regular Government
rate of ten cents mile for the hundred and
eighty miles he had transported Mr.. Moody,
less four dollars and seventy-five cents the
value of food supplies he had obtained from the
Government cache at Moose Crossing. A check
for thirteen dollars and twenty-five cents was
inclosed. Mr.. Meekins would please sign the
inclosed vouchers in triplicate.
There you are Red!" Peloo exclaimed
ironically. Paid in full for takin' chanst of
bein' froze to death to save sucker. an here's
your diplomat Peloo rendered the check with
Chesterfeldian air to Meekins.
u ED gazed at the white slip in silence. A
- flush of humiliation Redeemed his brow.
The fimsy bit of paper seemed evidence that
he had overrated this service, had Dragged about
it, in his demand for recompense.
I'm kinder sorry sent in that bill, Peloo
he said after time. I'D lose four dogs an
tramp bit through the snow to save white
mans life any time. orter We let it go at that
an waited for my turn to be helped
"'Tain't that way at all, Peloo objected
Isn't the Comment always givin pensions an
bonuses to men that puts in claims? But it's
jus because the fellers has got pull-can
switch votes. When l was up in Alberta, time
the Riel rebellion, there was halfbreed that
ulster pasture the Comment transport bosses at
FIVE dollars head per month. Along comes
the rebellion, an he hires the bosses to the
Gov ment at five dollars day for each team.
He got away with it too. an jus because all the
halfbreeds voted the way he told EN- to vote"
"Purty slick" Red commented. An if it
comes to the matter of mine deal guess I'd
look out for myself too: but this is kinder diff
rent Pelooi l orter been satisfied with savin
that feller's life saw-off to some wuss things
I've did guess I'll jus send that check back
with my compliments to COMMENT
Peloo sat scowling at his toes. turning some