Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1910-07-01

clause vas a joke. He a never
done any work in his life, except for
the State. My client got loaded on gin
about the time the case came up on de-
murrcr and gave the snap away and
l dropped out of the practice to avoid
being disbarrcd. So here I am; and
I'm glad 1 shook the law. I'd got tired
of eating coffee and rolls at the Berlin
bakery three times a day.
One Of the typewriter operators, en-
tered with a brisk air OF business and
handed a telegram to Balcomb, who
tore it open nonchalently. AS he read
it, ne tossed the crumpled envelope
over his shoulder in an discontinued
way. Then, to the girl, who waited
with notebook and pencil in hand.
Never mind; don't wait. I'll dictate
the answer later. How did it worlS??'
he asked, turning to Leighton, who a
been looking over the books on the ta-
BILE.
How did what work."
1.-THE fake. 1t was a fake telegram.
That girls trained to bring in a mes
a g every time / have a caller. If the
caller stays thirty minutes, it's two
messages-in other words. I'm on q
fifteen-minute schedule. I tip a boy
in the telegraph office to keep me sup
piled with blanks. It's a great scheme.
There's nothing like a telegram to
create the impression that your office
is a seething caldron of business"
you have passed the poetry stage,
beyond a doubt. But I should think
the strain of keeping all this going
would be wearing on your sensitive
poetical nature. And 1t u cost
something"
1T does, but arr keeps a whole
corps of rascals to spread apple-but-
ter on the Legislature corn-bread."
You'd better speak to him about 1t.
He'd probably tell Mrs. Carr to ask
you to dinner right away"
ooh, that will come in time. l don't
expect to do everything at once. You
may see me up there some time: and
when you do, don't shy off hke a colt
at the choo-choos. By the way, I'd
like to be n of the bright particular
stars of the Dramatic Club IL you can
fix it. You remember that amateur
theatricals are rather in my line"
He looked at his watch and gave
the stem-key a few turns before re-
turning 1t to his pocket.
You'll have to excuse me, old man.
I've got a date with Adams. He's a
right decent chap when o know how
to handle him. / want to get them to
finance a big apartment house scheme.
I've got an idea for a flat that will
! make the town sit up and gasp"
Don't linger on my account, Jack.
I only stopped in to see whather you
kept your good spirits. I feel as though
I'd had a shower bath, Come along"
Several men were waiting to see Bal
comb in the outer Office n he shook
hands with all Of them and begged
them to come again, taking care to
mention that he had been called to the
| Central States Trust Company and had
to hurry away.
He called peremptorily to the pass
ing e~levatof-car to wait, and as he
and Leighton squeezed into it, he con-
tinued his half of an imaginary o n
yersation In q tone that was audible
to every passenger.
IT could nave had those bonds, If
I had wanted them; but I knew there
was a cloud on them-the county was
already over its legal limit. I guess
those st Louis fellows will be sorry
they were so enterprising-here We
are!"
n And then in a lower tone to Leigh
ton: That was for Did man Damer-
on's benefit. Did you see him damned
back in the corner of the car? Queer
old party n as tight as a drum
When I can work of some assessable
and non-interest bearing bonds on him
it'll be easy to sell Uncle Sans Treas
ury q gold brick. They say the old
man has a daughter who is finer than
gold; yea, than much fine gold. I'm
going to look her up, If I ever get time
You'd better come over 500 and pick
out an ofice. SO long!"
Tni1htOn m hack TO his office In
good humor and better contented with
his own lot
CHAPTER VIII.
We'll, I butted In all right sait
EIBaleonb, cheerfully 81 suppose you're
saying to yourself hat it's another
case OF the unfailing Ralcomb check