The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1911-04-13
Love and a
Laundry Check
The Way Two Lovers Became
Reunited.
By MABEL ID. CALHOUN
Copyright by American Press Asso-
citation, 1911.
"Well-I'll-be-j lggered!"

square of yellow paper that nuttereo
before Dixies dancing hoofs like a
will-o' -the-wisp of the daytime. Sud
denly he dug his knees into Dixie's
shoulders, and as she sprang forward
Chris leaned over and caught the hy-
ing paper with practiced hand. Then
he scanned it closely and uttered a
long Drawn whistle.
Plainly 1t was II Chinese laundry
check and represented to Its own
er a necessary article Of wearing ap-
parel that probably lay unclaimed In
the wash house of some moon faced
Celestial.
A laundry check found on the side
walk in town is a common occurrence.
A laundry check discovered In an OBJ
scure canyon in the desert regions OF
Arizona becomes a matter for consid-
cradle interest, especially II one has
lust convinced himself that this par
tlcular canyon has never been trod by
the foot of civilized man.
There isn't q Chlnk laundry within
fifty miles, or I'm sinner! And was
sure I'd struck new trail, and after
naming that gulley and all to lind
thisw
Hours afterward when he rolled
dustily up to the bunk house and turn
ed Dixie over to the friendly proffered
services of Dutchy Fink there was
some comment on his extended ab-
sence.
"Where's the critter?' asked Hen
derson, making room for his comrade
at the table and passing Webb's cup
to be filed.
Dead" replied Christopher, his
strong white teeth biting deep into
a hunk of corn bread. Il followed the
trail clean off the range into the SAND
and cactus and then missed 1t. Aft
er awhile l saw a buzzard high In
the air, and guessed what had nap
pened. so 1 followed and found the
critter under a twisted cottonwood.
"Deadr questioned Peters.
almost. OF course l couldn't leave
her that way with that devilish buz-
card hanging around, so"-he paused
Tor announcer Qrdll VI COltt.
$50 you shot her, Chris?"
yep, and then I shot the buzzard."
They laughed indulgently. you al
ways was soft hearted, Chris" COM
mented Peters. filling his pipe. Who'd
stop to bore a strayed critter after
chasing her twenty milesT"
81 would" said Chris in voice that
indicated he was weary of the topic.
ANY you chaps got baccy|
He deity rolled a cigarette In his
lean brown fingers and drew a light
from Henderson's smoke. (Which one
of you fellows Is wearing billed shirtsT'
he asked lazlly.
mot guilty" they cried in chorus,
and Peters continued. "They amt
chap had nerve enough to sport billed
shirt on the Three Forks outfit-not
since Pinky Fleming was took for
ghost and a greaser shot him dead
right through the billed shirt"
"Since then billed shirts has been
looked on like sudden death" put In
Henderson gravely. mo, sir, there
amt nobody on Little Forks wearing
billed shirts. Why you ask. ChrisT'
Anybody know where there's
Chink laundryT demanded Chris pa
tiently.
81 expect there's one In Tucson"
suggested Peters. Seems like dream
Il remember shooting up a Chlnk
laundry there. That was a long time
ago." he added hastily.
"Then there amt a Chink laundry
nearer than Tucson?" said Chris.
"How about Cactus BranchT" sug-
gested Redwood from his quiet corner.
Seems l recollect once when l was
passing the Lone Horn-I was going
to the roundup at the Branch. you
know-some Of the wlmmen folks ask
ed me would leave bundle at the
laundry there and git a check for 1t.
Being of an obliging nature, jest nat
urally said would, and I'm blamed
IL they didn't tote out big. squashy
bundle, and me expecting a couple of
collars or mebbe a billed shirt! Mrs.
Traymore-you know Jim Traymore's
running the Lone Horn now-Mrs.
Traymore says not to lose 1t. because
It's q precious thing It's nothing but
a fancy white dress her sister was ex-
pectlng to wear to the schoolhouse
dance, and the girl had set her heart
1t should be done up right and nobody
but Chlnk must do It,
"As I was roped in for the job
bows most polite and says will leave
the check on my way back. Well"-
he paused and eyed his companions du-
blously-"you all recollect the roundup
Mt Cactus Branch"
Being as 1t only happened last week,
we have strong recollections," confess
ed Chris, rubbing his head thoughtful
ly. 1--WE specially recollect all about
you, Redwood. and you sure didn't
take the trail by the Lone Horn when
you came back, and you amt been Off
this outfit since"
That's right" admitted Redwood
gloomlly.
What happened?"
~ left the squashy bundle all right,
and the Chink said 1t would be bits,
and he gave me piece OF paper Gov
cred with turkey tracks, and now
don't know where the blamed paper is
Hnless"- He frightened suddenly and
You don't deserve so much credit