Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1911-03-30

an sleep an write an box there.
BOX, you say? Have they gloves"
Sure. An tramp through the woods
loaded with deadly weepins. like
Davy Crockett. But they don't shoot
anything. Never saw a man who
wouldn't wear suspenders that could
hit an acre O. pine stumps.
Here's where come in. This play
they're writin' is a backwoods dram
mer, an they need what they call
local color Whenever / pick up
likely-lookin' chap goin' from Prince
vile to Rocky Creek, my harness
breaks and tote him up here. They
feed him an lodge him an get MIN
mad SOS he'll talk stuff they can put
in their play.
81 get two dollars a head for each
one. An I've brought en- some BIRDS
A couple O. lumberjacks started TO
rough-house one night, but a little
money fixed EN-.
THE girl don't like the way they
act. She says it's abusing the name
OF hospitality. That keeps them In
bounds a little, for CORTLAND wants to
marry her. But / don't believe she
cares a cent for him. Old Tommy. he
Just laughs and tells them to go
ahead. He says they'll get theirs
yet"
Folwell rose. Here's your dollar.
SAM" The CLINT in his eye was more
pronounced. He was smiling pleas
ed sort of smile.
Much Obliged" said the teamster,
pocketing the bill Then he looked
curiously at Folwell Say, what you
going to do?"
I'm going to give them-'theirs. "
In less than fifteen minutes young
Slade was eagerly proposing that the
traveller put on the gloves with him.
He believed 1t was his own suggestion
entirely; but Folwell, accustomed to
leading timid and close-fisted capital
into costly engineering projects, had
really goaded him to the challenge.
| CORTLAND, the vain and handsome
was also blinded by his cleverness;
but in the eyes Of Miss Slade. as ne
was pulling on the gloves, Folwell
caught a look Of amused comprehen-
sion.
Tommy slade would never have
made his mark in the ring. He was
game as a pebble, but too impetuous.
He tried to rush Folwell after several
smart raps had brought the tears to
his eyes. One particularly angry and
incautious charge the engineer side
stepped. At the same moment he ac'
celebrated sTommy's speed with a
swing behind the ear.
As a result, the millionaire's son
crashed into the log wall. head down
and dropped in heap. He was up In
an instant. but too dizzy to see. BY
common consent the bout was termi'
mated. CORTLAND, doubtless eager to
show his proves before the girl he
loved, donned the gloves which Tom
my YEARLY relinquished.
Tho actor had reach and strength;
but cigarettes had weakened his en-
durance and he lacked the engineers
science. So Folwell, his gray eyes
emitting sparks, battered him with a
right good will. The door swung
open on the climax.
Old Tommy Slade, smiling quizzical'
", and Sam, a.grin through his mus
.tacbe. noted Tommy nursing a bump
on his head as big rs an egg; Court
land sitting dazed against the wall
where he had fallen. his aristocratic
nose bleeding and his right eye swol.
len shut; Folwell gloved hands on
hips. dominating the scene from the
center of the floor; and Grace curled
ND in a big chair, gazing spellbound
at the victor
"This ought to make the big act for
that play" murmured old Tommy
with an edge in his gentle tones that
made his son writhe and CORTLAND
bite his lips. Il thought you bucks'd
firt with the Jam till somebody got o
bruisin'"
He turned to Folwell. "You the
chap that's goln' to put a power dam
across Rocky Creek"
"If can get the capital" said the
engineer, unlacing the gloves.
Old Tommy's glance rasped over
the crestfallen collaborators again.
you'll get it, all right-if you argue
like YOU fight. By cracl5y, this makes
me think I'll back you myself! Come
over to the house. Wen talk 1t over"
The storm had increased and the
wind bit the perspiring Folwell to the
bone. But he seemed to float over
the drifts instead of blowing through
them for Grace slade was beside him.
her hand nesting confidingly into the
crook of his arm. And he dared to
hope that her heart kept time to the
mad. sweet dance Of his own.