The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-01-29

Oh the other sider Is it China or
Russia? III drill until we get there
il the old man foots the bills. There's
oil In China and there's oil in Russia,
SO I've been told"
linton and Moore watched the work
and dropped as they watched All
their buoyancy was gone. Mallory
tried to cheer them NJ, but with little
SUCCESS. at 1900 feet he had to use
all his courage 10 show n, smiling faca
to them and answer Cassidy's jokes In
light spirit.
There was a vehement protest from
Los Angeles when Merritt got all
urgent call for money after Cassidy
reached 1900 feet. The old man an
nounced that 1t was ridiculous TO COT.
tinue, but he did not order the work
stopped. At $500 feet, however. he
lost all patience and telegraphed a
peremptory order TO cease operations.
The message was not received until
Cassidy was down 70 1850 feet. There
he stopped.
Once more there was a council Of
war. linton and Moore had nothing
to suggest and nothing to say Cassidy,
who was called into the conference.
frankly announced that it was n waste
of money to do any moro work. H cX-
pressed sympathy for the three friends
and said when he came across tho
shameless rascal WHO had played the
scoundrellY trick on them he would
take great pleasure in beating tho
life out of him, hutmeanwhIe he saw
nothing for all hands to do but pull
down the drilling scaffold. get the tools
together and move on. II he could do
anything to help the three lungers he
was more than willing. but the place
for them was back in one of the cities.
There they probably could get work,
or, If not. could get In touch by tele-
graph with their relatives in the East.
Mallory listened patiently, and when
Cassidy finished he had his say.
no, boys" he said,s"we're not going
TO give up yet It looks as if we're
done for. but I'm not ready to quit.
If Cassidy Will let ms have enough
money to go to Los Angeles, I'll make
another play for old man Merritt. Ill
get him 10 stick. He has to- He has
put in too much now to abandon the
work. We've been buncoed and we've
been laughed at. but I'm not the one to
'flct go because Of that III mako one
more try at It, The old man surely
will go $50 feet deeper if 1 plead hard
enough.
Cassidy gave enough money to him
to pay his way to Los Angeles. The
funds of the three friends had been
exhausted n Week before, Not only did
Cassidy furnish the money. but in his
good ma turcd irish way he declared
that, pending the announcements Of the
old mans decision. he would continue
drilling Just for good measure.
Mallory proceeded to Los Angeles.
lie made a brave effort to hide the
lowncss Of spirit that weighed 80
heavily upon him. and when he Went
into Merritt's Office he seemed to have
all his usual courage and confidence.
NO" said the old man. when Mai
lory had reported and had told how
just little more patience would oring
success II success was to come 10
them. I'm through. don't blame
yon. Mallory. shouldn't have gone
into this thing in the first place. 1t
simply was case of my sympathy get
ting the better Of my Judgment. !
wont stand for another penny. I've
sunk a darn sight more money in this
fool proposition thatn Ill ever let any
ono know. ! have no hard feelings IN
til cmattcr. and If YOU can get any
other chump to back YOU up in this
affair, go ahead and get him. I'll give
you my 81 per cent. interest and not
ask you to say thank you Here's tho
agreement we signed Put 1t In your
pocket or tear It up. hut. don't bother
me again. III just put my loss down
to experience"
"I'm sorry. Mr.. Merritt, mighty
sorry said Mallory.
80 am I. Mallory" said Merritt, and
the two men shook hands
Mallory walked out OF he Office with
head bent. Ii Merritt had shown anger
or resentment he might hope TO mako
some Roadway by another appeal. but
against such kindly consideration as
tho old man had shown there could ba
nothing done. Mallory thought Of the
two weak mon up in the ltosita VAL
Icy and thought of himself He was 80
busy thinking that no paid no attention
10 youth he bumped against and who
expressed himself vigorously for hav
ing one OF his feet stepped on. IT was
not until Mallory was out on the street
that he came out of his abstraction
Then lie suddenly realized that come
one was calling his name. 1t was a
ccrk from Mcrritts Office who had
run after him. #
Mallory won't back \ small boy in