Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1911-03-15
Love and a
Laundry Check
The Way Two Lovers Became
Reunited.
By MABEL d. CALHOUN
Copyright by American Press Asso-
citation, 1911.
Copyright by American Press Asso.
citation. 1911.


square Of yellow paper that fiuttered
before Dixie's dancing hoofs like
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 fy-
ing paper with practiced hand. Then
be scanned it closely and uttered a
long Drawn whistle
Z Plainly 1t was a Chinese laundry
check and represented to its own
er 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
ticular canyon has never been trod by
the foot of civilized man.
There isn't Chink laundry within
ffty miles. or I'm sinner! And ! was
sure I'd struck a new trail. and after
naming that gulley and all to find
this.''
| 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 alb
sence.
where's the critterT' asked Hen.
derson. making room for his comrade
at the table and passing Webb's cup
to be filled.
Dead" replied Christopher. his
/ strong white teeth biting deep into
a hunk of corn bread. II followed the
trail clean of the range into the sand
and cactus and then l missed it Aft
er awhile saw a buzzard high N
the air. and guessed what had hap
pened, so followed and found the
critter under twisted cottonwood"
"DeadT' questioned Peters.
Almost OF course couldn't leave
her that way With that devilish buzz
zard hanging around. so"-he paused
for another draft of coffee.
$50 you shot her, Chrisy
Yep. and then l 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 eritter after
chasing her twenty miles?'
Il would" said Chris in voice that
indicated he was wefry of the topic.
Amy you chaps got baccyy'
He deity rolled a cigarette in his
lean brown fingers and drew light
from Henderson's smoke. Which one
Of you fellows is wearing billed shirts?"
he asked lazilp.
'sNot 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 a
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. "No. sir. there
amt nobody on Little Forks wearing
! billed shirts. Why you ask. ChrisT.
Anybody know where there's
/ Chink laundry" demanded Chris pa
! tiently.
II expect there's one in Tucson"
suggested Peters. Seems Ike dream
Il remember shooting up Chink
/ laundry there. That WIS 4 long time
ago" he added hastily.
"Then there amt q Chink laundry
| nearer than Tucson?" said Chris.
"How about Cactus BranchY sug-
geSted Redwood from his quiet corner.
Seems recoi,ect once when was
| passing the Lone Horn-I was going
!, to the roundup at the Branch. You
know-some Of the wimmen folks ask
ed me would leave bundle at the
laundry there and git check for It.
Being Of an obliging nature, jest nat
urally said would, and I'm blamed
II they didn't tote out q 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 It. because
it's precious thing It's nothing but
a fancy white dress her sister was ex-
pecting to wear to the schoolhouse
dance. and the girl had set her heart
1t should be done up right and nobody
but Chink must do II.
"As l was roped In for the Job
bows most polite and says I VIII leave
the check on my way back. Welr-
he paused and eyed his companions du-
biously-"you all recollect the roundup
at Cactus Branch"
Being as 1t only happened last week,
we have strong recollections," confess
ed Chris, rubbing his head thoughtful-
~. I've specially recollect all about
you. Redwood. and you sure didn't
lake the trail by the Lone Horn when
you came back, and you amt been Cd
this outfit since"
That's right" admitted Redwood