Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1911-03-29


Grace. She stays with them in the
big sbanty on the knoll back there.
The yellow-haired lad is old Tommy's
son, young Tommy His friend, the
big chap, is a play actor from New
York. Names Vance CORTLAND; ever
hear o. him?"
Yes. l thought I'd seen him before.
He plays in western dramas"
That's him." nodded Sam. Wen.
young Tommy is a-writing a play for
him. They coll--coll-"
Collaborating"
That's it. The house where you
ate supper is their study-o. They eat
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 l come in. This play
they're writin' is a backwoods dram
mer, an they need what they call
local color. Whenever l pick up a
nkely-lookin' chap goin' from Prince
vile to Rocky Creek. my harness
breaks and l tote him up here. They
feed him an lodge him an get him
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 'em.
THE girl don't like the way they
act She says It's abusing the name
of hospitality. That keeps them in
bounds little. for CORTLAND wants to
marry her. But l 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 it was his own suggestion
entirely; but Folwell accustomed to
leading timid and close-fsted 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 he
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
gar4a 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 &C
celebrated Tommy'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 a 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 prowess before the girl he
loved, donned the gloves which Tom
my YEARLY relinouished
The 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-
ly, and Sam, a-grin through his mus
tache. noted Tommy nursing bump
on his head as big as an egg; Court
land. sitting dazed against the wall
where he had fallen. his aristocratic
nose bleeding and his rig eye swol-
len shut; Folwell gloved hands on
hips, dominating the scene from the
center of the floor; and Grace curled
up 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. 81 thought you bucks'd
fiirt with the jam till somebody got
bruisin'"
He turned to Folwell. You the
chap that's goin' to put 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 cracky. this makes
me think I'll back you myself! Come
over TO the house Wen tall IT over"