The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1912-04-06
e MeAdEenfmas Of
AVERAGE JONES
Gentleman Defective
4(R|IgySAhUl HWMlNADAN
W SfoPYRi0ffT ielL ME BoBeS nERnu COMPANY

Now we can talk business COM
fortably" he observed.
II can't talk at all pretty quick
IL I don't git a moistener," said
Fred piteously.
Pouring out a scant cupful of
water into his hat, Average Jones
handed It over. Drink slowly"
he advised You've got about a
hundred dollars worth there at
present quotations.
Colonel Richford's head went
up with jerk.
Hundred dollars WORTH" he
croaked, his eyes fiery with sus-
picion. Are you going to hold
up two men dying of thirst?"
There's been only one man In
danger of that death around here.
His name is Hoff."
The redoubtable colonel gasped
and leaned back against a rock.
You'll be relieved to learn
that he's safe. Now, to answer
your question: No, don't pro-
pose to hold up two men for any
thing. l propose to deal with the
North Pinto Gold Mining Com
pany. AS a practical mining man
you will appreciate the absolute
necessity of water in your opera
lions. The nearest available sup
ply Is some 10 hours distant. Be-
fore you could reach it | fear that
-er--your company would--ef-
have gone out of existence. There
| fore l am fortunate in being able
to offer you a small supply which
| will put on the market at the
low rate of $4,000. l may add
that-er-certified checks will
er-be accepted.
For two hours the colonel, with
the occasional objurgatory assist
ance of his partner, talked, beg
ged, argued, threatened, and even
wept. BY the end of that time his
tongue was making sound like a
muffled castanet, and his resolu-
ton was scorched out of him.
you've got u.s." he croaked.
Here's your checks. Give me
the water" Il
in proper and legal form,
please" said Average Jones.
He produced a contract and q
fountain pen. The contract was
duly signed and witnessed. 1t pro-
vided for the transfer of the
water, reconsideration of one re-
volver and $4,000 in checks.
These checks were endorsed over
to A. V. r. e. Jones, whereupon
he turned over the pail of water
and the largest canteen to the
parched miners. Then, sorting out
the checks, he pocketed two aggre-
eating 5000, tore up three, and
holding the other in his hand,
turned to Captain Funcke.
will $500 pay you for keep
ing young Hoff down here a.
couple of months and making the
beginning of a man of him?" he
asked.
Eyes, and more" replied the
captain.
"It's a CO." said Average Jones.
I'D like to make the job COM
plete."
Then, courteously bidding the
North Pinto Gold Mining COM
pany farewell, the two water
dealers clambered up the rocks
and disappeared beyond the alb
rupt sky line.
Once again Doctor Conrad Hoff
sat in the private office of Aver
age Jones, Advisor. The young
man was thinner, browner and
harder Of fiber than the Jones of
two weeks previous. Doctor Hoff
looked him over with shrewd
eyes.
"Say, your trip amt done you
no harm, has it?" he exclaimed
with a boisterous and false good
nature. You look like a fightin'-
cock. Hope the boy comes out as
good. You say he's all right?"
you've got his letter, in which
he says so himself That's enough
proof, isn't it2" i
ooh, I've got the letter all right.
An it's enough as far as it goes.
Blu it amt proof; not the proof
man pays out reward money
on" cunningly. you say you left
Roddy down there with that
Funcke Teller, hey?"
Yes. It'll make a man of him,
if anything will. l threw that in
as an extra
"On their way to Alaska or b.
livia or Corea, or anywhere else,
for all l know-or care" said Av-
erage Jones indifferently.
rs that so?" The quack's voice |
had taken on a sneering intona-
ton. You come back here with |
your job not half done, with the
guilty fellers loose an runnin', an
you expect me to pay over the |
$4,000 to you. HUH"
mo, I-er-didn't expect-er
anything of the Sort said Av-
erage Jones slowly.
Doctor Hoff's little, restless
eyes puckered at the corners. He
was puzzled. What did the young
fellow mean?
(Canfinuad FTnOnrrOuy