Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1913-05-15

would Y'aII Like to Lay a Little Ma
on This Racew
mo, no! My running partner is OF
his way here that's ALL"
Running pardnerY"
Culver Covington."
"Oh, we was afraid something ha,
happened. You see, Gabby Gallaghe
has just bowed in from the Centiped
to raise our bets"
I'VE think it's bluff, and we'd lik,
to call him"
DO so, by all meansl" cried tn,
excited athlete. Come on, let's al
talk to him."
The entire party, with the exception
of Mrs. Keap, trooped down from tn,
porch and followed the foreman ou
toward the sheds, where, In the mids
OF crowd of ranchhands, a burly
loud-mouthed Texan was discoursing.
Il do wish Jack were here" sale
Jean nervously, on the way.
Gabby Gallagher seemed a fttins
leader for such desperate crew az
that OF the Centipede, for he was the
Understanding citizen the fasteners
had beheld thus far. He was thickset
and burned to the color of ripe olive
his long, dropping mustaches, tobacco
stained at the center, were bleached
at the extremities to a hempen hue
His bristly hair was cut short, and
stood aggressively erect upon a bullet
head, his clothes were soiled and
greasy beneath gray coating Of dust
A pair Of alert, lead-blue eyes and q
certain facility Of movement belied the
drawl that marked his nativity. He
removed his hat and bowed at sight
Of Miss Chaplin.
Good evenin', Miss Jean!" said ha
i hope / find y'all WE'LL"
Quite well, Gallagher. And your"
"Tolable, thank you"
These are my friends from the
east"
The Centipede foreman ran his eyer
coidiy over Jeans companions until
they rested upon Speed, where they
remained. He shifted lump in his
cheek, spat dexterously, and directed
his remark at the Yale man.
Il rode over to see If y'all would like
to lay a little mo- In this y'ere foot
race. l allow you are the unknown ?"
Speed nodded, and Slower took 90
casion to ramark:
'Thems our inclinations, but we've
about gone our limit"
Il don't blame you none," said Gal
lagher. allowing his gaze to rove slow.
ly from top to toe Of the eastern lad
No, l CANT blame YOU none whatever
But I'm terrible grieved at them It'd.
ms. Though we Centipede punchers
has ever considered yall cheap an
poverty-ridden outfit, we gives YOU
credit for. bein' game, till now" He
spat for a second time, and regarded
Slower scornfully.
"A murmur ran through the cowboys
we are game" retorted Slower.
and for your own good don't allow no
oeiief to the contrary to become q
Don't let a Centipede bluff you'll"
exclaimed Speed. Cover anything
they offer-give 'cm odds. Anything
you don't want, I'll take, pay or play
money at the tape. We can't lose"
1 got no more money" said Carara.
removing his handsome bespangled
hat, but | bet my sombrero. Els
wort two hondred pesos"
Murphy, the swede, followed
quickly.
Aye BAN send may wages home to
nay ole moder. but aye skall bat you
some"
Haven't you boys risked enough al.
'eady?' ventured Miss Chaplin. RE
member, it will go pretty hard with
he losers"
Harder the BETTER" came a voice.
Y'all don't have to bet, Jest because
IN h'yar." gibed Gallagher
God! l wish l was rich!" exclaimed
Willie.
But Miss Chaplin protested. You
IRE TWO months overdrawn, all of you.
Wy brother won't advance you any
more"
Ihen my man, Lawrence, will take
Vhat they can't cover" offered Speed |
That's right! Clean 'em good, /
'rothers,' croaked the trainer.
'lf you'll step over to the bunk.
louse. Gabby. we'll dig up some per
ohal perQuisites and family heir
ooms.' Slower nodded toward his
mems quarters, and Gallagher grinned
oyously.
That shore listens like a band from
'here ! set. We aim to annex the
'ages. hopes, and personal ambitions
! y'all. along with your talkin.ma
hine."
EXCUSE me-" Willie pushed his way
orward. "How's she gettin' along?r
"Fine!"
you mule-sk,nners oin,.
err" VIVIAN
NO; we plays her every evenin'.'
me little man shifted his feet; Their
'iowed himself to inquire, as II re
arding the habits of some dear de-
arted friend:
Have you chose any fayorite rec
Ordsf" wv