The Blackfoot optimist. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1907-1918, 1913-08-14

hired a new cook. You know the
Centipede Ranch-the one you see
over yonder by the foothills"
1T wasn't soon AFTER it was ST.
multaneous." said Slower, darkly.
We're beginnin' to see plain at last"
He went on as If to air the injury
that was gnawing him. "One day we
hear that this grub-slinger over yon-
der thinks he can run, which same is
as welcome to US as the smell of flow
ers on a spring breeze, for Humpy
Joe had amused us in his idle hours
by running jack-rabbits to earth"
mot really?" said Miss Blake.
well, no, but from what we see
we judge he'd ought to limp a hun
dred yards in about nothing and
three-fifths seconds, SO we frame
race between him and the Centipede
Cook. With tumulchous joy we bet
our wages and all the loose gear we
have, and in burst of childish en-
thusiasm we put up-the talking-ma-
chine"
"A phonograph?"
Yes. An Echo Photograph" said
Miss Chaplin.
"Of New York and Paris" said Sto-
yer.
Our boys won it from this very
Centipede outfit at bronco-busting
tournament in Cheyenne"
Wyoming" Slower made the loca,
ton definite.
The Centipede crowd took their
defeat badly on Frontier Day. and
swore to get even."
And was Humpy Joe defeated!"
asked Helen.
Was he?" Still Bill shook his head
sadly. and sighed for q third time. ut
looked like he was running backward.
miss"
But really he was only beaten a
root. It was wonderful race. l saw
It," said JEAN 1T made me think of
the races at college,"
Miss Blake puckered her brows try.
ing to think.
Joseph" she said. mo, don't
think have seen him."
Stover's lips met grimly. 'T don't
reckon you have, miss. Since that
race he has been hard to descry. He
passed from view hurriedly, so to
speak. headed toward the foothills,
and leaping from crag to crag like the
hardy shamrock Of the Swiss Alps"
Miss Blake giggled. what made
him hurry so?"
"Us!" Slower gazed at her solemn
~. I'VE amt none of us been the
same since that foot-race. You see.
1t amt the financial value of that
Echo Photograph. nor the double
cross that hurts: it's the fact that the
mangiest outfit in the Territory has
trimmed us out of the one thing that
stands for honor and excellence and
scientific attainment as the Judge
said when we won 1t. That talking
machine meant more to US than Won
Eastern folks can understand. I
IT l were you would cheer up."
'aid Miss Blake. kindly, and with
'ome importance. Miss Chaplin has
college friend coming this week. and
10 can win back your trophy"
slower glanced up at Jean quickly.
is that right. Miss Chaplin"
He can II he WILL" Jean asserted.
Can ne Fun?"
"Hei s the intercollegiate champion"
declared that young lady. with proud.
lightly.
And do you reckon he'd run for
. and the Echo Phcnograph Of New
lork and Paris. II We framed q race?
Is an honori"
But Miss Chaplin recalled her
rothers caution Of the day before.
nd hesitated.
IL don't think he would. You see,
. IL an amateur-he might be out of
"The ideal" exclaimed Miss Blake.
III Culver won't run.
now who Wilt" She closed her lips
rmly. and turned to the foreman.
You tell your friends that wen SEQ
on get your trophy back"
Helen. -
II mean I'll" declared Miss Blake
It'll spirik