The enterprise. [volume] (Harlem, Mont.) 1899-1926, 1914-10-29
CHAPTER XIV.
A Side ISSUE.

~ YER the influence Of friendly
drink the trio established a
~ better understanding and Clos
by. enjoying the chat with
these men Of larger world, limited as
he refilled their glasses, "Of course
they've been Offering you all sorts OF
information"
"You 60 to Chicago every two
weeks!' whispered Blackie hoarsely.
Closby threw back his head and
laughed heartily, though he looked
much concerned nevertheless. "Natu.
rally they'd tell you that the first
thing" be commented. but he did not
explain it. "Whar else?"
"You buy a pound of orris root at a
time" Blackie accused, land yon take
fresh pound to Chicago with YOU!
Listen! l know your secret! The wa
ter is hard in Spanglerville!'
Good sleuthing!' approved Closby.
The city council would probably call
me sissy if they knew took a bath
every morning. While I'm al it
don't mind answering the rest OF my
crimes. What are they?"
You dig holes in your back yard!
You burn lights in your window till
after midnight! Your suit case is vel.
low and your hand bag is brown! You
ship wooden boxes to New York-and
you go to Chicago!' ratified Blackie.
"Well. I'll be"-Closby began with
sudden burst of anger, which he as
quickly checked,
"I've sold my store." he confided to
them presently. "but if conld play a
mean low down trick on Spanglervi'le
before go, Id die happy"
IF we can help you saw anything
Off on the town let us KNOW" offered
Wallingford.
Closby shook bis head. 1--WE done
the worst possible. gness." he de
clared. i've made money in spite OF
them and without their knowledge"
and his eyes rested upon padlocked
tin box standing ON his safe. Present
~ he overcame certain diffident best
tation, unlocked the box and drew
from 1t grotesque terra Gotta cast
Maybe you've seen these things" he
remarked.
1.-The Lost Dog" exclaimed both
Blackie and Wallingford with delight.
| 1t was Il weird little caricature
which at first made one want to laugh
but gradually it emanated in some sub
tie way all the pathetic usefulness ol
mislaid. half frightened. altogether
hopeless, soft eyed friend of the fami
y. and it made one eventually wish tt
go right out and adopt stray cur. Il
had swept the country in it's variou:
forms of clay. plaster and bronze, an(
it was for sale in every shop window
from confectionery stores to ciga
stands. Women and children demand
ed one at sight. and men of all de
grees, cab drivers. lawyers and shoe
clerks kept one close to their smoking
materials.
Are you interested in the marketin:
Of it?" asked the commercial Walling
ford.
Il made it," stated Closby, quite
| tDOueSLly euOuSu anu SIIlllllS ducCClOll
ately upon his own handiwork 1--WE
modelled a lot of them out of the ella.
from my back yard, but this is the onl.
one that has been largely successful.
"lll have to hand it to you" admit
ted Wallingford heartily. "You'v
pounded them in the eye this time"
Before they went out to dinner Wal
| iingford picked up a gorgeously inlait
checkerboard and "hefted'' it in sur
prise. II thought that was classic mo
sale, but it's as light as wood,' he eX
claimed.
"Another little side issue of mine,
said Closby carelessiy. ITS Il trans
parent mixture. something like cellu
oid. but is waterproof, fireproot an(
almost scratchproof. It's not inlay
though. The design is an ordinary
printed affair underneath. but the ma
terial has a curious quality OF refrac