The enterprise. [volume] (Harlem, Mont.) 1899-1926, 1914-09-10

Venetian suit to begin the evening,
and Blackie Daw, knowing we'll when
his best services consisted of pro-
longed and intense silence, took up his
favorite role of bartender.
"Whatever you do with this amuse-
meut park idea has to be done on the
quiet" observed Charley Jackson, with
friendly glance at the buffet which
the deft and unobtrusive Blackie was
arranging. "You need gumshoes in
this town"
Seems like lively burg at that"
\ suggested Wallingford. ut has good
night action, and that's sure test.
counted eight silk hats in the lobby Of
the theater"
''How much money did you propose
to invest in an amusement park?'
about $500, OOO," announced Walling-
ford, and stopped forward to pick up
an invisible pin. A heavy red wallet
fell from his pocket. He picked that
up, too, and it fell open, disclosing
thick wad of bills, mostly Of the
orange and lemon yellow coors. He
caught the CLEAN Of Mr.. Jackson's eye
upon those fancy papers and was salts
fed. "Blackie!'' he called sharply, and
tossed the wallet to his friend. The
bartender caught it dexterously, slam
med it in drawer Of the buffet and
pounded clear toned glass sharply.
The effect was so startling that the an
noyed Wallingford almost expected to
see number pop up, but the bar
| tender went right on mixing.
1.-The usual rake off is about 20 per
cent" stated Mr.. Jackson thoughtfully.
"Twenty"' protested Wallingford. II
thought that, with the competition in
this town. there ought to be a cut
rate
"Competition in politics boosts the
price," insisted Mr.. Jackson firmly.
"It's so much harder to put anything
across
"Twenty per cent?" unused Walling-
ford. with the preOccupied air Of q
good business man. THAT would
amount to $4,000 worth of stock in
my enterprise. Who gets it?''
"Hush!' laughed Jackson. Nobody
gets it. You just take the subscrip-
lions Of some good safe friends of GER
tain parties and they forget to pay
you for the stock. That's all"
That's the usual method" assented
Wallingford Il suppose it's split
equally among the members Of the city
council"
Mott" objected jackson, mechani-
cally quatting of coral pink liquid
that his hand had found within range
"Collop runs Lunar park and Tunnison
is the right hand party of the county
commissioner who runs Pleasure lake.
You'd he wasting your stock on them.
You see, we have campaign coming
on" he continued, land everybody in
the game is as nervous as a burglar in
a room full of loose boards. They're
afraid to make another step and yet
they need the money. The traction
company would be glad to have your
new park, but their franchise ran out
three years ago and now we only re-
new it a year at a time. You can see
yourself how much more revenue that
yields in the long run. Now if the
traction company encourages you any
they'll have ColIop and Tunnison and
|
may cost them all their profits. On
the other hand. Collop and Tunnison
are both up for reelection this year
and you can see what Il mess that
makes"
Walingford gazed at him in silent
contemplation, then he grinned cheer
fully.
II wonder how much the city coun-
Gil would take to let me pay my no.
tel bill and leave the town." he pom
dered.
Tut! tut" warned Jackson. holding
up chubby forefinger. Its against
the rules to leave town with any
money. 1t isn't so bad as it seems,
Walingford. ! know l can fix both
the bosses and if go to all the men,
bers Of the council but Collop's and
Tunnison's friends very quietly can
fix it to run you through a permit"
'"rhat's quite kind of you," returned
Wallingford politely. you're not
working for your health. however"
~ got too much of that now" re-
marked the other with happy laugh.
"Say. Mr.. Daw, Pm no prude about
my drinks. but think I'd better stick
to just one color from now on" and he
surveyed doubtfully an amber colored
mixture that Blackie had set before
him.
Leave it to me-" begged the bar
tender with an engaging smile. II am
keeping strict tab on the state of your
health and l guarantee you safe and
pleasant journey. You reach the apex
of this with the rainbow bender, which
l will presently build for you, but be-
fore you begin to babble l shall COM
hence to let you down with graded
lxers Safe, sane and scientific, and I
watch the effect of each drink"
Mr.. jackson laughed long and hearth
" ~ don't care what hannenS to me.