The Lamar register. [volume] (Lamar, Colo.) 1889-1952, 1914-09-30


It," ventured Frank, controlling his
voice with an effort, while Alec tap
ped VIGOROUSLY upon the floor with his
toe.
Wallingford only laughed at them
and did the honors with such refresh
ment as he had to offer. You'll do
nothing Of the sort" he assured them.
"Youm be tickled stiff to sell 1t to me
ut 20. You don't think you have a
mine, anyhow"
They wrangled for a half hour over
the price, but they finally compromised
at 80. The Dougalbobber brothers
laughed all the way home, while Wal
lingfOrd chuckled himself to sleep.
The next day, when the train came,
Wallingford. who made 1t practice
to extend the glad hand of fellowship
to every possible home seeker. was
called over to the Office by Alec.
''Therell be quite bunch gettin'
OF O. this train" said the red topped
one, rubbing his hands together In an
ticipatory glee. You stay here and
watch the fun. It'll be a good tip for
you, brother"
Wallingford WINGED at<this fraternal
expression. but kept his own counsel.
of long habit. and inspected the curl
Gus arrangement Of the office with In
terest. The rough board shanty, small
as 1t was. had one narrow room across
the front, and In the rear partition of
this were two doors, one leading into
an inclosure-a mere cell. In fact
which had no other, openings except
for one tiny window high up under the
caves. The other door led into a COM
partment that was barely wide enough
to contain a bench at one side Of the
passage to the rear entrance. In the
narrow front room sat a stupendOusly
broad shouldered and short necked and
wide tawed man whom Alec introduc-
ed as Mr.. McCorkle.
"Mr wallingford is anxious to see
how we get rid OF the trouble makers.
Tim," stated Alec. with grin.
McCorkle's grin In reply was crew
Ice. Get Jour money down on 1t
quick" he said to Wallingford. Its
all over before 1t starts
Alec glanced out the window and
hastily dragged wallingford into the
passageway.
Here they come" he explained
Through augur holes bored In the
door wallingford and Alec watched the
proceedings. McCorkle opened to the
hoi polloi
Zone at a time noww he beloved
and let In a clay cluttered digger and
deliver, after which he bolted the door
"Where'd yuh work lastT' he demand
ed, and followed this with string Of
usual employment questions. which the
man answered quite satisfactorily.
though he mumbled It and twisted his
hat IAN right" decided McCorkle.
filling out time slip. The boss'll
sign this for you. and then you KIN 60
right to work.
This being Alec's cue, he opened the
door and stepped In. Both Dougalbob-
Der and McCorkle watched the man
narrowly. Alec, slowly advancing. took
the slip and. after another searching
look at the man, signed 1t, glancing up
furtiveiy ut the fellow as he did so.
Alec rejoined wallingford and closed
the door after himself. McCorkle open
ed the front door. let out his man and
admitted another one. Four laborers In
succession passed muster in the same
way. and then came one who went
through swimmingly until Alec Dou-
galbobber appeared In the doorway.
when the applicants jaw dropped
"Alec Shellbark" he exclaimed.
McCorkle arose quietly and opened
the door Of the room which had no 9TH
er outlet. Just wait In there" he d.
rected.
mo. I won't watt" declined the la
borer. II don't believe l want a job
anyhow"
you'll wait in there" declared Nc
Corkle. stepping on the other side Of
the fellow.
mot on your life!" refused the man
Let me out o. this. l wouldn't work
for that Shellbark outfit
Mr.. McCorkle put one enormous hairy
paw against the mans shoulder. push
ed him into the cell with a shove that
sent him spinning against the rear
wall. closed the door and calmly bolted
1t. Then he let In the next applicant.
Two more trouble makers came out
of that days grist. and when all the
lucky applicants had plodded OF up
the ravtne Alec stepped inside with
Wallingford and sent In his six paid
gladiators. who had been waiting ca
cerly in the rear The ''rumpus" be
gan Immediately. and IL lasted for
about five minutes during which time