Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1915-05-25

VIA Watsr stared at the rapidly Dis
appearing eggs and seemed petri6ed.
'They-they amt worth NO 80"
Wild Water said slowly.
Shorty accepted the challenge. "A
things worth what you can get for It.
amt itf' he demanded.
"Yes. but-you can't eat eggs like
that" Wild Water objected. "It-t
amt right"
I'VE just dote on eggs. Smoke an
me-" was shorty's excuse.
Wild Water finished his own plate In
half hearted way. "say. you fellows
can do me a great favor" he began
tentatively. "Sell me. or lend me. or
give me, about a dozen of them eggs.'
"sure," Smoke answered. II know
what a yearning for eggs Is myself.
But we're not 80 poor that we have to
sell our hospitality. They'll cost you
nothing. Go ahead, Shorty. Cook
them up for him."
But Wild Water laid restraining
hand on the eager Shorty as he ex-
plained. 81 don't mean cooked. ! want
them with the shells on"
$50 that you can carry 'em awayT
That's the idea"
"But that amt hospitality" Shorty
objected. "It's-it's tradin'."
Smoke nodded concurrence. THAT'S
different, Wild Water. thought you
Just wanted to eat them. You see. we
went into this for speculation"
The dangerous blue Of Wild Waters
eyes began to grow more dangerous.
"I'll pay you for them," he said sharp
ly. "How muchT
"Oh, not q dozen," Smoke replied
I'VE couldn't sell a dozen. We're not
retailers; we're spectators. We can't
break our own market We've got a
hard and fast corner, and when we sell
out it's the whole corner or nothing"
"How many have you got and how
much do you want for themr'
"How many have we. shortyT
Smoke inquired
Shorty cleared bis throat and per
formed mental arithmetic aloud. "Lem-
me see. Nine hundred an seventy
three minus nine. that leaves nine hun
dred an sixty-two. An the whole
shootin' match at SO a throw will
toto up just about nine thousand six
hundred an twenty iron dollars. OF
course, Wild Water. we're playin' fair.
an it's money back for bad ones.
though they amt none. That's one
thing l never seen In the Klondike-a
bad egg"
Wild Water shook his head sadly and
helped himself to the beans. THAT
would be too expensive, Shorty. I only
want a few. III give you $40 for a
couple Of dozen. I'll give you $50. but
I can't buy 'em ALL"
IAN or none." was Smokes ultima.
tum.
Look here, you two" Wild Water
said in a burst Of confidence. "11l be
perfectly honest with you. an don't let
It 90 any further. You know Miss Ar
raj an l was engaged. Well, she's
broken everything OF. It's for her
want them eggs. I want to give them
to her on a platter shirred. That's the
way she likes EN-"
"Do you want 'em ninety-six hundred
an twenty dollars worthr' Shorty
queried.
Jaw, listen to reason" Wild Water
pleaded. II only want couple OF
dozen. I'll give you $40 apiece for 'em
What do want with oil the rest OF
them eggsT'
II should say Miss Arrals worth the
price Of the eggs" Smoke put In
quietly.
"Worth itr' Wild Water stood up In
the heat Of his eloquence. "She's worth
million dollars. She's worth all the
dust in Klondike. But that amt no
call for me to gamble $4,000 on a
breakfast for her. Now, I've got q
proposition. Lend me couple Of dozen
of them eggs. I'll turn 'em over to
Slavovitch. He'll feed 'em to her with
my compliments. She amt smiled to
me for q hundred years. II them egg
get a smile for me I'll take the whole
boiling OF your hands"
"Will you sign a contract to that Ct
| fect7" Smoke said quickly. for he knew
that Lucille Arral had agreed to smile
WIND Water gasped. you're almighty
| swift with business up here on the
hill," he said, with q hint Of snari
"We're only accepting your owr
proposition" Smoke answered.
can right: bring on the paper; make
, Il out hard and fast" Wild Water crist
n tie anger Of surrender.