Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1915-02-04

big. and wore good clothes. His hands
were coarse, and had dubious finger
tips, with extremely broad, stubby
nails, but they showed no signs of re
cent toll. He had wide mouth anf
/ prominent cheek-bones and low fore
head. He looked like retired Goa
HEAVIER. The exigencies OF politics had
once made him county treasurer, anG
since then he had lived In prosperous
idleness.
Sledge arose, and walked around tc
tho front of the table
Say. Feeder" he growled "I've
| been paying you seventy-flve month
for two years. That right"
Eyes" hesitated Feeder, with a puz
zled glance at the unusual crowd in the
little room.
What for?" demanded sledge
Mr.. Feeder smiled ingratiatingly
but paled in the process.
Campaign work" he replied.
What for?" demanded Sledge.
"Well-I-" and more puzzled than
ever, he looked around the equally puz
zled gathering. Even Bendix was at
loss.
What for, say!" suddenly thunder
ed Sfedge.
"On the level?" inquired Feeder. 81
don't get this, Sledge. don't see
Tell 'em!"
well, If you got to have it.
He stopped, gave another glance at
his audience and stared at Sledge in.
credulously.
Sledge advanced q step toward him.
II said, tell EN-"
Here goes. then" responded Feeder,
exasperated "For keeping my mouth
shut about receiving the public funds
interest money for you"
You're a liar! doomed Sledge, and
suddenly stepping forward with marve-
lous agility for SO ponderous man,
swung his right arm, the biceps of
which was like thigh, and knocked
Feeder straight through the door.
Throw him out" he directed and sat
down.
Bendix accepted that commission as
readily as If it had been suggestion
to ring for another drink A rather
heavy man himself, he stepped lightly
into the passageway, grabbed Feeder
by the collar as he was rising, and
punched him in the ear. Phil and
Blondy, both gentlemanly bartenders,
selected for the hardness and timber
nesg Of their shoulders, came running
back as promptly as fire horses at the
sound Of the gong.
Trough toss" explained Bendix
briefly, handing his collar hold to Phil.
There was rattle Of chairs and
tables. and the crash of two or three
glasses interspersed with an occasional
smack There were EXPLANATIONS from
few hangers-on, and few inadver-
tent oaths from the astounded Feeder
but Phil and Blondy were voiceless, un-
til, after battering Feeder at the curb
until policeman came up, they turned
him over for wagon call.
whats the charger" asked the off,
Ger.
pink necktie, 1 think" returned
Phil. But I'll find out" and he ran
back to Sledge's room. Feeders pinch
ed" he stated. Want it to stick?"
"Uh.hunh!"
"Cooper's fussy. He wants to know
what's the charge"
Sledge took slow survey of his wit
nesses, and the faintest possible sus-
picion of twinkle came into his small
gray eyes.
Attempted blackmail." he chuckled.
CHAPTER XIX.
Little Henry Peters, with his morn
ing paper in one hand and his coffee
cup in the other, set down the latter
so hastily that he bedded it in griddle
cake. and arose from his chair
almost too late!" he groaned, fixing
an accusing eye on Mrs Peters.
"For WHAT" she quite naturally
wanted to know.
"For that stock" he told her. See!
Two hundred and twenty-five thousand
out of the two hundred and fifty is al
ready subscribed, and the paper says
that the total amount will probably be
taken this morning.
my, MY" sympathized Mrs. Peters,
but there was no particular heartiness
her, and smiled brightly.
probably before I could get down
there with the money it would be all
gone" he complained, with his hand
on the back of his chair
Maybe we made mistake" conced-
ed Mrs. Peters, buttering one of the
cold cakes.
Aren't you going to finish your
breakfast, father?" inquired Jessie.
willing, now that the whole thing was
settled. to help him ease his burden
and relax into the normal.
while I'm losing business chance
like this?" he demanded. 1T isn't too
late, yet, Jessie. l went to the German
bank the other day, where they carried
our property SO long while We were
paying for 1t. and made arrangements
that we could have the money any min
ute They've looked up the title, and
the papers are at the bank right now.
all ready for us to sign"
Maybe the stocks all gone Mrs.
Peters only half hopefully suggested.
We'll find out" he returned, snatch
ing his hat "Come on"
Mrs. Peters looked down in dismay
at her faded and mended wrapper,
which had once cost ninety-eight cents.
I'm not dressed" she protested.
chats all right" he complimented
her. YOU'RE dressed good enough for
me, and it's nobody else's business"
chn OF rly hot