Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1915-02-13
CHAPTER XIV.
The First llcklno,

Both Phil and Blondy wore sincere
ly mournful faces when Sledge walk
ed through to the back room the next
day.
He's game all right commented
Phil.
"You couldn't make him holler II
you cut his head off," replied Blondy
polishing Jlass so vigorously that
1t burned his hand. II wonder how
Bob is this morning."
Must be dead. from what the pa
pers said" judged Phil.
That King Pin must be some dog
Hes younger, that's ALL immedi
ately explained Blondy. He never
will be the dog Bob was Match EN-
at the same age. and Bob would chew
him up for an appetizer
Bob ought've been retired criti
cized Phil. 1T wasn't fair to hand
him his first lickin when he's old like
this. The big boys late this morn
ing. He's been so busy he's been
coming around at nine o'clock. and
now it's twelve
"Bobs either dead or better or
he wouldn't be here at ALL" asserted
Blondy. you know, | like that big
slob."
That's easy" carelessly comment
ed Phil. There goes his bell. I
think I'll beat Adolph to it"
He grabbed down Sledge's favorite
stein. filled it carefully, with exactly
the right collar of creamy foam, and
hurried with it into the little back
room just five steps in front of
Adolph, who had been making change
| for an oorl1, lunch c,,ctop,or
| Sledge sat in his accustomed seat,
but he was not looking out at the
hand-hole in the gate. For the first
time in all their acquaintance, Phil
saw the chief with his chin sunk on
his collar. He industriously wiped a
dry spot moist to set the wet stein
on, but Sledge made no movement.
even of his eyes, and Phil. who had
come in with the express intention Of
asking about the dog, changed his
mind and turned to tiptoe away.
Adolph, however, was more persist
ent in his eagerness.
"How's Bob this morning." he ask
ed. In that particularly hushed tone
one uses in inquiring about the criti-
cal illness of near and dear relatives.
The mighty breast Of Sledge heav-
ed with q long full sigh.
He's all right" he grumbled mot
a whimper out of him. Call up and
find out"
ASK for Mike?" suggested Phil.
Nav. he may be asleep
That's right" apologiZed Phil. Il
know Mike. He hasn't slept nor eat
en- since the fight"
Nor took drink" added Sledge,
and another sigh which was almost
like sob, impeded his utterance.
by the way" Phil informed him,
Sunny Jim Kecler is dead
Gee, the boss is cut up about Bob"
Phil reported to Blondy. II told him
about Sunny Jim, and he never even
grunted. That means the whole third
wards gone"
Sledge was not so unimpressed as
he seemed to be, however, for pres
emily he sent for Phil. and instructed
that a big floral piece be sent, and
that the widows affairs be looked
into.
Bendiz came in by and by, looking
very much worried and sat down
heavily.
"Hows Bob?' he asked.
ne dll IlSHl, uCCioi gu oiouSS'
Not a whimper out of him."
Bendix hesitated a moment.
"Did you hear that Sunny Jim Keel
err is dead?' he inquired.
Sledge nodded.
There amt man up there could
take the leadership Of that ward"
went on Bendix, much discouraged.
Its the third that has always saved
u.s."
Sledge, sitting heavily, did not an
swer. He seemed to have collapsed,
like huge figure of dough settling
into pan.
That means we lose the third
ward" Bendix spiritlessly pursued
80 we're in bad politically"
Sledge was still motionless.
81 looked up Marley's Ridgewood
avenue franchise" resumed Bendix.
Its good, all right. Yesterdays
meeting was bright one for him.
few shares of traction stock traded
hands on the board today. The last
lot brought 1fty-one. Bert Glider is
floating his amusement park He's
made a dicker with the company al
ready formed, to abandon the Lincoln
Road park, and they're to take over
the Person tract. The Lincoln Road
property is to be used for car barns,
according to the latest dope from
Marley, and Glider gets fifty thousand
in stock and management Of the park.
1t looks like cinch for pretty Bert.
Sledge raised his chin a half inch,
and dropped 1t again.
II saw Bozzam,' Bendix went on
with his report. HE claims that.
while you own seventy-five per cent
of the stock Of the new traction COM
pany, and could swing everything in
a vote. he is the duly authorized agent
Of the company, and has the right
to sell its franchises at the best price
he can get; so he's going to close
with Marley"
"Hunh!" grunted Sledge.
Go be continued.)
WANT FLAT FUNDS.