Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1915-09-04
And Wlth sideIong dance they saw

And with sidelong glances they sav
Lucille Arral hesitate, almost push tn
dish from her, then surrender to 1t
lure.
"I'll take them eggs" Wild Wate
said to Smoke. "The contract holds
Did you see herr Did you see her
She almost smiled know her. IT.
all fixed. Two more eggs tomorrow
an she'll forgive an make up. II she
wasn't here I'd shake hands. Smoke
I'm that grateful. You amt a robber
you're a philanthropist."
Smoke returned JubilantIy up the bill
to the cabin only to find Shorty i1
black despair.
"It's all Off with the big Swede," be
groaned. "The corners busted What
dye think run into1 A geezer with
three thousan eggs-d'ye get me2-
three thousan' an just freighted In
from Forty Mile"
"Gautereanx's bis name, whackin'
big. blue eyed French Canadian husky.
II was our cornerin' eggs that got him
started. He knOwed about them three
thousan' at Forty Mile an Just went
an got 'em. SHOW 'em to me- | says,
An he did. There was bis dog teams
an a couple Of Indian drivers restin'
down the bank where they'd Just
pulled in from Forty Mile. An on the
sleds was soap boxes-teeny wooden
soap boxes.
1--WE took one out behind a ice lam
in the middle OF the river an busted 1t
open. Eggs-full Of 'em, all packed In
sawdust Smoke. you an me lost.
We've been gamblin'. Dye know what
be had the gall to say to me7 That
they was all ourn at $40 egg. Dye
know what he was doin' when | left
bis cabin7 Drawin' a sign of eggs for
sale. Said he'd give us first choice at
ten throw till 2 p. m, and after that
If we didn't come across he'd bust the
market higher n kite"
Its all right" Smoke said cheer.
fully. "Quick action and team play is
all that's needed, III get Wild Water
here at o'clock to take delivery of
eggs. You buy that Gautereaux's
eggs Even II you pay $40 apiece for
them, Wild Water will take them of
our hands at the same price. If You
can get them cheaper-why. we make
a profit as well. Have them here by
not later than 2 o'clock. Borrow Colo.
mel Bowie's dogs and take our team"
Smoke found Wild Water at the NJ.
K NJ, and a stormy half hour ensued.
u warn you we've picked up some
more eggs" Smoke said after Wild
Water had agreed to bring his dust TO
the cabin at 2 o'clock and pay on deIiy.
cry.
You're luckier at finding eggs than
me-" Wild Flower admitted. NOV
how many eggs have you got now-an'
how much dust do tote up the hill|
Smoke consulted his notebook. "Asit
stands now, according TO Shorty's fig.
ires, we've S,962 eggs. Multiply by
ten"--
Forty thousand dollarsw wild Wa
ter beloved. "You said there was only
something like 300 eggs. It's stick.
up. | won't stand for itT
Smoke drew the contract from his
pocket and pointed to the pay on dellv.
cry. mo mention is made Of the mum.
Der Of eggs to be delivered. You agreed
% pay $40 for every egg we delivered
10 you. Well. we've got the eggs, and
signed contract Is signed contract.
Honestly, though. Wild Water. we
ildn't know about those other eggs
until afterward. Then we had to buy
hem In order to make our corner
good"
For i've long minutes, In choking
silence, Wild Water fought battle
with himself, then reluctantly gave In.
I'm In bad" he said brokenly. "ru
De there at Q o'clock. But $40,0O0T'
At 1880 Shorty arrived with Gaute.
reaux's eggs. 1--WE pretty near double
our winnings" shorty told Smoke as
they piled the soap boxes inside the
'abin. II holds 'em down to $S, and aft
er he cussed loco In French he falls for
.t. Now, that's 80 clear profit to us for
each egg"
Promptly at 2 o'clock Shorty, peep
Ing, saw Wild Water coming up the
hill. When he entered he was brisk
md businessllke.
Bring on them eggs, you pirates"
he commenced AN after this day, If
you know what's good for you, never
mention eggs to me again"
They began on the miscellaneous as.
sortment OF tho original corner, all
three men counting. When 200 had
been reached Wild Water suddenly
cracked an egg on the edge Of the table
and opened II deftly with his thumbs.
Hey. hold onl' Shorty objected.
ITS my egg, amt itr' Wild Water
snarled. I'm payin' $40 for II, amt II
but l amt buyin' no pig In poke.
When ! cough up ten bucks an egg I
want to know what I'm gcttln'."
Wild Water looked and smiled.
That's a good egg Gimme pail. I'm
sotn' to eat II myself for supper"
Thrice again wild Watar cract,.s