The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1916-07-20

colonel, who was in the lead, checked
and started upon discovering astride
OF a rock a pleasant-visaged young
man Of a familiar American type.
whose appearance was in nowise re-
markable except as to locality. With
q grunt that might have been greet
ing, but was more probably surprise.
the newcomer passed the seated
Captain Funcke he did not see at all.
That astute hunter had dropped be-
hind a bowlder.
At the brink Of the tenaja the colo
mel stopped dead. Then with an out
burst of flaming language he leaped
in, burrowing among the rocks.
Dry" he yelled, lifting a furious
and appalled, face to his companion.
Fred stood staring from Average
Jones to his three canteens. There
was a murderous look on his sinister
face.
Here, colonel" he said. Here's q
drink for u.s."
For sale," added Average Jones,
calmly.
people don't buy water in this coun-
try"
you're not people," returned Aver
age Jones cheerfully. You're a cor
poration; a soulless corporation. The
North Pinto Gold Mining company"
Whats that" cried the colonel
thickly.
His hand few back to his belt. Then
it dropped, limp at his side, for he was
gazing into the two barrels of a shot
gun, which, Undertaking. we a rock.
were pointing accurately and discon-
certingly at the pit of his stomach.
From behind the gun Captain Funcke's
quiet voice remarked:
81 wouldn't, colonel. AS for you"
he added, turning to the other way
farer, who carried a rifle, you want
to remember that a shotgun has two
barrels, usually both loaded"
Stepping forward, Average Jones
lifted" the financier's weapon. Then
he deprived Fred of his rifle amid a
surprisingly brilliant outburst of verbal
pyrotechnics.
Nov we can talk business comfort
ably" he observed.
81 can't talk at all pretty quick IL I
don't git a moistener," said Fred pit
eously.
Pouring out a scant cupful Of water
into his hat, Average Jones handed it
over. " Drink slowly" he advised.
you've got about a hundred dollars
worth there at present quotations"
Colonel Richford's head went up
with a jerk.
Hundred dollars WORTH" he
croaked, his eyes fiery with suspicion.
Are you going to hold UP two men
dying Of thirst?"
mo, / don't propose to hold up two
men for anything. l propose to deal
with the president and treasurer Of
the North Pinto Gold Mining company.
The nearest available supply of water
is some ten hours distant. / am able
to offer you a small supply at the low
rate of ten thousand dollars. l may
add that-er-certified checks will
er-be accepted"
For two hours the colonel, with the
occasional ~objurgatory assistance OF
his partner, talked, begged, argued,
threatened, and even wept. By the end
Of that time his tongue was making
sounds like a mufled castanet, and his
resolution was scorched out of him.
you've got u.s." he croaked. Here's
your checks. Give me the water"
"In proper and legal form, please"
said Average Jones.
He produced a contract and a foun-
tain-pen. The contract was duly
signed and witnessed. 1t provided for
the transfer of the water, in consider
alton of n revolver and ten thou
SAND dollars in checks. These checks
were Endorsed to A. v. R. E. Jones,
whereupon he turned over the pail of
water and the largest canteen to the
parched miners. Then, sorting out the
checks, he pocketed two aggregating
five thousand dollars, tore up three.
and holding the other in his hand.
turned to Captain Funcke.
"Will five hundred dollars pay you
for keeping young Hoff down here q
couple of months and making the be-
ginning of a man of him?" he asked.
Eyes. and MORE" replied the cap
tain.
Its a CO." said Average Jones. I'D
like to make the job complete"
Then, c~ourteously bidding the North
Pinto Gold Mining company farewell,
the two water-dealers clambered up
the rocks and disappeared beyond the
abrupt skyline.
Once again DIR. Conrad Hof sat
in the private Office Of Average Jones.
Advisor. The young man was thin
ner, browner and harder Of fiber than
the Jones of two weeks previous. Dec
tor Hoff looked him over with shrewd
eyes.
"Is that so?" The doctors voice
had taken OF a sneering intonation.
you come back here with your job
half done, with the guilty fellers
loose an runnin'. an you expect me to
pay over the five thousand dollars to
you. HUH"
mo, I-er-don't expect-er-any-
thing of the sort" said Average Jones
slowly.