Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1916-03-02

Blondy. You know, I like that big
slob."
"That's easy" carclessly commented
Phil. "There goes his bell. I think I'll
beat Adolph to it."
He grabbed down Sledge's favoritc
stein, filled 1t 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
early lunch customer.
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 OF his collar. He
industriously wiped a dry spot moist
to set the wet stein on, but Sledgc
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 persistent in his eagerness.
Flows Bob this morning?" he asked
in that particularly hushed tone one
uses in inquiring about the critical ILL
ness Of near and dear relatives.
The mighty breast of Sledge heaved
with q long, full sigh.
"He's all right" he grumbled. Not
q whimper out Of him. Call up and
find out"
"Ask for Mike?' suggested Phil.
"Naw, he may be asleep"
That's right" apologized Phil. 81
know Mike. He hasn't slept nor eaten
since the fight"
"Nor took Il drink" added Sledge,
and another sigh, which was almost
like a sob, impeded his uttcrance.
by the way" Phil informed him,
Sunny Jim Keeler is dead"
Gee, the boss is cut up about Bobw
Phil reported to Blondy. 81 told him
about Sunny Jim, and he never even
grunted. That means the whole third
wards gone"
Sledge was not so unimpresscd as he
seemed to be, however, for presently
he sent for Phil and instructed that ~
big floral piece be sent and that the
widows affairs be looked into.
Bendix came in by and by, looking
very much worried. and sat down heav.
lily.
"HoW's Bob" he asked.
"He's all right" declared Sledge.
Not q whimper out Of him."
BendiX hesitated a moment.
did you hear that Sunny Jim Kcele:
is dead?" he inquired.
Sledge nodded.
"There amt a 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 a huge figure Of dough settling
into a pan.
''That means we lose the Third
ward" Bendix spiritlessly pursued, $50
we're in bad, politically"
Sledge was still motionless.
81 looked up Marley's Ridgewood
venue franchise resumed Bendix.
cts good, all right. Yesterdays meet
ing was a bright n for him. A few
shares Of traction stock traded hands
on the board today. The last lot
brought fifty-one. Bert Glider is float
ing his amusement park. He's made a
dicker with the company already form
ed 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 $4,000 in stock and management
Of the park. 1t looks like a cinch for
pretty Bert"
Sledge raised his chin a half inch
and dropped it again.
81 saw BozZam," BendiX went on
with his report. "He claims that,
while you w Is per cent Of the stock
Of the new traction company 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.
$50 we lose there" relentlessly pur-
sued Bendix. Eat this stage of the
game you had expected to have Marley
entirely frozen out and to own the ma
jority Of stock yourself, announce the
purchase Of the franchises and raise
the stock to par. Now the stocks 60
ing up, and most Of it has been grabbed
by Marley. 1 figure he'll clean up
about 100000 on this DEAL"
Sledge favored him with the begin
ming Of a chuckle at himself, but that
was all.
"Waver has decided not to sell his
house. He'll go to Switzerland, all
right, but he prefers to keep his resi-
dence here"
Sledge smiled. 1t was like the gri.
mace of a man in the electric chair.
"But the worst is vet to come" per.
sisted BendiX, beginning to have a GER
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