The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1916-06-21
CHAPTER VIII.
Start to Make Money


 wv as did the Parker House. ex-
 cept that the proprietor was curt and had no time for us at all. From that point, still dissatisfied, we extended our Investigations beyond the Plaza. We found ourselves ankle deep in sandhills on which grew coarse grass and a sort of sage. Crazy, ram Shackle huts made of all sorts Of ma terfal were perched in all sorts Of places. Hundreds of tents had been pitched, beneath which and in front of which an extremely simple housekeep- ing was going in. Hunt as we might we could find no place that looked as though it would take lodgers. Most of even the better looking houses were simply tiny skeletons covered with pa per, cloth or paint. By painstaking persistence we kept at 1t until we had inquired of every building of any pre- tensions. Then, somewhat discouf- aged. we picked our way back to the shore after our heavier goods.
 The proprietor of the Parker House greeted us with unabated good nature.
 'I know how you boys feel,'' said he. ''Theres lots in your fix. You'd better stick here tonight and then get organ ized to camp out if you're going to be here long. I suppose, though, you're going to the mines. We'll, it'll take you several days to make your plans and get ready. When you get back from the mines you won't have to think about these things"
 There's plenty of gold?" ventured Johnny.
 "Bushe1s.''
 ''I should think you'd be up there"
 CT don't want any better gold mine than the old Parker House, said he comfortably.
 We paid him SPA.
 By now it was late in the afternoon. The wind had dropped, but over the hills to seaward rolled a soft beautiful bank of fog. The sun was plotted out behind it, and a chill fell. The crowds about the Plaza thinned.
 We economized our best at supper, but had to pay some $8 for the four of us. The bill was a la carte and con <tafned such items as grizzly steak, an- telope, elk and wild duck and goose. Grizzly steak, remember, cost dol lar and quarter. By the time we had finished it had grown dark. The lamps were anght, and the crowds were be-
  and the big tent next door were a blaze of illumination. The sounds of music and singing came from every side. A holiday spirit was in the air.
 Johnny and I were crazy to be up and doing, but Talbot sternly repress- ed us, and Tank agreed with his deci- sion by an unusually emphatic nod.
 "It is all lot of fun, I'll admit g said he, 'sbut this is business, and we've got to face it. Sit down here on the edge of this veranda, and let's talk things over. How much money have you got, Yank?"
 "Two hundred and twenty dollars '' replied Tank promptly.
 You're partners with me, Frank, so know our assets,'' said Talbot with tact. "Johnny?'
 Hanged if I know" replied that youth. 'tI've got quite a lot. I keep it in my pack"
 ''well, go find out" advised Talbot Johnny was gone for some time. We smoked and listened to the rather b1a- tantly mingled strains of music and l wached the figures of men hurrying by in the spangled darkness. Johnny returned very much excited.
 "I've been robbedr' he cried.
 Robbed? Is your money all gone?'' ''No; there's a little left, but
 Talbot laughed quietly.
 ''Sit down, Johnny, and cool off, he advised. ''If anybody had robbed you they'd have taken the whole kit and kaboodle. Did you come out ahead on those monte games ?''
 1 Johnny kblushed and laughed little.
 +-I see what you're at, but you're away off there. I just played for small stakes
 i And lost a lot of them. I sort of l look out your game. But that's all right. How much did the robbers ] leave you?"
 Twelve dollars besides what I have in my clothes, $21 in all,'' said Johnny.
 ''Well, that's pretty good. You beat Frank and me to death. There's our ] total assets,'' said Talbot and laid a ] ten dollar gold piece and dime on his 1 knee.
 wen call that dime a curiosity 9 ] said he, flor I notice a quarter is the i smallest coin they use out here. Now 1 you see that we've got to talk business. Frank and I haven't got enough to live | on for one more day"
 There's enough among us''- began | Tank.
 (To Be Continued.)
 When Wall Street sets out to scare