The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1916-06-28
"A TALE OF RED ROSES"
How goes it?" asked Sledge.

How goes it," asked Sledge.
"Splendidly," said Bozzam
Amusement park stocks all sold
including our own. We're ready to
move on, unless we can put over
real good organization of some
sort. We don't want another lit
tie one. Traction companies are
our game"
Get busy" remarked Sledge.
with the original traction
thought?"
A grunt of assent was Sledge's
reply.
Bendix and big blue-eyed man
with a square jaw and musuclaI
shoulders came in, and Bendix in
troduced the latter to Bozzam as
Jim Gally. The two gentlemen
exchanged grins as they shook
hands, but neither one of them
was careless enough to state that
they had already met; although
as matter of fact, Mr.. Gally now
possessed the exclusive bar privi.
lege at the new amusement park
Stick around, Bozzam," said
Sledge. tom, Bozzam gets his
car line. Gally will fix the fran
chise."
You'd better explain to Boz.
Fam what you want in the way OF
routes" suggested Bendix. 1.-THE
franchises should be passed in
secret session, Gally. Is every
body all right"
Its a family reunion" declar.
ed Gally. us that all, Sledge?"
Wait" said Sledge.
Everybody sat down, and there
seemed to be some important
topic in allegiance. Bendix or.
dered drinks, which they consum.
ed silently and solemnly. Then
Davis. of the First National, came
in.
Call Marley's loans,' rumbled
the boss.
rs he shaky?" inquired Davis
In a panic-stricken whisper
What has happened to him, Mr.
Sledge?"
Nothing yet" stated Sledge.
sit down, Davis"
Mr.. Davis sat down. Five min
utes passed. A step came down the
narrow passageway. A raw-boned
fellow appeared in the doorway
He wore good clothes. His hands
were coarse, and had dubious fin
ger tips, with extremely broad
stubby nails, but they showed NO
signs of recent toll. he looked
like retired coal HEAVIER. The
exigencies of politics had once
made him county treasurer, and
since then he had lived in prosper
Gus idleness. II
Sledge arose and walked around
to the front of the table. IS
Say, Feeder" he growled.
Nv been paying you seventy-five
month for two years. That
right" .'.J -
Yes" hesitated Feeder, with a
puzzled glance at the unusual
crowd in the little room.
What for?" demanded SleGge
Campaign work." he replied.
What for?" demanded Sledge
| WE'LL" and more puzzled
than ever, he looked around the
equally puzzled gathering. Ever
Bendix was at a loss.
What for, l say!" suddenly
Numbered Sledge.
"On the level?" inquired Feed
er, Il don't get this Sledge.
don't see"
Tell 'em!"
| We'll, If you got to have it"
Sledge advanced a step towart
him. II said, tell EN-"
Here goes, then," responded
Feeder. exasperated. For keepint
my mouth shut about ,ceivina
the public funds interest none!
for you."
You're a liar!" doomed Sledg,
and suddenly stepping forward
with marvellous agility for so pom
derous man, swung his RICH
arm and knocked Feeder straigh
through the door. Throw hin
out he directed, and sat down.
Phil and Blondy, both gentle
manly bartenders, selected FOL
the hardness and limberness o
their shoulders, came runnins
back as promptly as fire horses a
the sound of the gong.
There was a rattle of chairs ant
tables. There we're exclamation.
from a few hangers-on, and a few
inadvertent oaths from thu
astounded Feeder, but Phil ant
Blondy were voiceless, until, aftel
battering Feeder at the curb unit
a policeman came up, they turned
him over for a wagon call.
What's the charger" asked the
officer.
Pink necktie, I think" return
ed Phil. "But I'll find out" ant
he ran back to Sledge's room
Feeders pinched.' he stated
want 1t to stick"
"Uh-huh!" grunted Sledge.
"Copper's fussy. He wants t.
know what's the charge" 81
Sledge took slow survey Oh hi.
witnesses and the faintest posi-
Bile suspicion of a twinkle came In,
to his gray eyes. al,
attempted blackmail," Sledgt
chuckled. tt.1=
HIH
| CHAPTER X. trsne
Little Henry Peters Gets i'm ON the
Ground Floor.