The Bottineau courant. (Bottineau, Bottineau County, N.D.) 1895-1929, 1916-04-20

~ SSSNS
go along to run things. We need two
more-yourself, if you'll go along,
and another.
"Sing high, sing low, wherever we go,
We all shall equal be-"
"When do you start?"
"In about two weeks"
"Can't you make it sooner?'
"Not very well-why?"
"Oh, if I'm going I want to go right
away and be done with it."
"Any %entangling alliances?"
"One. That's the reason I'm In a
hurry"
maybe we can get away in a week
or ten days; I'll see what a be done.
What's your name?"
"Jim."
"That won't do-we've got n Jim
aboard"
"%Joseph's my middle name"
'That's better. Where a / reach
you?"
Fright here tomorrow night at nine
O'Clock"
"What are you so fussy about?"
"Can you blame me? I'm sitting
here alone on a bench; a stranger
| comes along and invites me to take a
sea trip to God knows where! It lis
tens all right, my friend, but I came
originally from Missouri"
Hemenway laughed. II get you,'
he said. "I'm taking a chance my
self. However. I think I can set your
mind at rest. In the first place l came
to California recently for my health.
The only people I know here are the
two young men who are going along
to boss the job.
"They are fine fellows, college men,
and very desirable in every way. |
want you to meet them. You will find
everything square and ~aboveboard.'
Hemenway had to smile to himself.
He was playing very good billiards he
thought.
They talked earnestly for half an
hour, then arose and shook hands. AS
they moved off in opposite directions
a man who had been sitting quietly on
a bench some distance away got up
stretched himself, and moved off in
the wake of the young man who called
himself Joseph. Hemenway had not
gone many steps before he called to
his friend of the bench. The other
turned and they came together again,
Hemenway said:
1T Just secured to me that you
might know of some other young fe''
low who would like to go along with
us. We need m .more.".
o"Offhand, l don't believe l do, but
I'll think it over. Good night" They
separated.
Hemenway was leisurely walking
on about his business when the man
who had started to follow the young
man hurried up ard fell into step wlth
him.
EXCUSE me, sir" he said, "but as
I passed I heard what you said to that
young fellow. 1t sounded like a job.
Anything doing? 1 can turn my hard
to anything.'
Hemenway stopped under an elec-
trio ligft and looked the fellow ever.
He was apparently about thirty to
thirty-five years old, and rather stock
lily built. He had piercing eyes and
wore what appeared to be a habitual
frown On an otherwise not unpleasant
face.
81 guess not" said Hemenway,
after a thorough inspection of the
man. II don't know you"
"I can give you reference pleaded
the stranger. "Besides"-he hesitated
an instant-"that young fellow is a
stranger to you, isn't he? l was not
far away when you came along and
sat beside him on the bench. Pm out
of work and looking for it, and if you
could help me I would be YER much
obliged to you"
II haven't any job that would be of
any use to you. There's no money in
it for that young fellow you speak of.
Sorry I can't help you out:7' Hemen-
way moved away but the stranger
stuck close. He said:
I'm broke, and If I could only get
a place to sleep and something to eat
regularly, I wouldn't care so much
about the money end Of 1t. 1t would
give me a chance to find something
regular"
Hemenway reasoned with himself.
I'm suspicious Of this fellow, but I
may be wrong. I'll play him carefully.
Well" he said aloud, "Ill think it
over. I may be able to do something
for you. Meet me right here tomorrow
night at nine thirty
"II be here. Thank you. Good
night" and the stranger disappeared.
Hemenway went on his way.
Something tells me ! overplayed my
self with that fellow" he muttered.
"Still ] car forget that date. Il I want
to do So"
The stranger was also busy with his
thoughts as he walked off. II think
/ made the right play" he s~oliloquized
"My man is headed for home and is
safe enough for tonight Maybe ]
" - L q