The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1916-07-25
CHAPTER VIII.
Start 20 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
teriRl 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 dodgers. Most of
even the better looking houses were
simply tiny skeletons covered with pa
per, cloth or paint. BY painstaking
persistence we kept at It until we had
inquired Of every building of any pre-
tensions. Then, somewhat discOur-
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.
81 know how you boys feel" said he.
There's lots In your fix. You'd better
stick here tonight and then get organ
ized to camp out IL you're going to be
here long. / suppose, though, you're
going to the mines. Well, 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.
Bushels"
''I should think you'd be up there"
81 don't want any better gold mine
than the old Parker House," said he
comfortably.
We paid him $24.
BY now it was late in the afternoon.
The wind had dropped, but over the
hills to seaward rolled soft beautiful
bank OF fog. The sun was blotted out
behind it, and chill fell. The crowds
about the Plaza thInned.
We economical our best at supper,
but had to pay some So for the four of
us. The bill was Il In carte and con-
tained 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 1t had grown dark. The lamps
were alight, and the crowds were be-
ginning to gather. All the buildings
md the big tent next door were a
rbiaze of illumination. The sounds Of
music and singing came from every
side. A holiday spirit was IN the air.
Johnny and / were crazy to be up
and doing, but Talbot sterniy repress-
ed us, and Yank agreed with his deci-
sion by an unusually eiaphatic nod.
at Is all n lot Of fun, All admit"
said he, "but this II 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, Yankr
"Two hundred and twenty dollars
replied Yank promptly.
you're partners with me, Frank. SO
/ know our assets" said Talbot with
tact johnny
Hanged II know" replied that
youth "I've got quite a Tot. keeT
II In my pack"
"Well, go ind out" advised Talbot.
iohnny was gone for some time. w,
smoked and listened to the rather bla-
family mingled strains OF music and
wached the figures Of men hurrying
by In the spangled darkness.
Johnny returned very much excited
"Ive been robbedr' he cried.
"Robbedf Is your money all goneT
mo; there's little left. but
Talbot laughed quietly.
"Sit down, Johnny, and cool or" he
advised. "lf anybody had robbed you
they'd have taken the whole kit and
kaboodle. Did you come out ahead on
those monte games?'
Johnny blushed and laughed little
81 see what you're at, but you're
away or there, Just played for smul
stakes"
"And lost lot OF them. | sort OF
look out your game But that's al
right How much did the robbers
leave youY
Twelve dollars besides what have
in my clothes, $2l In ALL" said Johnny
"Well. that's pretty good. You bea
Frank and me to death. There's ou
total assets" said Talbot ana laid
ten dollar gold piece and dime on hi
knee.
Wen cali that dime II curiosity
said he, "for | notice quarter Is Tn
smallest coin they use out here. Nov
You see that we've got TO talk business
Frank and haven't got enough 10 llv
on for one more day"
"There's enough among u.s. bega
Yank.
"Hou mean you already have you
share Of the partnership finances col
rected Talbot quickly. III we're goln
10 be partners, and that's desired an
understood. 1 suppose"-we all nodde
.