The Cook County news-herald. [volume] (Grand Marais, Cook County, Minn.) 1909-current, 1916-04-13

VI TOck a pleaSant-V1Saged young
man: Of a familiar American type.
whose appearance was in nowisee re-,
markable except as to: locality With,
a. grunt that might have been greet
ing, but was more probably surprise,
the newcomer passed the seated man
Captain Funcke heedid: not see at all.
That astute' hunter had dropped be-.
hind bowlder.'
At the brink of the tenaja the colo
mel stopped dead. Then with an OUT.
burst of flaming language he leaped
in,. burrowing among the rocks.
Dry" he yelled, lifting furious
and appalled, face to his companion.
Fred stood staring from Average
Jones to his three canteens. There
was a murderous look on his sinister
face.
"Here, colonel" he said. Here's a
drink for u.s."
Fer SALE" added Average Jones.
calmly.
people don't buy water in this coun-
try"
you're not people," returned Aver
age Jones cheerfully. You're q cor
poration; soulless corporation. The
North Pinto Gold Mining company"
whats that" cried the colonel
thickly.
His hand flew back to his belt. Then
it dropped. limp at his side, for he. was
gazing into the two barrels of a shot
gun, which, Undertaking. over rock,
were pointing accurately and discon-
certingly at the pit of his stomach.
From behind the gun Captain Funcke's
quiet voice remarked:
II wouldn't, colonel. AS for you"
he added, turning to the other way
farer, who carried rifle, 'you want
to remember that shotgun has two
barrels. usually both loaded"
Stepping forward, Average Jones
lifted" the financier's weapon. Then
he deprived Fred Of his rife amid a
surprisingly brilliant outburst of verbal
pyfotechnics.
Now we can talk business comfort
ably,' he observed.
II can't talk at a.! pretty quick if
don't git moistener," said Fred pitt
eously.
Pouring out scac:. cupful Of water
into his hat, AveraHc Jones handed it
over. Drink slowly" he advised.
you've got about hundred dollars
worth there at present quotations"
Colonel Richford's head went up
with jerk.
Hundred dollars WORTH he
croaked, his eyes fiery with suspicion.
care you: going to< hold up two men.
dying of thirst?'
mo, don't propose torhold up two,
men for anything. I propose to deal
with the president and treasurer: Of
the North Pinto Gold Mining company.
The nearest available. supply of water
is sc1e ten hours distant. I am ahlo
to offer you'a small supply at, the low
rate Of: ten thousand, dollars. l: may
add that-er-certifed checks will
er-be accepted"
For two hours the colonel, with the,
occasional objurgatory assistance Of
his partner, talked, begged, argued.
threatened, and even wept. By the end
of that time his. tongue was making
sounds like muf11ed castanet, and his
resolution was scorched out of him..
you've got u.s." he croaked. Here's
your checks. Give me the water"
I'm proper and legal form, please.''
said Average JONES'.
He produced contract and a foun-
tain-pen: The contract was duly
signed and witnessed. It provided for
the transfer Of the water, in consider
alton. Of one. revolver and ten thou
sand dollars in: checks. These checks
were: Endorsed; to A. v. p. g.. Jones.
whereupon he turned over the pail OF
water and the largest canteen to the
parched. miners. Then, sorting out the
checks, he pocketed two aggregating
five thousand dollars, tore, up three,
and: holding the other i'm his hand.
turned to Captain Funcke.
''Will f1va hundred dollars pay you
for keeping young Hoff down here q
couple. Of months and making the be.
ginning of man of him." he asked.
Eyes, and MORE" replied the cap
tain.
Its; a. CO., said Average Jones. I'D
like to- make the job complete
Then, courteously bidding the North
Pinto Gold Mining company farewell,
the two Water-dealers clambered up
tire rocks and disappeared beyond the
abrupt skyline.
Once again DR.. Conrad Hoff sat
n the private office of Average Jones,
Advisor: The young man was thin,
ner, browner and harder of fiber than
the Jones of two weeks previous. Doc
tor HoF looked him over with shrewd
eyes
lis that so?" The doctors voice
had taken on sneering information
You come back here with your joA
half done, with the guilty Teller,
loose an runnin', an you expect me to
pay over the five thousand dollars ts
you. HUH"
mo, I-e7-don't expect-er-any