Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1916-09-28

cept that the proprietor was
4 curt and had no time for us at all.
fFrom that point, still dissatisfied, we
extended our Investigations beyond the
Plaza. We found ourselves ankle deep
in sandhillS on which grew coarse
{ grass n u sort of sage. Crazy, ram
shackle huts made of all sorts Of ma
terial were pcrchcd 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 a. we might
we could find nc place that looked as
though it would take dodgers. Most of
eve 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 undated 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
lied to camp out if you're going to be
here long. l suppose, though, y4u'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"
81 should think you'd be up there"
Il don't want any better gold mine
than the old Parker House," said he
comfortably.
We paid him 81.
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 blotted out
behind it. and a chill fell. The crowds
about the Plaza thinned.
We economical our best at supper,
but had to pay some IS for the four of
us. The bill was a In carte and con-
tanned such items as grizzly steak, an
telope, elk and wild duck and goose.
Grizzly steak, ! remember, cost Il dol
lar and a quarter. BY the time we had
finished it had grown dark. The lamps
were alight, INC the crowds were be-
ginning to gather. All the buildings
and the big tent next door We're a
blaze Of illumination. The sounds of
music and singing came from every
side. A holiday spirit was in the air.
Johnny and l We're crazy to be un
and doing, but Talbot sternly repress-
ed us, and Yank agreed with his deci-
sion by al unusually emphatic nod.
'It is all a lot Of fun. I'll admit"
said he, but 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 Yank promptly.
you're partners with me, Frank, so
tact. Johnny"
changed If l know replied that
youth. give got quite a lot. I keep
ut in my pack"
"Well, go find out" advised Talbot.
Johnny was gone-forsome time. We
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.
ave been robbed" he cried.
Robbed? Is your money all gomez"
"No; there's a little left, but
Talbot laughed quietly.
"Sit down, Johnny, and cool Off" he
advised. eff 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 a little.
81 see what you're at, but you're
away off there. I just played for small
stakes"
"And lost II lot of them. ! sort of
look out your game. But that's all