Mountain Home Republican. [volume] (Mountain Home, Idaho) 1915-1946, 1917-11-17
lN ma M ma IA nm ma ka NJ III M nm m
|. "MAKING GOOD" = =
m BY LEE VERoNE HAMMOND. nm
I'M mn
, na m m M m M m ma "a


lied that in the estimation of his rela-
tive he was shiftless and ne'er-do-
well.
"rve done nothing to disgrace him
or the family" unused Verne resent
fully, after this last interview, $50 why
should go away? Yes, | will y he ut
tered next, vehemently. mot TO please
his lordly ideas of the family dignity,
but because, come to think of 1t, | do
cut Il measly figure with no ambition
beyond eight dollars week. Besides,
there's Elsie"
Yes, there was Elsie, Elsie Todd. and
she was well worth thinking of.
He had secured board and lodging
at third rate hotel, mostly patronized
by the cheaper grade of stage people
and circus entertainers: Among these
was an Arab named Haidy, who owned
four performing elephants. Verne hap
pened to occupy the room adjoining
that Of Haidy. One night he was
awakened by suspicious sounds In the
next apartment. He went out into the
corridor and stood listening outside
the door of Haidy's room. Then the
sound as of someone sutfocatlng Inn
PEELED him to push open the door. He
was big and fearless and what he saw
so aroused Verne that he precipitated
himself into the room like Il rushing
cyclone.
Two evil-faced fellows had Haidy
tied to n chair and gagged. One was
ripping up the pillows and the mat
tress on the bed. The second of the
marauders was kneeling before the
captive with a lighted candle in his
hand. Flendishly he would sweep the
soles of the feet of poor Haldy with
the torturing fame of the candle, In
order TO force him to tell the hiding
place Of his money.
"You Scoundrels !" roared Verne, and
he seized the man with the candle by
the knape Of his neck and hurled him
bodily ten feet across the room and In
to the outer corridor. The other es-
capped.
you have saved my money and
maybe my life" spoke the trainer with
genuine gratitude. 'Reach down that
clock hanging over the table"
1t was only the skeleton of a clock,
for, removing Its back cover Haidy
disclosed vacant space after he had
displaced great roll of bank notes.
''Those scoundrels must have watch
cd me-" said Haidy, "for | drew
large amount of money from the bank
today, l shall reward YOU
"You won't do that" announced
Verne lightly. "Work is what,I need"
And work Verne got, for Haidy be-
came not only his considerable employ
er but his firm friend. In fact Verne
became manager" for Haidy.
The big elephant, Samson, became a
real favorite with Verne. ~He was old
or than the others, but his feats were
far more marvellous. 1t was about a
year after Verne had Joined his for
tunes with Haidy that the Inter said
to him.
Samson has been going stale for
month past and at the last show town
he broke down on half of his clever
stunts. I've known for long tine
that he was getting too heavy for pos
ing, and walking up the pyramid steps,
and those delicate tricks. If / keep
him on the program he will spoil his
three mates. BY the way I've got an
offer for two years engagement In
Australia. VIII you come with us?"
81 can't say in a minute" replied
Verne thoughtfully, and Elsie was in
his mind. about Samson, now" he
added.
"We won't take Samson with u.s."
Haidy and he became serl- |
Gus and sorry looking. "It's the chloro-
form sponge or bullet for that poor
old hero"
1--WE decided about Australia" an
bounced Verne in steel trap order. II
won't 90. As to Samson, mark out
my contract percentage and give me
Verne contracted with retired
'lngman to accompany him in getting
samson to Ridgeton overland. One
fternoon, they arrived at Bruceville,
wenty miles from Rldgeton. One Of
Ferne's former close friends lived
here, and, having arranged as to shell
er and care for Samson Verne sought
ut Dick Joslyn.
When Verne had last seen his friend
he latter and his father were operat-
lg large plant at Brucevllle. As
'erne now neared this, he was amazed
, find the main factory in process of
eing wrecked. Work to demolish
early a hundred four room cottages
ad just begun as well Verne found
Is friend experimenting the task Of
emolitiOn.
whats up? Going ont of business"
lestioned Verne.
ooh, no" replied young Joslyn, "just
aginning all over again. You see the
NV railroad skipped us and has built
)out mile west. We've got to be
ear it to do business. We have
ought new site along the line and
e moving over. Tear down here, set
} again over there, see"
ayes, see nodded Verne, "and say,
re got big idea" :
His "big idea" was to move those i,