Gilpin observer., 1917-12-27
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"MAKING GOoD"' !
4 BY LEE vERoNE HAMMOND. n
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RI BY LEE vERoNE HAMMOND. -
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"Do something worth WHILE" ad-
vised Judge william Braden. to his
nephew, Verne BARLEY. "Go away"
Now, Verne resented this. He real
lied that In the estimation of his rela-
tive he was shiftless and a ne'er-do-
well.
'Ive done nothing to disgrace him
or the family" unused Verne resent
fully, after this last interview, $50 why
should 1 go away7 Yes, i will !" he ut
tered next, vehemently. "Not to please
his lordly ideas Of the family dignity.
but because, come to think of 1t, do
cut measly figure with no ambition
beyond eight dollars a 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 suffocating 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 rushing
cyclone.
Two evil-faced fellows had Haidy
tied to a 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 lighted candle in his
hand. Fiendishly he would sweep the
soles Of the feet Of poor Haidy with
the torturing flame 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 a great roll of bank notes.
'Those scoundrels must have watch
ed me-" said Haidy, "for drew a
large amount Of money from the bank
today. I shall reward you"
"You won't do that" announced
Verne lightly. "Work is what need"
And work Verne got. for Haidy be-
came not only his considerate employ
er but his firm friend. In fact Verne
became manager" for Haidy.
The big elephant, Samson, became a
real fnvorite with Verne. He was old.
er than the others, but his feats were
far more marvellous. It was about q
year after Verne had Joined his for
tunes with Haidy that the latter said
to him.
"Samson has been going stale for q
month past and at the last show town
he broke down on half Of his clever
stunts. I've known for a long time
that he was getting too heavy for pos
ing, and walking up the pryamid steps,
and those delicate tricks. II l 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. whl you come with us7"
II can't say in a minute" replied
Verne thoughtfully, and Elsie was in
his mind. "About Samson, nowY- he
added.
1--WE won't take Samson with u.s."
responded Haidy, and he became seri-
GUS and sorry looking. ''It's the chloro-
form sponge or bullet for that poor
old hero"
1--WE decided about Australia" an
nounced Verne in steel trap order. "I
won't go. As to Samson, mark out
my contract percentage and give me
Samson"
Verne contracted with retired
ringman to accompany him in getting
Samson to Ridgeton overland. One
afternoon, they arrived at Bruceville,
twenty miles from Ridgeton. One Of
Verne's former close friends lived
there, and, having arranged az to shell
ter and care for Samson, Verne sought
out Dick Joslyn.
When Verne had last seen his friend
the latter and his father were operat-
Ing large plant at Bruceville. Az
Verne now neared this, he was amazed
TO find the main factory in process of
being wrecked. Work to demolish
nearly a hundred four room cottages
had Just begun as well. Verne found
his friend experimenting the task of
demolition.
"What's up7 Going out Of business9'
questioned Verne.