Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1917-01-18

that we would be unable to save any
thing from the wreck and about the
latter period for the general public to
find it out.
Talbot made desperate efforts for a
foothold and in succession interviewed
all the big men. They were sorry. but
they were firm. Each had been hard
hit by the fire; each had himself to
cover; each was forced by circum-
stances to grasp every advantage.
Again they were sorry.
Yes, they are" cried Talbot. They
just reach out and grab what ought to
be my profits. Well. it's the game. I'd
do the same myself"
BY that night we knew that Talbot
had lost every piece of property he
oWned-or thought he owned. The de-
struction OF the Ward block swept
away every cent OF income, With the
exception of the dividends from the
Wharf company stock. These latter
could not begin to meet the obligations
Of interest and agreed payments on the
other property.
The state of affairs became common
ly known In about ten days simply be
cause In those rapid times obligations
were never made nor money lent for
longer periods than one month. At the
end of each thirty days they had to be
renewed. Naturally Talbot could not
renew them.
We kncry ali that long in advance,
and we faced the situation with some
humor.
well, boys" said Talbot, here we
are. About a year ago, as I remember
1T, our assets were a bundle Of news
papers and less than $1C0. Haven't
even got n newspaper now, but l
reckon among us we could just about
scrape up the $780,"
1--WE got nearer So, TOO in my belt" l
pointed out.
An embarrassed silence fell for a mo-
ment, then Talbot spoke up, picking
his words very carefully.
We've talked that over. Frank"
said he. land we've come to the conclu-
sion that you must keep that and 60
home. just as you planned to do.
You're the only man Of "; who has
managed to keep what he has made.
Johnny falls overheard and leaves his
In the bottom Of the Sacramento; Yank
gets himself busted in a road agent
row.; I-I-well. l blow soap bubbles.
You've kept at 1t steady and strong and
reliable. and you deserve your good
luck. You shouldn't lose the fruits of
your labor because we, each in our
manner, have been assorted fools"
[ listened to this speech with grow
ing Indignation. and at its conclusion 1
rose up full Of what 1 considered right
eous anger. My temper is very GLOW
to rouse, but when once it wakes 1t
takes possession Of me.
look here, you fellows" l cried,
very red in the face, they tell me, you
answer me a few questions. Are we
or are we not partners? Are we or are
we not friends? Do you or do you not
consider me q low lived, white liyered,
NANCY, good for nothing yellow pup?
Why, confound your pusillanimous
souls, what do you mean by talking to
me in that fashion? For just about 9
cents Ia bust your fool necks for you
every one OF YOU" l glared vindic-
lively at them. DO you suppose I'd
make any such proposition to any Of
you-to ask you to sneak off like q
whipped cur, leaving me to take the
Hold on, Frank" interposcd Talbot
soothingly. Il didn't mean
Didn't you?" l cried. well, what
did you mean? Weren't you trying to
make me out a quitter" l had sue
ceeded in working loose my heavy gold
belt, and l dashed it on the table in
front Of them. There. Now. you
send for some gold scales right now
and you divide that up! Right here.
Hang it all, boys" 1 ended. with what
seemed rather a funny slump into the
pathetic, IT thought We were all real
friends. You've hurt my feelings"
1t was very young and very ridicu-
lous and rerhaps-I can say it from
the vantage of fifty years-just a little
touching. At any rate, when I had
finished my comrades were looking in
all directions, and Talbot cleared his
throat a number of times before he
replied.
why, Frank" he said gently at last,
"of course Well take tive never
dreamed-of course-it was stupid of
us, I'll admit. Naturally l see just
how you feel"
ut comes to about s7O0 apiece, don't
itY" drawled Yank.
The commonplace remark saved the
situation from bathos, as l am now
certain shrewd old Yank knew 1t would,
what are you going to do with your
shares. boys" asked Talbot after
awhile. Going back home or mining:
Speak up, Iank."
YanS spa. accurately out the open
window.
1--WE been tiggering." he replied.
And. when you come right down to IT.
what's the use of going back? Amt IL
just an idee we got that it's the proper
thing to do? What's the matter witt
this country anyway-barring mining?
Barring mining?" achoed Talbot.