The Kendrick gazette. [volume] (Kendrick, Idaho) 1892-1968, 1920-05-07
CHAPTER VI

Whatever the effect Of this CONVEX
sation had been upon Edith, she con-
cealed it carefully, and Dave counted
it one Of the fortunate events Of his
life. He had been working under the
spur Of his passion for Irene, but now
this was to be supplemented by the
friendship of Edith. That it was more
than friendship on her part did not
occur to him at all, but he knew she
was interested in him and he was
doubly determined that he would
justify her interest and confidence.
But just at this time another Incl
dent occurred which was to turn the
food of his life into strange channels.
Dave had been promoted to the distinc-
ton of a private office-a little six-by-
six 'box STALL" as the sport editor de-
| scribed it-but, nevertheless, dis
| tinction shared only with the manag-
ing editor and Bert Morrison, compiler
| Of the woman's page. Her name was
Roberta, but she was masculine to the
tips and everybody called her Bert.
Into Dawes sanctuary one after
| noon in October came Coward. His
habitual cigarette hung from its &C.
customed short tooth, and his round,
florid face seemed puffier than usual.
His aversion to any exercise more Wig
orous than offered by billiard cue
was beginning to reflect itself in a
premature rotundity of figure.
| "'Lo, Dave!" he said. "Alone?"
| almost" said Dave, without look
ing up from his typewriter. Then,
turning, he kicked the door shut with
his heel and said. "Shoot!"
'This strenuous life is spelling your
good manners, Dave, my boy" said
Coward, lazily exhaling a thin cloud
of smoke. eff work made man rich
you'd die a millionaire. But it isn't
work that makes men rich. Ever think
of thatY'
IF a man does not become rich by
work he has no right to become rich
at ALL" Dave retorted.
what do you mean by that word
right Dave? Define it."
Haven't time. We go to press at
four"
"That's the trouble with fellows like
you,' Coward continued. "You
haven't time. You stick too close to
your jobs. You never see the better
chances lying all around. Now sup
pose you let them 60 to press without
you today and you listen to me for a
WHILE"
Dave was about to throw him out
when a gust of yearning for the open
spaces swept over him again. 1t was
true enough. He was giving his whole
life to his paper. Promotion was slow,
and there was no prospect of really
big position at any time. He remem-
bered Mr.. Duncan's remark about
newspaper training being the best
sudden decision he closed his desk.
"Shoot!" he said again, but this time
with less Impotence.
THAT'S better" said Coward
"Have you ever thought of the future
of this town"
swell, can't say that 1 have. I've
been busy with it's present"
That's what l supposed. You've
been too busy with the details of your
little job to give attention to bigger
things. Now let me pass you a few
pieces of information-things you
must know, but you have never put
them together before. What are the
natural elements which make coun
try or city a desirable place to livei
I'll tell you. Climate, transportation
good water, variety Of landscape, op
portunity of independence. Giver
these conditions, everything else car
be added. Then there's Transports
ton. This is one of the few centers
in America which has a North-and
South trade equal to its East-and-Wes
trade. We're on the crossroads. Every
settler who goes into the Nofth-an(
it is mighty North-means more
North-and- South trade. l tell you
Dave, the movement Is on now, an(
before long it'll hit us like tida
, wave. I've been a bit of gambler
all my life. but this is the bigges
Jackpot ever was, and I'm going t.
] sit in. How about your"
'Td like to think it over. Promo
e ton doesn't come very fast on this job
that's sure"
"Yes, and while you are thinking
E over chances are slipping by. Don
:, think 1t over-put it over. tell you
e Dave; there are big things in the air
y They are beginning to move already
r Have. you noticed the strangers Ii