Sioux County pioneer. (Fort Yates, Sioux County, N.D.) 1914-1929, 1920-12-16
The Rival.
BY sAlDEE z. BALLOON
t@. 1890. western Newsp.per Union


When Abel Dayton, manufacturer.
was influenced by his physician to
spend q year at a health resort, he en-
couraged his employees to faithful serv-
ice by distributing a very liberal bonus.
He rather favored Pearce Mantell and
Rodney Harper, distant relatives. It
fairly took Mantell of his feet to have
five hundred dollars In lump. It set
him dreaming. As to Harper, he felt
that the nest egg Of a fortune had
come to him.
Pearce Mantell signalized his good
fortune by equipping himself for q
splurge. He had always longed to
have an automobile and a sleek, smart
auto salesman found no difficulty in
prevailing upon Mantell to pay. two
hundred dollars down on q bright and
shining car. Mantell anticipated his
usual two weeks vacation, Indifferent
TO the odd hundreds in monthly in.
Etallments that he would have to pay
later on.
There was road between Acton and
the city where for over half a. mile
slanting descent followed tortuous
course Of sharp curves, with high
bluffs at either side. Here one after
noon there were strung along as many
us twenty cars. The cause Of the
stOppage could not be ascertained, as
the curves shut out oil view ahead.
Finally motorist ventured to edge
along the side Of the road, to come
upon Mantell, his machine at stand
still and he coolly wiping the dust
from his auto. He had arranged to
take Miriam Dale to the city to at
tend to some shopping, and wanted to
huye the AUTO look its very best to
dazzle the senses of the prettiest girl
in Acton.
Mantell chuckled serenely as he es.
capped the jeers and chidings of the
automobiles he had kept in waiting
and sped on to call for Miriam. That
charming marvel Of femininity he had
been counting once q week for several
months Rodney Hurper had done
the same. Alantell felt very sanguine
and superior with his new acquisition
the automobile. Then, too, he fancied
himself generally good deal Of a
sport" while Harper was only q
plodder. Mantell was employed In
the offices of the Dayton establish.
ment. Harper's duties were those Of
buyer. His province was to purchase
what supplies the factory required. Us.
ually they were ordered per freight OF
express from various manufacturing
centers, but when it was some light
stuff, hurriedly needed, Tim Ruggles
an old employee, drove to the city IL
an ancient canopied wagon and gath
cred up what wassrequired.
Upon the day when Mantell was
aiming to impress pretty Miriam with
due sense Of his Importance, /,
CHANGED that some articles were yery
much needed for the next days worl
at the factory. Tim was home Ill
and Harper volunteered to act as hi.
substitute. He slipped on old Tins
overall suit and was five miles on hil
way, when an imperious honk! h0nk
was followed by an automobile whizz
ing by him. 1t threw up cloud Of
dust, but not SO dense that 1t, hit
from Harper's eyes smiling face ant
q genially waved hand. Miriam, seated
beside Mantell, pleased and happy
was never forgetful Of courtesy.
Mantell left Miriam at store
arranging to call for her at fv,
o'clock. He then drove up to the curt
awaiting her appearance. She did no
come, for he had mistaken another
mercantile establishment for the pQin