The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1921-01-13


him out here with the cash on him.
and III do the loosening up, " II
comes 20 that"
Rifles was somewhat alarmed ~ the
sinister turn Of the conversation He
hpd no compunction about getting the
better of his old nclghbor, the man
who had entrusted him with the dis.
charge II their joint mission. but he
bad considerable respect for the force.
" not the principle. Of the law.
You don't mean that you'd do any.
thin'-nnythin' that wasn't rightr' he
sad. II wouldn't want { get mixed up
In no scrnpe, y know"
"You mean that you think more of
your skin than you do or Harris coin.
Wei, There's no accounting for tastes.
But rs for doing anything wrong
you ought to know me better than
that. II viii all he clean and above
board. and ne violence II II can he
helped, hut II Harris is unfortunate
nokody's to blame for that. OF course,
II you're afraid to take sportsmnn's
chance for one-half Of $4,000. call the
deal of. I've got lots Of other fish to
fry"
you don't understand" said Rifles.
II amt a'scared, hut | don't want Z
do nothIn that'll get us into trouble.
Harris Is an old nelghbOr o mine,
an"
II understand perfectly. You
wouldn't mind n piece OF Harris money
served on platter and wrapped In
tissue paper, but you want somebody
else 10 take the chances. Now, there
won't be any chances To speak Of. but
what there are you take your share.
II that's bargain It's n bargain, and
II II isn't Wen talk about the weather.
what d'you sayi"
ITS bargain" said Rifles, ''provid.
ed your plan'll work out"
"lt's got To work out. It's like going
up in halloon--if II doesn't work out
It's all of with the engineer. You got
10 take the chance. Hiram. and then
make good on the chance"
Rifles chewed vigorously NJ his to
bacco. Explain how you're goin' 10
pull II on" he said. IAN then III tell
YOU yes ar no"
Not on your life." said Gardiner.
II don't show my hand until | know
who's sitting across"
There was silence for one-hnlf n
mile while Rifles turned the matter
over IN his mind. He was naturally n
coward hut he was equally money
grahber. and II was one instinct
against the other Avarice won II, and
az length he extended his hand 10 Gar
diner I'm In on anythin' you're In
on" he said
THAT sounds like H." said Gardiner,
with enthusiasm. Now the whole
things simple ms A " G, and not half
as dangerous as running n traction en- .
CINE or breaking "A hroncho. II all
rests on getting him out here with the
money, and that's where you come In.
I don't mind telling you II Il wasn't
for the help you can give there I'd
handle the job myself. and save divid-
Ing the proceeds"
"Yes. that's the point. all right" said
Rifles. somewhat obviously. How're
We goin to get him out here with all
that money!"
Think. Rllcs." said Gardiner, pun
ing complacently az fresh cigar.
Think hard"
Rifles wrinkled his forehead and spat
copiously at the front hub, but the In
SEPARATION would not come. Il give II
up" he said at last. you'll have Z
plan Il. an I'll carry IL out"
That's what comes of hard work.
Hiram: you lose all your imagination.
Right now you haven't any more i'm
agination than cabbage. Now. !
could suggest dozen schemes TO suit
the purpose II had TO. but one will
do Suppose this
"These mountains up here are full
Of coal-more coal than can be burnt
In million years It's a bad road in,
hut once you get there you1l see II ly-
Ing In seams, 10 Is, 20 feet thick.
aud stretching right through the rocks
as far as you will like 10 follow H.
That Goals going to make a bunch OF
milliOnaires some day, but not until
you can get at II with something big
ger than cayuse. But railroads come
fast In this country, and there's no
saying how soon man might cash In
II he invested just now"
"You amt goIn' Z walt TIL a rail-
road comes. are your Wen like
enough be dead by that time"
"lllram, | told you you had no Inn
agination. Wait moment. Now,
suppose that some strange eccentric
chap owns one of these coal limits
He lives up In the mountains, Kind
OF hermit, hut we fall IN with him and
offer him $4,000 for his limit. worth.
say, s5o0,0oO, or more II you feel like
II. He says, All right, but mind ]
want the money In bills. and you'll
have 10 bring II out 10 me here Now
can you think of anythingT"
Harris don't know nothin' about
coal" protested Rifles. ''IIe wouldn't
bite at anythin' like that"