Fulton County tribune. (Wauseon, Ohio) 1883-1925, 1921-08-18
CHAPTER VIII-continued.


y
He didn't wait for a reply, but
turned away with BY Heck. He went
TO the home of the Hecks ostensibly
to have his fortune told-really, to
get his dinner. The old woman didn't
like him, but he: Unborn spirit of hos
pttality wouldn't permit her to refuse
him a meal. She felt that she was
almost even with him when, after
shutting and reading the cards. she
told him that it would be wise for
him to look out for big, tall, grey
eyed young man with an oak tree in
one hand and couple of cliffs in the
other.
Dale told Major Bradley and John
MOreland of that which Goff had said
to him at the gate. The major sug-
gested forthwith that he go to meet
the man; it couldn't possibly do any
harm, and there was chance that he
would learn something of Goff's In
tentiOns.
SO Dale went.
Goff was already there, waiting. He
was sitting on a stone on the More
land side of the river, whiting idly.
When he saw Dale approaching, he
smiled and nodded, rose and pocketed
his knife.
'I want to make you an offer for
that COAL" he said at once.
''All right" Dale replied. ''If your
offer is big enough, it will be consid-
cred But no shyster price is going
10 get that coal, Goff."
Golf frowned uneasiIy.
''You don't know coal, Mr.. Dale
You don't know the business of min
ing-or I've got you sized up wrong.
Thousands of men have gone busted
trying to do things they weren't used
70 doing. There's a big chance, too,
that the coal isn't what it looks to be
on the surface. You'd better take a
sure thing, and avoid a possibility of
loss. I'll give you five thousand, spot
cash, for that COAL"
Dale shook his head you'll have
TO come heavier than that, y'know, if
you get the Moreland coal"
And an extra thousand for your
selfr
Dale laughed low, queer laugh.
"You amuse me. Goff," said he
'Seems to me you've missed your call
Jag in life. What a peach Of king
%illain you'd make in melodrama You
tsouldn't have to act, either; you'c
ave to be just your natural self. And
!ou make me mad. too. Golf. Because
I'm on the square with the More
lands and everybody else--now, get
thatp
The corners of the shyster coal mans
riouth came down.
"Oh, bosh-don't pass me that vir-
fue stuff Every man has his price,
high or low. You've got yours, and
I've got mine. I'll give you five thou
sand, spot cash, if you'll persuade
John Moreland to sell to me for five
thousand. and nobody'll ever know
you got a rakedown from me. It's all
the coal is worth, that ten thousand.
We'll, yes?7
Dale was of the type that goes pale
with anger, and he was pale now. He
clenched his hands.
you can't insult me like that and
get away with it. Goff," he clipped.
"We're going to fight. Goff, and I'm
going to put licking on you that
fifteen horses can't pull off. Get meT
He threw aside his coat and rolled
his sleeves to his elbows. Henderson
GOff ran his right hand quickly to a
rear trouser pocket and brought back
stub-nosed automatic pistol, which
he turned threateningly toward Bill
Dale.
'Go easy, friend" Golf said very
sOmpiacently. There's no use in
getting sore. / want the coal. that's
all. If l can't get it by fair means.
I'll get it In another way. Oh, ] don't
mind telling you; one mans oath is as
good in court as another mans. If
You don't take me up at ten thousand,
III give you SO much trouble that
you'll be glad to sell it to me later
fCr half that amount. The Balls think
they own a big interest in that coal
There's a lot of them, too, and they
can keep you from working the mine.
Well, | can't waste time in dickerng
With you. What do you say?"
II say" and Dale smiled an odd lit
tie smile, "that your plan appears to
be perfect. except that you've over
locked one or two important details.
For instance, there's the law, y'knOw. "
"The law-now don't go and fool
yourselfr' exclaimed Goff. The state
couldn't afford to keep hundred men
here, month in and month out, just to
protect your little mine. My patience
is about gone, Daie-for the last time
what do you say?"
Il say that I'll beat you at any
game yor put up against me-" very
quietly. "FlG ilermOre, say that you
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