Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1921-12-01

the gloom from the latter'S miserable
soul and sen, him home with light
heart 10 Mrs. Scraggs. At the Mari
gold cafe next morning he was almost
touched 10 observe that both Gibney
and McGufTey showed up arrayed IN
dunsarees. wherefore Scraggs knew his
late enemies purpoSed proceeding 10
the Maggie Immediately after breakfast
and working IN the engine room all
day Sunday. such action, when lie
knew both gentlemen 10 be the pos
SCISSORS OF wealth far beyond the
dreams OF ayarice. bordered so close
Is on The miraculous that Scraggs made
mental resolve 70 play fair In the
future-at least as fair as the limits
OF his cross-grained nature would per
nit. He was 50 cheerful and happy
that McGuffey. taking advantage OF
the situation. argued him into some
minor repairs 70 the engine.
About nine o'clock. as Mr.. Gibney
was or his way 10 the Marigold Cafe
FOR breakfast. he was mildly inter
e>ted. while passing the Emharcadero
warehouse. 10 note the presence OF
fully q dozen seedy-looking gentlemen
OF undouhted Hebraic antecedents
ccngresaied in a circle just outside the
warehouse door. There was an air
Of suppressed excitement about this
group OF Jews that aroused Mr.. Glib
ney's curiosity: 50 he decided 10 cross
over and investigate being of the opin-
ion that possibly one Of their number
had fallen in TT. He had once had
an eplleptic shipmate and was pecu-
larry expert IN the handling Of such
cases.
Now. II the greater portion Of Mr.
Gibney's eventful career had not been
spent AT sea. he would have known. by
the red flag that foated over the door.
that a public auction was about ~
take place and that the group OF He
brew gentlemen constituted an organi.
cation known as the Forty Thieves.
whose business Il was 70 dominate the
bidding at all auctions. Brighten of. OF
I buy of. or outbid all competitors. and
eventually gather unto themselves. at
their own figures, al goods offered FOL
sale.
In the center OF the group Mr.. chi
ney noticed a tall, lanky individual.
evidently the leader. who was issuing
/ instructions in a low voice 70 his
+ hencbmen. This individual. though
Mr. Gibney did not know It. Was the
King OF the Forty Thieves. As Mr..
.Gihney luf'ed into view the king eyed
him with suspicion. Observing this.
Mr.. Glbney threw out his magnificent
chest. scowled ~ the king. and stepped
into the warehouse for all the world
as II he owned II.
An oldish man with glasseS-the
auctioneer-was seated on a box max
ing figures in notebook. Him Mr..
Chine. addressed.
whats all this hereY he inquired,
Jerking his thumb over his shoulder
ar the group.
"It's on old horse sale" replied the
auctloneer. without looking up.
Mr. Gibney Frightened. He CANCEL
around for the stock in trade, but oh
serving none concluded that the old
horses would be led in, one az time
through a small door In the rear OF
the warehouse. Like most sailors. Mr.
Gihney had a passion for horseback
riding. and In n spirit Of adventure h
resolved 70 acQuaint himself with the
ins and outs of an old horse sale.
How much might a man have 70
give fol one of the critters?" he asked
"And are they worth a whoOp after
you get themf"
twenty-five cents up" was the an
swer. you go II blind at an old horse
sale. as a rule. Perhaps you get some
thing that's worthless, and then AGAR
YOU may get something that has heap:
of value. and perhaps you only pay
half dollar for II. 1t all depends or
the bidding. l once sold an old hors,
10 a cap and he took II home ant
opened It up and what dye suppos,
he found insideT
Bots" replied Mr. Gibney. whC
prided himself on being something o.
veterinarian. having spent few
months Of his youth around a livery
stable.
"A million dollars in Confederate
greenbacks." replied the auctioneer
"Of course they didn't have any value
but Just suppose they'd been L. s.?
That's right" agreed Mr.. Gibney
II suppose the swab that owned tn
horse starved IL until the poor animal
figgered that all's grass that's green
As the Teller says. Truth is sometimes
stranger than fiction If you throw
in a saddle and bride cheap. nigh
be induced TO invest in one of your ole
horses. shipmate."
The auctioneer glanced quickly a
Mr.. Gibney, but noticing that worthy
face free from guile, he burst on
laughing.
MY scattering friend" he sait
presently. when we use the term 'ol,
horse we use II fguratively. See al
this freight stored here? Well, that
never been called for by the consIgn
ees, and after It's in the warehous,
year and isn't called for. we have
an old horse sale and auction 1t Of
10 the highest bidder. Savey?"
Mr. Glbney took refuge In n lie. 20
/ course | do I was inst kiddin' Won