Clearwater Republican. [volume] (Orofino, Idaho) 1912-1922, 1921-06-24
Copyright. All Rights Reserved
CHAPTER discontinued.


moro about making money than yol
did 10 years ago"
We'll, maybe don't, and maybe
do, but can pay my way, an | can &c
back t Plainville when like, too"
Don't get hot" said Gardiner, with
mistaken cOmposure. I'm just trying
to put you wise TO yourself. DOM
make any difference to me II you
spend your whole life sod-busting; it's
your life--spend 1t any way you like
But it's only men who don't know any
better that 60 on to the land now
ndays. It's lot easier to make liv-
ing out of farmers than out of farm.
Ing"
well, p'r'aps so, but that's more in
your line. never"
That's just what say-you never
learn. Now look at me. | amt wear
ing my last suit, nor spending my last
dollar, either, and | haven't done what
you'd call a days work since ! came
west. There's other things so much
easier to do"
'Meanin'?--"
oh, lots OF things Remittance
men, for Instance. These woods are
full of them. Chaps that never could
track straight in the old ruts, and
were sent out here where there aren't
any ruts at all They're not bad
bunch; brought up like gentlemen,
most of EN-; play the piano and talk
in three or four languages. and all that
kind Of stuff, but they're simply dan
gerous with money. So when 1t comes
to hand, in the public interest they
have to be separated from IT,"
Sounds interestin'," said Rifles.
"Tis, too, especially when one Of
'em don't take to the treatment and
lays for you with a gun. But my
hairs all there. That's what comes of
wearing tall hat"
'Tell me-" said Rifles, his face lit up
with interest, "how dye do it?"
'Twouldn't do you any good" said
Gardiner. you've steered too many
pillow handles to be very nimble with
your fingers. But there's often other
game to be picked up, If a man knows
where to look for it,"
i
fessed. "NOt anythin' crooked, v
know, but something like-well. some
thing like you're dom. I've worked
hard for ey'ry nickel I ever made, an
l reckon If there's easy money goin'
I've right t. get some of it."
snow you're beginning to wake up.
Though. mind you, some. of it isn't as
easy as 1t looks. You've got to know
your business, just like farming or
anything else. But you can general
ly land something to live on. even IL II
amt q big stake. Take me now, for
instance. alnt doing anything that
preacher mightn't do. Happened to
fall In with fellow who owns ranch
up the river here. Cleaned him empty
one night ut cards-stood him up for
his last cent. and he kind O. took
notion to me. Well, he's the son OF a
duke or an earl, or some such thing,
and not long ago the governor goes
and dies on him, leaving him few
castles and bric-a-brac like that and
some wagon loads Of money. So he
had to 20 home for the time being. and
as he wanted someone to run his
ranch, who should he think Of but me.
Suppose he thought II l happened to
bet II at poker some night l wouldn't
lose It. and that's some consideration.
He's got 1000 acres or SO of land up
there. with dozen cayuses on 1t, and
he gives me 20 pounds month, with
board and lodging and open credit at
the trading company, to see that 1t
doesn't walk away in his absence. Be-
sides that, hire man to do the
work. and charge his wages up In the
expenses. Got a good man, too-one
Of those fellows who don't know uny
better than work for a living. BY the
way. perhaps you know him--comes
from Plainviiie part-Travers his
name is?"
Sure" said Rifles. "He worked for
Harris, until they had row and he
lit out. 1t kind o balled Harris up.
too. although he'd never admit it. If
he'd Travers there it'd be easier for
him t get away now"
"Where's Harris going?"
He amt gOin'; he's comm Comm
Jul ucre III lew udyS dIteT ne. III
his kind o advance guard, spyin' out
the land"
you don't say? Well. see and make
him come through with the expenses.
II l was travelling for Jack Harris l
wouldn't be sleeping in hen coop like
this. He's worth yards of money, amt
her"
'Oh, some, guess but perhaps not
so much more'n his neighbors."
Nothing personal. Rifles. You've
got to get over that narrowness II
you're going to get into the bigger
game I've been telling you about. |
don't care how much you're worth
how much is Harris bringing with
him2''
"Couple of hundred dollars, likely"
II wouldn't show my hand for that.
How much can he raise?"
well, supposin' he sold the old
farm"
"Now don't do any reckless suppos-
Ing. Will he sell the fasmf"
'Sure, he'll sell it If he sees some
thing better"