The Grangeville globe. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho) 1907-1922, 1921-02-10

n0Tna n
awaited the fatted calf.
Webster struck tie upholstery ~ an
adjacent chair IA terrific blow with his
stick the effect Of which was 10 cspsa
everybody in tie room to start and
to conceal Mr.. Webster momentar,ly
In cloud of dust. the while in bel.
lowing baritone he sang:
His father was a hard-rock ,n,,..
he comes from my home town
JACK Webster The devils own
kin II shouted Neddy Jerome. He
swept the cards into Il heap and wad-
died across the room to meet this
latest assailant of the peace and die.
nifty OF tie Engineers club. "You ola
worthless, ornery, no-good son of
lizard I've never been so glad 10 SEQ
a man that didn't owe me money. rye
been combing the whole civilized
world for you, for month. M lenst
Where the devil have you beenY"
john Stuart Webster beamed han
PLY upon his friend "Wen. Neddv
you old stocking knitter" he replied
quizzically, since that is the case. I'm
not surprised AT your failure to find
me. You've known me long enough
10 nave remembered 10 contine your
search 70 tie uncivilized reaches"
We'll, you're here, al any rate and
I'm happy. Now You settle down.
Hardly Neddy. I'm young vet.
you know-only forty. Still a real live
man and not quite ready to degenerate
into II card-playing, eat-drink-and-be-
merry, discrimination, sink-to-obliyioa
and go-to-h---- fireplace Spirit !" And
he prodded Jerome in the short ribs
with tentative thumb that caused
the old man to vince. He permitted
his friend to drag him downstairs to
the deserted lounge. where Jerome
paused in the middle of the room and
renewed his query:
"Where have you been. | ask?"
"Out in Death valley, California. try
ing to pry loose Il fortane."
did you piy it?"
John Stuart Webster arched his eve
brows in mock reproach. "And you
can see my new suit, Neddy, my six
teen-dollar, made-to-order shoes and
my horny hoofs encased in silken hose
and ask that question? Freshly
shaved and ironed and almost afraid
TO sit down and get wrinkles in nv
trousers! Smell that" He blew a
cloud of cigar smoke into Jerome's
smiling face. The latter shifted. ut
smells expensive" he replied.
Eyes. and you can bet it tnstes ex-
pe1sive, too" Webster answered,
handing his cigar-case to his friend.
Jerome bit the end of his cigar and
spat derisively. How much have you
made?" he demanded buntly.
TITS none of your business, but I'll
tell you because love you, Neddy. I've
made one hundred thousand dollars"
"Chicken-feed.' Jerome retorted
"Johnny, I've been combing the min
eral belt of North and South America
for you for a month"
"Why this sudden belated Interest
in me?"
81 have a fine job for you, John
"Kings X" Webster interrupted
and showed both hands with the fin
gers crossed. mo plotting against my
peace and comfort, Neddy. Haven't
told you I'm all dressed up for The
first time in three years, chat I have
money in my pocket and more il
bank? Man, I'm going TO tread The
/ primrose path for year before | GO
back into the harness again."
Jerome waved a deprecatory hand
figuratively brushing aside such feeble
and inconsequeutial argument. care
you foot-lo0seW lie demanded.
I'm not I'm bound in COLDER
chains"
Married. Ell? Great Scott, nigh
have guessed it. So you're on you
| honeymoon. eh?"
mo such luck, you vichy-drinkin;
iconoclast. If you had ever gotten ia
| enough from this club during the pas
Fifteen years to get a breath of rea
fresh air, you'd understand why
want to enjoy civilization for a weel
or two before 20 back TO mine Su
perintendent's cabin on some bleak hill
| No, stree. Old Jeremiah Q. Work am
| have had a falling out. Dad burr
your picture, Neddy, | want SOM
class I've been listening to a dag
shift-boss playing the accordion 70
three years-and he could only pla
three tunes. Now | want Sousa'
band. I've been bathing in tepid, dirt
water In redwood sluice-boX, an
now | desire a steam room and nee
die shower and an osteopath. I've bee
bossing Greasers and Italians and wa
forced to learn their language to &c
results. and now | want to speak m
mother tongue to my old friends. b
thunder I'm going to have new def
all around"
VERY well, Jack. Don't excite YOU
self. I'll give you exactly thirty day
to sicken of II all-and then | sha
come and claim my property.
"Neddy, I'll not work for you. II
mad won't play"
you're 1t. | just tagged you.
~ require a rest-but unfold you
nronoeition Neddy was born