The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1921-03-24
Copyright. An Rights Reserved
CHAPTER Ix-continued.

You don't learn anything, HileS,
do you? You, don't know anything
more about making money than you
did 20 years ago."
'Well, maybe I don't, and maybe I
do, but can pay my way. an can go
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. Don't
make any difference to me If you
spend your whole life sod-busting; it's
your life-Spend it any way you like.
But it's only men who don't know any
better that go on to the land now
adays. It's a 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. I never"
That's just what I say-you never
learn Now look at\me. I amt wear
ing my last suit, nor spending my last
dollar, either, and 1 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 a bad
bunch; brought up like gentlemen,
most of 'em; play the piano and talk
In three or four languages, and all that
kind of stuff, but they're simply dam
gerous with money. So when it comes
to hand, in the public interest they
have to be separated from it"
Sounds interestin'," said Riles-
"'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 a 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 ii"
"WeIl, 1 wish 1 knew Rfles con-
fessed. mot anythin' crooked, y
know, but something hke-well, some
thing like you're doin'. I've worked
hard for ev'ry nickel 1 ever made, an
I reckon if there's easy money goin'
I've a right t. get some of it,
''NOw you're beginning to wake up.
| Though, mind you, some Of It isn't as
| easy as it looks. You've got to know
your business, just like farming or
anything else. But you can general
| " land something to live on, even if it
amt a big stake. Take me now, for
| Instance. 1 amt doing anything that
a preacher mightn't do. Happened to
/ fall in with q fellow who owns a ranch
I'D the river here. Cleaned him empty
| one night at cards-StoOd him up for
| his last cent, and he kind O. took
notion to me. Well, he's the son of
| 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 go home for the time being, and
as he wanted someone to run his
ranch, who should he think OF but me.
| Suppose he thought If / happened to
| bet it at poker some night I wouldn't
lose it, and that's some consideration.
He's got 1000 acres or so Of land up
there, with dozen cayuses on it, and
/ he gives me % pounds a 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, I hire a 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 any
better than work for a living. By the
way, perhaps you know him-comes
from Plainvflle part-Travers his
name isl"
"Sure," said Rifles. HE worked for
Harris, until they had a row and he
lit out. It kind o. balled Harris up,
Zoo, although he'd never admit it. If
ned Travers there it'd be easier for
aim t get away now"
/ 'sWhere's Harris going?"
'fHe amt goin'; he's comm Comm
out here in a few days after me. I'm
his kind o. advance guard, spyin' out
the land"
'sYou don't say? Well, see and make
him come through with the expenses.
If was travelling for Jack Harris
wouldn't be sleeping in hen coop like
this. He's worth yards Of money, amt
hep
"Oh, some, I guess, but perhaps not
so much more'n his neighbors.''
Nothing personal, Rifles. You've
got to get over that narrowness If
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
him?'
Couple OF hundred dollars, likely"
at wouldn't show my hand for that
How much can he raiser"
well. supposin' he sold the old
farm
Now don't do any reckless suppos
ing. VIII he sell the farm?"
sSure, he'll sell it il he sees some
thing better"
.sHow much can he get for ft!''
'aThirty or $4,000
That's more like a stake. Hiram
it's up to you and me to show hin
something better-and to show it t.
him when he's alone. You're
tired tonight. Sleep it out, and wei