The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1921-01-20
CHAPTER X.
The Gamblers.

Harris found some difficulty In pro
viding that affairs Of the farm would
proceed satisfactorily during his alb
sence. but at last they we're arranged,
N not exactly to his liking. nj least In
manner that promised little loss. II
was most unfortunate that Mary. In a
moment Of headstroDg passion quite
without precedent in his experience Of
her. had determined upon a visit just
nj the lime when she was particularly
needed at home. II Harris had been
quite fair he would have remembered
that there had been no time In the last
twenty-five years when she had not
been needed at home. and the present
occasion was perhaps no less oppor-
tune for her visit than many others.
The hired man. In consideration Of
having no field work 10 do, finally con
scented 10 milk the cows and deliver the
milk daily TO Mrs Rifles. who would
convert II into butter-for a consider
alton OF ~ much per pound. To his
good neighbors. the Grants. Harris
turned for assurance that should he
and Allan be delayed on their trip, or
should the harvest come In earlier than
expected. ample steps would be taken
TO garner H.
So. with these arrangements COM
plete. the farmer and his son drove
into Plainville one fine bright morning
at the end OF July. ready for their first
long trip into the New West. Indeed.
II wss Ailan's first long journey any
where; an excursion TO Winnipeg at
the time q the summer exhibition had
been the limit Of his experience Of
travel. and the hard work OF the farm
had not yet extinguishej the young
mans desire for novelty and excite
ment.
Harris got OF at the railway station
TO buy the tickets; Allan went to the
post Office on the odd chance OF any
letters awaiting delivery. and the
hired man turned the horses home
ward. The station agent WAS thread
ing his way through his car report. and
remained provokIngiy unconscious OF
Harris presence at the ticket window
The farmer took no pains to conceal
his patience. coughing and shufiiinr
obviously, but Il was not until the last
box-car had been duly recorded that
the agent deigned to recognize his ex'
istence.
Nothing for you from" he said
mentioning the mail order house from
which Harris made most Of his pur.
chnseS
We'll. I didn't expect anythin'," re-
torted the farmer. although you're
just as likely TO have II when I don't
as when I do. How much Is q ticket
TO Calgary
You got the land fever, toof" the
agent asked. as he consulted his tar
IFS "liies went up the other day
You1l be making cleanup on the
cheap land. I suppose. But ! tell YOU
Harris u I'd farm like yours you
couldn't pry me on II with pinch-bar
No more worries for little Willie. and
I'd leave the free land to those that
haven't got any--like myself"
Worry snorted Harris. "Wha'
do you worry aboutp You get your
pay, whether Il freezes or halls OF
shrivels up with one Of these Dakota
scorchers."
The agent thought OF the piles Of re-
ports On his table. but as he thumped
the stamp ON the tickets he answered
"Oh, worry over the Monroe doc
trine." lie left the farmer counting
his change. and turned To his reports
another money -grubber gone crazy
with the heat" he muttered. III I'D
his wad wouldn't burn this wire with
one hot, short sentence!"
Harris met his son on the platform
"What dye think, Dad2 A letter from
Riles" He drew the crumpled missivs
from Its envelope. Looks like n laun
dry ticket" he said. hut ] figured Il
out. and he wants you 10 sell the farm
and buy q coal mine"
Harris read the letter through, not
without some difficulty. Al first h
was Inclined TO laugh. but the earnest
ness OF Rifles impressed him through
the makeshift English.
"What dye think of Il, Dadr' said
the younger man. at length. "Oi
course we don't know anything about
coal. but then"
1T must look good to Rifles or HI
wouldn't want TO put any money In II.
commented Harris. after a few min
utes' reflection. "Riies is pretty eau
tiouA. He's got money In the bani
DRAWN three per cent; he's afraid t.
lend II ont among the farmers. And
he amt easy talked into new scheme
either"
"D'ye suppose we could sell the
farm The idea Of big, profitable
speculation suddenly appealed to Al
Ian with much greater force than the
prospect of three years on home
stead. He knew that vast sums o.