The Madison journal. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1888-current, 1921-03-26
Copyright. All Right, Reserved
CHAPTER Ix-continued.

do you? You don't know anything
more about making money than you
did 20 years ago"
"Well, maybe l don't, and maybe l
do, but can pay my way, an l can go
back Z Plainville when like, too"
Don't get het," said Gardiner. with
mistaken composure. I'm just trying
10 put you wise 10 yourself. Don't
make any difference 10 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 oh to the land now
adays. It's a lot easier to make n 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 ut all. They're not a bad
bunch; brought lp like gentlemen,
Of hn MI n
In three or four languages, and all that
kind of stuff, but they're simply dan
gerous with money. So when it 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 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 man knows
where to look for it."
"Well, / wish l knew" Rifles con-
fessed. mot anythin' crooked, y
know, but something like-well, some
thing like you're dom. I've worked
hard for ev'ry nickel ever made. an
I reckon If there's easy money gOin'
-iorht nf
"Now 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 If 1t
amt a big stake. Take me now, for
instance. l amt doing anything that
q preacher mightn't do. Happened to
fall In with 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 a
notion to me. Well, he's the son Of a
duke OF 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 ne
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 IL ! happened to
bet II at poker some night / wouldn't
lose II, 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 25 pounds "a month, with
board and lodging and open credit at
the trading company, to see that Ii
doesn't walk away in his absence. Be
sides that, l 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 living. BY the
way, perhaps you know him-cOmes
from Plainville part-Travers his
name is?"
Sure" said Riles. "He worked for
Harris, until they had a row and he
lit out. it 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 goingr
He amt goln' he's comm. Comm
out here in few days after me. I'm
MS kind o. advance guard. spyin' out
the land"
"You don't say2 Well, see and make
him come throuOh with tho avponc
II l was travelling for Jack Harris l
wouldn't be sleeping in hen coop like
this. He's worth yards of money, amt
he?"
oh, some, I guess, but perhaps not
90 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
now much is Harris bringing with
him?"
Couple of bundled dollars, likely"
i wouldn't show my hand for that.
How much can he raiser?
We'll, supposin' he sold the old
farm"
2 Now don't do any reckless suppos-
ing. VIII he sell the farmT
Sure, he'll sell 1t if he sees some
thing better"
How much can he get for it?"
Thirty or $4,000"
That's more like a stake. Hiram.