The Chesterfield advertiser. [volume] (Chesterfield C.H., S.C.) 1884-1978, 1921-07-28
Illustrations by
'I1.winMyel.s

by giving them a dollar or two a day
for digging coal; perhaps he would
put them Off until the mine was
worked out for half of that, and then
skip. Anyway, Goff would come out
at the big end"
IL see," said Dale.
"If there's anything that 1 can do,
at any time, you won't hesitate to let
me known" said the major.
"You may consider yourself attorney
and legal adviser for the Morelard
Coal company, of which have the
honor to he general manager" smiled
Dale. III you WILL"
Major Bradley's voice came happily.
M d,eT boy, am glad to accept I
And there shall be no charge for any
service that ! may render"
They were not Tong In caching the
green valley. which lay very beauti-
ful and very peaceful In the warm
light OF the early July sun. The soft
murmuring of the crystal river and
the low, slow tinkIing of the cowbells
made music that was sweet and pleas
ing.
Suddenly John Moreland stopped,
uttered swearword under his breath,
turned and went back to Dale.
"The's man a-waitin' on us ahead
thar, Bill" he drawled. "at ye shore
want to watch like q hawk to keep
him from a-stealin' the eyeteeth out
o yore head. His name Is Hender-
hn
They went on. Soon they met a
man who, In clothing and manner,
made Dale think of stories he had
heard and read of Mississippi river
steamboat gamblers Of the long ago.
His eyes were black. and as keen as
pair of spear-points; his mustaches.
too. were black, and they had sharp.
upturned ends like those of Mephis-
to. The major had said that he was
smooth article; he certainly looked
II.
He met John Moreland with an oily
smile and thrust out his hand But
Moreland wouldn't see the hand.
Anything ye've got to say about
COAL he growled, we can say to Bill
Dale thar" pointing with a calloused
thumb. "Bln he's the high light O.
the whole business; and when he
opens his mouth. ye can cock yore
head to one side and listen 70 gaws-
pei"
Con was delighted to meet Mr.. Dale.
Of whom he had already heard. Dale
had nothing whatever to say. They
W. a.l k1 20
Moreland chief. with Con- keeping up
running fire OF talk concerning the
scenery. the climate-anything but
coal.
At John Moreland's gate, Goff
nudged Dale with an elbow and whis-
pered:
Meet me at one o'clock down there
where the big sycamore lies across
the river. I've got something to tell
you that will interest you."
He didn't wait for reply, but
turned away with 3y Heck He went
to the home Of the Hecks ostensibly
to have his fortune told-really, tu
get his dinner. The old woman didn't
like him, but her Unborn spirit of hos.
pitality wouldn't permit her to refuse
him meal. She felt that she was
almost even with him when, after
shuffling and reading the cards. she
told him that 1t would be wise for
him to look out for q big, tall, grey
eyed young man with an oak tree In
one hand and a couple Of cliffs In the
other.
Dale told Major Bradley and John
Moreiand Of that which Goff had said
to him at the gate. The major sug-
gested forthwith that he 60 to meet
the man; 1t couldn't possibly do any
harm, and there was q chance that he
would learn something Of Cons IN
tentions.
So Dale went.
Goff was already there, waiting. He
was sitting on stone on the More
land side Of the river, whiting idly.
When he saw Dale approaching. he
smiled and nodded, rose and pocketed
his knife.
II want to make you an offer for
that COAL" he said at once.
"An right" Dale replied. 'Tf your
offer is big enough, 1t will be consid-
cred. But no shyster price Is going
to get that coal, Goff."
Goff frowned uneasily.
"You don't know coal. Mr.. Dale.
You don't know the business Of min.
ing--or I've got you sized up wrong.
Thousands Of men have gone busted
trying to do things they weren't used
to doing. There's big chance. too,
that the coal isn't what II looks to be
on the surface. You'd better take
sure thing, and avoid possibility Of
loss. I'll give you five thousand. spot
cash. for that COAL"
Dale shook his head. you'll have
to come heavier than that, y'know. "
you get the Moreland coal"
And an extra thousand for your
selff"
Dale laughed low. queer laugh.
"You amuse me. Goff." said he.
Seems to me you've missed your call
ing In life. What a peach Of king.
villain you'd make In melodrama You
wouldn't have to act, either; you'd