The Snyder signal. (Snyder, Tex.) 1887-????, 1921-07-29

along with your plans for the opera
ton Of the coal mlneT"
"EXccllently," answered Dale. I'VE
have the necessary finance; a geared
locomotive and cars aud Hight steel
rails have been bargained for"
Good ~ Bradley gave Dale a hearty
slap On the shoulder.
There's something else | wanted 10
say, Mr.. Dale" he continued, his
voice grave. You're nearly certain
10 have barrel OF trou!le with n
shyster coal man named Henderson
Con-. He's villain. sir, II ever there
was one Aud he's quite the smooth
est article I've ever seen. He can
make YOU believe black j. white, II
only you'll listen ~ him long enough
els he--has he been here recentlyi"
Dale wanted To know.
He's here now" answered the ma
Tor. He's been here for three days,
and hes been working deNllment fast.
lie was up here last summer trying
to buy the Moreland coal FOR song;
he knows all the people. you see. Az
soon as he landed here on this pres
ent "trip. he found out about your In
tentlous. Then, at night, be freed
Adam Ball from his tobacco barn pris-
on. and went home with him.
well. BY Heck followed them and
did some eavesdropping-poor BY has
his strong points" the major went
on. "Cofr learned that Adam Balls
father knew about the coal vein long
before David Moreland discovered II
and got lawful possession ~ the noun
tain. Then Con made the Balls he
lIeve that they were due a Dig share
Of the proceeds of the Moreland coal
II wasn't very hard To do | guess. The
Balls, this set. NJ least, were originally
lowlandors they took 10 the noun
taluS. | understand, to keep from be-
ing forced TO feh' during the civil
wer."
"GuTs idea" muttcrcd Dale. "iS to
set the Balls to scare wr info ~ell.n.
instead of developing chg
"ENacuy" nodded uIl Bradley
"Tlcn hc would settle with tae Balls
%, giving Them % dollar ur $40 % day
for digging coal; perhaps ue would
rut them on ugl .he mine was
worked out for half OF tNa' and then
skip. Anyway Coz would come ont
az -he big end"
- soc" said Dale.
III there's anything MAT I cam 90.
40 any time, you Won hesitate 10 let
m. know." said the major.
you may consider yourself attorney
and legal adviser FOR The Morelaud
Coal company, Of which have the
rouor 10 he general manager" smiled
Dale. ~ you WILL"
Major Bradley's voice came happily.
NV dear boy, | am glad 10 accept
And there shall he no charge for any
service that | may render
They we're not long IN reaching NE
green valley. which lay very heauti-
ful aud very peaceful IN the warm
light Of the early july sun. The soft
murmnrlng OF the crystal river and
the low. slow tinkling ~ the cOwbells
made music that was sweet and pleas
ing.
Suddenly John Moreland stopped
uttered a swearword under bis breath
turned and went back 20 Dale.
Tile, man a.wai,ln on rs ahenh
,har. Bin" he draWicd. at ye shOr,
want 20 watch like hawk To k"ei'
him from a-Stcalln he oye'ecth out
q yore head. His name j. ileuGcr
son Guf. ana he wants coal
they vent on. soon they mr, o
u.u vino. IN clothing and manner
made Dale think OF stories be- hai
heard aud read vi Mississippi. gvc'
steamboat gamblers Of The long as"
His eyes we're black, and - teen as
pair OF spear-poiuts; his mG>,achrs.
too. were black, aud they had sharp
upturned ends like those Of Meph.s.
10. The major had said that De- was
smooth article; he certainly looked
H.
He met John Moreland with un oily
smile ana thrust out his hand Bli
Moreland wouldn't see he hand.
Anything we've got so say about
coat" he growled. Eye can say 10 Bil'
Dale thar" pointing with Il ca.iolsed
thumb. BIN he's the high Hight o
the whole business and when he
opens his mouth. ye can cock yor.
head 10 one side aud listen 20 guws
pet"
con was delighted TO meet Mr.. pa'e
OF whom he had already heard. Dale
had nothing whatever TO say. They
walked on toward the cabin Of the
Moreland chief, with Con keeping NJ
running fire Of talk concerning the
scenery. the cllmate-snything hG'
coal.
Al John Morelands gate, Cor
nudged Dale with an elbow and wills
perc,l:
Meet me al one O'Clock down 'I'er-
where the big sycamore lies across