Licking Valley courier., 1921-09-15
instead Of developing, eh'Y"


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"
II see," said Dale.
"lf there's anything that | 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 Moreland
Coal company. Of which have the
honor to be general manager" smiled
Dale. ''if you will"
Major Bradley's voice came happily,
"My dear boy, l am glad to accept
And there shall he no charge for any
service that may render"
They were not long in reaching the
green valley, which lay very beaut-
ful and very peaceful in the warm
light Of the early July sun. The soft
murmuring Of the crystal river and
the low, slow tinkling of the cowbells
made music that was sweet and pleas
ing.
Suddenly John Moreland stopped,
uttered a swearwOrd under his breath,
turned and went back to Dale.
"The's a man a-waitin on US ahead
thar, BILL" he drawled. "at ye shore
want to watch like a hawk to keep
him from a-stealin' the eyeteeth out
o yore head. His name is Hender-
son Goff, and he wants COAL"
They went on. Soon they met
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
q pair of spear-points; his, mustaches,
too, we're black, and they had sharp.
upturned ends like those Of Mephis-
to. The major had said that he was
smooth article; he certainly looked
1t.
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, "ye can say to Bill
Dale thar" pointing with calloused
thumb. "Bill 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
walked on toward the cabin Of the
Moreland chief, with Goff keeping W
a running fire Of talk concerning the
scenery, the climate-anythlng but
coal,
At John Moreland's gate, Goh
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 tel
you that will interest you"
He didn't walt for reply, bu
turned away with BY Heck. He wen
to the home of the Hecks ostensibl!
to have his fortune told-really, t.
get his dinner. The old woman didn'
like him, but her inborn spirit Of hos
pltality wouldn't permit her to refus,
him a meal. She felt that she wa
almost even with him when, afte
shuffilng and reading the cards, sh,
told him that It would be wise fo
him to look out for a big, tall, grey
eyed young man with an oak tree II
one hand and a couple Of cliffs In tn
other.
Dale told Major Bradley and Johl
Moreland of that which G0ff had sal,
to him at the gate. The major sug
gested forthwith that he 80 to nee
the man; II couldn't possibly do an
harm, and there was chance that h
would learn something Of GOff's In
tentions.
SO Dale went.
Goff was already there, waiting. Fl
was sitting on stone on the More
land side OF the river, whiting ldl!
When he saw Dale approaching, h
smiled and nodded, rose and pockete
his knife.
~ want to make you an offer fC
that coal" he said at once.
"All right" Dale replied. "lf you
offer is big enough, 1t will be conslt
cred. But no shyster price Is goin
TO get that coal. Goff."
Goff frowned uneaslly.
"You don't know coal, Mr.. Dali
You don't know the business Of mll
Ing---or I've got you sized up wron
Thousands Of men have gone buste
trying to do things they weren't use
, to doing. There's big chance, to
that the coal Isn't what II looks TO /
on the surface. You'd better take
} sure thing, and avoid a possibility I
loss. I'll give you tiye thousand, sp,
cash. for that coal"
Dale shook his head. you'll ha'
y TO come heavier than that, yknow,
you get the Morelnnd COAL"
/, "And an extra thousand for you
! selfw
, Dale laughed a low, queer laug
, "You amuse me, Goff," said h
, Seems to me you've missed your ca
! ing In life. What peach OF o kin
villain you'd make In melodrama "
, wouldn't have to act, either; ynu
!, have to he just your natural self, Al
!, you make me mad too, Con. Becnu
y I'm on the square with the Nor
lands and everybody else--uOw, 6
that II"
The corners Of the shyster coal maj
}, mouth came down.
= "Oh, bosh--dont pass me that v
:. tue stun. Every man has his prIt
!, high or low. You've got yours, a,
I've got mine. ri give you five tho