Cheyenne Wells record., 1921-11-10

here. A.. ,-,,,,h&
tooather. John Moreland's littie
usnhew was lost In the woods and MS
mother was frantic. There are pan
thers, you know, and wildcats, rattlers,
and copperheads. was 1ortuha'9
enoueh to find the boy, and carried
him home. That was all. They're
ane people, my boy. and so are the
TJttlefords. Good old English blood
TINT somehow wandered of. There's
no purer. cleaner blood In Americs'
sir. ..,.
"And now-how are you getting
along with your plans for the opera
ton Of the coal miner .
"Excellently," answered Dale. we
have the necessary finance; geareo
locomotive and cars and hsnt ste'
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. ms
voice grave. You're nearly certain
IN have a barrel Of trouble with q
shyster coal man named henderson
Goff. He's villain. sir. If ever there
was one. And he's quite the smooth
ast article I've ever seen. He can
make YOU believe black Is white. II
only you'll listen to him long enough.
as he-has he been here recentiyT
Dale wanted to know.
Hes here now" answered the ma
for. Hes been here for three days,
| and he's been working devilment fast.
He was up here last summer, trying
| to buy the Moreland coal for song;
he knows all the people, you see. As
soon as he landed here on this pres
ent trip, he found out about your In
tentions. Then. at night, ne 1reeo
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, "Gofr learned that Adam Balls
father knew about the coal vein long
before David Moreland discovered 1t
and got lawful possession of the noun
tain. Then Goff made the Balls be-
lieye that they were due big share
Of the proceeds of the Moreland coal
It wasn't very hard to do. guess. The
Balls. this set, at least, were originally
lowlanders; they took to the noun
tains. | understand. to keep from be-
Ing forced to fight during the Civil
war"
"Gofrs idea" muttered Dale. "is to
get the Balls to scare me into selling
instead of developing. ehT
Exactly" nodded old Bradley.
"Then he would settle with the Balls
by giving them a dollar or two day
for digging coal; perhaps he would
put them off until the mine was
worked out for half of that. and then
skip. Anyway. Gofr would come out
at the big end"
II see." said Dale.
"If there's anything that l can do,
at any time. you won't hesitate to let
me knOw?" said the major.
"You may consider yourself attorney
and legal adviser for the MOreland
Coal company. Of which I have the
honor to be general manager" smiled
Dale. "if you WILL"
Major Bradley's voice came happily
my dear boy. am glad to accept
And there shall be NO charge for any
service that may render"
They were not long in reaching the
green valley. which lay very beauti'
full and very peaceful In the warm
light Of the early July sun. The soft
murnuring Of the crystal river and
the low. slow tinkling Of the cowbelli
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 a man a-waitin' on us ahead
thar, BILL" he drawled. "at ye short
want to watch like a hawk to keeK
him from a-stealin' the eyeteeth ou,
o yore head. His name Is Hender
son Goff. and he wants coal"
They wen: on. Soon they met 6
man who. In clothing and manner
made Dale think of stories he hat
heard and read Of Mississippi rivel
steamboat gamblers Of the long ago
His eyes were black, and as keen a.
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 wa.
a smooth article; he certainly looket
II.
He met John Moreland with an oil,
, smile and thrust out his hand Blu
, Moreland wouldn't see the hand.
J Anything we've got to say abou
COAL" he grOwled. we can say to BIZ
: Dale thar" pointing with a callouse,
, thumb. "Bill he's the high light q
. the whole business; and when h
opens his mouth. ye can cock yor
head to one side and listen TO gaws
: pei"
| Con was delighted to meet Mr.. Dale
! of whom he had already heard. Dal
| had nothing whatevar to GOV rHo