Clearwater Republican. [volume] (Orofino, Idaho) 1912-1922, 1921-07-08

ris?' Riles was beginning TO addres,
himself mainly to the older man.
Don't take me up wrong" said Al
Ian. I'm In on this along with Dad
If he's in; an II he's out. I'm out. Blu
! was just kind o curious about It,"
ITS all right. it's all right" as
sured Rifles. with great magnanimity
lnwardly he was cursing Gardiner fol
having left this task to him. He wa.
suspicious Of trap In the simples
question. and feared that any minute
he might find himself floundering in 9
mesh of contradictions.
"Where is this coal mine. and who:
got it?" said Harris
II amt saw 1t myself" admitted
Rifles. "They're awful p'tic'lar about
lettin' people see It," he continued
with sudden flash of inspiration
Its so valu'ble, y know"
"'Fraid somebody'll bring It home
in their pocket, suppose" said Al
Ian.
Rifles pretended to laugh heartily
But where Is it?" insisted Harris
as there railroad near, or how dc
you get at til"
"It's up In the mountains, an that's
all can tell you; but it's all right
an there's a pile o. money in 1t.
guess better bring Gardner down in
the morning, nm he'll explain all
about It, " see he knows the fellow
ut ~ 7 ~ hns11 hu
able to tell you That Is, If you're
goin' In on It, Gardner won't say
much unless he knows you're goin' In
on It,"
well he'll have to say a good deal
before he knows" said Harris. 81
amt buyin n pig in "A poke. He's got
t. show me, and then If It's all right,
why. It's all right"
"Oh. It's all right" said Rifles. al
though inwardly he felt little enthu-
slasm over the attitude of either ia
Their or son. He was annoyed that Al
Ian should be present. On the whole,
1t would be better to leave the rest
of the explaining to Gardiner.
"What dye think of 1t, Dad?" said
Allan, when RlIes was gone.
"May be all right" said Harris.
"WOuldn't be surprised but 1t Is. At
the same time, amt goin' to put a
cent In It till I'm dead sure. And any
way, there's no use lettin' Rifles think
we're keen on it.
"That's what L think. You think
Gardeners all square in it?"
II don't know. Likely he's getting
fat commission from somewhere,
but that's fair enough, If he makes
the deal. But he won't see any o.
our money till have the opinion of
the best lawyer in town. That's all
we can say till we see It,"
"What dye say If we sell the old
farm anyway, an then II this mine
business don't look good, we'll PUNK
1t into farm land?"
might do worse" his father agreed
"Well have a look round for day or
two, anyway"
In the afternoon Gardiner and Rifles
drove into town and met the Harrises
In the waiting room Of the hotel
Gardeners greeting was friendly, but
not overfamiliar, rs became man
who had recently suffered some reflec-
tion on his character. He shook Har-
rls and Allan by the hand. inquired
after the cattle and the crops, but dis
creetly avoided family matters. hav-
ing learned from Rifles that all had
not been going smoothly In their do
nestle affairs. Gardiner knew a little
room at the back of the bar, to which
he escorted his guests. Having or
dered a bottle and glasses on the
table, he turned the key In the door.
You can't be too careful" he ex-
planned. "You know, the walls have
ears. and IL 1t gets out that this coal
mine can be picked up at the price we
have on 1t, 1t will be taken before
night. I understand your money Is
not here yet. Mr.. Harris?"
mo. Not started, guess. The
fact is. haven't sold the farm"
"Well, don't want to hurry you,
but you've got to act quickly. or not
at all. OF course, we don't figure on
taking any chances. Our idea Is to
turn the property over at once. at a
good profit. That's the way you feel
about 1t too. isn't it?"
"I'm not coal miner"
Exactly. Neither are the men who
own most Of the mines Of this coun-
try. There comes a time. Mr.. Harris,
when we realize that we don't have to
get down with pick and shovel to
make ourselves some money-in fact,
the man with pick and shovel hasn't
time to make any real money. I am
glad you feel like I do about 1t. for !
have already taken the liberty Of put.
ting the proposition up to New
York syndicate"
you mean If we don't come
through, they will?"
CTo BE CONTINUED)