Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1922-05-04

theirs, you know, and wildcats, rattlers.
and copperheads. l was fortunate
enough to find the boy, and carried
him home. That was all. They're a
fine people, my boy, and so are the
Llttlefords. Good old English blood
that somehow wandered off. There's
no purer, cleaner blood in America,
sir.
And now-hOw are you getting
along with your plans for the opera
ton of the coal miner
"Excellently," answered Dale. 1--WE
have the necessary finance; geared
locomotive and cars aad light steel
rails have been bargained for"
Good Bradley gave Dale a hearty
slap on the shoulder.
There's something else wanted TO
say, Mr.. Dale" he continued, his
voice grave. you're nearly certain
TO have a barrel Of trouble with n
shyster coal man named Henderson
Golf. He's a villain sir if ever there
was one And he's quite the smooth
est article I've ever seen. He cen
make you believe black is white, if
only you'll listen to him long enough"
as he--has he been here rccently?"
Dale wanted to know.
Hes here now" answered the ma
jor. 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 Il song ;
he knows all the people you see. As
soon rs he landed here on this pres
ent trip, he found out about your in
tentions. Then, at night, he 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. "Goff learned that Adam Balls
father knew about the coal vein long
before David Moreland discovered it
and got lawful possession of the noun
tain. Then Golf made the Balls be-
lieve that they were due a big share
of the proceeds of the Moreland coall
1t wasn't very hard to do, guess. The
Balls, this set, at least, were originally
lowlanders; they took TO the noun
tains, l understand. TO keep from be-
ing forced to fight during the Civil
war"
"Gofrs idea" muttered Dale, as to
get the Balls to scare me into selling
instead of developing, eh?"
Exactly" nodded old Bradley.
"Then he would settle with the Balls
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"
81 see" said Dale.
"If there's anything that 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 Moreand
Coal company, OF which 1 have the
honor TO be general manager" smiled
Dale, "If you WILL"
Major Bradley's voice came happily,
"Aly 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
| murmuring OF the crystal river and
the low, slow tinkling of the cowbells
made music that was sweet and pleas
ing.
Suddenly John Moreand stopped,
uttered a swearword under his breath,
turned and went back to Dale.
"The's man a-waitin' on us ahead
thar. Bill" he drawled, "at We shore
want TO watch like a hawk to keep
him from a-slealln' the eyeteeth out
o yore head. His name is Hender-
son Golf, and he wants coal"
They wen: 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
a pair Of spear-ponts; his mustaches
too, were black, and they had sharp
upturned ends like those OF Mephis.
to. The major had said that he was
a smooth article; he certainly looked
it.
He met John Moreland with an oily
smile and thrust out his hand But
Moreland wouldn't see the hand.
Anything we've got to say about
coal,"' growcd, "ye can say to Bill
Dale thar" pointing with a calloused
thumb. ''Bill he's the high light o
the whole business and when he
opens his mouth, We can cock yore
head to one side and listen 70 gaws
pei"
Goff was delighted to meet Mr.. Dale
of whom he had already heard. Dial,
had nothing whatever to say. They
walked on toward the cabin of the
Moreland chief, with Golf keeping vi
a running fire OF talk concerning the
scenery, the climate-anything bu
coal.
At John Moreland's gate, Gof
n,,dOed D0la with an elhow and wills