Phoenix tribune., 1922-07-22


AN split the profits on the cod
fish?" Scraggs queried eagerly.
Certainly not. Me an Nens splits
that fifty-ffty. A quarter o them
profits is too high a price TO pay for
your friendship, Scraggsy, cid deceit
full. Remember, l made that profit
after you an Mac had pulled out o.
the syndicate"
''Thats logic" McGuffey declared.
"It's highway robbery" Scraggs
snarled. 81 won't sell no quarter in
terest to you or The Squarehead. Glib
Not on them terms"
@Then you'll load them Goldfish
aboard, or pay demurrage on that
barge for every day they hang around
an if the board of health condemns
'em an chucks 'em overheard I'll sue
you an Mac for my lost profits. git
a judgment agin you, an take over
the Victor to satisfy the Judgment"
You're sea lawyer, Glib" Scraggs
retorted sarcastically.
"You do what Glib says" McGuffey
ordered threateningly. Remember,
got half interest in any Judgment be
gifts agin us-an' what's more, oh
ject to them Goldfish clutterin' up nv
half interest"
"You bullied me on the old Maggie"
Scraggs screeched, "but | won't be
bullied no more. If you want TO tow
that barge, Mac, you buy me out, lock.
stock and barrel. An the price for
my half interest is Eve thousand dol
lars"
you've sold something, Scraggsy."
Mr.. McGuffey flashed back at him.
obeying wink from Mr.. Gibney An
here's hundred dollars to bind the
bargain. Balance on delivery OF proper
bill-o'-sale."
While Scraggs was counting the
money Mr.. Gibney was writing re
ceipt In his note book. Scraggs. still
furious, signed the receipt.
''Now, then, Scraggsy," said Mr.. Glib
ney affably, "hustle up to the custom
house, get formal biIl-o' sale blank.
fill her in, an hustle back agin for
your check. An see to it you don't
change your mind, because it won't do
you any good. If you don't come
through now 1 can sue you an force
you to-"
"ohl So you're buyin' my interest,
ehY
"Well, I'm lendin' Mac the money,
an got hunch he'll sell the interest
to me an Neils without figgerin on
profit. You're a jarrin' note in the
syndicate, Scraggsy, an I've come to
that time O. life where l want peace.
An there won't be no peace on the
Victor unless I skipper her."
Captain Scraggs departed to draw
up the formal bill of sale and Mr.. Glib
ney, drawing The Squarehead and Nc
Guffey to him, favored each with
searching glance and said:
Gentlemen, did 1t ever occur to you
that there's money in the chicken
business?"
1t had Both McGuffey and Nells
admitted it. There are few men H.
this world who have not, at some
period of their lives, held the same
view, albeit the majority of thoee hn
have endeavored to demonstrate that
fact have subsequently changed thell
minds.
II thought as much," the cemmo
dore grinned. "If was to let you five
out O. my sight for a day yon'd hon
be fiat busted the day after. So we
won't buy no farm an go in for chick
ems. Wen sell the Victor an buy =
little tradin' schooner Then wen go
back to the South seas an earn .
legitimate livin'."
"But why'll we sell the victor?s ,!.
Guffey demanded. "Gib, she's love
of boat"
Because I've just had a talk with
the owners.o the two opposition lne,
an they, KNOWN me to he cliuniin
with you an Scraggsy, give me he III,
to tell you two that you could have
your choice O. two proposition
rate war or a sale O. the Victor co.
ten thousand dollars. That gets vo'
out clean an saves your original gap
tai, an it gifts Scragssy oul the sa'ae
way, while nettin' me an Neils five
hundred EACH"
"a rate war would ruin us" Me
Guffey agreed. "In addition to sourin'
Scraggsy's disposition until he
wouldn't be fit to live with. Glib. you're
a wonder"
'I know it," Mr.. Gibney replied
Within two hours Captain Srragrs'
half interest had passed into the hands
of McGuffey, and half IN hnur laier
the Victor had passed into the taads
of the opposition lines. to be orera'ed
for the joint profit of the latter I.arer
in the day all four members of the
syndicate met in the BOwhead saloon
where Mr. Gibney explained the deal
to Captain Scraggs. The latter was
dumfounded.
you'll run without me, Glib"
Scraggs declared emphatically 'Tve.
had a-plenty O. the dark blue for mine.
l got little stake now, so I'm going
tO 1O0lxN around an invact In n