The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1922-03-24

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her battered decks.
In majestic silence the commodore
motiOned all hands into the launch.
In silence they returned to the city.
Arrived here, Mr.. Gibney paid off the
launch man and the diver and ac-
companied by his associates repaired
to prominent jewelers. shop with
the pearls they had accumulated in
the South seas. The entire lot was
sold for thirty thousand dollars. An
hour later they had adjusted their
accounts, divided the fortune Of the
syndicate equally, and then dissolved.
At parting, Mr.. Gibney spoke for the
first time when IT had not been alb
solutely necessary.
"Put a beggar on horseback an
he'll ride TO the devil" he said. when
you two swabs was poor you was con-
tent to let me lead you into fortune,
but now that you're well-heeled, you
think you're business men. All right
I amt got word to say except this:
Before / get through with you two
beachcombers I'll have all your money
and you'll be a-beggin' me for a job.
apologize for soakin' you two with
that diseased Goldfish, an for old sake's
sake we won't fight. We're still
friends, but business associates no
longer, for Pm too big a figger in this
syndicate to stand for any criticism
on my handlin' o. the joint finances.
Hereafter, Scraggsy, old kiddo, you
an Mac can go it alone with your
sternwheel steamer. Me an The
Squarehead legs 1t together an takes
our chances. You don't hear that poor
untootered Swede maxim no holler at
the way I've handled the syndicate"
'But, Glib, my dear boy" chartered
Captain Scraggs, will you just listen
to re-"
Enough! Too much is plenty.
Let's shake hands an part friends.
We just can't get along in business
together, that's ALL"
swell, I'm sorry, Glib" mumbled Nc
Guffey, very much crestfallen, ''but
then you hove that dog-gone fish at
me an"
'"That was fortune hittin' you a
belt in the face, Mac, an you was too
self-conceited to recognize it. Remem-
Der that, both Of you two. Fortune
hit you in the face today an you
didn't know It,"
I'D ruther die poor, Glib" walled
McGuffey.
The commodore shook hands cor
daily and departed, followed by the
faithful Neils Halvorsen. The mo-
inert the door closed behind them
Scraggs turned to the engineer.
mac" he said earnestly, "Gib's up
to somethin'. He's got that magma
ton O. his workin'. I can tell it every
time; he gets a foggy look in his eyes.
We made mistake kiddin' him today.
GIBBS a sensitive boy some ways an
/ reckon we hurt his feelin's without
intendin' it."
"He thrun a dead Goldfish at me-"
protested McGuffey. ST love old Glib
like brother, but that's carryin'
things with a mighty high hand"
swell, I'll apologize to him." de-
clared Captain Scraggs and started
for the door to follow Mr.. Gibney.
McGuffey barred his way.
"You apologize without my consent
an you gotta buy me out o. the Vic
tor. 1 won't be no engineer with
skipper that lacks backbone"
"Oh, very well, Mac" Captain
Scraggs realized too well the value of
McGuffey in the engine room. He
knew he could never be happy with
anybody else. "We'll complete the
deal with the Victor, ship crew, get
down to business, an leave Glib to his
Goldfish. An let's pay our bill an get
outer here. It's too heightened for
mean expensive"
For two weeks Captain Scraggs and
McGuffey saw no more of Mr.. Gibney
and Neils Halvorsen. In the mean
time, they had commenced running the
Victor regularly up river, soliciting
business in opposition to the regular
steamboat lines. While the Victor was
running with light freights and con-
sequently at loss, the prospect for
ultimate business was very bright and
Scraggs and McGuffey were not at all
worried about the future.
Judge at their surprise, therefore,
when one morning who should appear
at the door of Scraggs' cabin but Mr..
Gibney.
"Mornin', Gib," began Scraggs cheer
lily. 81 s'pose you been rolled for your
money as per usual, an you're around
lookin' for a job as mate?"
Mr.. Gibney ignored this yelled in
suit. mot yet, Scraggsy. got about
five hundred tons O. freight to send up
to Dunnigan's landing an 1 want a
lump sum figger for doin' the job. We
parted friends an for the sake O. old
times thought I'd give you a chance
to figger on the business"
.Thanky, Glib. I'll be glad to.
Where's your freight an what does
it consist Off"
Agricultural stuff. It's Grated, an
I deliver it here on the steamers deck
within reach o. her tackles. No heavy
pieces. Two men can handle every
piece easy"
'Turnin' farmer, Gib?'
''Thinkin' about it a little" the COM
modore admitted. whats your rate
on this freight? 1t amt perishable,
SO ge. down to brass tacks."
"a dollar ton," declared the greedy
Scraggs, naming a figure fully forty
cents higher than he would have been
willing to accept. "Five hundred dol
lars for the lot"
"Suits me-" The commodore nom
chalantly handed Scraggs five hundred
dollars. Gimme a receipt" he said.
So Captain Scraggs gave him a re-