The spectator., 1922-02-07

mother was frantic. There are pam thers, you know, and wildcats, rattlers. l and copperheads. 1 was fortunate enough to find the boy, and carried him home. That was all. They're fine people, my boy, and so are the Littlefords. 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 | tion of the coal mine" "Excellently," answered Dale. We | have the necessary finance; a geared locomotive and cars and light steel rails have been bargained for.' "Good!" Bradley gave Dale hearty | slap on the shoulder.
 There's something else wanted to say, Mir. Dale," he continued, his voice grave. You're nearly certain to have barrel of trouble with | shyster coal man named Henderson | Golf. He's villain, sir, if ever there was one! And he's quite the smooth est article I've ever seen. He can make you believe black is white, if only you'll listen to him long enough"
 "Is he-has he been here recentlyT Dale wanted to know.
 Hes here now" answered the ma. | jor. He's been here for three days, and he's been working devilment fast. He was up here last summer, trying l h,,, for 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, he freed Adam Ball from his tobacco barn priS on, and went home with him.
 Well, By Heck followed them and did some eavesdropping-poo By has his strong points," the major went on. Golf learned that Adam Balls | father knew about the coal vein long before David Moreland discovered it and got lawful possession of the moun- tain. Then Golf made the Balls be- | lieye that they were due big share of the proceeds of the Moreland coali It wasn't very hard to do, guess. The Balls, this set. at least, were originally | lowlanders; they took to the noun tains, I understand, to keep from be- | ing forced to fight during the Civil war"
 "Gof's idea" muttered Dale, 'is 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 day for digging coal perhaps he would put them off until the mine was worked out for half of that. and then skip. Anyway. Golf would come out at the big end.'
 "I sec" said Dale.
 If there's anything that 1 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. l am glad to accept! And there shall be no charge for any service that l 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 ulo In pnhSip thut and nlanS. | ing.
 Suddenly John Ioreland stopped, uttered a swearworo under his breath, turned and went back to Dale.
 'The's a man a-waitin' on us ahead thar, Bill" he drawled, "at ye shore want to watch like a hawk to keep him from a-stealin' the eyeteeth out O yore head His name Is Tender son Golf. and he wants coal"
 They went 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 pair of spear-points; his mustaches l too, were black. and they had sharp upturned ends like those of a Mephis- to. The major had said that he was 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" he growled. "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, ye can cock yore head to one side and listen fo' gaws- pei"
 Goff was delighted to meet Mir. Dale, of whom he had already heard. Dale had nothing whatever to say. They walked on toward the cabin of the