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

where the big sycamore lies across
the river. I've got something to tell
you that viii interest YOU"
lie didn't wait for reply, but
turned away with BY Heck. He went
to the home of the Hecks ostensibly
10 have his fortune told-really, to
get his dinner. The old woman didn't
like him. but her Unborn spirit of hos
pitality wouldn't permit her TO refuse
him n meal. She felt that she was
almost even with him when, after
shutting and reading the cards, she
told him that II would be wise for
him TO look out for big, tall, grey
eyed young man with an oak tree In
one hand and a couple Of cliffs in the
other.
Dale told Major Bradley and John
Moreland Of that which Golf had said
to him at the gate. The major sug-
gested forthwith that he go TO meet
the man; it couldn't possibly do any
harm, and there was a chance that he
would learn something of COTS In
tentions.
So Dale went.
Golf was already there, waiting. He
was sitting on stone on the More
land side of the river, whiting idly.
When he saw Dale approaching, he
smiled and nodded, rose and pocketed
his knife.
81 want to make you an offer for
that coal" he said at once.
"All right" Dale replied. "If your
offer is big enough, it will be consid-
cred. But no shyster price is going
to get that coal, Goff."
Golf frowned uneaslly.
"You don't know coal, Mr.. Dale
You don't know the business OF min
ing-or I've got you sized up wrong
Thousands Of men have gone busted
trying to do things they weren't used
10 doing. There's q big chance, too,
that the coal isn't what it looks TO be
on the surface You'd better take a
sure thing. and avoid a possibility Of
loss. I'll give you five thousand, spot
cash. for that coal"
Dale shook his head. you'll have
to come heavier than that, y'know. IL
you get the Moreand coal"
"And an extra thousand for your
selfw
Dale laughed q low, queer laugh.
you amuse me, Goh," said he.
..c,.-... . . 49,, ,-,,,,.-, ,,,fce.ol ,-o,,r 20 ~
ing in life. What peach of king
villain you'd make in melodrama You
wouldn't have TO act, either; you'd
have to be just your natural self. And
YOU make me mad, too. Golf. Because
I'm on the square with the More
lands and everybody else--now, get
that"
The corners of the shyster coal mans
mouth came down.
ooh, bosh-don't pass me that vir-
tue stuff. Every man has his price,
high or low. You've got yours. and
I've got mine. I'll give you five thou
sand, spot cash, If you'll persuade
John MOreland to sell TO me for five
thousand and nobOdy'll ever know
you got a rakedown from me- It's all
the coal is worth, that ten thousand.
Well. yes?"
Dale was of the type that goes pale
with anger. and he was pale now. He
clenched his hands.
"You can't insult me like that and
get away with it, Golf" he clipped.
"Nve're going to fight. Golf. and I'm
going to put a licking on you that
fifteen horses can't pull off. Get me?"
He threw aside his coat and rolled
his sleeves to his elbows. Henderson
Golf ran his right hand quickly to a
rear trouser pocket and brought back
a stub-nosed automatic pistol, which
he turned threateningly toward Bill
Dale.
go easy, friend" Golf said very
compacently. There's no use In
getting sore. want the coal, that's
all. If I can't get it by fair means,
I'll get 1t in another way. Oh, don't
mind telling you; one mans oath is as
good in court as another mans. II
you don't take me up at ten thousand,