The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1922-08-22
A WOMAN'S PREY
BY FRED JACKSON.

him with a friendliness they had ney- CT felt for the old John Bolt.
 Griswold heard of what was go- ing on and remonstrated with Bolt, though he met with little encourage ment.
 "What's got into you John?" he asked, slamming down a ledger and turning to face his young assistant with a frown. 'sTell me what the trouble is and let me help you pull yourself together. I can't stand by and see you go to hell in this fashion. Whats wrong?"
 Nothing answered John Bolt.
 To tell Griswold about Lorah War ing and the S~u she had woven was useless, he kneW. Griswo1d was not the man to understand. He was old, for one thing, and settled down and sedate.
 So John Bolt turned toward the door with his brief rebuff. but Gris- wold was there sbefore him. barring his way.
 eff I've got to keep you here by force, John, he said, I'm going to have this out with you, once for all. may be gray and wrinkled but you'll find my biceps are hard enough yet!'
 John Bolt melted at the sight of the older mans faint smile, and standing there, with his arms folded. and a scowl in his eyes. he finally captiluated- in part.
 "Tm sick of this damned country that's all!'' he said. 'I hate the damned smell of sage-brush and aka li-dust. I'm restless. I want to go East and see life. I'm twenty-sIx years old and I've slaved here as long as can stand it. And can't get out because I haven't a cent to blow with So I'm just passing the time!"
 Until when? passing the time until when?" asked Griswold quietly. T don't know" answered John Bolt shrugging. Until I get over this spell-and resign myself to the old grind-or until I 60 to the devil aI- together!"
 For an instant Griswold said noth- ing, and John Bolt put his hand out to open the door, but the older man prevented that.
 what to say to you, John. I haven't finished with you yet"
 There's nothing to say.' said Bolt "Yes. there is. But the important thing is to say the right word. Have you saved nothing in the years that you've worked here?''
 "Yes. had little. But lost it."
 How"
 Gambling at Ke11ys-in the back
 
 East-as I wanted to go. And I tn bought Id take chance at doubling it."
 And you lost your savings of years in that way!''
 'tIt wasn't enough to bother about answered Bolt. "If a man worked himself to death here he couldn't save enough to bother about" Griswold began to tap the desk be- h h holder, and at times chewing the end 'The East Is no place TOT you, John,' he said at last. "I've been there and I know. You'd be a drop in the ocean. You'd be about as use ful as a furrier'd be in India. It isn't as if you had trade or profession that would get you by. There's no mining in the East, John.'' I'm sick of mining," said Bolt. But it's the only thing you know" 'Id learn something else, I guess, if ever got there.'
 '.What?"
 Anything different from mining. I've lost enough of my life digging gold for some one else to squander Let Patterson and Sears come our and get their own ore out Of the ground I want a turn at rding around in private cars and having | niggers in white coats to wait on l me! At least. I want a chance 10 work up to that sort of thing. If I stay here, your job is the biggest thing I can ever get. And what have you got?"
 I'm perfectly happy. John," said Griswold.
 We'll. you're older than I. and you've your wife and all that I couldn't be contented. I've stood this | place until now because I was a fool I was fast asleep. But now I'm wide | awake and I want to ger out ''Ef you did go, you'd come back sure as fate.' said Girswo!d. Mark my words!"
 You don't know me-" answered Bolt. "Just give me a chance to ger I away and I'M show you" 1 N'I wish I could give you the | chance, John," said Griswold slowly. T would if I could. You know that" "Yes," said John. of course. You've been brick to me all my life. Don't think I forget that I didn't mean to be ungrateful to you! But I I feel like beast in a cage here. Those damned gray hills all around, shutt- ing me in-and every day that passes, meaning day less to live and >enoy! It's not fair for some to have every | thing and others to have nothing! l If I'd been lazy or sfiftIess or dis I honest, wouldn't complain. I'd have l taken my medicine like 8 man. But | I've been clean and decent and straight i all my life-and I deserve more than | I'll ever get here! And I want more | That's all!
 He turned and opened the door and went out, and Griswold sat for a 1 long time, staring at the door through 1 which he had passed
 1 Two weeks went by in this wise. John Bolt continued to work like a
 demon during the day-to absorb himself in his task was a relief from his own thoughts-and to spend his nights at kelley's. And he was be- ginning to show the effects of his wild l pace.
 | It would have t,Iyop rood deal