American Falls press. [volume] (American Falls, Idaho) 1907-1937, 1922-01-20

smile and thrust out his hand But
Moreland wouldn't see the hand.
Anything we've got to say about
COAL" he growled, we can say to Bill
Dale thar" pointing with a calloused
thumb. "Bil 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 TO gaws-
pei"
Gof was delighted to meet Mr.. Dale,
Of whom he had already heard. Dale
had nothing whatever to say. They
walked on toward the cabin of the
Moreland chief. with Con- keeping up
a running fire of talk concerning the
scenery. the cllmate-anything but
coal.
At John Moreland's gate, Goff
nudged Dale with an elbow and whis-
pered;
Meet me at one O'Clock down there
where the big sycamore lies across
the river. I've got something to tell
you that vii. interest you"
He didn't wait for a reply, but
turned away with BY Heck. He wen
to the home of the Hecks ostensibly
to 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 a meal. She felt that she was
almost even with him when, after
shutting and reading the cards, she
told him that 1t would be wise for
him to look out for a big, tall, grey
eyed young man with an oak tree In
one hand and a couple of cliffs in the
other.
g . . . .
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; 1t couldn't possibly do any
harm, and there was a chance that he
would learn something Of COTS In
tentiOns.
So Dale went.
Goff was already there, waiting. He
was sitting on a stone on the More
land side OF the river, whiting idly.
When ne saw Dale approaching, he
smiled and nodded, rose and pocketed
his knife.
II want to make you an offer for
that COAL" he said at once
GAN rf0bfu noIn ropIfod 0If uatrr
offer is big enough, 1t win be consid-
cred. But no shyster price is going
to get that coal, Gon."
Cor frowned uneasily.
"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
TO doing. There's a big chance. too
that the coal isn't what 1t looks to be
on the surface. You'd. better take q
sure thing, and avoid a possibility OF
loss, III give you five thousand, spot
cash, for that coal"
Dale shook his head. you'll have
to come heavier than that. y'know. II
you get the Moreland coal.'
"And an extra thousand for your
self"
Dale laughed a low. queer laugh
"You amuse me, Goff," said he
Seems to me you've missed your call
ing In life. What a peach OF a king
villain you'd make In melodramal YoI
wouldn't have to act. either; you'C
have to be Just your natural self. AnC
you make me mad, too, Golf. Because
I'm on the square with the More
lands and everybody else-now, ge
thatl"
The of the shyster coal man'i
mouth came down.
"Oh, bosh-don't pass me that vir
tue stuff. Every man has his price
high or low. You've got yours. ant
I'VE got mine. I'll give you Eve thou
sand, spot cash, If you'll persuade
John Moreland to sell to me for 6v'
thousand. and nobodyTl ever know
you got a rakedown from me. It's al
the coal is worth, that ten thousand
Well, yesf"
Ddle was VI Tie lypC Ihdl BoCS pni'
with anger. and he was pale now. III
clenched his hands.
"You can't Insult me like that ant
get away with IT, Golf" he clipped
"We're going to fight. Goff, and IN
going to put a licking on you tina
fifteen horses can't pull off. Get me3
He threw aside his coat and rollet
his sleeves to his elbows. Henderson
Golf ran his right hand quickly to
rear trouser pocket and brought bacl
a stub-nosed automatic pistol, whicl
he turned threateningly toward Bill
Dale.
"Go easy. friend" Goff said yer,
complacently. there's no use IL
getting sore. l want the coal, that
all. II ! can't get II by fair means
I'll get II In another way. On, / DON
mind telling you a mans oath is a
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