The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1923-05-29
CONTINUED PROM Yesterday


~ the men engagtd la this shear
ing business, none. perhaps. had
Eathrrcd more wool la the same
length of time than the two members
OF The firm OF McWado a Stoner, Mr..
Ruh McWade. junior partner. was a
man 81 wide experience and some ac-
complishmSnts but until his arrival
az Wichita Fails he bad never made
conspicuous success OF any busi-
ness enterprise. The unforeseen in
Nariably had interviewed 60 prevent a
killing, Either a pal had saueale,l. OF
the postal authorities had investi.
sated. or horse had failcn-anyhow
whenever victory had pcrched upon
his hammer something always had
happened 20 brighten the bird before
It's wings were fairly folded.
Mr.. MeWadc had finally deter,
mined 10 wipe of the slate and com
menco all over. Accordingly. he had
selected a now field. and. In order 60
make It a real standing start. ne had
likewise chosen a new name. He had
arrived az Wichita Falls with one
suit OF clothes and nothing more, eN-
cept an assortment OF Commissions
ranging In color from angry red 10
hlack-and- blue. these same being the
direct result OF repeated alterations
with roushshod members OF train
crew. These collisions McWade had
not sought. ON the contrary. when,
FOR instance. outside the yards az
Fort Worth his unobtrusivo presence
on the blind baggage had been dis
covered. he had done his best 10 avoid
rpuble. He had explained earnestly
that he simply must leave the city
by that particular train. The clrcum-
stances were such that no other train
would do at all. so he declared When
he had been booted Off he swung un.
der and rode the trucks TO the next
stop. There a man with lantern
had searched him out. much as a
niger shines the eyes OF possum.
and had dragged him forth. lie was
dragged forth AZ the second stop, and
again at the third. Finally. the train
was halted far out on lonely prairie
and large brakeman with gold
teeth and eorns on his palms held
knee upon Mr.. Mcwade's chest until
the train started. ignoring the
hoaFse warning breathed into his
dusty countsnancc. along with the
odor Of young onions. the traveller
argued volubly. but with no heat,
that i was vitality necessary 10 his
affairs that he continue this Journey
without interruption; then. when the
brakeman rose and raced after the
departing train. he Sprang to hts feet
and outran him. McWade was 1.-THE
and nervous and fleet: he managed
TO swing under the last Pullman Mt
the same instant his captor reached
its rear platform.
II Is probable that a bllthe deter
mination even such as this would
favo eventually succumbed 70 re.
peated discouragements. but at the
next stop. a watering tank. aid came
from an unexpected quarter. From
the roof OF the car another knight OF
the road signaled. and thither Nc
Wade clambercd. kicking Off tho
hand OF his former enemy.
The second traveller was a robus,
man, deliberate but sure OF move
nent, and his pockets were filled
with nuts and bolts This ammuni-
ton he divided with his companion.
and such was their unerring aim
That they maintained their sanctuary
for the remainder OF the Journey.
On the way in to Wichita Falls the
stranger introduced himself as Brick
5toner. He was a practical oil man.
4 driller and a sort Of promoter. too.
II was his last promotion. he con-
,ided. that had made II necessary for
HIM 10 travel in this fashion. He had
MAO practical ideas. had Mr.. Stoner.
Is, for instance. the use to be made
% stick with crook In Il or a lath
with nall in the end. Armed thus.
he declared. IL was possible for a man
On The roof OF a sleeping car to pick
~ completely new wardrobe in the
course OF nights ride, provided the
upper berths were occupied and the
Fentilators were open. Mr.. Stoner
deeply regretted the lack OF such
simple aid. but agreed that 1t was
better 70 leave well enough alone.
McEade warmed 10 his travelling
------------------------------