The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1923-07-05


az last ana said II knew you was
In deep but thought it was Just
your way. Now know Il was
Nelson's crew that fired our gasaer.
why. they might have cost ua thou.
sands yea, hundreds OF thousands
II il had been tho kind OF gusher
NO flggered on Say the speak.
er's hfows drew together In an
angry scowl-"what nila this Nelson.
anyhow -tryin' to set you shot. an
firm your wells. an everything
lie once did me a great injury
what kindg"
There was "a pause. "f'd rather
not 80 into that now. Buddy, To
repeat what I've been telling you,
however tho situation Ia this; I've
gone as FAR a. I can go with the
backing l have. and must make
a quick turn-strike ono final blow
or give up. Nelson and / are like
two wrestcrs floundoring ON tho
mat We're both tired. groggy. out
OF breath, Whichever ono gets tho
first hold win win. for the other
lacks strength 60 hik 10. DO YOU
think your father IA trust mog
DO you think he'd 80 In blind on
my saysof''
III no won't. l will. I 80, money.
Sos Allie"
Gray declined this offer with a
positive shake OF tho head. 1T must
appeal 10 him ON Ia merits
wouldn't permit you TO so contrary
10 his Judgment
Judgment whats Pas judg.
ment worthl lie knows. rs no good.
an 10 do We Eyeybody'a tryin'
10 do him up but you. you're the
only one he trusts. An the same here.
There's my bank roll-you can shoot
tho whole piece, don't carr II u
never comes hack TDin' 10 get
you killed! An spoilin' wen on
me-
Thank sou. Buddy You-make
mo slow 20 trust my own judgment
III seem 20 be developing a con.
science. But I'm sure this IA the
thing 10 do. for you and your
father ~ well as for me. People
can't stand siliG they must 80 FOR
ward Tho Briskow fortune must
grow or IL Will crumbis"
= dunno II we've got as much IN
uh as sou seem 10 think the boy
said, d0ubtfuiiy
Look at Allie, And. you. too!
You took hold OF this field work
and ran Il like man. said you'd
make a hand. and you have. The
day IA coming when people like
you. who went from poverty TO
affluence overnight. viii ratraes that
journey. That's tho time when the
truly dramatic story OF tho Texas
oil boom win DO written. Then will
come tho real tragedy. and YOU
mustn't be caught IN u. Money
lsn't servant. Buddy: Il ia a mas
ter. and mighty stern. relentless
master. at that. When your first
well blew In. IL didn't mean ease
and enjoyment. as you thought, Il
meant hard work for the res, OF
your life"
III you'd talked 10 ms like this
when went Off 20 school," tho boy
Rald. after moment OF oanAldera.
ton. ''mebho Ia OF made myself
swallow some moro education. oven
II had 20 take Il out Of bottle
along with tho little kids"
Gray smiled. You have common
sense. AZ least. and that's some.
thing you can't get in school Men
wear smooth from contact with ono
another. and IL IS time you got in
touch with somNihinE bigger than
mere drilling. II you're Willing. III
take you to Wichita Falls with me. I"
"willlngT" Buddya eyes sparkled
uull;iiy he confessed: its been
pretty--lonesomc out hero with the
scorpions. But wanted to show
you could mako good"
do you drink any more7''
Haven't touched n drop. / don't
reckon ever will. either. I don't
take 20 the idea of back.trackin' 10
this farm an ge,tin' old in overalls.
like you say. I'm sort Of penurious
an I aim TO keep what little sense
/ got. a feller as dull as am
can't afford 70 drink"
Ono thing more" Gray nodded
approyinsly. II want you to prom.
ise me that you won't fan in love
with tho first woman you meet. I'D
never be able 10 lick you again"
Buddy showed his strong. white
teeth in a broad grin. Il promise!