White Bluffs spokesman. [volume] (White Bluffs, Wash.) 1907-1938, 1924-02-08


smacked beside him, or VIII, who
gobbled at the end of the table, or
Rufus, snoveling opposite him. Again,
as they came at trot in response to
his dinner call, he visualized himself
Draining them with the axe as they
entered, and found pleasure In the
picture.
Ii hatred generated poison in the
system as asserted, Wallie had no.
ton that his bite would have been as
fatal as cobras.
When they reached 68 feet and
there was still no sign of moisture,
Wallie told Reed that he was willing
to abrogate the contract.
mo, sir!" Rufus declared yigor-
ously. i've staked my reputation on
this well and Pm goin' to keep on
diggin'."
At 70 feet Wallie was desperate.
The hole was still as dry as punk, and
boarding the Reeds was nothing less
than ruinous; besides, he was nause-
ated with cooking for three persons
whom he detested. They would not
be insulted, he discovered and were
determined to make him abide by his
contract to board them.
A solution of his problem came in
the night with such force and sudden
ness that he rolled to and fro in his
bunk, hugging himself in ecstasy. He
| longed for morning to put his idea
into execution, and when 1t came, for
the first time since their arrival he
was delighted to see the Reeds seat
ing themselves at the table.
There were potatoes, bacon and
pancakes, with coffee, for breakfast
John obviously eyed the transpar-
ent fluid in his cup which might as
easily have been tea, and commented:
you musta left out somethin'."
Will made a wry face after filling
it with half a pancake:
Gosh! But you throwed in the
sody. They amt fit fer dog to eat.
can't go EN-"
With the intention of taking the
taste of soda out of his mouth he
filed it with potato, and Immediately
afterward he and John damned in the
doorway as they tried to get through
ii simultaneously.
Wiping their streaming eyes and
sulping water, they said accusingly:
There's a can OF cayenne If
there's pinch in them pertaters!"
"And the bacon's burned to crack
lin" observed Rufus.
Perhaps you're getting tired of my
cooking?" Wallie suggested, artlessly.
I'm tired now if this is spec-min
of what you aim to feed us, John de-
clared, suspiciously. II bleeve you
done it on purpose"
Wallie did not deny it.
I'm holler to the toes and l can't
work on an empty stummick," said
VIII, disgustedly.
Only Rufus went on eating as II 1t
took more than a can Of soda and
box of pepper to spoil his food FOR
him, and he explained as they won
dered at it:
II amt no taste sense l had scar
let fever, so it don't bother me-"
"Ain't you goln' to git us some
thin'?" John demanded, finally, see
ing Wallie made no move to cook
fresh food for them.
NO. Wallie answered, buntly.
There's nothing in the contract
which specifies the manner in which
shall prepare your food for you or
the amount of it. Dinner will be
worse than breakfast il you want the
truth from me-"
I'm quittin'!" the two declared to-
gether
Nov, look here, boys!" the old
man expostulated. We've got to fin
ish this job, and you know the rea-
SON."
Reason or no reason, I amt starv-
in myself to oblige nobody" John de-
clared vigorously, "and he's got the
drop on us about the eatin'."
,"Then go-the two Of you!" Reed
cried, angrily. I'm goin' to stay
amt nothin' to complain of. Him and
me- he nodded at Wallie. "can dig
that we'll without ye."
Surly, and without speaking, the
boys took their departure.
"They got bad dispositions-they
take after their mother" Rufus re-
marked, looking after them. with
you to work the windlass and empty
the bucket we'll make out without
them till / pick up another crew
somewhere"
Il am willing to accept my loss and
quit" Wallie pleaded.
4 well, | amt" declared Rufus, un-
necessarily bellicose. "a contract Is
contract and go you in writin'."
Wallie could not deny it and sub
sided meekly, putting ham on to boil
with a cabbage, while Rufus smoked
until he was ready to assist him.
IF they's anything l like it's a good
mess of ham and cabbage" he OBJ
served.
II am glad to have found something
to stimulate your appetite-it's wor-
ried me-" replied Wallie. But his
sarcasm was wasted on Rufus, who
arose, yawning, while Wallie indicat-
ed that he was ready
Turning the windlass according to
instructions, Wallie deposited Rufus