Coulee City dispatch. [volume] (Coulee City, Wash.) 19??-19??, 1924-02-08

he went to the door and called: 500
ee! Soo-ee!"
The developments, however, were
not of an encouraging nature. In ad-
dition to a capacity for food which
placed the Reeds among the worlds
they were of a slowness OF
Wallie never had seen
equaled. Whenever he looked through
the window it was to see one or the
other resting from the exertion of
a bucket of dirt or turning
the windlass.
The we'll deepened by inches rath-
er than feet while Wallie sweated, and
his suspicion gradually became con-
viction as he watched Them that they
were prolonging the work purposely.
1t seemed to be in the nature Of va
cation for them with just enough ex-
ercise to keep them in condition.
His antipathy had become aversion,
and Wallie sometimes caught himself
with his fork poised in midair, STOP
ping to hate John, who munched and
smacked beside him. or Will, who
gobbled at the end of the table, or
Rufus, shoveling 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 6S feet and
there was still no sign of moisture,
Wallie told Reed that he was willing
to abrogate the contract.
mo, sir!" Rufus declared, vigor
ously. "I've staked my reputation on
this we'll and I'm goin' to keep on
diggin'"
At u 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 it 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 wry face after filling
it with half pancake:
Gosh! But you throwed in the
sody. They amt fit fer dog to eat
Iecan't go EN-"
With the intention of taking the
taste of soda out of his mouth he
filled it with potato, and Immediately
afterward he and John damned in the
doorway as they tried to get through
it simultaneously.
Wiping their streaming eyes and
sulping water, they said accusingly:
There's can of cayenne if
there's pinch in them pertaters!"
"And the bacon's burned to a crack
lin" observed Rufus.
Perhaps you're getting tired of my
cooking?" Wallie suggested, artlessly.
I'm tired now if this is a spec-min
of what you aim to feed u.s. John de-
clared, suspiciously. Il bleeve you
done it on purpose"
Wallie did not deny it.
I'm holler to the toes and 1 can't
work on an empty stummick," said
Will. disgustedly.
Only Rufus went on eating as if it
took more than 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 had scar
let fever, so it don't bother me-"
"Ain't you goin' 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 if 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, land he's got the
drop on us about the eatin'"
Then go-the two of you'll" Reed
cried, angrily. "Pm goin' to stay
amt nothin' to complain of. Him and