Coulee City dispatch. [volume] (Coulee City, Wash.) 19??-19??, 1924-01-11

figure beyond his resources. He
wished they would bring them out
and end the suspense which was mo-
mentarily growing greater as he
thought of losing them.
Boise Bill drove the pair from the
stable finally, just as a powerful ma
chine arrived and took a place in
the outer circle. New arrivals had
no. interest at the moment for Wal
lie, who was as nervous as young
opera singer.
AS Boise Bill walked behind the
team slapping them with rope-end
to drive them forward, it occurred
to Wallie that 1t would have been
much simpler to have led them, but
as everyone had his own way of do
ing things in this country he gave
no further thought to the. matter.
If he had not been so anxious and
intent upon what was about to hap
pen, he might also have observed an
Interchange Of knowing looks among
the gentlemen whose clothes were
secured mostly with single-nails and
baling-wire.
The team looked all the auctioneer
declared them to be as they stood
head to head-young, strong, per-
fectly matched-and he defled all
Wyoming to find a blemish on them.
The gentlemen in patched overalls
seemed willing to take his word for
it, since no one stepped forward to
examine the team, and they listened
with such attention while he extolled
their virtues that it sickened Wallie,
who already felt the thrill of owner
ship as he looked at them.
1.-THE greatest pullers in the state;
the auctioneer made a point of it.,
repeating it several times with en-
phasis.
How high do you think I should
go?" he asked of his friend and ad-
wiser.
THAT depends on how badly you
want them"
n0y sui ul0 0AdCLAys
Horses of that class are selling
around $500, but you might venture
a little more, since you like them"
That's just about what am able
to pay. My goodness, but l hope
I'm not outbid! You wouldn't believe
how nervous am. It's such new
experience that am really agi-
tated."
The statement was unnecessary,
since Candy could see Wallie's knees
trembling in his riding breaches.
How much am offered for this
pair of magnificent horses?" asked
the auctionere, ingratiatingly.
Wallie, who had not such case
Of stage-fright since he first sang in
public ooh, That We Two Were May
Ing" bid instantly:
1.-TWO hundred dollars!" his voice
sounded like the squeak in tele-
telephone receiver.
The auctioneer cupped his hand
behind his ear and leaned forward:
"What?"
The incredulity in his tone prompt
ed Wallie to raise the bid to two
hundred and twenty-five when he re-
peated it.
The auctioneer struck his forehead
with his clenched fist and staggered
back dramatically, demanding:
"Am I insulted?"
1.-TWO hundred and flfty!" The bid
came from Misunderstanding per.
son who was known as a kind Of vet
Urinary occasionally employed by
Candy.
Three hundred" Wallie challeng-
ed him.
That's more like It, but still an
insult to these noble brutes I'm sell
ing. Who says three and quarter?"
and quarter!" came from the
veterinary.
"And quarter-and quarter
gentlemen, what ails you?" He look
ed at the "bone and sinew of the
nation" who prodded each other.
Three hundred and fifty" Wallie
responded.
"Three-dfty! Boost her faster, gen.
tlemen! Boost her right along! Am
offered four hundred?"
-Four hundred!" The bid was the
veterinary's.
Wallie quavered:
-Four hundred and ffty!"
Five hundred" his opponent
came back at him.
Wallie hesitated.
Think of it.! Going for five hun
dred!"
The auctioneer looked at Walle,
who could not have been paler in
his coffin.
Five twenty-fve!"
Good! Now, sir" to the veterin-
airy.
"Five-fifty!"
He turned to Wallie:
Am l done, gtnelemen?"
Wallie stared at him, his throat
too dry to answer.
Must give away the best pullin'
team in the state for puny piddlin'