The Bozeman courier. (Bozeman, Mont.) 1919-1954, 1926-12-24
THE INCOMPATIBLE 6aA Dr.
Mr.. TIDDR ""p' 0PpS""S'"

the elastic order, and the fact that he had
sold and received the money for the ma
chimes represented by the claim or the
Exeter Agricultural Implement company
seemed to him nothing less than sheer dis
honesty. AS he reached his gate, his knees
began to tremble. The horror of it all swept
through his mind. The black specter OF
disgrace had linked arms with hlIS. An
ely voice seemed whispering in his ear:
Better go back to the shop now, to the
dark shed with it's familiar smell of oil and
irOnwOrk2 Better end it?"
A cheerful call from the road made linn
,, start like a thief. He looked around guilt
~. The large American car glided to his
side.
supper, Mr.. Baker" its occupant invited
/ good humOredly. WEI go up to the top
of Latamer Ridge and have a look at the
view
Anything to escape from his trim sitting
room, his cheerful WIFE, his we'll behaved,
dutiful son, who would ply him with ques-
lions about that machine which he had
never ordered. He climbed into the seat by
Mr.. Trigg's side, and the car glided off.
Mr.. ,Trigg did not drive so quickly as
usual.
Seems to me you're looking a bit out
sorts, Mr.. Baker, he remarked.
Then like a flash there came to the
harassed man an idea. To no MelhamptOn
man could he have cOnfided his trouble.
This good natured stranger was a differ
ent matter. With a grOan he yielded to
the inspiration.
I'm in trouble, Mr.. Trigg." he con-
fessed. I've taken the money that belongs
TO my business, to help my lad out in
Africa. and he's done no good with it.
I can't meet my bills this fourth, not by
a long way. I'm a ruined man."
Come, come" Mr.. Trigg expostulated
sympathetically, "it's not so bad as that,
I hope"
"Its hopeless" the ironmonger groaned.
Mr.. Trigg drove to the summit Of the
hill. and brought the car to a standstill.
tNnW Mr. RaEnT - no said 81 don't like
to hear a man talk like you. Let's get 30
the truth Of this matter. How much money
did you send your lad?"
Nigh upon four thousand pounds" was
the dreary reply. 81 was a mailman, of
course, but the boy wrote so hopefully that
/ was fairly carried away"
what did he do with it?"
"He put into a mine"
Mr.. Trigg made a wry face.
Il don't like mines,' he confessed. "Was
this four thousand pounds the whole of
I'm a way Of speaking it was,' Mr.. Baker
confessed. a some of my creditors
money as we'll"
what do the bills amount to that are
due this fourth?
Nigh upon two thousand pounds"
Are there any other claims pressing?'
Mr.. Trigg inquired.
Il owe the bank seventeen hundred
pounds. They're acting awkward, too"
Mr.. Trigg lit a cigar, having first passed
his case in vain to his companion.
seems to me- ne reIlecUeO, CudC a mat
ter of three thousand five hundred pounds
/, would see you through this"
ut would see me through, all right
Mr.. Baker admitted with a grOan, "but
where's it cOming frOm?"
Mr.. Trigg turned and faced his com
paniOn.
Look here. Baker, he said deliberately.
"I'm a man that's moderately well off. and
: when l see a chance of helping a fellow
creature without it costing me too much
1 like to do it. Would this three thousand
five hundred pounds make you solvent ?
at would leave me a thousand pounds
t to the good Mr.. Baker declared, taking
stock at bottom figures"
g Mr.. Trigg took off his hat, and let the
l breeze sweep through his hair.
"Have you got anything at all you could
e sell?" he asked. Your house, for, in
stance?'
"MOrtgaged to the bank" was the gloomy
e reply. Besides, it isn't worth a penny
4 more than a thousand"
Mr.. Trigg scratched his chin.
"LOOk here" he continued, I've beer
e against lending money, all my life. My OLE
l dad made me promise that when / was
e ~yOungster. His idea was that the sures
way to lose a friend was to lend hin
q money! All the same, I'm going to see 20
$ through this difficulty"
Mr.. Baker clutched at the sides of tn
g car. His eyes were fixed upon the blu
horizon. He suddenly felt near heaven.
" 81 don't want to put the thing as a loan,
d Mr.. Trigg went on thOughtfully. Il wa
hoping your house might have been free
Have you any other plot Of land, or an,
shares, or any worthless thing that 1 ca
buy from yOU?"
g There's the tenth share in that mine
was telling you about" Mr.. Baker ven
tured,, "the Finden Copper mine"
lie His prospective benefactOr made anOthe
wry face.
IL "Your boy ought to have known bette
= than to have been taken in by that oil
p swindle," he said sternly. However,
4 that's all you've got, We'll make it do" b
- added kindly, as he saw the other ma
- finch. "Is there a lawyer in the placer"
There's Mr.; Bendall comes here a
twelve O'Clock tomorrow morning" was tn
IL hopeful reply. "He takes a room at th
le Melhampton Arms once a week.
II Mr.. Trigg nodded.
"You meet me there at twelve Ocloel
~ them he directed. 81 will buy our shaI
Is in the Finden mine for three thousand fJ
L hundred pounds, and you will sign a dOcl
4 ment, promising that if 1 should requil
the money at any time within the next te
a years, you will repay me in exchange Il
- the share"
e, Mr.. Baker leaned over and grasped h
.In companions hand. The latter patted hi
no on the back and thrust the cigar which !
~ had previously refused into his mouth.
That's all right, Baker" he said, pres
ing down the self-starter Of his car. eye
he go home with a light heart. In glad to
able to help you out. Light your ciga
on man, and look at that wonderful view."
rs Mr.. Baker blinked.
81 can't see the damned view ~ he gulpe
is. A very different Tom Baker strOllC
I'd through the town at a little before twel
or on the following day, towards the ban
He carried himself erect, and be answers
id. the greeting of acquaintance in his o
or fashion. Perhaps the most surprised persC
oh Of all was Mr.. Tidd, who, behind b
Mt starched manner and his official disa
he prevail of his customers. reckless ssuppO
of a prodigal son, was really looking 70
of ward to the unfortunate crisis in his affai
with the utmost sympathy. He came fro
= behind the bank cOunter with a grave e
preston, but his tone was meant to
kindly. Mr.. Baker, however, wrung b
hand warmly. He had mot in the least t
air of a mar unable to meet his engag
imnnfq b-