The Bozeman courier. (Bozeman, Mont.) 1919-1954, 1926-12-03

1T will have lightened his pocket, any
way, Mr.. ~Scroggins chuekled.
From what l hear tell" Mr.. Baker
said, 1t is no joking matter for them.
Theren never be a living for the two. with
capital"
CrOcOmbe wheezed. They'll be wanting a
loan before the months out. I see him
stretched more than half way across the
counter this afternoon, and he. laughing
that she is. We did know how to treat that
sort when 1 was a young man."
There was a warning gesture from Mrs.
Dowdswell. A moment later the door Of
the bar parlor was pushed open, and Harry
FouIds, followed by the young man who
had been under discussion, entered.
Good evening, Mrs. DOwdswell. Good
evening, ALL" the former said, removing
his pipe from. his mouth. "This is a friend
OF mine come to live in MelhamptOn,
maam, Mr.. Leonard Cliff by name" he
added, turning to the landlady. 1--WE just
brought him in to have a sOciable glass"
Glad to see you here, I'm sure" Mrs.
Dowdswel declared, Hospitality. "What
shall 1t be, Mr.. FOuIds?'
"A glass of beer for me. What's yours,
Half a stout and bitter mixed was MI.
Cliffs choice, after which various intro
auctions were effected, and the newcomer
was accommodates with a seat on the
long settle. Granfer CrOcOmbe leaned a
little forward.
"They tell me you didn't make as good
a bargain as you'd ought with Sammy
BouIger," he began, agreeably.
Il was swindled," was the somewhat
peevish retOrt.
Granfer CrOcOmbe grinned broadly.
"e was a downy bird, were Sammy! Took
us all in, he did. Owes me half a crown at
this blessed moment. l suppose he diddled
the stock a bit, Mr.. Cliff, chr"
"e diddled it pretty considerably" the
young man acknowleaged, shortly, 81 was
DadIy had, and that's all there is to say
about it, but seeing as I've come in for a
moments respite, as it were, from brood
ing over the rotten business, I'd be glad
not to have it mentioned any more than's
necessary. AS to stock, there wasn't any,
put I've got a few ounces Of tobacco, or
a packet or two Of cigarets, for any Of
you gentlemen who might happen to drop
in as you're passing"
Wen see what you've got, surely" Mr..
~Scrogglns, the. butcher, promised. "Allus
patronize a newcomer when we can"
unless he sells meat ,eh 2" Granfer Cro-
combe gurgled, mirthfully. I'm not
afeared OF competition in my line" Mr..
S~eroggins retOrted. "Them as can get the
joints l do, and the beasts for killing are
welcome to come and pitch their stand
right opposite mine, if they've a mind.
faint SO easy to start in the butchering
line, Granfer."
There was Ned Craske's cousin, for in
stance" Tom Baker remarked, reminiscent
ly: e had kin Of a connection, as you
: might say, and a bit Of brass, too, but he
lsO0n pulled mp stumps."
along Of that New Zealand stuff that
: he tried to foist on the MelhamptOn folk"
7 Mr.. S~croggins reminded them. devon
meat for Devon men, / say, and them as
e deals with me gets it."
tive tasted some pretty fair foreign
I STUFF" Mr.. Cliff Ventured, tentatively.
g The remark was cOldly received.
!: You've been lucky, tnen," Tom Baker
0eclsreq: FOR my part, l can't abide the
d stuff. Like mixing your best Birds Eve
k with sawdust, Mn. Cliff"
There's no tobacco in my place gets
mixed with anything" the young man
assured them all. I'm dead. against fake
T IN any shape or form. Even my siluffs
just as 1t comes to me-"
Conversation soon became general, and
Mr.. Cliff might be said to have been
Launched In MelhamptOn society. It must
at once be confessed that he was not an
d 9~nquahned success. His high voice ano
Cockney accent, his somewhat dogmatis
{, manner and peevish air in talking Of bis
misfortune, were not preDOssessing. Mr.
e Seroggins expressed the general opinion
when ne and his cicerOne departed, a little
le II reckon that IT'S the other side Of thu
family, that Harry's took up with" he OBJ
served. Il can't fancy that Harry or an
one else making a pal Of that young man.
ITS as ! was saying for eure," Granfel
n CrOeombe assented. "Harry's looking 70.
he trouble, and II ] know anything Of thl
&c wenches, he'll find It. That little Mrs
~ Gift, she's got the devils dance IA be
u eyes that I used to Look for mvsaif whel
+ Q ought TO be ashamed Of yourself
GranIer'' Mrs. DowdsWel sa1d, with moc'
rE severity.
The old man chuckled.
'Ioo late Tor me 20 turn over g new leaf
N lma'am," he declared. unless you're within
r. 60 turn e over with me-"
at "A prop0salP' Tom Baker exclaimed