The Bozeman courier. (Bozeman, Mont.) 1919-1954, 1926-12-24
And now begin here

Anu nOW DcBAA
"I'n see about it." he promised, a little
shortly. I'm not sure / can get hold Of
one for immediate delivery"
You'll try, dad, won't your" his son
ventured. Il worked out the commission
before I came up. It's fifty-four pounds
for u.s.
"a good mornings WORK" Mr.. Baker
declared.
Hes got his fathers head, Tom has"
his mother placidly.
The head Of the household shivered.
"Some one walking across my grave" he
explained hastily.
Rather to the mild surprise Of everybody,
the brother of EbeneZer Trigg-Mr. Lau-
renee Trigg, as he announced himself
prolonged his stay at MelhamptOn in al
together indefinite fashion. He visited the
grave of his brother and ordered a new
tombstone, called upon the vicar and put
his name down for a hundred pounds upon
the subscription list towards the restOra-
ton of the church. He excused himself
from accepting an invitation to dine at the
vicarage, cOnfessing frankly that he was
a working man who had made money, and
that he had neither the clothes nor the
manners for such a function.
He astOnished Mr.. Tic by strOlling in
one morning and opening an account with
a draft on a well known London bank for
a thousand pounds. He made short motor
ing tours in the neighbOrhOOd, and made
a point OF taking out with him the older
and poorer people of the place. In the bar
parlOr at the Northampton Arms he became
an exceedingly popular figure. He was at
his best, indeed, between six and seven
O'Clock, when, with a little flush upon his
good natured face-he never drank % eX-
cess but only, as he put it, to enjoy him
self-he expanded fully and was always
ready with an invitation to any one. VINO
cared to, to stay and have supper with
him in the snug little coffee room. He paid
for everything wherever he went with OpeT
hands. without undue OstentatiOn, he Suf.
fered it to be known that he enjoyed spend
ing and that he had the wherewithal tC
do it.
st tell you what it is" he declared one
evening, when the bar parlOr was more
than usually crowded, this part of the
country suits me. l don't wonder at Ebene.
ger settling down here. I've half a minC
to do the same thing myself"
you'll have to find a wife" Mr.. Scrog
gins insisted loosely. "NO bachelors al
lowed in MelhamptOn."
Il shall apply to Mrs. Dowdswell." was
the prompt reply. what do yOu say
ma'am? Can you find me a wife if l de
eide to settle down heTe?"
"Bless the man! - Mrs. DOwdswell eX
claimed. There's plenty Of women abOu
all the world over"
"And good looking ones, too, round thes
parts" Granfer CrOcOmbe chuckled. g
could give e the names of half a dozen
Mr.. ~Trigg-real proper bodies, with a trifl
of cash of their own along, too"
Mr.. Trigg shook his head.
I'm not particular about the cash" h
replied. What l shall want is a cheerful
disposition, a trim figure and good looks.
why, he's describing Miss Alice exact
ly," Harry FOulds declared, indicating tn
young lady who assisted Mrs. DOwdswel,
"Shall us all clear out, my dear, and Civ
Mr.. Trigg time to prOpose?"
There was a roar of laughter. in tn
midst of which Tom Baker mad one Of hi
rare appearances. Amongst a chorus VIII
invited him to have a drink, Mr.. Trig
was easily first.
ITS good to see you again, Sir. Baker,
l Mrs. DOwdswell remarked as she serve
him. whats come to you lately?"
Busy" Mr.. Baker replied. "We haven
finished our stocking yet"
Its been a proper year for trade" Graz
: fer CrOcOmbe remarked. IF 1 we're a your
man I'd like well, enough to be your part
, ner, Tom" ~.
somewhat heavily spoken reply. every
= things so mortal dear to buy and difficu
to get hold of. I haven't got my season
r supply of cartridges yet. The squire wa
in this morning, grumbling like a bea
: with a sore head"
Conversation rippled on along the usui
e channels, with an occasional StaccatOlil
burst of laughter. Mr.. Laurence Trigi
however, was not the only one who notice
that the i~rOnmOnger's mirth was a trif
= forced. There were whispers in warrior
= parts of the room.
|Olu man BAKER am gong TO Dfeak I
r at his time of life, surely ?" Mr.. ScrOggiI
murmured sympathetically to his neigl
. Dor, Granfer CrOcOmbe.
"'Tain't his 'ealth," the latter reptile
! shaking his head sagely. HE do be WORT.
: ing about that son Of his in Africa.
bright young lad he seemed when her
but he's been nOwt but a worry to b
parents since he went to furrin part
- Look at Tom walk out now. He do have t.
appearance of a man foredOomed to trO
= BILE"
The irOnmonger took his leave amidst
= little chorus of farewells. AS soon as
had turned hOmewards, the slight exhilar
ton of the extra drinks he had TAX
> passed away. He was almost haggard
he climbed the hill which led to his hon
= He was within a few days now of the Girls
1t was the second of August. On the thi
he had bills of exchange to advise f
= something like two thousand pounds.
the bank his Overdraft stood where it di
= There was not a penny to be hoped f
= in that direction. The small sums viii
5. he might expect to receive would amou
to the most. to barely two hundred. 7
" situation was hopeless.
. Mr.. Bakers conscience, too, was not