Plentywood herald., 1927-06-10
published by special Arrangement with The
Chicago Tribune 6yndicate)
IN TWO PARTS-PART ONE

"VV YHAT do say is that Melhamp-
\A/ ton bean't no place for strang-
w ers," Granfer Crocombe pro-
nounced. Strangers doan't have
no call to come here"
Come, come. Granferl" Tom Baker,
the ironmonger expostulated. Where
should we tradesmen buy our goods II II
wasn't Tor the commercial gentlemen?
Mr.. Meeke yonder has half dozen OF
them every week"
"And a great convenience beyond q
doubt" Mr.. Meeke, the draper. confessed
why, in my business, we couldn't do
without them
Granfer Crocombe snapped his fingers
Give heed to what l be talking Of,
he enjoined. when I says strangers
mean them as come and act mysterious
| like-no one knowing their business
not them as comes in straightforward
way with goods to sell. Right useful
them are to such as has a mind to buy
and to Mrs. Dowdswell here"
I'm sure I don't know what we should
do" Mrs Dowdswell acknowledged, but
for the commercial room"
What / was meaning is known to all, "
Granfer Crocombe persisted. II mean q
stranger what acts like this Mr.. Smith,
or whatever his name may be. Now that
man do act, to my mind, mysterious
like. What's lis business down here?
Has he ever spoke word OF it?"
Mrs. Dowdswell shook her head.
Whatever 1t may be I wish there were
more of this sort" she declared; private
sitting room, best bedroom and wine
every night for dinner. l don't care
what his business may be, but the long
er he stays the better I shall be pleased.
Granfer Crocombe grunted discomfort
edly
Il was allus one myself for minding
my own affairs" he observed, but this
Mr.. Smith, he do seem to my mind sum-
hisself all day? Leaves here at nine
O'Clock in his little car and gets back
about six with muddy boots and looking
like man what's done days honest
work"
"A tourist. maybe" Mr.. Meeke sug-
gested.
"a geologist, perhaps" MIR. Tidd, the
bank manager, ventured.
"A writing gentleman" Mr.. Scroggins
the butcher opined Some OF them
story makers are all for finding a quiet
place out Of doors for their work"
Maybe one Of them artists" Harry
Foulds reflected.
Granfer Crocombe snorted in disgust
''Do e look like an artist?" he demand
ed. do e look like story writer? You
folk is all Just wondering. I tell you
he's up to summat. He's man what
doan't come down here to waste his time
and he doan't meet strangers up on moor
what doan't belong to these parts for
nothing, either"
There was little murmur of interest
Granfer Crocombe nodded his head
slowly.
when says thing" he went on, II
be sure of what I be talking on. / saw
Ed Swanton, yesterday, from up over,
and he says to me, 'Granfer, these're
rx<xtV ot Y otoV-A or7d
says to him, Ed. how goings on?' and
he told me that he'd seen this very gent
of ours meet a couple of youths In q
motor car, all covered over with dust as
though they'd come, maybe, from Exeter
They was all talking in the road when
Ed passed and 1e lads had got spy
glasses ON long white sticks
"Surveyors" Tom Baker exclaimed.
"Do e get any letters. Mrs. Dowds-
well?" Scroggins asked
| MANY one" Mrs. Dowdswell replied
"often six or seven a day-and news
papers. There be all sorts of letters after
his name. He do pay like a gentleman
and behave like gentleman, and what
ever his business may be. I'll say it's hon
est business. You're curious old man,
Granfer, that's what you be-"
| Granfer Croconbe snorted.
AN you be a simple old woman" he
declared.
Tom Baker intervened as peacemaker
Come come!" he said. "All this talk
is making us thirsty. Mrs Dowdswell
ma'am-all the glasses, IL you please"
| Granfer Crocombe accepted the olive
branch.
II will say this of e, Tom" he con-
ceded; "since that mine turned up
trumps and made e a warm man you
doan't forget to spend bit. There's
some the richer they get, the meaner
1 oY,sf
There was little chorus of assent
during which Mrs. Dowdswel bushled
about collecting the glasses. Just as she
had completed her task the door was
opened and the object Of their discussion
loomed for moment upon the threshold
He was large man, dressed in a rough
knickerbocker suit, with tanned cheeks
shrewd gray eyes, and firm mouth. He
seemed little embarrassed at facing sc
large company.
II wanted you to send bottle OF
whisky up to my room, please, Mrs
Dowdswell," he begged.
Certainly, sir, 1t shall be up In half O
moment" she promised.
won't you step in, stranger, and take
summat along with us?" Granfer invited
There be an easy chair alongside the
fire agin Mr.. Tidd, the banker"
| The newcomer hesitated but accepted
the suggestion.
"Very kind of you, I'm sure" he said
making his way towards the chair. I'll
have a whisky and soda here, then, Mrs
| DowdsWell"