Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1928-05-31
CHAPTER w
Starbuck lntervenes.

StarOuck InterveneS.
A wrangle between Bartoe and At
kins followed SelwOod's departure
forced and acrimonious on Atkins
part, not cheerful on Bartoe's. Atkins
ed him sullenly that he had nothing
whatever at stake. Atkins had moth
ing more to do than strike the trail
for fresh pastures-he was reputed
to carry his roll all in his pocket
and come back to his barn when
things blew over; whereas Bartoe
faced the immediate loss of his whole
establishment. And in the heat Of
their quarrel Starbuck, the man
whose name had been thrown men,
acingly at Selwood. walked bluffly
in on the angry men.
Eyes. Harry told me Selwood had
been here" Starbuck named as
Harry" fat. busy Harry Barbanet,
who by dint Of some crafty bustling
about, some skillful eavesdropping, and
the exercise Of some extraordinary
instinct, had possessed himself Of the
whole story and "scooped" the house
by getting first with 1t to Starbuck's
ear. 81 know all about what he want
ed" continued Starbuck. "What're
you going to do?"
His appearance had a quieting ef-
feet on the disputants to the degree
that they left off abusing each other
and turned together to abuse Star
buck. Still in his early thirties, Star
buck. well built, frank in manner.
more than equal In suave speech to
the worthless in Sleepy Cat, and game
in such local encounters as had be-
fallen him, enjoyed an accredited rep
utation in the River quarter. Not un-
pleasing in feature-rather light Of
complexion and alert in bearing, he
was looked to as a local arbiter Of
River quarter difficulties and was,
moreover. de facto mayor Of Sleepy
Cat I say de facto because the fran
chise was only nominal part Of
Sleepy Cat politics and Starbuck held
the title principally by reclamation,
so to speak; and held it successfully
against other possible claimants.
"What are we going to dol" echoed
Bartoe. 1--WE can't do anything with
out fght-and nobody can tell how
q fights going to come out. Go talk
to Selwood yourself. Starbuck. Is he
running this town or are you"
"What are we paying mayor for?'
demanded Atkins, unpleasantly signi-
fcant.
Starbuck silenced his nervous
baiters by combining few brief re-
marks strictly to one-syllable words
Then, tarrying only long enough to
absorb all pertinent details of the
row. he strobe up street to interview
Selwood.
Starbuck realized the delicate posi-
ton in which Selwood's action left
him. Two bosses could not exist at
the same time in Sleepy Cat, and
there was in the situation this further
element of uncertainty that Starbuck
wanted to solve. He knew Selwood
but slightly and knew him chiefly as
a man who minded strictly his own
business. Did he mean now to aspire
for local leadership? Starbuck hoped
not but wanted to know.
He bent his steps straight toward
Selwood, who stood smoking while he
watched with mild interest the play
at a table where q new dealer sat in
stalled.
"Selwood?" said Starbuck, inquir-
ingly. putting out his hand. "Yes.
You're Starbuck," answered Selwood
laconically as he gave him his own
hand.
"Can I have a word with your
asked Starbuck. For answer Selwood,
proffering cigar from his waistcoat
pocket. led the way to his table In the
corner and pointed to chair. Both
men sat down. Starbuck spoke
81 don't like to see quarrel get
going In the street. Selwood." he