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


well how to wheet.ie boss and how
to bully him. when to say things and
when to keep silence.
81 can't be put off much longer.
john" he declared. low but eL.pha-
tically, keeping just half deferential
step behind Selwood as the two
walked up the gambling hall toward
Selwood's desk. We've got to have
more room down there or push some
of the mules into the river. The har-
ness room is that crowded you
couldn't skin a cat In 1t without
nicking a breech strap"
Selwood walked at leisurely pace
past the well-filied tables, listening
to McAlpin, but with his eyes. keen
and grayish blue. taking in the scene
before him. He was slender, evenly
built, and carried himself very light
ly-walking with much the springy
step of West Pointer. Two spots of
color in his cheeks revealed the con-
stitutiOnal weakness that had brought
him to the mountain country-a
weakness now so well checked that
at twenty-seven he looked fresh and
boyish among men who, though hard
ly older In years. seemed to have
felt more heavily the hardships Of
frontier life. There was nothing az
gressive about his appearance; but
his gray eyes chilled his manner
when his face was in repose, and he
To hint vynrdS
in reaching a conclusion. and none
in pursuing vain dispute.
He heard patiently McAlpin's COM
plants as to the crowded condition
of the barn, and only reminded him
that the coming of the railroad
would mean the cutting off of much
freight and that there would soon be
more room at the barn than business.
"And," he added. don't lose a chance
to let go any mules you can sell to
advantage"
So saying. Selwood tossed his hat
on the desk and sat down. McAlpfn
hurried through the preliminaries Of
his story with every indication of
nervousness. twirling his cap at in
tervals over his fingers and hesitat-
ing at times for a word or phrase to
estimate the effect on his nearer. who
was looking. as he listened. over a
batch Of reports Lefever. the wagon
boss, had left on his desk.
But try as he would, McAlpin could
gain no clue to the impression he was
making. 1t was only after Selwood
looked up at the close Of the recital
that McAlpin could even guess what
he might expect; then Selwood shook
his head as if annoyed and his first
words dashed McAlpin's hopes.
"Why bring that kind of story to
me-" he asked. He spoke without
feeling, but as If his time were being
imposed on. "They rob people down
there all the time. That's their bust
ness" he continued. fixing his eyes
again on the papers before him. "GO
back to your den and forget yourself"
"John," pleaded McAlpin. low and
softly but persistingly, 81 want to tell
you: this is hard case, blamed
hard case It's Bunty Bartoe's work
he's the biggest all-round thief in
Sleepy Cat. Starbuck's got an inter-
est in that place. Half the money
I'm saying half, John-goes straight
into Starbuck's pocket. It's crime"
exclaimed McAlpin in half-whispered
desperation, "the way that man Star
buck is picking up money"
ho- f,,1I
edge of the local situation to realize
McAlpin's craft in his last appeal
Selwood. he knew, liked Starbuck
less than he did any man in Sleepy
Cat. With but slight acquaintance
between the two. there was. on either
side, no regard lost. And McAlpin
knew that If it worried Selwood as
much as 1t did him to see such men
picking up money easily, he could be
stirred by the reminder Of it.
Yet all he could urge on this score
left Selwood cold. And perceiving
that no impression was made. but
rather that Selwood's eyes were wan
dering over the room, McAlpin added
that Lefever had come In with a new
saddle pony that afternoon, and per-
haps Selwood would like to step down
to the barn q minute to look it over
This news had quite different
effect on the hard-headed gambler.
The pony, a present from Ben Went
worth, the active owner Of the
wealthy freighting company Of which
SelwoOd was division superinten-
dent, had been eagerly awaited
week-for Selwood loved a horse and
the record of his early years in the
saddle entitled him to Judge one.
The sight Of the pony, groomed to
an actual polish, did crafty Selwood.
"If her action is up to her brag, she's
all right" he said. as McAlpin swung
the lantern away from the box stall.
all try her out later this evening""
Sounding her praises craftily, Nc
Alpin steered his boss into the Office.
where Mrs. McCracken and Moses
sat in solemn silence. Selwood, pay
ing no attention to them, drew a roll
Of bills and handed one to McAlpin.
At that moment McAlpin. thanking
him earnestly. jerked his head toward