White Bluffs spokesman. [volume] (White Bluffs, Wash.) 1907-1938, 1928-12-07
CHAPTER CONTINUED

because the Three Bar needs
man that has prowled this country and
gathered a few points about what's
going on" he returned.
"And that information is for sale
to any brand that hires you" said the
girl. SIS that what you mean?"
"If it was, there would be nothing
wrong witha mans schooling himself
to know all points of his job before
he asked for it," he said. "But 1t
happens that, wasn't exactly my rea-
son."
A shade of WEAKNESS passed over
her face. During the two years that
her father had been confined to the
house after being caved in by horse
and in the one year that had elapsed
since his death the six thousand COWS
that had worn the Three Bar brand
on the range had decreased by almost
half under her management.
"I'll put you on" she said. But
you'll probably be insulted at what !
have to offer. The men start out after
the horses tomorrow. want man
to stay here and do tinkering jobs
round the place till they get back"
"Thatll suit me as well as any," he
accepted promptly. I'm great lit
tie hand at tinkering round"
The clang of the sledge had ceased
and huge, fat man loomed in the
door of the shop and mopped his drip.
.3cr fooo x,ith hondopno
I'm glad you've come" he assured
the newcomer. IA man that's not
above doing little fixing up! A
cowhand is the most overworked and
underpaid saphead that ever lost
three nights sleep hand-running and
worked seventy-two hours on end !;
sleep in the rain or not at ALTO
hold job at forty per for six months
in the year. The other six he's
throwed loose like range horse to
rustic or starve. Hardest work in the
| world-but he don't know it, or
money wouldn't hire him to lift his
hand. He thinks it's play. Not one out
of ten but what prides himself that
ne can't be browbeat into doing q tap
of work. Ask him to cut stick OF
firewood and he'll arch his back and
laugh at you scornful-like. Don't
that beat h-l?"
ut do" said the stranger.
'Tm the best wagon cook that ever
sloshed dishwater over the tail-gate,
and even better than that In ranch
house Kitchen" the loquacious one
modestly assured him. "But can't
| do justice to the meals when ] lay
out to do all the chores within four
miles and run myself thin collecting
scraps and squaw wood to keep the
stove bet up. Now since Billie has
hired you, l trust you'll work up q
pile of wood that will keep me going
and folks call me Waddles," he added
as an afterthought.
"very good, MIR. Waddles," the new.
conner smiled. "You shall have your
fuel"
The big man grinned
"rhat title is derived from my
shape and gait" he Informed. my
regular name is SInith-ff you're sci
on lacking Mister on behind it."
The girl waved the laxative cook
4 aside and turned to the new hand.
"You'll take II then.'
He nodded
"Could you spare me about ten min
utes some time today?" he asked.
eyes" she said. "l'll send for yol
when have time"
The man headed back for his horses
and turned them into the corral He
rambled among the outbuildings ON 4
tour of inspection and the girl saw
him stand long in one spot before the
solid log cabin. now used as store
room for odds and ends, that had beer
the first one erected on the Three
Bal and had sheltered the Hurrises
before her father took over their
brand.