Plentywood herald. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1908-current, 1928-04-27
published By special ARRANGEMENT with III
CHICAGO Tribune 6yndicsre)
IN TWO PARTS-PART TWO

CLARK noticed that Col. Nelson's eyes
narrowed a trile as they followed the
lieutenant, but he said nothing. The
officers took a turn about the kitchen,
questioning Sergt. Murphy, and appar-
entity forgetting Clark who stood at ease
with the chicken sitting n~ervously in his
hands. And during the next ten min
utes Clark meditated darkly upon second
lieutenants, mess sergeants, and the
length of time q man can live Without
eating. The water or the field range
was boiling, and gently he prodded the
chickens breast. The chicken stirred I'M
comfortably.
Find out II any farmers have lost
any chickensl"- Suppose that damn
fool lieutenant happened to run across
the farmerl This inspector from divi-
sional headquarters was an unsympa-
thetic person-there would be no fried
chicken If Merry Sunshine had any luck
For a mmoment Delmonico was close
TO Clark and out of hearing of the Of
fcers.
Hey, listen" Clark whispered, where
did you get this here poulet?"
TITS awright. it's awright." Delmonico
replied confidently, II got it five miles
away from here. You don't think I'm
dumb enough to get it anywheres close.
do your"
Sldlh ltlJ tdSltH, dlu ne gave ll6 IlllllO
over to contemplation Of his misery. He
did not think he had ever been so hun
cry before in his life. This weary in
, spectioni They had full stomachs, SC
they didn't care how long 1T took. He
wondered if the rest of his life would be
spent thus. standing there holding the
chicken while the stony faced inspector
ripped out nasty questions at Delmonico
He sighed and shifted his weight to the
other foot.
One of the cooks moved the boiling
water from the middle of the range and
/ Clark scowled. The cook. too, had a full
stomach. What did he know of the
agonies Of starving with an ambrosial
delicacy in ones very hands?-a warm
fowl that could be speedily converted
into satisfying fried chicken with its de-
! l~iriously exquisite hot Iuices?-a friec
5 chicken drowned in rich gravy, ano
flanked by brown slices Of hot potatoes
and a bottle of wine? Without re-
leasing the chicken. Clark pushed the
water back to the middle of the range.
OF a sudden the sound of an appraised
voice filtered in from the outside mt
. disturbed Clark's meditations. 1t was
\ strange voice; one that sounded much
! like a pig squealing.
"Oui-oui-ah, out, m'sieurl"
e Very unpleasant, Clark decided. TIL
|, colonies looked at the door expectantl,
and Delmonico appeared startled. Tht
door swung open and Merry Sunshine
entered, towing a bent. gray haired
! Frenchman, whose rusty beard bobbec
: up and down as he talked, whereupor
r Clark took occasion to screen himsel
behind the colonies and Delmonico.
Merry Sunshine smiled.
This man has lost a chicken, sir,
} stated that efficient young officer. HI
lives just across the way from the cha
q teau and speaks English fairly well
r He
Clark's mouth opened, but Colone
b Nelson's face was cold.
!, when did you lose it?" he inter
d rupted.
r The Frenchman opened his shagg,
= mouth in an ingratiating smile.
"Hier, mon colonel-yestairday," b
beamed.
a For the first time the inspector from
: division headquarters permitted himsel
4 a meager smile, but Colonel Nelson dit
not.
What kind Of a chicken was it?" h
demanded. "Quel espece de pouls etait
elle?"
. "A-h, ellie etait une bonnie poule
z m'sieur-eet ees tres grosse-tres bonn
-eet ees-"
YES" the colonel stopped him, "bu
Y what did 1t look like? Was it brown. O
white, or black, or what?"
Al, tres belle. mon colonel-tres
Jolly! thought Clark. He amt talkin
about his hen.
The Frenchman's eyes darted abou
= the kitchen and came to rest hungril
. upon the bird in Clark's hands. He be
came animated. He struck a heroic pos
ture.
: "voilal' he cried. "Eet ees shell Voilal
He dashed across to seize the CHECKER
"Je vous remercie, mon colonel, mo-
lieutenant Vous etes tres amiable, mes
sieurs! Je vous remercie, ~beaucoupl"
Clark backed away.
S, Hey. walt a minute, yuh lynn hop
m toadl This amt your chickenl" h
= roared.
"Ah, oui, m'sieurl Certainementl'
Just a minute the gloomy inspecto
interrupted, and to the Frenchman: "Yo
say you lost this chicken last night?"
a "Oui, m'sieur. HER soir."
r And you know this is your chicken?
"Ah, oui, m'sieur. Out"
T. Clark looked at Delmonico helplessl
and Delmonico essayed q gallant rein
forcement.
mo, sir" he protested. THAT ain hi
chicken. I swear it amt. sir. I got tina
es there chicken"
= We'll, where did you get itP" Colont
= Nelson asked.
II bought 1T. sir. Off a Frawg whic
was goin' by out there in tn road, ST
: That amt his chicken"
"Oh," said the cadaverous inspectc
t. significantly, a how do you NOW tbs
the man from whom you bought it di
% not steal it from this deserving peas
d. anti"
mo, sir. He didn't steal it. He toll
r me he raised EN-"
al Sounds unlikely. sir. don't yo
thinkP" volunteered Merry Sunshine.
= Very" agreed the inspector.
ID mot at all" said Colonel Nelson. :
- am more inclined to believe one of OIL
oWn men than / am
r II do not follow you, colonel" smile
IS the inspector, land I'm sure the CON
handing general would not, either. Il
&c is quite nxiou to remain on good tern
o. with the inhabitants, as you know. {
. course, I have no wish to interfere /
ms the discipline Of your command, but
am sure-quite sure-how the generi
It. would react to my report Of an incider
If a man will begin with certaintie
es he shall end in doubts; but II he will /
.c | Cnntnnt ~ hnn4, rttl @.xL4 - Il.