Montana oil and mining journal. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1931-1953, 1934-12-01

lot OF that sort. Most Of them didn't
stay long enough to grow up much
David returned the grin and swung
out Of the hotel into the storm. He
had experienced another impulse.
There were no kids IN the hotel, but
he'd have q Christmas, anyway.
Bennington's was on Main street and
the biggest shops Of the city were near
Il. He lent himself 70 an orgy Of buy
ing. he bought fifteen boxes Of candy.
he bought fifteen prepared Christmas
stockings, fun OF trifles, and topped
each one with an orange and q candy
cane. He bought toy trumpets and toy
drums and hunming tops. He return
ed to the hotel laden with packages and
accompanied by clerk similarly over
burdened. Bennington, stilI at his desk
In the lobby, stared again and then
roared.
Hello. Santa Claus he greeted jov-
tally. Bought out the town."
Just about"
David deigned TO use the elevator this
time and got his packages up to his
room. Then he came downstairs again
for supper. He had killed one dragging
hour and he was hungry. The appear
ance Of the dining room cheered him.
II was big but nomelike, and 1t fairly
shouted It's message Of Christmas cheer.
There was lot Of light, too. and the
people sitting around at the six or
eight small tables were reasonably
cheerful looking The meal was excell-
ent. David's gloom had almost disap-
peared. He told himself he had made
no mistake IN leaving the ranch and
seeking a change Of atmosphere.
The evening newspapers had given
him q list Of good shows. AS he rose
from the table he looked at his watch.
He'd go to a show tonight One had to
do something Christmas eve.
In the lobby Bennington stopped him
as he passed the desk.
Coin out again, Santa CLAUSE? he
asked Hospitality. Il kinda thought II
you had a minute I'd interduce you to 1
young Bryant and his sister. I guess
low hung around the hotel most all day 1
and it's plain enough the girl don't
know what to do with herself. / told
EN- you we're one OF our old-timers here
an had big ranch fifty or sixty miles
out. You might give EN- an earful
about cattle raising an such, sense you
re so fun OF Christmas spirit, he add
ed tactfully. They're both green as
grass. You could tell 'em a lot they
oughta know"
David frowned Even yet he was not
wholly in the Christmas spirit and he
was not feeling altruistic enough to
tackle two eastern strangers. one Of
them girl However, he had half an
hour on his hands before the show be-
gan. He'd do his good deed for the day
and get 1t over.
"All right" he agreed indifferently.
'Trot 'em out"
7 guess better take you in TO them, "
he landlord suggested. They're IN the
;ardroom playin' double Garfield"
David followed him to the cardroom.
7e was not interested. He'd give the
lair q handshake, he decided. answer
IS well as he could any questions about
'anching the boy wanted to ask, and
hen be on his way. His heart sank |
] bit as Bennington stopped at q table
md went into what Worse mentally
characterized as This stuff"
This Is Mr.. Worse, Bennington was {
aging to the boy. He's got q big
anch himself an there's nothing about
anchlng he don't know. / thought you !
nd your sister might like to talk 20
i'm q little-you bein' strangers In our 9
nidst. he added less confidently. He 9
I tell you anything you want to know" I
David got the immediate impression 1
hat the introduction was not welcome.
ne brother and sister, handsome. '
drnirabIy dressed, dark young pair
hose facial resemblance plainly show S
d their relationship. looked distinctly e
ored But the boy got to his feet and 4
erfssueforily shook hands. s
@Awfully good Of you" he murmured. a
Don't want to butt in" David grin 2
ed his likable grin and the boys ex- 2