Evening star., 1935-02-24

SEVEN MILLION DOLLARS

niS CIVIC Uuty, dS TIE pOSSeSSOf, VI TIE pOS-
sessed. of 100000 to be free whether he
liked it or not.
Cordwood McGash, gently scratching, was
sitting in front of the Sunset Trail Hotel with
Nanny Ilgenfritz, the grocer, and Obey
Tenebom, the barber, that comfortable
afternoon of June, 1893. They were all
smoking ten-cent cigars - as presented by
MIR. Cordwood McGash 1t was an amiable
scene, though not exhilarating Doc Be1k-
lund's English setter. Dick, slept in the dust
in the middle of the street. Two flivvers were
parked across the way in front of Cohen &
Cabots, and Cordwood. NANNY, and Oley
argued as to their owners. An hour later, they
were rather stirred at seeing complete
stranger. in an eightcylinder 1893 model
PafAcelsus with an Iowa license, stop for gas
at the filing station, but that Thracian ship
and the foreign faces passed on and there was
nothing much to see in Jackrabbit Creek
not even for man who could write his check
for 100000.
well. nice day." said MIR. lgenfritz.
"Yump, nice day." said Mr.. Tengbom.
Pretty warm-even for this time of year."
said MIR. McCash.
Presently there were events of interest. Up
- as the three men oonfdentially explained
to one another - Mart Kaupschnagel from
south of town. Repeal had not come yet, and
they knew. and firmly stated, that he was in
town for the regular every-ten-d day pint. They
come out hiding small papers in his hand.
enter the Bendelari Drug Store, reappear with
an-eSlong package on which he gazed with
pious fervor.
"Old Lady Klaupschnagel1l get her ears
beat off tonight. Mart certainly can handle
the danes when he's full of bug juice" said
Nanny Ilgenfritz. enviously.
Then, unannOunced by either CabFiels
trumpet or an A.P. fash. the crack of doom
happened to Cordwood McCash and to the
respectable hamlet of Jackrabbit Creek.
From the front entrance of the Sunset
Trail Hotel came youngish gentleman in
such garments as were known to JackIabbit
only in advertisements: belted jacket and
plus fons the color of dried grass, a cap to
match. rimless eyeglasses on black silk
cord, a blue pullover with canary yellow
buttons, black and blue checked stockings,
and low shoes Of white buckskn and golden
yellow uppe1s. The apparition removed its
cap4c rub its head, and it was to be seen that
he had sound. dependable badness that
suggested ledgers and adding machines and
bank account.
by go1y, if it amt another of those phi
lanthropists come to let me in on chance to
make forty per cent, " snarled Cordwood. rage
rufffing his calm like squall on a mountain
lake.
Nav forgot to tell you about him
dunno kOss ! forgot" said Oley. the barber
That's Percy Willoughby. Born here. Fine
family. His dad was peTfessor in the school
here - they left town before you boys ever
come twenty-five years ago guess PeIce
is about forty. Oh. no. he's a real financier.
Been working in a bank in Milwaukee
cashier or president or something. Driving out
to Seattle. and just stopped over day to see
the old town Hey, Pexce!'
Mr.. Percy Willoughby saunteTed over. His
smile was benign. yet it limited of a mystic
knowledge Of bills Of exchange. His voice was
a silver bell.
Hello. Obey want to shave a bum
like me3"
Sure. But say, Perce, here's couple
gennelmen you never knew as kid - Nanny
Ilgenfritz and Syl McGash - Cordwood
McCash."
Mr.. Willoughby became swiftly grave; he
became reverent; he caroled, Mr. McCash,
I've heard of your magnificent success. It's
an honor to all of Jackrabbit."
But even as they shook hands, Cordwood
said doubtfully, You don't handle in
surance2"
mo, indeed"
'Or any real estate that'l pay forty per
cent?"