The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1935-07-18
Where Friendship
Ceases
By JACK RoDoLPH
g Mcclure Newspaper Syndicate.
WNU Service.

l. Beasley, raising a huge arm TO
point across the gay futter of the
dance floor.
Peewee Pruitt swung his one hundred
and forty pounds upon the big arm
and pulled it down. Civilized peo-
pie" he admonished, don't point. And
they don't say That's herr" Then
he turned to look in the direction the
big man had indicated. MY savage
protege desires the paleface medicine
In big gulpsl' he whistled softly as his
eyes lighted upon a glorious blond.
Gut the kidding and start calling
signals for my play" the giant urged.
Fruit shook his head sadly. start
calling signals for your playi Just
like thatl Big Boy, the play hasn't
been doped yet that will carry a man
across that goal linel"
Something in his tone caused Beas-
ley to glance down quickly. HAS she
thrown you for loss, too?" he asked.
Every Romeo in school has tried
to rush her." Pruitt responded lightly.
But his discrimination did not deceive
the big fellow.
"If she's your girl. that lets me
out" he stated decisively.
"She's not wearing my brand, as you
would say" Pruitt answered. shes
what you would call a maverick
there for anybody who can rope her.
All she has ever given me is permits
sion to hope"
Beasley shook his head. 'There'd
be no chance for a man like me,
against you, anyhow"
Pruitt dropped his air OF mockery.
"Big I'm, that won't go between US.
I'm going to call your play tonight
and give you an even break. Then
let the best man win. That girl has
seen hundreds of men like me- And
there's only one man in the world like
you. Your play is to be yourself and
not try to initiate"
The David and Goliath act had been
introduced at State university a half
dozen months before when Pruitt had
crouched between the legs Of the big
center who had handed the ball back
to him and plowed ahead. with the
little quarterback following between
the protecting legs.
A month later Beasley had mar
veled, you certainly can run inter-
ference on this math stuff"
Concentration is the secret" the
little man had snapped. Jam your
nose back into that book, and keep
it there" Examinations, which would
determine eligibility for the basket
ball team, were due the following
day.
Beasley's father had gone West
when land was just something between
man and where he wanted to go.
When Beasley came to State he could
read a cattle brand a half mile away
better than he could read math SYM
bols under his nose.
Pruitt was from a long line Of law
yers who spared enough time from &C.
curing culture to garner their share
of the coin of the realm.
Their act drew more applause when
the big man tipped the basketball TO
the little one, who dribbled IL in
dazzling circles until the other was
in position for him to pass for a
score.
Beasley was on hand to catch Pruitt
when he staggered after breaking the
tape in the hundred-yard dash and the
little fellow lugged the hammer and the
big shot to the ring for the giant.
By now the students generally re-
ferred to them collectively as David
and Goliath. But a few of the more
discerning ones had changed TO David
and Jonathan.
Then the two three-letter men were
ready to break training.
SITS time you were getting civilized.
you woolly son of the West" Pruitt
had declared. Have a dress suit
ready for the hop tomorrow night. and
I'll break you for society,""
The mentor decided the following
evening that Beasley's first course of
introduction should be to leave him on
his own with a group of girls to whom
he had been introduced But 1t was
not long before the big man came seek
ing the little one to declare. "Half-
pint, I've found the girl who makes
all of this fuss worth while Come on.
I'll show her TO you. I want an In
PRODUCTION"
That had led up to the conversation
which carried the two TO the coat
room. "Stand STILL" Pruitt ordered,
while he pulled Beasley's tie around
to the front. There were sundry adj
justments before the final survey and
he murmured. swell, that's the best
l can do. Wen go find her. And, re-
member, after the introduction it's
every man for himself"
Il wouldn't do it if it were any girl
except that one." the giant apologized.
"Cant we still be friends?"
"Sure." snapped Pruitt. Damon
and Pythias were-in the book. It's
pretty story. Better read it
Pruitt sought the largest group 10
the big hall and dragged Beasley to Its
center He performed the introduc.
ton gracefully and added, My best
friend, and the finest fellow who even
came to State" Then he turned &c
leave
He was halfway across the room
when he was roughly seized from be-
hind. Beasley wrapped his left arm
about the little fellow and jerked him
about. AS Pruitt looked up into the
grim face above him, the giant growled.
"You fumbled with your damn polite
ness" He held Pruitt powerless, while
his long huge arm came up to point
openly and defantly at a girl with q