The Skyland post. [volume] (West Jefferson, N.C.) 193?-1988, 1937-01-21
W.N.U. SERVICE

well, Doc, since you're so smart,
will you back what I've got up my
sleeve for fifty dollars? Will you do
it, Doc? I've just come from Jake
Spots place. He lent me fifty"
Carpy reached into his trousers
pocket and drew out roll of bills.
GO along, you critter!" he exclaim-
ed Indignantly. 81 might have known
your long-winded story would cost
me money. But I didn't look for it
to be fifty dollars"
make it a hundred, Doc" ventur-
ed Sawdy in his rich, persuasive
voice.
mot on your life, Henry. You'll
lose this, anyway" .
eve get paid tomorrow-cough
up for me-"
GO hang! I haven't got it to spare.
Want to do some betting myself"
Jane held out her purse. "Why,
here, Mr.. Sawdy. There's over fifty
in this that I'm sure don't need.
Take it,"
Sawdy stared dumbfounded. II
couldn't do that, young miss. I
couldn't"
Jane, still smiling, had opened her
purse, taken from it five gold eagles,
and held them out. IF you refuse to
let me accommodate you, it won't be
much of compliment to me-" she
protested.
81 know blamed well ought not
to do it," muttered the big fellow.
"Doc-what shall I do?"
''Take it," said Carpy gruffly.
You'll lose it-then you can work
it out for Jane on the ranch this
summer-she's running things out
there while her fathers sick"
SAVOY reluctantly let the trim
young lady drop the gold pieces into
his horney hand-she laughing, he
serious, Dr. Carpy vastly amused. IF
the worst comes to the worst, could
work it out" repeated Sawdy sober
ly.
"But if you 60 to work at Gun
lock-" remarked the doctor, make
no mistake. Keep off the grass. Don't
aspire to the hand of this young
princess. I've got bid in there my
self"
"Why, doctor!" exclaimed Jane, all
rosy in protest and rising to 60.
"Just the same, girl, any man that
bid for you has got to face major
operation at my hands. Will you be
back for dinner?" he asked of Jane
as she made ready to leave. Were
having watermelon today"
''Tm not going to miss that. But I
must go over to Rubido's to order
some supplies. By the way, forgot
to ask: What shall I do with that
medicine you gave me last timer"
Throw it out the window and ride
horseback. You're coming along Won
derful for six weeks out her"
Hold on, miss, just minute,
please" begged Sawdy as the party
broke up. you'll be at the Fair
grounds this afternoon for the
races?"
"Of course I'll be there" respond
ed Jane pertly.
you've done me a kind, good
turn. I want to do you a good one.
This goes for this old medicine man,
too" SAVOY nodded toward the doc
tor
"What is it," asked Jane coolly.
SAVOY was solemn.
''You won't neither of you spill it?
All right. Don't bet no money on the
trick ridin' this afternoon"
By two o'clock that day the Fair
grounds were sizzling hot and ire
crowded. Frontier Day
celebration was combined with the
national holiday and the county fair
of county bigger than most eastern
states. A gathering of horsemen,
cowmen, mining men, railroad men,
gamblers, prospectors, desert rats,
and frontier adventures mllled
about the rickety little grandstand.
On an occasion such as this, when
a local celebration combined with
the arrival of a goodly outfit of cow
men, there was reason to look for
ward to a lively roundup by pro-
prietors of thirst parlorS, gamblers,
merchants, and BARRIERS.
On this particular Fourth of July
there was every reason but one for
such hope-the cow outfit had
been thoroughly skinned by the adj
vance guard of Sleepy Cat sharpers
in the person of Harry Boland and
Clubfoot and Company.
In consequence the Circle Dot
boys, as Sawdy's outfit was known
made no especial contribution to
the Fairgrounds festivities; they
were present but not betting.
Sawdy, long-faced and solemn,
neglected to pull at his sweeping
mustachios-a sure sign of mental
John Lefever, rotund
and naturally, jolly, Circle Dot fore
man, only whistled softly.
The noon train from Medicine
Bend brought few more visitors to
the Fairgrounds. These made just
about load for Jim McAlpin's bus.
To one Medicine Bend man, Jim paid
particular Difference, calling him fire.
quently by his first name.
The moment McAlpin's favored
passenger had paid his fare, tipped
the Scotch liveryman generously.
and walked toward the grandstand,
McAlpin confided to those about him