Montana oil and mining journal. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1931-1953, 1938-02-05

, sam stared.
THAT lobster2 i. thought he wa
upa"
'Yeah-but I gotta see him, Sam.
"In tell him II see him" said Sam
edging away.
Benny grinned mirthlessly. Il
didn't do the regulars any good 70 b
seen with him now. Track detectives
Like Kelly remembered such things.
they're In the stretchl Cold
Star Is making his bid! . Rumpah
is through Here they comet
And it's Cold Star by q length, going
The crowd roared the horses over
the finish, and broke for the pay-off
windows before the results were posted.
Benny drifted under the grandStand
with the tide. Minutes later he was
moving about ainnessly when he al
most bumped into q sleek pudgy man
who was chewing q cigar and crowd
ing sheaf Of bills into pigskin bill
fold.
"Danielsl" Benny gulped. Just a
4If it isn't Benny Hydel Lost some
weight, haven't you, KIDD"
Benny allowed his hand to be
/ shaken. Ever see anybody come out
with a roll of fat on their ribs?"
Harry Daniels chuckled as he put
the billfold inside his coat His teeth
were even, his lips full, the collar clip
under his heavy silk cravat was set
with chip diamonds.
you'll put it back on. Ill be seeing
you, Benny"
Listen, Harry"
some other time. Kid. I'm in
hurry"
see you'll There was seventy-five bucks
at Hialeah you borrowed. Remember
it, Harry Three years ago you got
cleaned in a long shot parlay when
Silver Bell threw a shoe. You wanted
some cash to get back to the hotel on.
"Silver Bell? I never bet on that
plug. 1t was someone else"
1T was you" Benny insisted dog
gedly And I gotta have that seventy
five, Harry. I'm flat"
Listen, Kid, I always pay off. But
don't put the needle in the wrong
man. Here's a five spot for old times
sake. That's the best can do for
you"
'ewhy, you cheap grifterl Keep your
dirty five spoil You sing me into
court-and now you turn heel. I'll"
A pudgy forefinger jabbed into Ben
ny's chest so hard he coughed.
"You won't do nothing, you little |
stirbird. I gave you a break for old |
times sake. Now III call cop. |
Harry Daniels staIked off Benny
glared after him. He was shaking. 1t /
had been hard enough to brace Dam
iels. Visions Of that seventy five had
kept him going all day. He'd been
sure Daniels would pay off. Even a
rat would pay when he had the money.
Benny swallowed a growing lump in
his throat and went home.
Corrinne was sitting up in bed. She
was tiny-and thin now. And gay, as
she always was when he came in.
To, Benny. Kiss the madam. I've
been playing a game. BennyS been
gone two hours-he's coming back
now. Benny's been gone three hours
he can't stay much longer. Bennys
been gone four hourS-he Gollyl"
Corrinne gasped when she caught her
breath. Some cave mani I turn all
to water inside when you grab me like
that"
Benny lifted a fist ferociously
Keep 'em beat down an they love you.
Say-y, it's cold In herel Won't the old
dragon put on any heat?"
'Shhhh. She'll hear you. We owe
her too much. Have q nice day?"
I was gonna surprise you-and do
do it?"
Benny, baby-you always surprise
me when you walk in. I think, Golly,
he's my mani They can't take him
away from me any morel Aren't
nappy?"
Il do not surprise you" Benny fin
owed me seventy-five and / thought
I'd nail him at the track today and
collect it,"
aBennyl Have you been at the
SJust to find that guy. I didn't bet
q dime and kept my nose clean"
But you promised, Benny, Never
40 moreover; Youn get into trouble
'Hey-wipe your eyes. Don't be
lilly. Would I do anything to hurt
Corrinne gasped as Benny Rugged
ler fiercely. She was smiling when he
released her.
NOW, I'm all woosfy inside again,
Benny. You are sweet. Did you-did
you get the seventy-five2"
Nope" confessed Benny morosely.
Daniels played the heel. He Offered
ne five spot for charity-an' threw
{ in his face"
Daniels? That man"
ard sooner have cut off my arm
han brace him. But it was that-or
z Corrinne sat stin for a moment,
earching his face. "Or else what,
Il don't know" said Benny miser-
bly,. He paced restlessly about the
DOM. I can't seem to get a job.
I'M too little-an just being out OF
he pen amt any help. I don't know
much anyway but the ponies an
racks. was raised in it."
'sThat's out, Benny. You promised.
"a gwore you'd be in trouble again in
TX months-and I walked out with
nv nose In the air and told him he'd
ave long gray whiskers while he was
ounting that six months"
Benny sighed. San he said you'd
e back begging for a square meal and
bed in less than six months"
"Only four months to go, Benny.
m laughing at Pa already. When we
ct that four thousand together well
ut lunch wagon on that lot Of mine
n the highway, build a little place