Evening star., 1940-05-05
indian MAGIC
by Erie Stanley Gardner
ivtrotsd by Wokss Boumkofs
iIIv,trotsd by WoItsr Bovmhofsr

Carl Slade turned sharply. He took in the situa-
ton at glance, and cutting through preliminary
formaties came at once to the point. How much
for the belt? he asked, and pulled wallet from his
pocket to establish his purchasing preemption.
Roger hesitated moment, then said, Just
minute, old man. was going to -"
I'm going to buy that belt, j." Slade said ncisively.
Just wait moment, if you don't mind - and, of
course let's not have a bull market - right at the
moment"
Roger seemed on the point of saying something
more but Slade took the belt from the womans
hand.
How much?" he repeated.
Peggy wanted to interfere - and knew that she
couldn't 1t was up to Roger to do that. In that
moment, Peggy knew how doe deer must feel.
waiting passively, watching two bucks paw the
ground, listening for the clatter of horns.
Fifty dollars, the squaw said
Roger Borne looked at Slade, and Slade ignored
the look His keen cold eyes were fastened on the
squaw. He laughed. Come down to earth We can
buy em in Albuquerque for half that"
This good belt"
0LADE tapped his wallet. This good money"
The squaw's lips twitched at the corners.
WOVcO lO1WdIu d Ildu kAdSS, dIEO OldOC
casually stepped to side though to get better
light on the belt, the effect being to interpose
shoulder between Roger and the belt.
Slade was like that. One of the reasons people
didn't argue with him was that he had the knack of
making situations in which the issue seemed so
trivial that only cad would make scene. And
trying to stop Sade even in the slightest matter,
would bring about scene. That much was certain.
How much?" the woman asked.
Thirty dollars and that's the limit"
She moved her head quietly in slow gesture of
negation. "Forty-fve.'
Thirty"
Forty -hver'
Carl Slade took three crisp ten-dollar bills from
his purse He had preference for unused bills They
we're like him in some way their purchasing power
seeming enhanced by the very crnkle of their
newness
The woman said something in the tribal dialect
to the old man, swiftly furtive question: asked in
slurrng tone of secrecy.
The old man puffed deliberately on his pipe He
made no answer He did not even shift his eyes.
Forty five" the woman said with the finality of
one who has infinite patience.
Slade shook the bills so they emitted tempting
rustic.
After ALL old man. Roger said its pippin.
If you don't want it at that -"
"Please' Slade snapped without turning his eyes
from the squaw. Let's not start competitive bid
ding. We don't want to be trimmed"
Peggy said mpulsivey, Look at the work in it,
Carl That belt represents weeks of patient labor.
Look at it once from her side"
She knew now that Roger would never enter the
bidding. She wanted that belt knew that Carl
intended to give it to her. and somehow, she wanted
that belt to be associated with the sunlit mesa the
glttering white of the pueblo houses She would
always remember the vivid splash OF crimson
colored drying peppers when she took that belt from
her Jewel box 1t hurt her to think that this memory
would be spoiled by the recollection of Slade's
dominant personality, wrestling the last few dollars
of profit from the labor worn hand of the Indian.
81 never look at the other side of business trans
action" Slade said You never get anywhere doing
that look at the side that want, and concentrate
on that side. That's the way to win in llfe or
business.
And he might as we'll have added, 'or love. For
Peggy knew that this was the turning point. In the
light of Carl SHADES purposeful domination OF his