initial commit of ebook 20384HEADmain

9 files changed, 22521 insertions, 0 deletions

diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..6833f05
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.gitattributes
@@ -0,0 +1,3 @@
+* text=auto
+*.txt text
+*.md text
diff --git a/20384-8.txt b/20384-8.txt
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..9a85496
--- /dev/null
+++ b/20384-8.txt
@@ -0,0 +1,7402 @@
+The Project Gutenberg EBook of David Lannarck, Midget, by George S. Harney
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: David Lannarck, Midget
+       An Adventure Story
+
+Author: George S. Harney
+
+Release Date: January 16, 2007 [EBook #20384]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK DAVID LANNARCK, MIDGET ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by David Starner, Dave Morgan, Jeannie Howse and
+the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at
+http://www.pgdp.net
+
+
+
+
+
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+    +-----------------------------------------------------------+
+    | Transcriber's Note:                                       |
+    |                                                           |
+    | Inconsistent hyphenation in the original document has     |
+    | been preserved.                                           |
+    |                                                           |
+    | Dialect and unusual spelling have been retained in this   |
+    | document.                                                 |
+    |                                                           |
+    | Obvious typographical errors have been corrected in this  |
+    | text. For a complete list, please see the end of this     |
+    | document.                                                 |
+    |                                                           |
+    +-----------------------------------------------------------+
+
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+       +----------------------------------------------+
+       |            David Lannarck, Midget            |
+       |             _An Adventure Story_             |
+       |              by GEORGE S. HARNEY             |
+       |                                              |
+       |                                              |
+       |   _David was small, but Oh my!_              |
+       |                                              |
+       |   Circus life was exciting enough, but       |
+       |   young David Lannarck was tired of being    |
+       |   stared at and bullied because of his       |
+       |   small size. So when a tall Westerner       |
+       |   saved his life in Cheyenne, and David      |
+       |   and he became friends, why, the circus     |
+       |   midget decided to make his home in the     |
+       |   wide open space.                           |
+       |                                              |
+       |   With big, rangy Sam Welborn, David         |
+       |   started out to become a rancher and live   |
+       |   out his days in peace and quiet. But       |
+       |   excitement seemed to follow the circus     |
+       |   midget wherever he went. The big man and   |
+       |   the little one ran into gunman, thieves    |
+       |   and rustlers, and where big Sam's          |
+       |   strength was not enough, David's wit had   |
+       |   to get them out alive.                     |
+       |                                              |
+       |   Circus life and Western adventure are a    |
+       |   highly unusual as well as a delightful     |
+       |   combination, but the author George S.      |
+       |   Harney has a first-hand authentic          |
+       |   knowledge of both. As a young man in       |
+       |   Indiana, he was a personal friend of Lew   |
+       |   Graham, the circus announcer for the Big   |
+       |   Show, Barnam & Bailey's Circus. Lew        |
+       |   Graham, handsomely dressed, told the big   |
+       |   audience what came next on the program.    |
+       |   During the long winter lay-ups, they       |
+       |   would swap yarns in the unique circus      |
+       |   lingo, which Harney has recorded in        |
+       |   _David Lannarck, Midget_.                  |
+       |                                              |
+       |   Later, Mr. Harney served in the            |
+       |   Spanish-American War. After the war,       |
+       |   "Cap" Harney became active in the          |
+       |   development of southern Idaho, and         |
+       |   although he sold his holdings there        |
+       |   1945, he confesses that he is still        |
+       |   "haunted by the wild isolation of that     |
+       |   district west of Cheyenne."                |
+       |                                              |
+       |   Mr. Harney is a native Hoosier, a          |
+       |   resident of Crawfordsville, Indiana.       |
+       +----------------------------------------------+
+
+
+
+
+                       David Lannarck,
+                            Midget
+
+
+                     _AN ADVENTURE STORY_
+
+                     by GEORGE S. HARNEY
+
+
+
+
+
+                  EXPOSITION PRESS · NEW YORK
+
+
+
+
+             Copyright, 1951, by George S. Harney
+
+                    _All rights reserved
+             including the right of reproduction
+             in whole or in part in any form_
+
+
+
+
+            Published by the Exposition Press Inc.
+             386 Fourth Avenue, New York 16, N.Y.
+         Manufactured in the United States of America
+              Consolidated Book Producers, Inc.
+                 Designed by Morry M. Gropper
+
+
+
+
+
+         _It is very true, that the small things in
+         life are sometimes the most important._
+                               --CHURCHILL
+
+
+
+
+PART ONE
+
+
+
+
+1
+
+
+In all her days of presenting the spectacular, Cheyenne had never
+witnessed a more even contest than was now being staged this day in
+the early autumn of 1932, at the circus grounds in the city's suburbs.
+It was a race between a midget and a lout.
+
+The little man ducked under the garish banners portraying the wonders
+of the Kid Show, raced the interval to the "big top" of the Great
+International, then back again, closely followed by a lanky oaf whose
+longer strides evened the contest.
+
+"I'll cut yer ears off," the pursuer snarled, as the midget swung
+around the pole supporting the snake banner, thus gaining a distance
+on his enemy. "En I'll cut yer heart out," the big one yelled as he
+stumbled and almost fell.
+
+As evidence that he would make good his terrifying threat, the lout
+flourished a clasp-knife in his right hand; with his left, he made
+futile grabs at the midget's coat tail.
+
+The crowd that watched this contest was not of the circus. It was a
+gathering of those who came to the lot at an early hour to watch the
+Circus City set up shop for the one-day stand in this western
+metropolis. Some of the onlookers were railroad men, off duty; some
+were cow hands from nearby ranches; a few Indians from the reservation
+beyond the willow-fringed Lodgepole Creek, lent their stoical
+presence, while several soldiers from the newly christened Fort Warren
+with or without official sanction, were on hand to witness the setup.
+
+It was the accepted judgment of those present that the midget and the
+lout were staging a ballyhoo--a "come-on"--preliminary to the opening
+of the Kid Show. There was no applause as the little man outwitted his
+follower by an adroit dodge under the ticket wagon. No one tripped
+the lout as the race led through the assembled crowd. If the contest
+was a part of the day's program, no spectator seemed willing to play
+"stooge" in this preliminary performance.
+
+Some distance to the north where the two great tents of the main show
+came together, a group of workmen were operating a stake driver. In
+this gang the midget knew he would find understanding friends. If he
+could gain sufficient distance to undertake this straightaway, he
+would find help. He dived between a spectator's legs, turned to the
+right, and ran for this haven of hope.
+
+Two things interrupted his plans. A ramshackle auto moved across his
+path. To avoid collision, the midget veered his course to step in a
+hole and fall sprawling at the feet of the man clambering out of the
+machine. His pursuer was on him in an instant. "I tole ye I would cut
+yer heart out," he panted as he brandished the knife. But before he
+could execute the threat, the knife was struck from his uplifted hand.
+
+The lout screamed with pain as he grabbed his wrist. "Yu've broke my
+arm," he shouted as he danced around the big man. "Why don't ye pick
+on one of yer size?" The stranger took in the situation at a glance.
+The slanting forehead and the evil though childish face revealed a
+moron with whom words of reason would have little effect. He said
+nothing.
+
+It was the midget who took charge. He scrambled to his feet, took a
+few deep breaths, brushed the dust off his coat, and ordered the moron
+back to the side show. "Go back to your mother," he commanded. "Go
+right back to Mamie and tell her what you've been doing, and tell her
+all of it. Don't look for your knife; I'll get that for you when you
+get over your tantrum."
+
+The midget watched the retreating figure. "His mother is a fine
+woman," he explained to the stranger. "Has charge of costumes and
+assists in makeup. That dunce is with her on a few days vacation from
+a school for the feeble-minded.
+
+"And now, Mister, I want to thank you for your timely help. You
+probably saved my life, for you can't tell what a half-wit will do,
+when in a tantrum and armed with a knife. All my life I've had the
+enmity of half-wits. The big ones tease 'em and they take it out on
+the little fellow.
+
+"Well, that's that, as dear Marie Dressler says. I certainly am
+indebted to you, Mister. What's your name, Mister? I surely ought to
+know the name of the man that probably saved my life."
+
+"My name is Welborn, Sam Welborn. I live quite a distance back in the
+hills."
+
+"And my name is David Lannarck, and I've got a score of other names
+besides, to include Shorty, Prince, Runt, Half-Pint, and others. I'm
+with the Kid Show. I was getting my stuff in shape for the opening
+when Alfred decided to work on me with that knife. And he about got it
+done, because there were none of the show people around to take him
+off me. The spectators thought it was some sort of a pre-exhibition.
+
+"And now, Mr. Welborn, let's go down to the cook tent and get a cup of
+coffee, and then you can look around the lot until the shows open. I
+want you to be my guest for the day. I feel that I can never repay you
+for what you have done. If you ever want any help or aid that a little
+fellow like me can give, call on me; there are a few things that I can
+do."
+
+"Well I do need some help, right now," said Welborn. "I want to
+dispose of a couple of bears."
+
+"Bears? What kind of bears?"
+
+"Two black bear cubs, fat and fine and just ready to be trained. I
+caught them up in the hills, and find that I have about as much use
+for them as I would have for a yacht, or a case of smallpox. I've
+tried turning them loose, but they won't go. Knowing that the show was
+to be here today, I brought them down in the trailer, hoping some one
+wanted two healthy cubs to fit into an act or exhibition."
+
+"Bears, bears," mused the midget. "Truth is, Mr. Welborn, I'm not
+posted on the bear market. Offhand, I would say that they were not
+worth much to a show that was losing money by the bale. You see, this
+good old year of '32 is a bust. A depression hits a circus first and
+hardest. Just now, we are cutting the season and have planned a
+straightaway back to winter quarters. Instead of going down through
+Fort Collins, Greeley, Denver, Pueblo, with a swing through Texas, we
+have canceled everything. We play this Union Pacific right through to
+Omaha and thence back home by direct rails. So a pair of bear cubs
+wouldn't be much of an asset right now."
+
+"Anyhow, let's look 'em over while I think up a plan." The midget
+recovered Alfred's knife from the dust and walked over to the trailer
+that he noted had a wooden coop of slats aboard. He climbed up on the
+wheel where he could see two black, wooly objects, scarcely a foot
+high, and nearly that size in length and breadth.
+
+"They do look fat and in good fur," he commented, "and from the way
+they are working on the slat on yon side, you won't have them long.
+They would be out of the pen in another half-hour."
+
+"That's the point to the whole matter. You just can't keep 'em penned
+in, and you can't keep 'em barred out. They have reached the pest
+stage and are incorrigible. Now I didn't expect to get much out of
+them anyhow," continued Welborn. "If I could find a home for them,
+where they would earn their keep, I would be willing to give them to
+such a party. Oh, I know it sounds sort of mushy," he hastened to
+explain as he noted the questioning look on David's countenance, "but
+I killed their mother for raiding our truckpatch and hogpen and I
+found these little fellows up near the den, starving and unable to
+fend for themselves. I took them home, fed them milk and bread and
+sugar and brought them up to where they are. But they have reached the
+stage where something must be done. As you see, they are hard to pen
+up and it's worse to turn them loose. Life to them is one continuous
+round of wrestling, scrapping, knocking over anything that's loose,
+and tearing up anything in reach. Whipping them does no good. They cry
+and beg until you are sorry and then it's to do all over again. I just
+couldn't kill them; it would be like killing a pet dog. So I just
+thought that if I could find someone to take them and care for them,
+it would be good riddance and give me time to go back to my work."
+
+"Well, that solves the problem," said the midget, gleefully. "I've got
+your party. He's old Fisheye Gleason right here with the show. We can
+deal with that old buzzard as freely and as profitably as if we were
+in a cutthroat pawnshop. Hey, you fellows," he called to some passing
+laborers, "have any of you seen old Fisheye in the last hour?"
+
+"Fisheye is linin' up the wagons in the menag," said one of the men.
+
+"Er he may be up at the marquee tellin' the boss where to route the
+show," said another. "Maybe he's got Beatty cornered, tellin' him a
+new plan fer workin' the cats this afternoon," leered another. The
+leader pointed to the far end of the big animal tent.
+
+"I've got him located," said David. "Now you fix that slat so the
+bears won't leave for the next hour and we'll work on Fisheye. He has
+been with this plant ever since Uncle Ben took it out as a wagon show.
+Hear him tell it, he set Barnum up in business and loaned the Ringling
+boys their first money. Fisheye is a romancer, unhampered by facts.
+But he's a wise old man at that.
+
+"Fisheye Gleason still has his first dollar. He wears the same
+corduroy pants that Uncle Ben gave him on his twenty-first birthday.
+If we had the time he would tell us his personal experiences with
+every celebrity in the circus world. We haven't the time, and we've
+got to work fast and cautious.
+
+"Now Fisheye would balk and walk away on us if we offered him these
+bears for nothing; he just wouldn't understand it. He dickers in
+animals a little; trains 'em and has 'em doing things right away. He
+likes 'em and they like old Fisheye. Why, he can take these little
+bears and have 'em turning somersaults, dancing, and climbing to their
+perches in no time. Then he sells 'em into some big act.
+
+"Fisheye is our meat for this play, but don't sell out too quick."
+
+Leaving the cubs to the further destruction of their cage, the
+prospective salesmen wended their way through a maze of sidewalls,
+poles, unplaced wagons, cages. On past the refreshment booth that was
+setting up in the central area; past a score of elephants, swaying in
+contentment over the morning hay; past camels, llamas, zebras, and
+other luminaries, to the far end of the big tent where a group of
+laborers were aiding two elephants to line up the last of the cages
+and vans in a proper circle around the enclosure.
+
+It was all confusing enough to the big Westerner, but the little man
+knew where to go. He pressed forward to where a little, old, dried up
+"razorback" was regaling two of the workmen with words of experience
+if not wisdom.
+
+"'En I told Shako," he declared with emphasis, "that he never could
+win back old Mom's confidence, till he got a big armload of sugarcane
+en doled hit out to her. En shore enough when we got to Little Rock
+and Shako got holt of some sugarcane, he win that old elephant's
+respect instanter. En that ain't all! When we got to Memphis en hit
+into that big storm, why ole Mom--" But the audience died away to one
+man as the midget's voice interrupted.
+
+"Say, Fisheye, I want you to meet a friend of mine, Mr. Welborn. Meet
+Mr. Welborn, Mr. Gleason. Mr. Welborn here dickers a little in native
+animals and has a couple of the slickest, fattest, neatest bear cubs
+I've seen in years. He's got too much business to give any time to
+training them and I told him of your success with animals and he wants
+to make a deal with you."
+
+"What kind of a deal? And where's yer bars?" Fisheye was alert to the
+business up to knowing the full import of the deal.
+
+"They are out here in a coop--on a trailer. He brought them down out
+of the mountains this morning."
+
+"Did ye ketch 'em this mornin'?" queried Fisheye as he followed the
+two salesmen to the truck.
+
+"Naw, he's had 'em in training for two months. Best of all, he knows
+how to take care of their hair, how to feed 'em. Look, there they are,
+alike as two peas and ready to climb a pole or turn a somersault."
+
+Fisheye was peering through the slats. "I wish we had 'em out whar I
+could see 'em better. Now what's yer deal, Prince? Ye said somethin'
+about a deal?"
+
+"Well, it's like this, Fisheye. Mr. Welborn could go right on training
+these bruins and peddle them through an ad in _Billboard_ for a sure
+two hundred smackers, surely by Thanksgiving--"
+
+"Two hundred nothin's," retorted the wary Fisheye, who was not to let
+a fancy price go by without protest. "Thar's no bar in the world wuth
+a hundred dollars. Why up in the Yallerstone, they offer to give 'em
+away!"
+
+"Sure they do, or did last year. They are the old mangy bears that
+bother tourists, Jesse James bears, that they want to get rid of. But
+they wouldn't sell you a cub for love or money. Bears are scarce this
+year. They hint of a bear famine up there.
+
+"And anyhow, you didn't let me finish. Why if you owned these bears
+and had 'em climbing an injun ladder right up to their perch in the
+animal act, had 'em dancing, turning somersaults, you would ask a half
+grand for them and never bat an eye. They would be worth it, and you
+know it. But rather than go through the work of getting them ready,
+Mr. Welborn is willing to take an even hundred for the two. Better
+still, he'll let you make a note for the hundred due in ninety
+days--or say Christmas. By that time you've got the bears sold and
+your note paid, and jingling the difference."
+
+Fisheye was squinting through the slats. "I wish we had 'em out whar a
+man could see what he's buying."
+
+"Haven't you got an empty cage where we could turn them out in the
+daylight?" asked the sales manager.
+
+"Shore I have. I jist got pie Rip's cage all cleaned out an ready fer
+what come."
+
+"Well, get it open. Cut loose the trailer, Mr. Welborn, and we will
+back it in by hand. Here, Happy, you and Joe help push this trailer in
+to where Fisheye shows you. These cubs need initiating anyhow."
+
+The trailer was unhooked and carefully backed in through a passage
+laid out by the versatile Fisheye. A door was opened in one of the
+unplaced cages and the little bears pushed out into a new world. They
+scrambled to a far corner, faced about, and waited for the next move.
+
+"There they are," cried the midget enthusiastically, "black as
+midnight, fat as butterballs and ready for work." To be sure, the
+little salesman could not see up to the level of the cage floor, but
+his sales talk never ceased. "How much am I offered, men," he called
+out in a voice simulating an auctioneer. "How much for the two?"
+
+"Now you jist cut out yer comedy until I can squint 'em over," said
+Fisheye impatiently. "Kin ye move 'em around a little, Mister?"
+
+Welborn reached his hand through the bars and clucked to the little
+scared bruins. Hesitatingly they crept up to the extended hand and
+then sat up. They were surely butterballs as the midget proclaimed.
+
+"You can't tell which is Amos and which is Andy. Can you, Fisheye?"
+challenged the salesman.
+
+"Naw! I don't know 'em by name but that un is the oldest. In twins or
+even litters thar's one that's oldest. That un is the oldest, he
+starts to doin things fust. Now you jist tell me all over again,
+what's yer proposition about me owning these little b'ars?"
+
+"Well, it is as I said. Mr. Welborn here will take your note for an
+even hundred for both bears. The note will be due Christmas. We can go
+right over to the ticket wagon and have Lew draw the note, payable at
+the Wabash Valley Trust Company for an even hundred, and the cubs are
+yours. And here's another thing," David motioned Fisheye over to
+another wagon and out of Mr. Welborn's hearing. "Here's the rest of
+the plan. I am going to offer this man Welborn ninety dollars for your
+note. He won't be bothered by having to send it to the bank, and he'll
+take my offer. There's where I come in; I make a ten spot without any
+investment."
+
+"How come?" squawked the amazed Fisheye. "Ye don't own no bars, ye
+ain't out no cash, en ye draw a sawbuck. Now jist why can't this
+mountain man take ninety dollars in folding money offen me and cut out
+all this bankin' stuff. I don't want any note at the Wabash Valley
+nohow. They'd jist harass me into payin' it. Jist cut all that out and
+let him take the foldin' money."
+
+"Well, maybe he will," sighed the super salesman. "But I thought as
+cheap as they were, I ought to have a ten spot out of it. But I resign
+in your favor. It's all among us folks anyhow. Just you go over and
+spot him the ninety and see if you win."
+
+Fisheye went back of a neighboring cage to search himself for the
+needed cash. The salesman turned to Welborn who in the whole deal had
+said never a word. "It worked out all right," chuckled the midget.
+"Fisheye is saying spells over his bankroll and is kissing some of the
+tens and twenties a fond and reluctant farewell. He will offer you
+ninety dollars and you take it. It's better than I'd hoped. You see,
+Fisheye has his money sewed to him and it makes it hard to acquire.
+Some of it will be plastered together, for Fisheye hasn't taken a bath
+since part of the Barnum-Jenny Lind Special went off the bridge at
+Wheeling. The little bears will always know their Fisheye, day or
+night."
+
+At this juncture Fisheye returned and counted down the cash. Two of
+the twenties and one ten, were printed in the early twenties.
+
+"And now, Mister Welborn, we will have that cup of coffee and I must
+go to work. I want you to see the Kid Show and the Big Show as my
+guest. I'll have the boys park your machine and trailer right back of
+our show where it will be safe until you want it. After the main
+performance we will have dinner, say about four o'clock and we will
+call it a day."
+
+"I think you should have this money," said Welborn as they drank their
+coffee. He handed Fisheye's keepsakes to David. "I did not expect
+anything and I am satisfied that the bears are in good hands."
+
+"Not a cent," said David, waving the money aside. "I still owe you
+more than I can ever repay. Besides all this, we've done Fisheye a
+good turn. He'll have those cubs doing things before snow flies."
+
+"He has always wanted a Happy Family Act, and now he's got a start.
+From time to time he will add native animals like foxes, raccoons,
+badgers, and maybe a porky or two and label them 'Native Americans'
+and sell them to someone, cage and all, before next season."
+
+"Fisheye is versatile. Every winter he has a bunch of misfit dogs, and
+out of the outfit he'll get some smart ones that will train well. He
+is good, too, on a dog and pony act. Once a zebra got its leg broke in
+swinging one of the big poles in place. It looked like there was
+nothing to do but shoot it. But Fisheye salvaged the cripple; he
+taught it to get up and down with the leg in splints; cured him,
+except for a slight limp, and finally sold the beast as the only zebra
+that was ever broken to harness. Fisheye is a grand old liar but he's
+a fine animal man."
+
+
+
+
+2
+
+
+Circuses--the big ones, with menageries--have a tradition: "the show
+must go on." Storms, fires, rail disasters, major accidents--even
+death--shall not deter. The show _must_ go on. The Great International
+had lived fully up to this tradition. In all of its growing years, it
+had met and overcome any and all obstacles that might hinder its
+progress and promises. In the years past, a versatile routing agent
+could and did avoid many minor financial losses by routing the show to
+other fields. If a mine strike prevailed in one section, that district
+was missed by careful routings; if the boll weevil prevailed, the
+cotton belt was a closed field; if wheat failed in the Northwest, or
+mills were closed in Gary, the bookings were deflected to other marts.
+
+But the year 1932 was different; fertile fields there were not. It was
+not a case of dodging; it was a plain case of trying to hit. And there
+was no place.
+
+The Great International was making a brave effort to stem the tide of
+depression. Its great spread of canvas billowed over many new and
+novel attractions. It boasted of the largest herd of tame elephants in
+all the world. Its aerial acts were new to the circus lovers of
+America. Its grand opening was a riot of splendid colorings and
+beauty, never surpassed in all pageantry. Yet old Depression was
+winning at every stand. Historic Cheyenne, with its years of
+background in gathering humanity to its playdays, was little better
+than the rest. Business prudence dictated the routings from here on,
+and the route led to winter quarters. It was as David Lannarck said:
+"We play the U.P. to Omaha and then home."
+
+Sam Welborn, the man from the mountains, enjoyed the Kid Show,
+immensely. The trained cockatoos, the big snakes, the many freak
+people, the brief but snappy minstrel show, were some of the varied
+features. But best of all, Welborn watched the antics of his little
+friend of the morning adventure. He came on the little stage, first as
+a swaggering general, then as an admiral, last as a real doughboy of
+the United States Army. Dancing, bowing, and waving the flag, he won
+generous applause. Later, he came on as Cupid with bow and arrow, and
+made some fine shots into a target representing a heart. His song
+number was appropriate to this act.
+
+Following this performance, David conducted his friend to the marquee
+of the Big Show and passed him in to greater glories. "I will see you
+before the performance is over," he said in parting.
+
+The Big Show was not cut or curtailed. From the grand opening to the
+closing number the full production was given without a hitch. Sam
+Welborn, seated in the reserve section was back to boyhood days. He
+watched the many features of the bewildering panorama with childish
+enthusiasm. It was a great show. Just before the finale, he was joined
+by his little friend.
+
+"Our next stop will be the dining car," said Davy as they followed the
+crowd out the main entrance. "I have something I want to talk over
+with one of you Westerners and I think you are the man."
+
+"Maybe I am not a Westerner," said Welborn quietly.
+
+"Why you live out here, don't you?" retorted Davy.
+
+"Yes, I live out here, a great ways out, clear out to the rim of
+things. If it wasn't for the mountains hemming the horizon, our 'wide
+open spaces' would be without limit. I live beyond the Medicine Bow
+Mountains over next to North Park. My nearest neighbor is two miles
+away. I am fifteen miles from a filling station."
+
+"Why, I didn't know there was a place in America that was fifteen
+miles from a filling station. The oil companies are surely overlooking
+a bet. Anyhow, every word you speak confirms my opinion that you live
+at the right place." The two had arrived at the dining tent where a
+head waiter was assigning the guests to their places among the many
+tables.
+
+"We'll sit here, Tony, if you don't mind," said Davy as he ushered his
+guest to a table apart from the rest. He carried a high chair from
+another table and signaled a waiter. "This is what I have in mind, Mr.
+Welborn; I want to run away--run away from the yaps and yokels and the
+gawkers and get out where nobody can see me and where I can act just
+like a man. I am twenty-nine years old. For fifteen years I have been
+the 'objective' of the gawking squad. I'm sick of it. I want to run
+away when I see a crowd coming. When I am on the platform, I see
+nothing but dumb faces; if I am on the ground, I see nothing but legs.
+It's too tough a lifetime assignment. You understand I am not
+complaining of my lot as a midget, but I am fed up on the role. I want
+a rest--a change. And just now, is a good time to make the change from
+a game where I've grown stale. My financial affairs are in good shape,
+thanks to one of the finest men in all America, and I want to lay off
+this freak business until I can look on it without vomiting.
+
+"Two things woo me to this country: your wide open spaces, where
+seeing a human being is reduced to the very lowest limit; and second,
+I find that in playing vaudeville houses in the winter time, I develop
+a sinus trouble that sticks with me until I get back here to the
+mountains where it disappears entirely. Yes sir! When I hit the table
+lands of Denver, Pocatello, Casper, Rawling, Laramie, or this town,
+old Sinus passes right out of the system. For the last five years I
+have been planning to come to these Highlands and dig in--where
+humanity is the scarcest. Just awhile ago, you described the exact
+spot of my dreams. Now what's your reaction? Can I do it?"
+
+"Do you mean that you would want to spend the winter with me, back in
+the hills?" The big man's question was quietly put but he stopped
+eating, awaiting the answer.
+
+"Sure, that's what I mean. Next winter, next summer, and then some. I
+want to get away from this," waving his hand in a circle to include
+the showgrounds. "And get to that," and he pointed west. "I want to
+get out where I can wear overalls; have a dog--or maybe five dogs--out
+where I can ride a hoss and chaw scrap-tobacco and spit like a man. I
+want to get away from being gawked at during all my waking hours. This
+thing here, is getting on my nerves. I feel like I want to commit
+murder when a simpering Jane looks at me, snickers and says, 'ain't he
+cute?' I want a ball bat to club every country jake doctor that looks
+me over and asks about my pituitary gland. Gee, gosh, but I do want to
+get away from that. I want to exchange these human nitwits for cows,
+calves, sheep, hosses,--broncho hosses, pintos--but not little
+round-bellied shetlands. I want to boss around among chickens, geese,
+turkeys, pigs--"
+
+"How about a couple of burros?" interrupted the listener.
+
+"That's it! Burros! I hadn't thought of burros--me on one of
+'em--slapping with my hat to get two miles to the gallon! That's it,
+burros! Two of them is better!"
+
+"And how about snows? There may be a snow yet this month that is
+deeper than you are tall."
+
+"Whoopee for the snow!" yelled the midget. "Me with a mackinaw and
+boots, and mittens and a shovel. Snow! Clean white snow! I love it!
+But I haven't seen any clean snow for years. All that you ever see now
+is the dirty slush that they scrape off the streetcar tracks. I sure
+would be disappointed, Mister Welborn, if you didn't have a lot of
+clean snow. And you have some sort of a shack, don't you? And we can
+cut a lot of wood, and have plenty of blankets--en books and
+magazines. And we can haul out a lot of grub, and a first-aid kit and
+such. And you don't have a big family, do you, Mister Welborn, and I
+wouldn't be much in the way, would I?"
+
+"No, I am all alone," said Welborn trying as best he could to answer
+the many questions. "I have no family and I do have a shack that is
+very comfortable. It has a fireplace and a stove. I have plenty of
+blankets and wood and grub. But what about sickness--home-sickness!
+What about the terrors of loneliness that sometimes drive people mad!
+The wide open spaces have their handicaps, as I well know. For a year
+or more I have had just that experience. I have suffered, along with
+the joys of being wholly alone. Truly, I went into it with a bigger
+aversion to human society than you have, and I have not escaped.
+
+"Yes, I have a shack, a good one, and a few score acres, but it's not
+a ranch. It's not stocked, has no barn or stables, and no crop but the
+native grass. It was a dreamer's plaything and I bought it with scant
+savings that should have been spent on another project. But it looked
+like I just had to own it in order to carry on."
+
+"What's your other project?" asked Davy, curious to know why a man
+with a ranch would not be ranching.
+
+"Mining," replied Welborn. "Placer mining back in a canyon or gulch
+that never felt a human footfall before I stumbled into it. It's a
+limited thing--limited to this ravine that is not more than fifty feet
+wide and a half a mile long. It was probably the old stream bed back
+before the Tertiary ages, but when the troubled mountain took another
+surge, it was left high and dry, twenty feet above water. I was
+working it this summer but the little bear cubs took most of my time.
+It takes a full day to lug enough water up to the canyon levels to
+wash out a pan of gravel. It takes the big part of the day to lower a
+sack of gravel down to the water, but at that, I have made wages. Now,
+I have an old rocker that was abandoned in the stream bed, but I need
+a pump so I can use the rocker right on the gravel bar. As it is a
+one-man job, it should be a force pump with a gasoline engine. All
+this costs money and it takes a long time to pan out enough dust to
+pay the bill. Really I had the money, but I just had to spend it in
+buying the cabin and land that was the only entrance to the placer
+bed. I just couldn't work the one without owning the other. Then too,
+I will have to blast a hole in the rock wall to get the pump located,
+after that, one year is all I want. One year's work will clean up all
+that one man ought to have. Of course I have practically lost this
+summer on account of the bear cub capers, and winter is at hand, but
+the outlook is better, thanks to your diplomacy and aid. With the
+money, I can live this winter and accomplish many things. By spring, I
+should be under full production."
+
+"But you wouldn't stay up there in that solitude with no person around
+but an old grouch that probably would not have a word to say for days
+at a time?"
+
+"Yes I think I would," said Davy slowly but firmly. "I think I can
+risk my case as to care and friendship with a man who is considerate
+to little bears."
+
+Some of the circus people had finished the meal and were filing out of
+the tent, but Davy stayed, grimly determined to win his point. "About
+what would be the cost of this proposed mine equipment, and could I do
+some ranching around there while this was going on?"
+
+"I figure it will take three hundred dollars to buy the pump,
+pump-jack and engine; these, with a few lengths of hose and some
+dynamite, are all that's required. Of course there will be some labor
+costs in getting the pump installed, but three hundred will pay all
+bills."
+
+"Is that all? Why we can get that amount from Lew up at the ticket
+wagon. He will cash my check for that amount and be glad to do it.
+Holdups, you know, pass up checks. Therefore, Lew likes checks. When
+do you want it? Let's get it now while there is a lull in business,
+and you can take the pump and pipe and other gadgets right back with
+you in the truck."
+
+"Do you mean that you will go with me--now--on the truck? It's more
+than a hundred miles to Carter's filling station and fully twenty
+miles more over the roughest roads--or rather no roads--to the Gillis
+place and then two miles more. Why, it's an all-night trip if we were
+to start right now!"
+
+"No, I am to stick with the show to Omaha. We are to be in North Bend,
+tomorrow; Grand Island, Friday; Omaha, Saturday; and then the payoff.
+I will have some things to do in Omaha. I want to telephone home and
+ask about some friends; I will talk to my financial boss and learn if
+he is still weathering the financial storm and then I am ready for the
+big jump out to your place. Can you meet me here with this
+truck-trailer outfit, say about Wednesday? I will have about three
+hundred pounds of baggage, and we must stock up with grub against
+getting snowed in. Can you meet me here Wednesday? Or, if you are too
+busy, can you send someone?"
+
+"Why sure I'll meet you--Wednesday or any other day--here or any other
+place you say." The man of the mountains was absorbing some of the
+little man's enthusiasm. "Sure I'll meet you, but you work so fast and
+drive right through that I can hardly keep up. Why, we hardly drive
+through with one thing until you have another. If I seem indifferent
+and not very responsive, it's because I haven't caught up yet. Think
+of it! Ten hours ago I was coming out of the hills with a serious
+problem that was hindering my work. Now, I am rid of the problem, have
+ninety dollars in cash; have the offer of all the funds I need, and
+prospects of a fine companion all through the dreaded winter. The
+change from poverty to riches has been so rapid that it's more like a
+dream than a reality. And here's the worst feature of the whole
+business," continued Welborn as the two made their way to the ticket
+wagon. "Here's the fly in the ointment. My side of the equation has
+been nothing but plus, plus. I am fearful that yours will be more than
+minus. You are tired of the mob; you want to get away from the crowds.
+You have a mental picture of the ranching business; horses, cattle,
+cowboys, knee-deep grass billowing through the great open spaces. It's
+your dream to land right in the midst of such surroundings, and your
+disappointments will be terrible to endure. I have no such ranch and
+there's none nearer than ten miles of my place. Most of the cattle
+nowadays are purebred; the cowboys are cow hands, feeders, and
+care-takers--without a mount--and many of them never saw a pair of
+chaps and few wear ten gallon hats like the picture books show. That
+stuff belongs to the rodeos and dude ranches. Why the Diamond A Ranch
+over on Mad Trapper Fork is a model for any manufacturing plant. It
+has bookkeepers, salesmen, feeders from 'aggy' schools. You won't like
+that; it's not up to the standards of your dream. Of course you will
+like old Jim Lough of the B-line Ranch. He's ninety and used to be a
+tough hombre of the old school. But now he's out of the picture, his
+son Larry runs the ranch, and he is soon to give way to a young
+college girl who is up on foreign markets and the like.
+
+"My fears are that what you see and experience will not be the picture
+of beauty and action that you had dreamed about. My poor little place,
+without livestock or feed--or action--will be a terrible
+disappointment."
+
+"Well we will make a ranch out of it. The building of a ranch will be
+more pleasure than the possession of the finished product," rejoined
+Davy stoutly. "We will raise some feed, buy a few sheep and from there
+on, watch us grow! But early in this venture, I must get me a pony--a
+pinto, preferably--small enough for me to ride and big enough to go
+places. Then I'm all set. Hi, Lew!" The midget had climbed up on the
+wheel of the ticket wagon and was tapping on the window. "Cash my
+check for three hundred dollars and meet my podner, Mister Welborn."
+
+"Your partner in what?" queried the accommodating Lew, as he slid back
+the window and began to count out the cash. "What's your racket now,
+Prince? Have you hooked up with Ben-a-Mundi in that Crystal Readings
+graft, or is it a short-change racket?" Lew aided Davy up to the shelf
+where he could sign the check. "Better look out, Mister Welborn, your
+partner here is a slicker--a regular city grafter. He skins his
+friends just to keep in practice. Paying you this little lump is just
+a bait. Later, he'll spring the trap for the big money." Lew slipped a
+rubber band around the money and handed it to Davy.
+
+"You had better look 'em over for counterfeit bills," retorted Davy as
+he handed the money to Welborn. "This bird puts out more counterfeit
+money than he does genuine. And say, Lew, you and Jess think of me
+when you are huddled around the stove this winter with a lot of
+razorbacks--me out in the great open spaces feeling fine, and clear of
+mobs and nitwits. You fellows will have the razorbacks throw another
+basket of cobs in the old smoky stove, and I and Mr. Welborn here,
+will be toasting our feet before a log fire in the big fireplace--"
+
+"Oh ho, it's that ranch thing that you have been chinning about for
+the last five years," chuckled the treasurer of the Great
+International. "How many calves will you brand next year? And where's
+your chaps and your spurs? And say, that three hundred won't buy your
+bridle, let alone a ranch and a hoss. You remember Carter, don't you,
+Prince? The broncho-buster that we had in the grand opening last year.
+Why his saddle cost an even grand and he paid fifty per for his
+Stetsons. Where's your outfit, kid?"
+
+"Why my outfit is still in the supply house in Omaha," countered the
+midget. "I am to take it out when you and Jess come back through here
+with the Adkins-Helstrom Great Congress of Living Wonders. I'll meet
+you here on that date in my full regalia. Anyhow, much obliged, Lew,
+and Mr. Welborn I will help you out with the car and trailer so that
+you can load out tonight." Down at the edge of the lot where the city
+streets pointed to the business district of the city, the ancient
+model paused for the final conference between the new partners.
+
+"Now what's your address, Mr. Welborn?" asked Davy, searching about
+for pencil and paper. "If any of our plans go haywire, I would want to
+let you know."
+
+"And that's just another inconvenience in the business," replied
+Welborn in a cautious manner. "My mail address is Adot. I get--"
+
+"Adot? Adot? Where? What?" interposed the midget. "A dot on what?"
+"The post office is Adot," replied the miner. "Capital _A-d-o-t_,
+Adot. It was probably so named from its importance on the map. It's
+just a wide spot in the road and a dirt road. We get mail twice a week
+and I am fifteen miles away. Neither will the telegraph lines help;
+there's no station nearer than this town. I have no telephone. The
+only way I could be reached, would be for you to go to the
+broadcasting station in Omaha and put through an S.O.S. on Tuesday
+night, as I have a radio. But you would have to put the call in early
+as I am going to be in this town bright and early Wednesday morning."
+
+"That's the spirit," crowed the little man. "Both of us, right here in
+Cheyenne, Wednesday morning. I will be here unless this Union Pacific
+folds up and quits. Why when you come to think of it, I wouldn't want
+to be where there was mail deliveries, telephones, and such; that's
+what I am running away from, that and the mob. Good-by, Sam," he
+called out, as the car took the green lights. "I'll meet you here on
+the A-Dot."
+
+"Good-by, Prince," said the big man as the car got under way.
+
+That night, an ancient model T followed by a ramshackle, home-made
+trailer, pulled away from the shipping platforms of the Cheyenne
+Outfitting & Supply Company loaded to the guards with pump, pump jack,
+pipe, lag-screws, wrenches, hand drills, dynamite, fuses and caps, and
+a hundredweight of groceries. Cramped under the wheel, driving as
+carefully as his cargo would warrant, sat Sam Welborn, the second
+happiest man west of the Missouri. The happiest man west of the big
+river was flouncing around in his berth on the third section of the
+Great International Circus trains bound for North Bend, Nebraska,
+planning his outfit to be purchased in a few days at Omaha.
+
+
+
+
+3
+
+
+An hour in advance of the arrival of the Pacific Limited, Sam Welborn
+paced the platform of the Union Pacific passenger station at Cheyenne,
+awaiting the arrival of his little partner from Omaha. He was a
+different man in appearance from the one who, the week before, had
+come down from the mountains in charge of two obstreperous bear cubs.
+On that occasion, he had worn overalls, a sheepskin jacket, heavy,
+clumsy shoes, and an eared cap of ancient vintage. On the day of his
+appointment, he was dressed as the ordinary business man about to take
+the train for Ogden or points west. His fairly well-worn, black,
+pin-striped suit, neatly pressed, fitted his six-foot-two frame as if
+built by a professional clothier; a rolled-collar shirt, a blue polka
+dot tie, freshly shined shoes, and a soft crush hat completed the
+outfit. Over his arm he carried an overcoat. Other prospective
+travelers wore their topcoats, but Sam Welborn was of the outdoors.
+
+He had parked the Ford with its trailer attachment at the west end of
+the platform. If his partner's impedimentia was not too bulky, the
+ancient model was ready for another trek to the hills. Back and forth
+along the long brick platform he strode in the bright autumn sun. It
+was no sloven's gait. An observer would have said that somewhere,
+sometime, in his career of maybe thirty years, he had faced a
+hardboiled old topper who insisted with piratical invectives that
+"heads up, shoulders back, stomachs in" was the proper posture for
+humans who were eating government grub and drawing government pay.
+
+Very true, Welborn was not in immediate need of exercise. In the last
+week he had worked, and worked hard, during every daylight hour. He
+had not slept in the last thirty hours. But these were figments,
+incidents, to be disregarded now that success was just back of the
+curtain. Now he was to meet the little man who had made this prospect
+of success possible. Now his greetings must be cordial and
+appreciative. Nothing should be left undone to overcome the
+disappointments the midget must endure. In his first meeting with
+Davy, Welborn had tried to discourage the plan of "holing up" in a
+remote section, far removed from the things to which he was
+accustomed. He pictured himself as an old grouch, soured on the world,
+and surely uncompanionable. He dwelt on the lonely hours, the big
+snows, and other bad features but it was of no avail. Davy was on his
+way. In other days, in vastly different surroundings, Sam Welborn had
+known the tactful duties of a genial host; now he would revert to that
+role.
+
+David Lannarck was the first passenger to alight as number twenty-one
+came thundering in from the east. The porter helped with his grips.
+Davy searched the platform for his friend.
+
+"Why, why, I didn't know you! You look like another fellow!" he
+exclaimed, as Welborn reached for his grips. "You are younger, better
+looking, different."
+
+"I am younger, but not different," chuckled Welborn. "I've been taking
+a tonic--the tonic of hard work. I've nearly completed my big job, and
+I've located your horse for you."
+
+"Hurray!" yelled Davy, "And can I get him right away?"
+
+"There you go, jumping the gun again. Why that little horse is a
+hundred miles from here. He's not broken to ride. He might not suit
+your fancy, and it might take a lot of diplomacy to get him. He
+belongs to a girl."
+
+The baggage--two trunks, a showman's keyster, two suitcases, a big
+duffle bag and handbags--was loaded on trailer and backseat. "Well, I
+don't see much room for groceries," said Davy, as he climbed in.
+"We've got to have pickles and beans, and plenty of vitamins and
+calories to balance the ration. Really, before starting, I should have
+consulted Admiral Byrd on outfitting a polar expedition. Aren't we to
+stock up on food--here--or somewhere?" He questioned, as he noted
+that Welborn drove across the tracks and away from the city.
+
+"The eating question is practically solved," said Welborn. "Solved
+through the providence and frugality of good neighbors. They are
+overstocked and it's up to us to reduce the surplus. I took out rice,
+sugar, salt, and a lot of extras on my last trip, and with their
+surplus of meat, fish, fowl, flour, fruits--canned and preserved,
+vegetables--canned and raw, we should live like pigs at a full trough.
+However, if you need tobacco, chewing gum, toothpaste, any special
+kind of medicine, we can get that at the Last Chance, further down the
+road."
+
+"No, I'll not need any such sidelines for many a week, but I thought
+you said we did not have any neighbors? Who runs this fine market and
+canning factory out in the wide open spaces?"
+
+Welborn laughed. "Wait till we get out of this traffic and on a
+straightaway; there's much to tell and we've got a lot of time. I have
+arranged for dinner about twenty miles down this road, and we will
+push things pretty hard this afternoon so that we can eat a late
+supper right at this Market and then you will understand.
+
+"You see, this old car, loaded like she is, and pulling a trailer, can
+do about twenty-five miles per, on this federal road, but it's not all
+federal road, and the last fifteen miles will take a lot of good luck
+and fully two hours to make the grade. I would like to get home in
+daylight."
+
+The general direction of the national roadway, was west. The traffic
+to and from Cheyenne at this noon hour was not heavy. Tourists were
+still touring, notwithstanding the fact that this section of the
+country might be snowed under at any time; truckloads of livestock,
+were encountered, and far down the highway, where the traffic thinned
+down, the partners met a big band of sheep that required care and
+diplomacy in passing. Presently, Welborn turned the car into a
+driveway at a neat farm home.
+
+"Hungry?" he asked.
+
+"Yes, I am always hungry, although I had breakfast somewhere this side
+of Julesburg."
+
+"Well, I arranged for dinner here, and we will also stock up on gas
+and oil for the long trek. Of course I carry an extra five gallons in
+the can on the running board, but this is about our last place to
+stock up on eats."
+
+A woman came to the door. "You are right on time," she said. "I hope
+you have brought your appetites, as the lunch is just ready."
+
+Somebody was thoughtful; there was a high chair at the dining table.
+After a very satisfying meal, Welborn shoved back his chair. He found
+a piece of wrapping paper that he spread in front of Davy and drew a
+rough map.
+
+"We are near the line of two states," he said. "The Medicine Bow
+Mountains are here. Geologists point out that this range so
+interrupted the route of the Continental Divide that it turned it back
+to the north in a big curve and made it hard to find. We go through a
+pass in the range. On this side, we run into the little streams that
+form the Laramie River. On yon side is the North Platte. Both run
+north and both find sources in the North Park. Those who know, say
+that for beauty and grandeur no section of the world beats the North
+Park country. Personally I do not know, as my contacts have been
+limited. It is said, too, that this is the northern limits of gold. At
+this point, the mountains seemed to have changed their content, or
+else those to the north were made at a different era. All these things
+are speculative and have their exceptions, as I well know.
+
+"North Park, however, is a great grazing country. Its grass wealth may
+be greater than its mineral. The government owns the land, except
+tracts here and there suitable for farming. Our destination is the
+Silver Falls Project, a fine body of rolling land, suitable for either
+grazing or farming. It was laid out in convenient tracts for
+homesteads. Each parcel was a half section. If there was rough land
+adjoining a tract, that was included for good measure. It was opened
+for settlers and many came, but none stayed. There was no central
+organization to hold them--no church to rally around--no one
+established a central trading post--no outstanding personage to
+collect and hold, as is always the case in community building in
+America. Then, too, there were no roads; therefore no market outlet.
+The road over which we are going, is the only inlet and there's no
+outlet. A half mile of blasting and building would have made an
+entrance to the Tranquil Meadows district and to trails and highways
+that led to market towns in two states, but the blasting and building
+was never done. The Silver Falls Project never grew big enough to make
+its decline noticeable.
+
+"Of those who came to try it out, only four stuck to a final deed. Two
+of these are at this end of the project. Carter runs a filling station
+at the forks of the road and Withrow, next to him, hunts, traps, and
+plays a fiddle. I acquired the two tracts at the far end of the
+project and Gillis, our enterprising neighbor, owns two parcels next
+to me and operates the abandoned tracts under grazing allotments. This
+is a real ranch; small, as compared to others, but modeled as a farm
+in the East, for Gillis is a real farmer. I make the guess that when
+you grow homesick and tired of the loneliness at my place you will
+headquarter at the Gillis place, in fact I have made that kind of
+arrangement with them. They have a telephone, a radio, a phonograph,
+and take plenty of newspapers and magazines, and, best of all, there
+is a kindly, enterprising woman there to manage, to cook and can the
+fruits and vegetables, and do the homey things that makes life fit to
+live.
+
+"They have cows, chickens, turkeys, pigs, and raise plenty of feed.
+But they are an oasis in a desert. Except for our place, they have no
+neighbors within fifteen miles. Mrs. Gillis is a worker and a planner.
+She sells pigs, turkeys and calves, in Laramie and Cheyenne, more than
+one hundred miles away; she has a working arrangement with the
+filling station down at the roadside, whereby they sell quite a lot
+of her canned stuff and preserves. She's always got something to sell
+and sells it, market or no market.
+
+"I depend on them for almost everything. Even the car and trailer out
+there belongs to them. I bought a stock of chickens off of them, and I
+rent a cow and calf from them. Really, while you have come out here to
+my place, you will subsist for the most part off the Gillis family."
+
+"Well the outlook gets better and better each time you add a chapter,"
+said Davy as they walked out to the car. "How many in the Gillis
+family?"
+
+"Just two, Jim and his wife. But staying with them is Landy--Landy
+Spencer, Mrs. Gillis' brother. He's older, is an oldtime cow hand that
+has retired, when Mrs. Gillis will let him. He's been in the West
+since boyhood and knows the game, but doesn't play it. He just putters
+around, when Mrs. Gillis isn't after him to do something, and that's
+the reason he stays up at our place most of the time. You will like
+Landy. He is the one that located your horse over at Lough's B-line
+Ranch. I had told him of your wanting a little horse, and this week,
+while Gillis and I were blasting out the rock and setting the pump,
+Landy strayed over to Lough's and located the nag. Landy says as soon
+as he sees you, he can tell instantly if the horse will fit."
+
+"I've got a saddle in that keyster, and he can measure by that," said
+Davy, "and anyhow I don't want a little, low-headed, round-bellied
+hoss that can't go places. If he is a cowboy, he will know the kind."
+
+For five or more miles, the route led over a national highway. Then
+Welborn turned to the right, drove a few hundred feet and stopped.
+"Look out here to the left" he said. "See that big mound with its head
+in the clouds? That's Longs Peak, the highest in the country. On a
+clear day, it can be seen from Cheyenne. From here on, you are to see
+mountains and more mountains, but Longs Peak is the daddy of them
+all."
+
+Now the roadway was not so good, but the ancient car labored on in
+full vigor. Fences had disappeared; the roadway no longer held to
+section lines but took the course of least resistance, generally
+following the stream bed which it crossed and re-crossed many times.
+The direction was generally west and up. Twice on the trip, Welborn
+took a bucket out of the car, dipped water from the stream, and cooled
+the heated engine. On one of these occasions, he washed his face in
+the cooling waters, explaining that he did this to overcome
+drowsiness.
+
+Davy saw everything. This was his country. Except for meeting a lone
+herder in charge of a band of sheep, they had not met a human being in
+the last fifty miles. Yet there was plenty of life. They were never
+out of sight of cattle--not the big herds as Davy thought it would
+be--just a few here and there. There were some horses around the
+little pole barns off the roadway. High up on distant hills, bands of
+sheep were grazing.
+
+Overhead, but not too high, hawks skimmed the levels or tilted over
+knolls and hills in search of a quarry; larks gathered in flights for
+a final powwow before beginning the long trip southward. Magpies
+flitted through the shrubbery of the creek banks. In crossing a little
+wooden bridge near a waterfall, Davy saw an object in the water, then
+in the air, and then in the water where the spray fell and where foam
+formed. Later, he was to know this little slate-colored bird as the
+water ouzel, a bird that was neither wader nor swimmer, yet took his
+subsistence from the foam and spray.
+
+"That road leads to Laramie," said Welborn pointing out a trail to the
+right. "Laramie is closer to our place, and one less mountain range to
+cross."
+
+"Why didn't we come that way?" asked Davy.
+
+"Well, the big circus didn't show in Laramie, and I had to get to
+Cheyenne for contact. There I met a fellow who freighted me down with
+pump tools and I had to take back some of the wrenches I borrowed.
+Then this fellow made an appointment for Cheyenne, and I would not
+have missed the appointment for anything."
+
+"Oh yeah," said Davy, "I suppose out here, the matter of a few
+mountain ranges is all in a day's work. Anyhow, we are seeing some
+country, and the lizzie is going fine."
+
+For several miles it was downhill and around many hairpin turns. Then
+many small streams were crossed and followed. Several times the sun
+seemed to set, only to reappear again through a cleft in the hills.
+Where the terrain was level enough, hundreds of jack rabbits were
+seen. They were not the nervous, string-halt jacks of the prairies,
+but the smaller black-tailed variety.
+
+And then they came to a store and filling station. "Well of all the
+places for a filling station," exclaimed Davy. "Many times I've seen
+'em located at places where there was little business, but I never
+before saw one located where there was absolutely no business. What's
+the big idea?"
+
+"He is probably like another fellow I know," answered Welborn. "He
+wanted to get somewhere, where he wouldn't see anyone. But at that, he
+does some business, seemingly as much as he wants."
+
+More gas was taken on, and the reserve tank filled.
+
+"Adot is on ahead about eight miles, but we turn here for the final
+dash."
+
+The final dash was but a creep. Except for the bridge over Ripple
+Creek, the roadway was just a trail. The sun had gone down for good.
+The lights, none too good, revealed little of the hazards. It was a
+long, steady grind, mostly uphill. At last a light appeared ahead. A
+dog barked. A lantern shone. Welborn turned the car through a gate.
+"Gillis Station," he called out to the midget who had remained very
+quiet.
+
+"Have them drive up next to the house," a woman's voice called from
+within. "We will throw a canvas over the trailer. They will stay here
+tonight. It's too cold to stay in a house that has had no fire."
+
+"There's your orders, Welborn. Drive right over here next to the
+chimney. Howdy, Mr. Lannarck, you and Welborn get out and limber up
+for there's prospect for a fine supper." It was Gillis speaking as he
+aided Davy out of the cab.
+
+"I am Davy to you folks," said the little man as he stamped around to
+limber up from the long confinement. "You are Mrs. Gillis, I know, and
+you are Landy, aren't you? Will I fit that hoss that the girl owns?"
+
+"You are about a half-hand short right now," the old man chuckled,
+"but after a few hikes up to Pinnacle Point, you should fit that
+little hoss jist like a clothespin fits the line."
+
+It was a fine supper. There was also a home-made high chair that just
+fit Davy's needs.
+
+"Before I go to bed," said Davy earnestly and firmly, "I am going to
+write down that supper menu and send it to poor old Lew and Jess, who
+are wearing out shoe leather trying to find a restaurant where the
+steaks aren't made out of saddle skirts and the potatoes and the
+candle grease have parted company. Lemme see, there was fried chicken
+and the best cream gravy I ever tasted, mashed potatoes, creamed peas,
+fluffier biscuits than those birds ever saw, two kinds of jelly,
+strawberry preserves, some other preserves, and apple pie with whipped
+cream on it.
+
+"A long time ago--it was my first year in vaudeville--Mr. Singer gave
+his midget performers a dinner at one of the celebrated New York
+restaurants, I think they called the place Shanley's, a swell place
+with a private dining-room, lots of waiters, food in courses. Well,
+that big feed would be a tramp's handout compared with this dinner
+tonight." Davy was either talking to himself or was trying to interest
+Welborn in the conversation as the two were undressing by the light of
+the kerosene lamp in Mrs. Gillis' spare room. Welborn seemed not
+interested. He was soon in bed and snoring.
+
+"Feathers, by golly," muttered Davy as he snuggled down deep in the
+bed.
+
+
+
+
+4
+
+
+The Gillis menage was well managed. Mrs. Gillis saw to that. Jim, aged
+fifty, slim of build, sinewy, even-tempered, quiet, willing, was the
+farmer and handyman. Crops grew, orchards bloomed, vines bore a full
+vintage, and bushes yielded because he made them do so. Without
+splutter or fuss, he did his work, and liked to do it.
+
+The teamwork of Mrs. Gillis was equally effective. One could not say
+however that her work was done as quietly. Landy, the cow hand brother
+was wont to say--not in her presence however--that "as a child, Alice
+was sorta tongue-tied, and she has to ketch up somehow."
+
+And Landy--well, Landy made his contributions. As a young cowboy,
+Landy had had his fling. He came into the game as the cattle-sheep
+wars were at their peak and he played it strenuously. But with it all,
+Landy Spencer kept his moral slate fairly clean. Then as the sober
+days of manhood came, and Landy witnessed the finish of the
+improvident and foolish, he began to save and skimp. "Hit's the pore
+house fer a cow hand," was his terse aphorism on the subject, and
+Landy had never seen a "fitten" poor house.
+
+Landy was working for the Crazy-Q outfit, at the time the government
+proposed to open the Silver Falls Project. He looked it over and filed
+on two of the homesteads. One for himself and one for James Gillis.
+Then he went to Illinois where his younger sister and her husband were
+share-cropping.
+
+"Come out whar yu've got room, whar ye own it, whar you do it your
+way. I'll pay freight on yer car to Laramie, and keep up the supplies
+for three years. Then if you're not satisfied, I'll move ye back."
+
+It was Landy too, that planned as to the cows and calves. He bought
+purebred cows from the B-line folks, and sold them the big, weaned
+calves. And in view of the fact that the calf sale in 1931 was larger
+than Alice's big turkey sale to the dealers in Laramie by fully two
+hundred dollars, Landy had a modicum of peace on finances. The Gillis
+menage was well managed. It made money in a depression.
+
+Davy was awakened by what he thought was gunfire. He bounded out of
+bed and ran to the window. Day was breaking. In the dawnlight he saw
+Welborn and Landy tinkering with the old model that had brought them
+so valiantly through the mountains. She was backfiring her protests
+but presently settled down to her accustomed smoothness. Davy hustled
+into his clothes. Mrs. Gillis knocked on the door. "There is a pan and
+water right here on the bench," she said. "I told them fellers not to
+monkey with the old car, but Mr. Welborn is anxious to git started, he
+thought he'd tune her up before breakfast."
+
+Gillis came from the barn with a brimming bucket of milk. "Howja rest,
+Davy?" he asked.
+
+"Fine! I hit the feathers and never moved until I heard this
+bombardment that I thought was an uprising of the Utes."
+
+"Breakfast is ready," called Mrs. Gillis. "How do you want your eggs,
+Davy?"
+
+"I want them the way you fix 'em," the little man replied promptly.
+"After that supper last night, I wouldn't have the nerve to tell you
+anything about cooking."
+
+Mrs. Gillis beamed her appreciation. "I hope you will tell that to Jim
+and Landy. To hear them complain, you would think I was serving their
+grub raw or burnt. Didn't the circus people feed ye?"
+
+"A circus always hires good cooks. It buys the best meats in the local
+markets, and that's about as far as they can go. The vegetables are
+out of cans, except the potatoes and cabbage, and the fruits are
+either dried or canned. Preserves and jellies are factory made, so it
+gets pretty monotonous. I had a good breakfast on the diner yesterday
+morning. We had a fine lunch out this side of Cheyenne, but the supper
+last night was far beyond anything I have ever enjoyed. I jotted down
+some of the menu and as soon as I unpack I am going to write to a
+couple of those old circus razorbacks and tell 'em what they have
+missed." Davy was talking and eating; the men were eating.
+
+"Now, Laddie, we are ready for the final dash," said Welborn, as he
+rose from the table. "The farther we go, the tougher it gets. And we
+are on the last leg."
+
+"Landy and I had better go along," said Gillis. "Ye might get stuck,
+and we will be needed to help unload."
+
+"You men come back here for dinner," called Mrs. Gillis from the
+doorway. "You will be too busy to stop and cook."
+
+The old machine described a big curve in getting out of the enclosure,
+but was again headed west. Gillis rode in the front seat with Welborn.
+Landy and Davy found room on the trailer. "I want to see everything,"
+said Davy as he climbed to a perilous perch on one of the trunks.
+
+The mountains towered in the west, south, and southwest. The terrain
+was fairly level, but a spirit level would have shown a marked tilt to
+the east. There was a fringe of timberland on every side. Landy
+pointed out places of interest. "That's Ripple Creek off to the left.
+Ye crossed hit last night on the bridge, and we meet hit agin right up
+by the house. That's Brushy Fork over at the right. They 'most come
+together up here. Right up that canyon about two mile is whar Welborn
+found the b'ar cubs. Way 'round that timber-covered nose to the right
+is the B-line Ranch--hit's about ten miles. Right down that draw, in
+the timber and brush, I killed two wolves last year. And if yer on a
+hoss, ye can foller a trail down to brushy fork and out on yon side.
+That's a short cut to the B-line, else ye'd have to go cl'ar back to
+the fillin' station, then over to Adot and back across another bridge
+to git thar. It's twenty-five miles thataway. When ye git all settled,
+we'll sneak over to the B-line and take a squint at that little hoss."
+
+Landy continued to point out the places of interest. "Right along
+about here is Welborn's line. He's got two homesteads--bought 'em off
+a crazy bird that had bought out both homesteaders. That's one of the
+shacks over there and the other one he uses for a cowshed. En thar's
+yer home a-settin' up on that bench of land."
+
+Davy craned his neck as the trailer moved down hill. Perched up on a
+shelf, he saw a yellow dot against a gray wall that ran to the sky. As
+they neared the place he outlined a tiny cabin. Later it proved to be
+a two-roomed affair with a porch and lean to at the rear. This was to
+be his domicile--for how long, time would tell.
+
+The car described a big curve that took them to the brink of the
+Ripple Creek Canyon. In second gear it labored and twisted off to the
+right, and then left again, and came to a stop right at the front
+porch of the yellow-brown log cabin.
+
+Davy climbed down from his perch. He walked around the cabin,
+surveying it from three sides. "She's an Old Faithful," he announced
+at last. "Modeled, matched, and built by the man that built Old
+Faithful Inn. Why did he do it and when?"
+
+"It was built the summer before last and it took all summer,"
+explained Welborn. "The crazy galoot called himself the Count of Como.
+He came barging in here and bought out Clark and Stanley, the
+homesteaders, and brought in two men who had been building fancy
+cabins in Rocky Mountain Park and tourist camps. He left them here on
+the job while he drove the roads like a madman, in a big, black,
+powerful coupe to Laramie, to Cheyenne, to Denver, anywhere he could
+get whiskey and dope. He would come back, rave around, threaten
+everybody with a gun, but paid out money like he had the mint back of
+him, and finally got it done. You notice that the logs are "treated,"
+stained or shellacked, to retain their first color. The mechanics did
+that, and the count was mightily pleased until he found out that it
+made the shack stand out so that it could be seen for a long distance,
+and then he threw a fit. He went wild, ran 'em off the job, then I
+came into the picture.
+
+"I was prospecting down Ripple Creek Canyon and living in that shack
+that you can see from the rim over there. I was trying to locate a
+claim, mining claim. But from the homestead lines, this cabin was off
+the reservation, built off the edge of Stanley's claim and on the
+government's land where I wanted to stake off a mineral right.
+
+"I came up out of the canyon on the day he had gotten the men back and
+explained the error and showed him his predicament and then bought him
+out...."
+
+"Ah, tell hit right," growled Landy. "Tell him like them scairt men
+told hit to me." Landy took up the recitation of how the home was
+acquired. "He made that greasy counterfeit eat his gun that he whipped
+out from under his left arm. He kicked him in the ribs, he did, after
+he'd knocked him down a coupla times. Made him go down thar and look
+at the old survey stakes, he did, then made him drive his crazy car
+over to Adot, and old Squire Landry made out the deed and he signed
+hit and Welborn here paid him in a sack of gold dust that they weighed
+on the grocery scales. That's how 'twas done. Tell hit right, so's
+Davy here will know the story."
+
+Welborn laughed at Landy's recitals. "No, I didn't intimidate him. I
+made him see the matter in the right light. The proposition to
+sell-out came from him. I didn't want to buy him out, I had nothing to
+buy with, but the dust that it took me all summer to acquire. Truth
+is, this drink-crazed madman was a hoodlum gunman from Chicago or
+Saint Louis, that had lost his nerve. A killer who couldn't take the
+finish that was due him. He had run from it, and like an ostrich, he
+thought he was hidden up here. He didn't want me as a neighbor and
+when he found out that he had infringed on government land he was so
+scared that he would have given the place to me or anyone that wanted
+it. In fact, he didn't want to take the dust. He was afraid that the
+government would run him down for selling something that he didn't
+own, and maybe then find out about some of his killings back East. At
+any rate, he showed more speed in getting away from Adot than he had
+ever shown before, and that's saying a lot, for he surely burnt up the
+roads. We will unload your plunder right here on the porch, and we can
+place them as you want them later."
+
+Davy got his personal grip out of the car, but that was about as far
+as he could go in the matter of unloading the baggage. While the men
+were engaged in the task, he looked the house over carefully. One with
+artistic temperament would have turned his back to the house and
+looked on the tremendous spectacle that offered itself to view in the
+south, in the east, and north. A vast brown meadow, rimmed with the
+dark greenery of the ancient conifers; and high above, a blue arch
+that draped down curtains of white to hide the sombre shades of cliffs
+and hills and peaks innumerable. It was a wonderful sight.
+
+But Davy's eyes were on this house. He looked it over carefully. The
+general plan was as if a crib of logs had been built up to a square
+of, say, nine feet. Then another crib of logs built fifteen feet away.
+These were connected by a log structure in the center that allowed a
+recess in the porch at the front, and by a log extension enclosure
+that made a kitchen at the rear. It had been roofed with gray-green
+shingles and the porch ornamented by sturdy log columns, with rustic
+rails at the side. The logs had been closely fitted so that there was
+no space between that needed the chinking of the cabins of the
+pioneer.
+
+The floor was in narrow, rift-sawed planks. The walls and ceilings
+were covered with wallboard, properly paneled and carefully and
+tastefully decorated. There was a big fireplace in the east room. The
+west room was heated by a stove that found vent in the kitchen
+chimney. Entrance to any room was from the porch. The general plan of
+the structure was the same as that of many cabins being built in
+public parks and dude ranches. Davy had not seen these. His
+comparisons were with the fine, substantial inn, built at Old
+Faithful. There was little furniture in the cabin.
+
+"Well, what's your reaction, Laddie?" asked Welborn kindly as he
+marked the serious look on Davy's face.
+
+"Well, I don't know whether to sit out there on the porch and have a
+good cry or go in the spare room and put up a small dance. For five
+years I have been dreaming about this place, and now it's a reality.
+Outside of dreaming about it, and in sober moments, I just knew that
+there couldn't be such a place, so I contented myself with plans for a
+little shack, maybe a teepee, or a tent where I could spread out and
+rest up. But here it is--just like the dream said."
+
+"Wal, jist wait till a good winter blizzard comes through here like
+they do," interrupted Landy. "Jist wait, ye'll be sorry that ye ever
+had a dream. Why, it's six thousand feet up here, and the wind don't
+monkey and dally around, hit gits right down to business. Last winter
+hit most took the leg off 'en one of them burros old Maddy brought in
+here, 'en mighty nigh whipped the fillin' outen his shirt."
+
+"Let her blow," retorted Davy. "I've been in two circus blow-downs,
+and we had to stake the elephants down to keep 'em from blowing over
+into Texas."
+
+Landy was a good loser. He grinned, and began wrestling the trunks.
+All of Davy's plunder was moved into the fireplace room.
+
+"We will live in here this winter, and when spring comes, we can
+expand into the other room or out on the porch," explained Welborn.
+"And now, before you begin to unpack, I want you to see what Jim and I
+have been doing this last week. Let's take a look at the pump and
+engine before a snow comes and covers it all." Welborn led the way
+down near the brink of the canyon. "Over on the other side of the
+creek, you can see a shack. I headquartered there for several months
+and panned out some dust. From there I could see this opening here
+that looked like it had a floor, and maybe some prospects. Well, I
+climbed those trees down by the creek, but could not quite see what I
+wanted. As the madman was working over here, I climbed and slipped,
+and cut steps in the rock face of the cliff, on yon side. I wormed and
+twisted around until I got up to that coulee, and sure enough, it was
+what I thought. The floor of the old stream bed that had been thrown
+out of line and out of use, by some secondary action in
+mountain-making.
+
+"Ripple Creek has been noted for its placer workings. It has been
+panned and panned, many times, and always yields something. But here
+was a part of the stream bed that was virgin, that had never seen a
+miner or a pan. I walked over it and tested it. It stood the test.
+When it was the bed of the stream, gold was being ground out, washed
+out and carried down stream from the quartz-gold veins above. There it
+was! I couldn't get to it--couldn't work it without an entrance from
+this side of the creek. Landy has told you how I acquired the
+entrance, and a farm and a house with it." Still talking, Welborn led
+his guest back in the ravine back of the house, then through a tunnel
+in the razor-edge cliff, the party walked out on the floor of the old
+stream bed. "Jim and I made that tunnel. We dragged those logs through
+it, to make a foundation for the engine and pump. Now all we have to
+do, is blast out a sort of well-hole down at the creek so that the
+intake will be on the claim, and we are all set for production. We can
+do this today. Tomorrow, we will have water back on this old stream
+bed. Jim and I will take a hand drill, dynamite, fuse and caps into
+the gorge, and bust out a space about as big as a washtub, while you
+and Landy are unpacking your plunder. Build a fire, Landy, to take the
+chill off."
+
+Unpacking suited Davy. While Landy brought in some pine knots and
+lighted a fire against the charred backlog, Davy wrestled the
+dufflebag open and began to take out the contents. It was a
+hodge-podge of parts of every old costume he had ever used. The trunks
+and suitcases yielded good property. "There," he pointed to a separate
+pile, "there is my notion of where I was going, without seeing the
+place. That's a sleeping bag and these are a pair of Hudson Bay
+blankets. You see, I didn't know if I was to sleep out of doors or
+sleep in a barn--surely, I didn't plan that it was a place like this!
+Here's my mackinaw, boots, and mittens, and here's my hardware." He
+produced a small rifle that had been packed between the blankets and
+handed it to Landy for his inspection. "She's a thirty caliber,
+carries two hundred yards at point blank and won't kick over a little
+fellow like me.
+
+"And this is what I want you to see in particular." Davy fumbled in
+the keyster and brought out a small saddle with a fair leather bridle,
+to match. It was not a pad saddle such as jockey's ride, nor yet a
+civilian outfit without horn and only one web. It was a genuine
+western, with high horn and high cantle and two cinches, but much
+reduced in every dimension. "Will that fit the pony you saw over at
+the B-line?"
+
+Landy looked the saddle over carefully. "Hit's made by a saddle-maker
+all right, and will fit that hoss to a tee. They used to have some
+fancy saddles back in the early days. I've seen 'em that cost a
+thousand--Chauchaua--made and covered with silver do dads, en maybe
+they'd have 'em flung on a hoss that wasn't wuth his feed. I mind the
+time when ole Lem Hawks made a right smart lot of change, a-sellin'
+ole saddles that he swore come out'n the Custer massacre. Lem finally
+got to believin' that he was a survivor of that carnage.
+
+"They finally caught up with Lem however. He had sold more saddles
+than Custer had men, and the old cow saddles with their big horns and
+high cantles didn't look like an army saddle nohow. But Lem kept right
+on a-bein' a survivor--him en about a thousand others. Hit's like
+Lincoln's bodyguards--thar's been more of them folks died than Grant
+had in his whole army. Yer saddle is all right, son, and we shore ort
+to talk the B-line folks outa that little hoss."
+
+"I want to take the saddle over when we go," said Davy
+enthusiastically. "They could see how it fit, and that might influence
+their decision. I could put it on one of the burros and ride it over."
+
+Landy laughed uproarously. "Why son, ye wouldn't git thar by Febwary.
+A burro ain't geared to ride en go places. He will foller ye right up
+the side of a glacier, but he ain't mentally constructed to take the
+lead. Why, if ye was on one of 'em, backward, en paddlin' him with a
+clapboard, he'd back right up agin hit."
+
+"Well, what do they keep them for? Who do they belong to, anyhow?"
+
+"Them two a-roamin' around here, belong to ole Maddy, the ole miner
+gent. He left 'em here while he went romancin' around up Ripple Creek.
+He goes up thar, and has got a way out to the top. He goes in North
+Park, cl'ar over to Granby and Grand Lake. He swings 'round by
+Steamboat Springs and Hahns Peak, and comes a-driftin' back, mebbe
+from the north. He left 'em here three months ago. He'll git 'em when
+he gits 'em, en he won't lose much if he don't.
+
+"Ole Maddy has been in the hills--so hit's told--since the days of Jim
+Beck with and Bridger. Some say he was in Virginia Vale when Slade
+rubbed out Jules, the Frenchman. They say too, that he knew Carson,
+but that ain't so! Yit I do know that he pardnered with Will Drannon,
+the boy that ole Kit raised, because I heard Maddy tell a lot about
+Drannon, and later I read Drannon's book en right in the book, was ole
+Maddy. Oh, he's an oldster all right. He jist projects around in the
+hills, pans a little gold en rambles around by himse'f. He's not 'gold
+mad,' he jist likes to roam. He's clean, don't talk much, en anybody
+will keep him until he gits ready to pull out."
+
+"Well, I am sure disappointed about that burro thing," said Davy
+regretfully. "I wanted to ride that saddle over there and maybe they
+could see that the saddle, the hoss, and the midget ought not be
+separated."
+
+"Don't worry. We'll lengthen the girths, en I'll put ye on ole Frosty.
+When they see ye, way up thar', they'll know by every law of
+mathematics en justice, that the boy and the saddle belong on the
+colt."
+
+A roar reverberated out of the canyon. "Well, that's that," said
+Landy, "en now the next big job is to git Welborn out of the coulee
+fer dinner. If you leave him alone, he'd stay right thar messin'
+around till dark. I git provoked at his ways, but after I heard them
+decorators tell how he beat the gunman to the draw and busted him on
+the jaw en kicked him till he squawked like an ole hen, then I grew
+more tolerant. Welborn's all right, but he works too hard."
+
+Presently Welborn and Jim came up from the coulee. The auto was
+started and headed for the Gillis place. The original Gillis cabin had
+been augmented by the addition of two rooms on the south, a porch on
+the west, and another and better cabin on the north. It was sufficient
+for the family needs. The farm was fenced for the most part, and the
+neighboring range was alloted by the grazing master to Gillis, Landy,
+and their co-homesteaders at the far limits of the tract. Except for a
+small forty-acre tract, the Gillis land was dry farmed. The forty was
+irrigated from a spring developed on the premises. It was in alfalfa.
+Other meadows raised timothy mixed with alsike. Even in unfavorable
+years, the ranch yielded more than a hundred and fifty tons of hay.
+Besides hay, a lot of oats and barley was produced.
+
+"But thar's Jim's patent," Landy was showing Davy over the premises.
+"Jim keeps everything offen that big medder, en the grass comes on,
+en cures itse'f. Then hit snows, and the grass lays down like a
+carpet. Then hit blows the snow off en around, en stock can graze thar
+until near Christmas. Hit's a great savin' on hay. En a great saving
+on the hay feeder," Landy added with a grin.
+
+Besides three score cows with their calves, a dozen horses and colts,
+turkeys, chickens, ducks, and geese galore, the Gillis ranch had three
+dogs, two collies, and a short-tailed sheep dog. The dogs followed
+Davy around like they had found a friend.
+
+"They think I am a kid," Davy said. "Dogs sure like children."
+
+After another sumptuous meal, Welborn went out to tinker with the
+Ford. Mrs. Gillis called Davy to the kitchen. "I want you to speak to
+Welborn," she said. "He works too hard. From daylight to dark, he does
+two men's work at that old mine. He'll kill himself before he gets the
+money out of it. You can talk to him--he likes you. Why, he sat up all
+night, the night before he went to Cheyenne after you, pressing his
+pants, making your chair, tying his tie, tinkering on the Ford. He
+cautioned all of us not to talk about your being smaller than common,
+being a midget. He said you were coming out here to get away from "the
+mob," the people who stared and commented. He wanted everything here
+to be different. He likes you, would do anything for you, but he's got
+something pushing him, driving him, faster and harder than one man can
+stand. He'll break if he don't stop and take things easier. If you get
+a chance, talk to him, tame him down, make him rest, change his mind
+to something different. He's a fine man, big and rugged and a
+gentleman. He never hints at what's eating his life out, and we don't
+know. But it ought to stop."
+
+"I think you are right, Mrs. Gillis. Sam does work too hard and too
+long. I know nothing about his past, and I'll never ask him until he
+gets ready to tell it all. This I know, he's well educated, has
+trained in big business and is used to good society. I think he is
+rather hot-headed and maybe stubborn, if he thinks he's right. It will
+be a delicate thing to do, to try to switch him off from what he's
+doing and the way he's doing it, but I'll try, because I think it
+ought to be done."
+
+Landy did not go in the return trip to "Pinnacle P'int" as he termed
+the mine and its environments. He had some "cipherin' around" to do.
+"With that pump a-goin' and the water a-flowin', hit don't resemble a
+place of rest to me," he said.
+
+Mrs. Gillis brought a loaf of bread out to the car. "There's enough
+for your supper and breakfast, and you folks come back here for dinner
+tomorrow."
+
+"En say, Jim, you bring the kid's little saddle back with yer," called
+Landy. "I want to lengthen the cinches to fit old Frosty. Me en the
+kid are aimin' to do a lot of romancin' eround--mebbe tomorry."
+
+Arriving at the cabin, Welborn took a can of gasoline through the
+opening out to the pump. He tinkered with the engine and presently a
+steady "chug-chug-chug" reverberated down the valley. Mechanical
+mining was on at the Silver Falls Project.
+
+Welborn laid the hose at a favorable place on a gravel-bar and scooped
+up a pan of dirt and sand that he held under the stream while he
+whirled it around in the pan. The contents took up the motion and
+spilled over the pan-brim until there was little left. The miner
+examined the remainder and then gave it more water and more swirling
+around in the pan. This process he repeated several times. Presently
+he held the pan where Davy and Jim could see a fifth of a thimble full
+of tiny flakes and two small dots not much larger than pinheads.
+"That's the object of the meeting, gentlemen," Welborn said grimly.
+"That's gold.... Tomorrow," he added, "we will get the old rocker
+going, but just now, I want to 'sample around' for good locations."
+
+All this was nothing to Davy. He watched the men awhile and went back
+to the cabin to arrange his personal belongings. Pinnacle Point was a
+place of sudden sunsets and prolonged twilights. At near five o'clock,
+Davy built a fire in the little cook-stove and put several slices of
+bacon on to fry. He "set the table" as best he could and broke several
+eggs in the bacon grease. He set out a jar of jam, sliced the bread.
+Then he went to the tunnel and called: "Supper."
+
+"Say, Laddie, I don't want you to do this," said Welborn as he
+surveyed the supper. "You are my guest, you know, and I'll do what
+cooking there's to be done. We'll eat our dinners at Gillis', we'll
+sleep here, and I will get breakfast and supper. The fine dinners will
+offset my poor cooking, and besides you ought to stay outdoors and
+look around as much as you can, before we get snowed in for the whole
+winter."
+
+"Well, I do plan to go with Landy over to see about that colt," said
+Davy, "and I thought maybe you would want to go along."
+
+Welborn laughed. "Not for me! If you and Landy can't skin those B-line
+people out of one little horse, you are no traders. I've got to get
+that rocker going tomorrow. Look what we did today!" Welborn showed a
+little canvas bag that he took out of his pocket. "There is fully an
+ounce of dust in there, and we didn't try, just sampled around. With
+the rocker going, I can take out ten ounces a day by myself. It's
+fairly well distributed all over the tract, but better if you can hit
+the potholes right in the old stream bed."
+
+"And when you get it all out, then what?"
+
+Welborn looked rather perplexed. He studied a moment. "Then what?" he
+asked slowly, "Why we'll stock that ranch, lay out a flying field, and
+visit a lot of places. Truly, I had never planned so far ahead as to
+get to the place where I wouldn't be doing anything excepting clipping
+coupons."
+
+"Yes, the mine is a fine thing," Davy said earnestly. "Why, there is
+enough gold there to make a great fortune. But what's the use in
+taking it all out at once? It will keep. You can work awhile, rest
+awhile, play awhile, and still be just as rich as if you had worked
+yourself to death. You are young, strong, and healthy, just right to
+enjoy life. Why work so hard now?"
+
+"Yes, I am healthy, feel pretty strong, but not so young. Right now, I
+would like to take a few thousand dollars out of that gulch before
+snow flies, for we are going to have a lot of enforced loafing. We are
+in good shape to loaf however, all bills are paid and I still have
+thirty-five dollars of your money!"
+
+"That's fine. I have been wondering how I would pay for the colt, in
+the event we bought him. The B-line folks might not want to take my
+check, and it might take more cash than I have on me."
+
+"Mrs. Gillis will take care of that, she has money, plenty of it. She
+will tell Landy what to do, and Landy's word is like a bond. They do a
+lot of trading with the B-line. Buy cows, sell calves, and trade paper
+back and forth. Mrs. Gillis is better than a bank. Since the banking
+situation went bad, she has been accumulating government bonds. She
+hardly ever comes back from town without at least a hundred-dollar
+bond. She's a wonder, that woman. She's not an isolated hill billy
+that goes to town on Saturdays and anchors herself in the doorway of
+the five-and-ten-cent store to visit and gawk around. She's full of
+business. Sells her stuff, buys what she needs, and hits the trail for
+home. I expect Mrs. Gillis has seven or eight thousand dollars in
+bonds and cash stowed around in their cabin."
+
+"Now that's my notion of living," cried Davy as he edged his chair
+back from the cracking sticks that Welborn had added to the
+smouldering embers in the fireplace. "Own a fine little ranch, a
+decent run of livestock and poultry, raise plenty of feed, and have
+something to sell right along. They don't have to meet a daily
+schedule, don't have to spread canvas in the rain or look at a mob
+tittering yokels all the time. That's the life for me and the Gillis
+outfit is my pattern."
+
+"They are fine people," said Welborn. "We will keep in close contact
+with them. We need them now. The time may come when they will need
+us."
+
+
+
+
+5
+
+
+"Jim stayed to milk the cows," Landy explained as he rode up to
+Pinnacle Point the next morning leading Frosty, a rangy bay with a
+diminutive new saddle on his back. "Alice don't like my milkin'
+methods. I jist turn the calves in with the cows and let nature take
+her course, so she lets Jim do the milkin'. Put on yer jacket, son,
+hit's crimpy around the edges, and let's git goin'."
+
+Seated on Ole Gravy, a sturdy gray horse, Landy Spencer was like a
+picture page out of the book of the old west. His stubby, gray
+mustache, standing out under an aquiline nose and squinting eyes,
+failed to conceal a mouth much given to smiles and laughter. He had
+cautioned the little man that it was cool, yet his blue shirt was open
+at the neck. He wore a slouch hat, dented and battered to
+unconventional shape, a dingy knitted waistcoat, unbuttoned of course,
+gray jeans, tucked into high boots with long, pointed heels, and spurs
+of ancient pattern. Hung to the horn of his old, but generous saddle
+was a lariat.
+
+The chuck-chuck-chuck of the gas engine told that Welborn was already
+on the job at the mine. Davy ran into the house and returned wearing
+his mackinaw and boots. "My, he's a giraffe," he said, as he looked
+over Frosty and his equipment.
+
+Landy dismounted and lifted Davy to his saddle. "Did ye ever ride a
+hoss, son?"
+
+"Sure, I've ridden some of the big fat ring-horses, but I either had
+to lie down or stand up, they were too big around for my legs. Once I
+was to ride a shetland in the Grand Entry, but they had a monkey on
+another pony and I walked out on 'em." Davy picked up the reins and
+Frosty began tiptoeing around and arching his back.
+
+"Jist turn him loose, son," called Landy. "The old simpleton was
+expectin' some weight when ye got on, and he's disapp'inted."
+
+Landy led the way down the hill and Frosty followed like a pack horse.
+The sun had pushed above the clouds. Frost was flying in the air. It
+jeweled the grass of the table land and sparkled amid the green of the
+conifers along Ripple Creek. Farther down the indistinct path they met
+Jim in the car.
+
+"Are you fellers goin' to git back in time for dinner," he called to
+the horsemen.
+
+"Mebbe not," replied Landy. "We are aimin' to bring back that little
+hoss, en he may not want to come."
+
+Landy turned from the path and rode down a coulee that led to Brushy
+Fork. It was a winding way through brush and stunted hemlocks.
+Presently they came to the creek. "Thar's Steelheads en Rainbows up in
+them pools," said the leader. "These streams have been stocked en
+hit's good fishin', if ye know how."
+
+They followed down the stream bed for a distance and then Landy turned
+up a draw on the left bank, that finally led out to level land. At
+first it was a narrow way between the stream and foothill, but
+presently the landscape broadened to a meadow similar to that on the
+right bank of the creek. At one place, where the way was narrow, there
+was the crumbling remnant of rough walls of rock.
+
+"That's a relic of them ole wars in here, but I never could git the
+hang of the tale. Ole Jim Lough knows all about it but he's too
+shut-mouthed and contrary to tell the tale.
+
+"Ye see, I'm not a native son," explained Landy, as they rode abreast
+on the widened road. "I got started in the cattle game over to the
+north on Crazy Woman Creek en the range betwixt that en Sun Dance on
+the Belle Fourche. I was romancin' round when Teddy Roosevelt made
+camp up thar. Teddy liked to listen in on some of them Paul Bunyans of
+the cattle game, en they shore told some tall ones. I think he
+encouraged 'em in their romancin' jist to git a line on their
+capacity. Ye see, we were located jist betwixt ole Fort Fetterman and
+the Little Big Horn, sorta betwixt Red Cloud en Sittin' Bull, en one
+massacre en another. Ours was a period jist follerin' these
+history-makin' times en every man had a right to tell hit his way as
+they were all unhampered by airy lick of facts.
+
+"Therefore, I didn't git up here in the headwaters of the Platte until
+years after, but from what I ketch they had some right stirrin' time
+in here, 'twixt cattle rustlin' and sheep crowdin'. Ole Jim knows the
+whole story, but he don't broadcast none." Topping a swell of the
+meadow lands another stream basin was encountered. "Hit's a little
+Ranty," explained Landy. "That's a dam downstream aways en the B-line
+waters a couple o' hundred acres." In these meadows there were
+cattle--cows and calves and some scrub yearlings. Crossing the Ranty,
+the horsemen mounted to the levels again. Here, there were fences.
+Farther on, stables, sheds, and a cluster of houses. The B-line ranch.
+
+Landy maneuvered the horses through the gates without dismounting and
+rode up to the central stable. "Whar's yer reception committee eround
+here?" he yelled. "Call out the guard en parade them colors," he
+commanded as he dismounted and assisted Davy down. He threw the reins
+over the horses' heads. A man came out of the stable-room, two more
+came from back of a shed.
+
+"Well, if it haint the ole buzzard from Ripple Creek, a sailin' around
+lookin' fer his dinner. Nothin' dead around here Landy," said the
+short, stubby man that came from the stable room.
+
+"Howdy, Potter. 'Lo, Flinthead. Howdy, Hickory. All you cimarrons
+wipe yer hands real clean en shake with my friend Mister Lannarck. We
+jist took time outen our busy lives to come over here en watch you
+birds loaf eround," said Landy after introductions had been
+acknowledged. "En my pardner here has a broken handled knife that he
+would trade for a little hoss."
+
+"Well, it's a shame, Mister Lannarck," said Potter thoughtfully, "that
+ye have to carry sich a load as bein' introduced by sich a
+double-barreled, disreputable ole renegade of a crook like this. But
+we understand and will try to he'p ye live it down. Now, as to that
+little hoss. He belongs to Miss Adine. She's at the house. Flinthead,
+you move them hosses in here! Hickory, go tell Adine that the circus
+party that Landy told her about is here to see the colt."
+
+Both men set about their tasks. Flinthead led out a horse, mounted and
+rode down a lane, propping the gates open as he went. From a corral
+back of the stables came a drove of horses, mares, colts, and
+yearlings. Trotting, prancing, and snorting as they came down the
+lane, they settled down once they were in the stable lot.
+
+Davy was between two fires. He sought a safe place from being run down
+by the drove and yet he wanted to catch a glimpse of any kind of horse
+suitable to his size. He noted plenty of small ones but their short,
+bushy tails revealed colthood. The others were too large. As the drove
+settled down a colt came from out the center of the milling herd and
+walked up to Potter, extending his muzzle as if expecting something.
+
+"That's the one!" said Dave excitedly.
+
+He was a red sorrel with three white feet and legs and a flaxen mane
+and tail. Experts in such matters would have said he was nearly eleven
+hands high. Unlike his pony prototypes, his was a lengthy, arched
+neck, held high from narrowing withers and a short back. He was dirty.
+His mane and tail needed attention. Potter put out his hand. The colt
+walked near enough that he placed his arm over his neck and led him
+to a post where a rope dangled. This, he secured around the colt's
+neck.
+
+"Good morning, everybody."
+
+The colt parley was thus interrupted. Landy's several gallon headpiece
+was off and he nearly swept the ground with it. "Why, howdy, Miss
+Adine. We was a-lookin' this little hoss over to see if he'd fit a
+pattern. Meet Mister Lannarck here. He's the pattern."
+
+"My name is Lannarck all right," said Davy, acknowledging the abrupt
+introduction. "But among homefolks, I would rather be called Davy, as
+I have always been sceptical of anyone calling me Mister, afraid he
+would want to sell me something I didn't want."
+
+The girl laughed. "I am troubled that way myself. If anyone calls me
+Miss Lough, I pay no attention, thinking they mean someone else. Won't
+you men come to the house? Father is in Omaha on business and Mother
+and I are changing things around for the winter. Grandaddy picked out
+this busy time for one of his visits, so we are all together. Grandad
+will want to see you Landy, so come up to the house. I want to tell
+you about that colt, and tell you why it is that I am not to sell
+him."
+
+There was little else for the mystified Landy and the now, heartbroken
+midget to do but to follow along, through the gate and along the
+well-kept bordered path to the immense porch. They loitered at the
+gate for parley.
+
+"... and he's the handsomest horse I ever saw," complained the little
+man, "and she said she was not to sell him. I suppose it's some
+parental promise she's made, or some skin-game buyer has been through
+here and threw a wrench in the gears. Why, Landy, this is a
+high-school horse! He's showy, fine color, fancy markings and anyone
+can see that he's smart. We've just got to work it out somehow. A
+high-school horse, pony size, he's worth a thousand."
+
+"Well, I ain't up on school classifications for hosses," said Landy
+dryly. "He may be a colleger fer all I know. But, we're dealin' with
+a woman en thar's no accountin' fer what's the matter. Hit may be, yer
+complexion don't match, er she may be a-keepin' him to contrast with
+some letter paper she's goin' to buy. Ye jist can't tell a dern thing
+about hit till we hear her story. After that, well, we can tell if
+it's worthwhile to go on with the struggle."
+
+When first introduced, Davy was certain that Miss Adine Lough was
+about the handsomest girl he had ever seen. Surely not more than
+twenty years of age, of medium height, a peach complexion, tanned a
+little but fair to look at. She stood on the Colonial porch of the big
+Lough homestead, her hands in the pockets of her black horse-hide
+jacket awaiting the arrival of her reluctant guests.
+
+She ushered the two into the wide hallway. "You had better see
+Grandaddy first, Landy, he's camped in here by the fire. Then we'll go
+in the library and talk over our business."
+
+Jim Lough, ancient Nestor of the North Park district, was seated in a
+big Morris-chair in front of the smouldering fire. "Well, if it ain't
+ole Turkeyneck in person," he called in a high falsetto voice, as the
+two entered. "I've been wantin' to see you, Landy. I told the sheriff
+to bring you over the next time he had you in charge. I want to find
+somebody that can sing 'The Cowboy's Lament' and sing it right, as I
+am plannin' a funeral party and I want to work out all the details.
+Can you sing 'The Lament' so it's fitten to hear?"
+
+"Yer dern tootin' I can sing 'The Lament'," retorted Landy, "all
+forty-four verses of hit, en the chorus betwixt every verse. I'm a
+prima donna when it comes to singin' that ole favorite. I learned it
+off a master-singer, ole Anse Peters, up in God's country whar men are
+men--en the women are glad of it. But what's led ye off on that wagon
+track, Jim? Why don't ye git a saxophone en tune in on some jazz? Be
+modern, like the rest of us fellers. Here you are, slouchin' around
+without a dressin' jacket er slippers en talkin' 'bout an ole song
+that's in the discard. Shame on ye! But before ye apologize, meet my
+friend here, Mister Lannarck, lightweight circus man, who's visitin'
+us here en lookin' around for relics en sich. That's why I brought him
+over."
+
+Old Jim took the extended hand of the little man and held it while he
+talked. "Thar's been a lot of people had their necks stretched up in
+this deestrict for being caught in bad company, young man. You're
+borderin' on that condition right now in runnin' around with ole
+turkeyneck here. If the Vigilance Committee finds it out, you are a
+goner.
+
+"Circus man, hey? I mind the time when a lot of us fellers rode to
+Cheyenne to see Barnum. Last man in had to pay all bills--it was some
+pay, by the time we got through. We saw the show all right and we saw
+Barnum. He was a fine man. But circus er no circus, ye ain't a goin'
+to sidetrack me out'n them funeral arrangements. If ye can sing 'The
+Lament,' yer engaged."
+
+"Why, who's dead, Jim?" asked Landy innocently. "Did ole Selim die, er
+is hit yer favorite hound dawg?"
+
+"None sich," replied the old man heatedly. "It's me--my funeral--en
+I'm aimin' to make a splendid time outen it. The boys on hosses,
+firin' salutes as they see it, a preacher sharp to give it dignity, en
+the 'Cowboy's Lament,' as sung by ole Landy Spencer. That's a fitten
+program, en you are engaged fer the job."
+
+"En about when do ye plan to stage this splendid event?" drawled
+Landy.
+
+"Why, when I die, ye idiot, mebbe now, mebbe later, jist whenever I
+bed down fer the last time. Here I am, over ninety years old. I can't
+go on livin'! It's agin nature. I want to make ready when it comes.
+I'm ready and I want everything else to be jist as ready as I am."
+
+Landy Spencer drummed his knotty fingers on the armchair and looked
+thoughtfully at the old Nestor seated at his fireside. Ninety years
+old! Seventy years of activity in a territory where activity was
+enforced, if one were to live. Strange stories, legends now, were told
+of the doings of this gaunt, eagle-beaked, shaggy-browed old man who
+now, chatted complacently of death. Very true, none living was able to
+verify them. Those who had passed on told only fragments, and Jim
+Lough, neither verified nor denied.
+
+One legend persisted. Landy had heard it long before coming to the
+district. It related to the beginning days of the great cattle game of
+the grasslands--days before the coming of the vast herds and the
+problems they brought. It concerned the destinies of those who
+followed fast in the footsteps of the trailmakers and sought to
+establish a business where there was neither law nor precedent. Sordid
+days, these. The honest men were not yet organized; the dishonest and
+criminal were unrestrained by laws. Cattle and kine were taken
+furtively or openly to these very hills and vales where Jim Lough now
+lived in quietude and peace. Here they were held until a sufficient
+number was collected for the drive to the marches and markets that lay
+east of the Virginia Dale.
+
+Jim Lough was a youngster then, without ownership of herds or home,
+but he was not content to see the weak and unorganized robbed, without
+recourse. Alone, he made trips over the forbidden trails to the places
+of the illicit exchange; then back to the grasslands again he
+organized a posse of five and laid his trap. In a narrow pass this
+robber band was successfully ambushed and by effective gunfire,
+reduced from eight to three. The three surrendered. By every rule of
+the game, in a new land where there was neither law, nor courts nor
+sheriffs, the culprits must be hung, and hung on the spot where
+apprehended. But to this Jim Lough demurred. "We'll swing 'em where it
+counts," he announced grimly, and the cavalcade set out on the
+two-days' journey to the Skeel's cabin, the reputed hangout of the
+lawless and criminals of the new country. The posse found the cabin
+deserted, except for the presence of a lame, old man who was reported
+as the cook for the outfit. He was loaded on a horse and headed
+northward out of the country. The rest of the livestock was turned
+from the corrals and the cabin and stables set afire. Then, as a
+fitting finish to the work of the hour, the three culprits were hung
+on extended limbs of trees bordering the ruins.
+
+"Now the skunks will have something to look at when they come back
+here to plan their stealing," Jim Lough had said as the posse
+dispersed.
+
+But "the skunks" never came back, and through the long winter and most
+of the following summer the ghastly mementos of early justice swayed
+and swung, until the ravens and winds made merciful disposition of the
+bodies.
+
+In the next few years there was peace in the grasslands, and the
+settlers prospered as others joined. But it was not always so. For
+with more settlers came greed and avarice. Laws were made, regulations
+were had, rules announced and they were not always fair. Greed,
+sometimes sat in the councils, and the avaricious bent the rules.
+Then, there were other wars in which justice and fairness ran not
+parallel with Greed-made law.
+
+Grassland remembered young Jim Lough and his stern and speedy methods
+and now as an older man, he was often called to council and to lead.
+
+But the problems were not of easy solution; the 'right side' of the
+controversy was not always obvious, but under Jim Lough's leadership
+the greedy must surrender self-appropriated water holes, odious fences
+were banished and grazing allotments went to the needy as well as the
+greedy. In these things, Jim Lough made enemies as well as friends,
+but cared as little for the one as he appreciated the other.
+
+Landy Spencer, drummed knotty fingers on the arm of his chair as he
+listened to Jim Lough's explanations of his arrangements for a
+splendid funeral. At last he spoke. "Jim, I used to think that ye'd
+make a fine gov'ner. I know ye make a dandy good district marshal,
+but ye are slippin'--goin' addled 'bout this funeral business.
+A-settin' here tryin' to run things en you deceased, that-a-way. Ye
+know, well en' good, that the folks livin' will take charge of them
+obsequies; hit'll be about ten years from now, I figger; en yore plans
+will fit in about like a last-year's birdnest. Ye have jist about as
+much to do a-bossin' that party as ye'll have in selectin' yer harp en
+halo when ye git inside the pearly gates. Ten years from now, thar
+won't be a cow hand ner a gun outside a dude ranch er a rodeo. Singin'
+'The Lament' would be about as well understood as recitin' a Latin
+epic."
+
+"Pshaw, Jim, yer wastin' valuable time," said Landy, wanting to get a
+last word, before the old man had time for a reply. "Come over next
+week--Alice is to have a turkey dinner with all the fixin's--en we'll
+plan a funeral that's modern. Aryplanes, automobiles, jazz, en dancin'
+en sich. That's the kind I'm plannin' en I ort to kick-in long before
+you do."
+
+Landy backed out and crossed the hallway before the ancient could
+reply.
+
+
+
+
+6
+
+
+Adine Lough ushered her guests across the hall into what seemed to be
+her workshop. Seated around a library table, Davy perched on a big
+dictionary, Landy at the end, drumming his fingers as usual, the girl
+plunged at once into the business at hand.
+
+"At the very start," she said in a serious manner, "I must tell some
+personal things. I've been going to school at Boulder. I am staying
+out this semester to work on my graduate thesis, 'Social Work in Rural
+Communities.' When you consider my restricted field, it's a big job.
+But I like that kind of work--studying people, their individualities,
+their shortcomings, their accomplishments. From what I hear of you,
+David, you have an aversion for those things--in fact have run away
+from the mob. I like it. I would want nothing better than to stand
+along side of you on a platform at the circus opening and watch the
+general populace pass in review. Then and there, I could study all
+phases of humanity; classify them as they passed; and then investigate
+each case personally to see if I had made the right appraisals at
+first sight."
+
+"--And right there is where you would miss the trapeze bar by a foot,
+and no net under you," interrupted Davy disgustedly. "They are all
+alike, from Bangor to Los Angeles. You can throw 'em all into one of
+two groups: yokels and shilabers. They are either out with a skin game
+or else they are goats, about to lose their hide."
+
+Adine laughed. "Oh, you surely could subdivide the Yokels. Why in my
+observations they alone, could be classified under many heads. But to
+go on with my story. Adot, the town, and the neighboring ranches, is
+my limited field of research and I have gone over the field in detail.
+Last month, I had up the matter of the Methodist church in Adot. It
+was a-once-a-month affair, the minister living in Weldon and no chance
+to ride circuit in the winter months. No budget, no money, and worse,
+yet, no outlook.
+
+"Now, I didn't go into the matter to do church work and help them; my
+business was to appraise them as they were; but I got involved. The
+few members thought I was trying to do a bit of missionary work. The
+upshot of the affair was, that I found myself with a roster of the
+church membership and a list of names of nearly everybody else. I had
+my own figures as to needs, debts, and community possibilities. So,
+carrying the thing to a finish, I took up the matter of putting them
+on a budget and providing the funds.
+
+"First I made them elect Brother Peyton treasurer. He wasn't doing
+anything except waiting for the bank to resume business. Then I
+canvassed all the names on the rosters and combed the neighboring
+ranches for small monthly contributions. I got enough subscriptions to
+pay the minister and paint the church house. But it was some job. It
+took two weeks. Two weeks of joy and rebuffs, of elations and disgust.
+I was tired. I planned to rest up a couple of weeks and wait for my
+halo, or wings, or whatever a Christian gets for doing his whole duty;
+when right on the heels of my labors, came the greatest catastrophe
+that could have happened."
+
+"Did the meetin' house burn down?" interrupted Landy, who had followed
+the recitals intently. "Did the preacher gent die, er did Brother
+Peyton jump the game, taking the jackpot with him?"
+
+"No, nothing like that. The Nazarenes moved in! You both know about
+the Nazarenes?"
+
+Davy did. He had noticed their meetings in cities. But with Landy, the
+subject was a blank page and he withheld comment. In later months he
+confessed that he thought that the Lough gal was nuts in tryin' to
+project the Saviour en some of his kin onto Adot.
+
+"The Nazarenes are new in this country," continued the girl, "and they
+have all the enthusiasm of the new convert. Really, they seem to have
+the early zeal that some of the churches have lost. And they are a
+stubborn lot. That the field seems barren, is nothing to them. They
+set up shop in a desert and carry on just the same. To them, poverty
+is an asset. Christ's admonition to the rich man, to give his
+substance away and follow Him, is a literal command to be obeyed.
+
+"In the week following my campaign for the Methodist, two Nazarenes, a
+young man and his wife, came barging into Adot and set up for
+business. She took up cooking and waiting table in Jode's restaurant
+for their board, and he went about the street preaching and about the
+house praying, day and night. They were both good singers and he
+played an accordion. In that week they talked Joe Burns into letting
+them have the use of the old mercantile warehouse, and they set up
+meetings in that big, barn of a place. That same week they came out
+here, in a truck they had borrowed, to get me to help them as I had
+the Methodists.
+
+"Well, of all things, you just cannot say 'no' to such people. Why, I
+almost insulted them; told them Adot was a barren field, overworked
+and already supplied with their spiritual needs. But I failed to
+impress them. They even wanted to pray for me. Me, who thought I was
+already sainted for my work with the Methodists! Then I went on
+another tack; I explained that I had already exhausted my resources in
+my work with others; that I had canvassed everyone and could not,
+consistently, go over the field asking for subscriptions for another
+organization. That failed. They insisted that they wanted only a
+start, just a little influence; and that I should come and assist them
+some night!
+
+"They trapped me. To get rid of them, I half-way promised to aid in
+some sort of an entertainment to help them get their first money;
+after that, they were to be on their own resources. And while I was
+berating myself and wondering how to get out of it, or how to get in
+it, Landy here came with the news that a little showman was to visit
+us here on the plateau and that he wanted a horse. Right then and
+there the clouds lifted; the problem was solved."
+
+Adine let her voice fall, pushed her chair back from the conference
+table and folded her arms. Landy drummed on the table and looked
+thoughtful. Davy wiggled around on his high perch and nearly fell off
+the dictionary.
+
+"Well, that's a fine story, Miss Adine, and well told, but I don't get
+the connection as to why you are not to sell the little horse."
+
+The girl laughed. "Sure, I will not sell him, but I'll trade him.
+Trade him for that entertainment that I promised those impractical and
+improvident Nazarenes."
+
+"Do you mean that me and Landy here must put on some sort of a show in
+Adot? Why--why, I don't know a soul here. I know nothing of the
+community's talent. Surely I am not a church entertainer; my dances
+and songs won't fit into a church entertainment. You can't preach or
+exhort, can you Landy?" asked Davy anxiously. "We've just got to have
+that horse. I will agree to go over to Adot and stand on my head, in
+some show-window if that gets him. But you wouldn't want to sponsor
+that kind of entertainment," the little man appealed to Adine. "What's
+needed is something half-way refined and where the patron would get
+his money's worth. And I can't produce that kind of a show."
+
+"Oh, yes, you can," said Adine smiling, "and the patron would get his
+money's worth. Why you, yourself know that little people--or what
+shall I call them?"
+
+"Midgets," interposed Davy, "midgets is our classification, not
+dwarfs, nor gnomes, nor half-pints, just midgets."
+
+"Thanks, that helps, and you see how little I know about it and how
+anxious I am to learn. Well, midgets, as a class are attractive and a
+rarity too. Except for yourself, I do not know of another. People want
+to see them. They go to circuses and theaters just to see little
+people. I have no doubt, that in many cases, people are
+ill-mannered--stare and giggle--and say uncalled for things, but
+that's to be expected from the run of persons, yet the fact remains,
+midgets are attractive.
+
+"Now you've been before the public, know how to handle crowds and know
+what they want. You could supplement your appearance with a lecture or
+talk on midgets, your experience with them, and something of your
+travels with the circus and with the troopers of the theater. Why,
+it's just what the public wants."
+
+"That little hoss is sold," said Landy exultantly. "One speech fer one
+hoss. Fair enough!"
+
+"Now you hold on, Landy," Davy interrupted. "You are getting me out in
+deep water and no oars. I am a good Presbyterian all right, but they
+wouldn't stand for my stuff in their church and these Nazarenes surely
+have the same standards of propriety. Now, Miss Adine, let me give you
+fifty or a hundred dollars for this colt and you give that to these
+needy Christians."
+
+"And leave me out as a promoter! Not much! Why, I want to see this
+show myself. I wouldn't miss it for anything."
+
+"Ner me," cried Landy in much glee. "Why me en Potter en Flinthead en
+Hickory and some of the boys from the Diamond-A, will git us front
+seats and cheer yer ev'ry utt'rance. Come to think of hit, we could
+hold a big afternoon parade, with a lot of yippin' around, and git up
+more excitement than they've had in that sleepy ole burg since the
+women swarmed down on Gatty's quart shop en wrecked hit."
+
+"Well, you and Mr. Potter and Mr. Flinthead just keep out of it," said
+Adine emphatically. "You would ruin everything."
+
+"No just let 'em come, I've been kidded by experts and their stuff
+might prove an added feature. But Adine, you had better let me hand
+you the cash...."
+
+"No, that would be a departure from what we are trying to do. The
+object of the affair is publicity, not cash. And besides, the colt
+isn't worth a dime to me--or anyone else but you. He's too little for
+anyone to ride, and he ought to be trained and made to be useful. As
+it is, he's just one in the drove and would remain so, until he died.
+
+"But you can take him, train him, and make a beautiful show-horse out
+of him. Why, I can see you riding, parading, and having him doing
+stunts such as are rarely seen in a circus.
+
+"Now I want you to ride him home today. The trade is made. You have
+the horse and are obligated to give an entertainment for the Nazarenes
+in Adot. I think we can arrange it for next Saturday night week. The
+little weekly newspaper, the _Adot Avalanche_, comes out Thursday. I
+will run a display ad that a famous Midget and circus performer will
+give a lecture at the warehouse Saturday night under the auspices of
+the Nazarenes. The little paper goes all over the district and the
+town won't hold the people. It will be Adot's premier event.
+
+"So you come over here Saturday morning, Davy," continued Adine, "we
+will drive over to Adot in the afternoon in my roadster. We'll lay the
+top back and drive over the town so the public will know that you are
+there in person! It will be Adot's biggest day."
+
+Landy had been ready to get back to the stables for some time. He was
+standing, twirling his ancient headpiece, awaiting the word to start.
+In all his years of dealing in horseflesh, this trade interested him
+deeply. He wanted his little friend to have that horse.
+
+As the three walked down the path to the stables, Adine was insistent
+that Davy should ride the colt home. "He's not a range horse," she
+explained, "not a westerner, as they sometimes describe horses that
+are out of a drove. This colt doesn't need to be broken. He was sired
+by our Allan-a-Dale, a registered saddle horse; his mother is Janie,
+that I used to ride barebacked and without a bridle. He was her last
+colt and will be three years old this month."
+
+Davy was just a little skeptical about attempting his first riding of
+the colt in company. He would much rather have him over on his own
+range with no other company but Landy. He wondered, as they walked
+along, if Potter and the boys at the stables had framed a rodeo
+spectacle for themselves and were to witness some worm-fence bucking
+by midget contestants. He was much relieved as Landy took charge,
+transferred the saddle from lofty Frosty to the diminutive colt,
+fitted the cinches and shortened the stirrup leathers to what he
+thought was about the right length. Then he slipped the bit in the
+colt's mouth and took up the cheek leathers of the bridle. Before Davy
+realized what was going on, Landy had lifted him to the saddle,
+mounted Gravy, clucked to Frosty and the procession moved out the
+gate.
+
+"I'll see you all in Adot, Saturday," called Davy without turning his
+head.
+
+"Good luck and bon voyage," called Adine.
+
+
+
+
+7
+
+
+On the way down to the Ranty, the colt behaved remarkably well. He
+followed closely in the wake of Frosty, occasionally shaking his head
+in an effort to throw the bit from his mouth. At the ford, Landy
+adjusted the bridle so as to withdraw the bit and allow the colt to
+drink his fill.
+
+It was a proud moment in the varied career of David Lannarck, midget
+and showman, as the little cavalcade gained the level land near
+Pinnacle Point after a strenuous half-hour on the hazardous trail that
+led up from Brushy Fork. He waved a cautious hand to a man and woman
+standing near a car parked in front of the cabin.
+
+Landy lifted Davy from his saddle, removed the bit from the colt's
+mouth, made an improvised halter out of his bridle and tied the reins
+to a sapling. The older horses were left standing with reins down.
+
+"Well! If it ain't my ole scatter-about-friend, James Madison Stark,
+in person!" cried Landy as he and Davy made their way to the car. "Now
+I know that winter is not two days away. Hi, Maddy! Howdy, Mis Carter!
+Must be big news in the wind, if you two hit Pinnacle Pint same time,
+same day. What's up?"
+
+"Maddy is anxious to see Mr. Welborn," Mrs. Carter replied gravely to
+Landy's facetious banter, "but I don't know how to get back to where
+that gas engine is chuffing. Welborn will have to come out here to
+Maddy, for the hoodlums over at Grand Lake have burnt his feet and
+tortured him until mind and body are a wreck."
+
+"Tell Sam to come out here," was Landy's command to Davy. "Well,
+somebody has shore mussed ye up a heap, en right in yer gaddin' about
+department," he added as he noted the bandaged feet and ankles of the
+old fellow. "Sandals and a crutch don't become ye at all, Oldtimer.
+Who's been disturbin' yer dogs that away?"
+
+"I got all that and a lot more, off the killer that built this cabin,"
+said the oldster firmly, "and I want to warn this newcomer as to his
+threats to come over here and kill him."
+
+Welborn, accompanied by Davy, came through the arch and approached the
+car. He had never seen the oldster but had heard, in full, the story
+of his idiosyncrasies, his wanderings, and persistent research for the
+hidden mineral wealth of a vast and varied district. In his life's
+story there were no paragraphs that old Maddy was a hoarder of gold or
+a promoter or exploiter of things found. His research yielded amply
+for his needs. It was known that he owned the filling station and that
+his summer accumulations of mineral wealth was more than sufficient to
+meet the annual upkeep of that establishment. James Madison Stark's
+pleasures had been the joys of solitude rather than the raptures of
+vast accumulations. He preferred that the mineral wealth of earth
+remain in the veins of its native rock rather than be taken out en
+masse, to be later hoarded, manipulated, and juggled to create
+distress and poverty and want.
+
+Old Maddy had not reduced his life's philosophy to writing, but the
+midget, David Lannarck, as he had heretofore heard the fragments of
+the stories of this long and varied career, wondered if he too was not
+in the same groove. His present-day problem was the life-story of the
+ancient Nestor who preferred solitude to the mob; who would leave
+nature's treasures to remain hidden and unclaimed, awaiting the
+investigations and industry of the generations to follow. Davy gazed
+in awe at the old man, who in general appearance resembled the
+accepted portrayals of Santa Claus, but whose face was now seamed with
+lines of pain.
+
+Landy made hasty introductions. Maddy proceeded with the business at
+hand. "I've come to warn you," he said to Welborn, "that the mobster
+who built this cabin says he is going to kill you. He's been hiding
+out at some of the resorts over in the Grand Lake district, but like
+others of his kind, he just couldn't keep his mental cussedness hidden
+and the better element over there is making it too hot for him. It's
+his next move and he's evidently going to make a big jump, leaving the
+state, maybe the nation. But before he goes, he swears he is coming
+over here and kill the only man that ever beat him to the draw--that
+ever knocked him down. So be on your guard, my friend. He's a fiend, a
+maniac, and that incident preys on him."
+
+"Well, I am certainly obliged to you for this warning," said Welborn
+quietly. "If I only knew the date of his proposed visit, we would
+provide him with a fitting welcome--a welcome that would add a climax
+to his book of hate."
+
+"When he's to come, or how, I don't know," Maddy replied. "It's been a
+week since I heard him make the threat, then he made it twice in one
+night, accompanied by all the profanity he could muster. He and his
+gang were dissolving partnership on account of recent publicity. Two
+of 'em would go over to Las Vegas to look over the new dam at Boulder,
+one was returning to Denver and this Count Como--he has several other
+names--was to come here, get his revenge, and seek another hideout."
+
+Pressed by Landy as to how he contacted the gangsters and received his
+injuries, the oldster related the story of his summer's wanderings. He
+had spent some time on the other side of the Divide in the Hahns Peak
+district, skirted Steamboat Springs on his way to Oak Creek. In his
+wanderings, he had panned the alluvium of many small streams and had
+recovered more than the usual amount of gold. Now he would work his
+way back home through the Middle Park and cross the tortuous windings
+of the Divide by the way of his secret pass.
+
+Approaching the Grand Lake district he encountered two men who said
+they were looking for lost sheep. Both were maudlin drunk and each was
+trying to impress the other with his wisdom, his repartee and
+boldness. Upon Maddy's refusal to accompany them, they seized him
+bodily, searched him, searched the burro to find the gold and then
+pushed, dragged, and drove him and the burro to a nearby cabin.
+
+Here, he was to encounter two other drunken fanatics whose maudlin
+quarrels were interrupted by the exhibition of the pouches of gold.
+Now, they would know the exact location of the find. The explanation
+of the aged wanderer that the dust and particles came from many
+sources, seemed to enrage them further. "Just where was this
+mother-lode?" They wanted to know. "Here was wealth aplenty-enough to
+buy everything."
+
+And they applied the third degree with all the fiendish deviltries of
+their distorted minds, to get the exact location of this rival of the
+Comstock lode. The aged man was tied hand and foot and beaten and
+abused the whole night long. In pushing splinters under his toenails,
+the lamp was upset, kerosene was spilled over his feet to catch fire.
+A quarrel ensued as to whether the fire should be extinguished or
+allowed to burn. A fist-fight developed and they abandoned the cabin,
+leaving Maddy to his fate.
+
+"It was young Byron Goff that found me," concluded the aged narrator.
+"I recognized his voice when I came to, the next day. He was looking
+for lost sheep and stopped to inquire. He took me to his home,
+doctored me, cared for me, and brought me home. I owe him my life, not
+only for the rescue, but for his kindly nursing. Due to him, my feet
+will be all right in a few days. While he would accept nothing from
+Mrs. Carter, we've got a plan to part-pay him for his kindness."
+
+The disclosures as made by Maddy, awakened much interest among the
+five dwellers of Pinnacle Point. Mrs. Gillis arranged for the evening
+meal at the Gillis home where plans could be made to thwart an
+invader. Landy and Davy rode their horses to the Gillis barn; Welborn
+and Gillis came later in the car. It was following the meal that the
+problem was talked over in detail.
+
+It was agreed by all that the invader would come in his car; there was
+no other way. He would have to come to the filling station to gain the
+roadway to Pinnacle Point. He would have to pass the Gillis cabin and
+a warning could be phoned if a wire was strung from the Gillis home to
+Welborn's cabin. But in that case the wire would have to be extended
+to reach the mine as Welborn was up in that canyon during the day. Jim
+proposed a fence across the road with an electric alarm on it when the
+gate was opened. Landy suggested felling a tree across the road at a
+narrow place and thus reduce the uses of the thoroughfare to journeys
+on horseback; Davy offered to keep watch at a favorable place where he
+could shoot the tires of the intruder's auto.
+
+Welborn took but little part in the discussions. As the conversation
+lagged he briefly summarized the situation. "This gangster is a killer
+all right and drink and dope may have overcome the usual cautions of
+the breed. All of 'em are cowards; they prefer unarmed victims that
+are hog-tied. Sometime in his career this buzzard was the killer for
+some liquor gang. He evidently double-crossed his associates in
+getting this money that he's spending. He hides from them as well as
+the law. There is little we can do except to keep alert. I'll keep my
+gun with me up at the canyon and a shot through his windshield would
+drive him frantic. He's liable to miss the bridge in his zeal to get
+away. He will have to come in the daytime and the folks at the filling
+station will warn us now that they know his intentions."
+
+However the matter of the proposed visit of the killer had an exciting
+and ludicrous interruption when, on the next morning, Mrs. Gillis
+heard the labored chugging of a car coming up the hill to the east.
+Landy and Davy were at the barn. They too heard the noise and saw a
+small ancient roadster turn into the driveway and stop. A young man
+got out of the car and came to the door. This was not the killer but
+it might be news of his plans. Landy and Davy entered the house by the
+back door.
+
+"Why, it's young Goff," said Landy, interrupting the introduction. "I
+met you last spring over at Rawlins. You were in a confab with some
+sheep men over there."
+
+The visitor laughed. "Yes, these Rawlins folks are big operators," the
+young man explained. "I have to visit 'em about once a year to let 'em
+know that I am still alive and still grazing a few head over east of
+their allotment. Why, my little band isn't big enough to make up their
+summer shortage. If one of their herders rambles over in my district
+and there is a mixup, I could easily lose a lot of grass and some
+sheep. I can't talk Spanish, and the herder says that he no savvy
+'Meriky' and it's up to me to sort and claim.
+
+"But they are a fine lot of fellows, these Rawlins operators, once
+they understand that you are on the square. I visit with them every
+spring when I sell my fur and pelts. Yes, I have to trap in the winter
+to get enough money to pay my grazing allotment, and in my contacts
+with these sheep owners, I find that they are always willing to
+cooperate."
+
+The young visitor had taken the proffered chair. Mrs. Gillis, Landy
+and Davy joined to complete the half-circle. It was apparent that he
+had a mission more important than reciting the details of herding and
+trapping. Landy had introduced Davy as a new-comer, "Wuth a lot more
+than his size would indicate."
+
+"I came over to Carter's last evening to buy some gas and see how old
+Maddy was getting along and to tell him how his friends, the
+gangsters, finished their orgy. I found the oldster was doing
+fine--would be fully recovered by next spring--but they wouldn't sell
+me any gas." The raconteur allowed an interval for the astonishing
+news to be absorbed. "No sir, not a spoonful would they sell me. They
+wanted to give it to me--by the tankful. And after I told my news of
+the gangster's finish and the complications incident thereto, Maddy
+and the Carters insisted that I take all the gas--that I come up here
+with the news, and the problem, and work out the solution.
+
+"You see, I was over to Northgate Saturday on the matter of trading
+some bucks with Andy Pelser and encountered the astonishing news that
+the whole gangster mob, those that stole Maddy's dust, were in jail.
+They had been arrested, and convicted, on about all the crimes in the
+book. Reckless driving, drunkeness, inciting a riot, possessing stolen
+property, and finally contempt of court, when they offered Judge
+Withers, Maddy's two sacks of dust if he would let 'em off. On this
+last charge the Judge added four months in jail. It was a grand finish
+of an awful mess.
+
+"I went over to the country seat to verify the news. It was no mere
+rumor, it was a fact. Sheriff Bill White had 'em all in hock; had the
+two bags of gold dust and their guns. He wants to get rid of the dust
+if he can find the true owner, and get a disclaimer of ownership from
+the gangsters. I told him it was Maddy's, and Bill wants Maddy to come
+and prove ownership and take the property. Maddy is willing, but
+there's a hitch to it. Just now, I want to see Mr. Gillis, or you
+Landy, and unhitch the hitch."
+
+"Well, Jim is up at Pinnacle Pint helpin' Welborn scrape the bottom of
+the canyon fer what dust he can find, en I'm shore busy gittin' this
+youngster acquainted with his new hoss," said Landy thoughtfully. "But
+we ort to take time out to recover Maddy's property. Let's go up to
+the canyon en sign Jim up fer the job. That dust up in the canyon
+won't run away. It will still be thar even if Jim knocks off work fer
+a couple a days."
+
+The young visitor readily concurred in the plan, he wanted to see the
+house that the gangster had built anyhow. He started out to the car,
+but was detained by Landy. "You wait here," the veteran cautioned, "ye
+might git a bullet through yer windshield if ye drive up thar
+unannounced. My podner here and I will saddle up and ride ahead, to
+prevent accidents."
+
+Following his equestrian escort, the visitor presently reached the
+Point where introductions were made and the purpose of the visit
+explained. Jim asked many questions and for the most part the answers
+were satisfactory. Really, the judge and sheriff wanted to get rid of
+these malefactors if the serious charge of robbery was eliminated.
+They were a burden to the state and community. "I begrudge feeding the
+dirty skunks," was the sheriff's scornful comment. "Hanging 'em would
+terminate expense and trouble."
+
+But two problems hindered a quick solution; would these culprits leave
+the country if given a suspended sentence. Judge Withers was giving
+them a few days for reflection. Meanwhile Sheriff White was making
+their stay as uncomfortable as possible in order to hasten a favorable
+decision.
+
+"What's the other problem?" asked Gillis, casually.
+
+"Why, if the dust is recovered, old Maddy wants to give it to me, says
+that I earned it. And I'm not going to take it."
+
+During the interview, Welborn had been a quiet listener. On hearing
+this last declaration from the visitor, he straightened up to make a
+quick inquiry. "Why won't you take it?" he demanded.
+
+"I haven't done anything to earn it," replied young Goff in a low but
+firm tone.
+
+There was an interval of silence.
+
+"You see, Maddy is old," the visitor explained. "The awful experience
+he's gone through affected him. He wants to contrast the little
+service I gave him with what the gangsters did to him. His sentiment
+outruns his judgment. I didn't do anything out of the ordinary--just
+fed him and doctored him as best I could. I didn't do any more--"
+
+"Is your mother living?" interrupted Welborn. "She must be a gentle,
+thoughtful woman, well-grounded in the old fashioned ideas of kindness
+in social service, to have raised a son with such ideals. People,
+now-a-days, expect pay, even for their charities. You will have much
+trouble and many disappointments if you approach a sordid world with
+such sentiments."
+
+"Hold on Mister," said the younger man, with much spirit. "Old Maddy's
+case is different. His case was not a business transaction, it was a
+duty." The young visitor ducked his head to chuckle a little while he
+scraped the gravel with the toe of his shoe. "If you run into Andy
+Pelser, in about a month from now, you will know what I mean. Andy is
+young and bright, but old in the sheep game. I had no scruples in
+giving him a good cross-lifting in that sheep trade we made. But this
+Maddy case is different. I don't want pay for being neighborly, for
+doing my duty to oldsters."
+
+"Back the car out, Jim!" commanded Welborn. "This young man is
+irresistible. We had as well take a day off to do our part in this
+entanglement. Back the car out while I spruce up a little to meet the
+law as well as the law-breakers."
+
+Presently Welborn came out of the house, dressed as a man of business.
+His attitude was as one in authority. "I have a plan in mind that
+might work. It has about one chance in fifty of fitting the case, but
+we'll take that chance. But we must do two things if it is to
+succeed," cautioned Welborn. "We must not let the Judge see poor old
+Maddy in his present plight. It would infuriate the Judge to sentence
+those buzzards to the hoosegow for life. Then too, I must see this
+sheriff alone, if the plan is made to work. Drive on, my boy," he said
+to Goff, "and we'll try to keep in sight. See you tomorrow night,
+maybe," he called to Landy and Davy as the two cars got underway.
+
+
+
+
+8
+
+
+A busy little man was David Lannarck in the week that followed. With a
+horse to break and a speech to make, the time was fully occupied. The
+colt was quartered at the Gillis barn. Davy stayed with the colt. Of
+mornings, Landy assisted with the colt's grooming and education. His
+white mane and tail were washed and brushed and his red coat fairly
+shone from the attention given. Landy rasped his feet to evenness and
+cautioned that he would have to be shod if used on hard-surfaced
+roads. "Potter can shoe him all right," he explained, "but we'll have
+to send an order for a set of little shoes to fit."
+
+The morning rides were usually on the rather level roadway that led up
+to Pinnacle Point, but there were sidetrips down ill-defined paths to
+the little creeks. Landy sometimes went along to advise as to road
+gaits. The Gillis dogs were constant companions. In fact, since the
+night of Davy's arrival they waited around until he made his
+appearance and followed him constantly. Except for the fact that he
+was scheduled to make a public appearance at Adot next Saturday night,
+David Lannarck was now enjoying the rest and joys that he had dreamed
+of and planned when he was oppressed by the mob.
+
+"I am not writing out a speech," Davy explained to Mrs. Gillis as he
+bent over the pad of paper, pencil in hand. "I am just jotting down
+some incidents of circus life that the public might want to know. This
+girl over at the B-line--My, oh, my, but she's got a compelling line
+of chatter. If she would do the ballyhoo for a Kid Show, she would
+pack 'em in to bust down the sidewalls. Now this girl said I was to
+talk about midgets and circuses. What I know about midgets and
+circuses would fill two books. My problem is to leave out the
+commonplace routine and tell 'inside stuff.'"
+
+Mrs. Gillis had cleared a side table where Davy, in his high chair,
+could jot down the items that he would use in his talk. It was while
+he was thus engaged of afternoons and evenings that Mrs. Gillis heard
+the life story of the only midget she had ever known.
+
+"My name wasn't always Lannarck," Davy explained one afternoon when
+Mrs. Gillis detailed something of her ancestry and early childhood.
+"My name was O'Rahan, and I was christened Daniel. I am Irish--both
+sides. My Dad was a young, happy-go-lucky Irish lad, a hard worker, a
+free liver, and surely improvident. Foot-loose and free he joined a
+party in the rush to the Klondike. Three years later he came back with
+enough money to fill a pad saddle. And they took it away from him as
+fast as he had accumulated it.
+
+"He met my mother, Ellen Monyhan, at a party, and he was as speedy at
+courting as he was at spending. They were married but a short while
+when the financial crash came. He was ashamed and humiliated but not
+beaten. He wanted another try at this fascinating game. He went back
+to the Klondike--and to his death at sea.
+
+"I was born in a hospital in Springfield. My young, heartbroken mother
+died there. There were no relatives nearer than cousins. In due time I
+was committed to an orphanage. I have no memory of either parent and
+my information concerning them is meager and second hand. Now this
+orphanage was well conducted, but it wasn't a home; it was an
+institution. With anywhere from thirty to sixty children to care for,
+it lacked the personal equation. It was mass production--you did
+things by rote, en-masse--no individuality. But I have no complaint.
+As a babe and child I was well-fed and clothed, in a uniform common to
+all.
+
+"And then I started to school along with all the others. But something
+was happening to me that did not happen to the others. I quit growing.
+Mentally I was like the others--kept up with my grades--but I never
+grew taller than thirty-two inches and never weighed more than
+thirty-eight pounds. Other children would shoot up like corn stalks,
+but I stayed right where I had been in the months and years past.
+
+"To me, it was a heart breaking disclosure. I wanted to play ball, to
+make the team, only to find that as the slow months crept on, I was
+assigned to the playground of the little kids, babes, toddlers. The
+balls, bats, mitts, and other playthings were too big for me. But I
+kept up with my classes in school and maybe the disappointments in
+sports urged me to win somewhere else. I won the eighth-grade prize in
+arithmetic and mechanical drawing. And then came high school, and the
+great disaster, quickly followed by an entrance into an Orphan's
+Heaven--a home in a private family. In the shifting personnel at the
+orphanage, there were fewer high-school pupils. We went to a different
+building over different streets. It was no doubt a singular sight to
+the residents to see a midget with six-footers, but it was just that
+way. And it must have been a singular sight to Loron Usark, a big
+childish lout that lived on Spruce Street. We would pass the end of
+the alley back of his house and he was out there every day to watch us
+go by. Now this Loron was too weak, mentally, for school. Ordered
+around by everybody and pestered and teased by many, the
+moronic-minded will seek a victim that he can abuse and bend to his
+own will, and this Loron party was on the lookout. One day he caught
+me tagging along behind the others. He grabbed me and would have
+beaten me, but my companions rescued me. After that, I had to be on
+the lookout. I was marked for slaughter by this fool.
+
+"Mrs. Gillis," Davy changed his tone of voice to a deeper bass, as was
+his wont when he desired to impress a listener. He shook his pencil at
+his deeply interested audience of one. "Mrs. Gillis, I've seen a lot
+of people in my time. Except for old-time circus people and theatrical
+troopers, I've seen a million more than my share. And you can set
+this down on your mental calendar as an established truth: whenever
+you see a Big One taunting a Little One, you can set him down as a big
+coward. And, whenever you see a Dub kidding a Lout, you can be assured
+that the dub is trying to lift himself above a similar rating.
+
+"Well, this Loron lout finally got me," said Davy, resuming the thread
+of his life story. "I was on my way back to the orphanage for a book
+and as I passed the alley he swept me down. They were good sidewalks
+out there, else he would have broken them in bits as he pounded my
+head on 'em. He kicked when he could and struck as often as he cared.
+His exultant cries must have attracted attention, for I was past even
+an outcry. Finally a lady rushed out of the nearby house and came to
+the rescue. The lout ran, of course. I stayed put. I couldn't do
+anything else. The lady gathered me up, carried me into the house,
+laid me on a couch as I passed out entirely.
+
+"When I came to, a doctor had been there to patch me up and pass
+judgment on my chances. He had washed off a lot of blood, plastered my
+cheek, clipped my hair to plaster some more places, eased some body
+welts, and announced that no bones had been broken. I was in a bed,
+most of my clothing had been removed, and the lady was offering me a
+drink of water. I took it.
+
+"Mrs. Gillis," here Davy gave his voice its lowest pitch, "Mrs.
+Gillis, that woman was Mrs. Sarah Wentworth Lannarck, and I know you
+won't condemn me or be jealous when I say that she was the kindest,
+most considerate woman that ever drew the breath of life. There have
+been a lot of noble women on this troubled earth, doing what they
+could to ease pain, to keep down strife, and to make the world a
+better place in which to live. They are all worthy of our praise, but
+to me, Mrs. Lannarck is sainted, and apart from the rest. Well, the
+rest of the story is in happier settings and more readable chapters,"
+said Davy, as he noted that Mrs. Gillis was somewhat affected by the
+recital. "I really suspect that you would know more about these
+conditions than I. Personally, I think all women want to manage a
+home, want to boss the inmates. If there are no children, then they
+manage the men-folk, or the household pets. And I was Mrs. Lannarck's
+pet. She used me as a substitute for the children that never came into
+her life. I was little; I was injured; I was a fit object of her
+suppressed affections.
+
+"She telephoned Mrs. Philpott, matron at the orphanage, and when she
+called to see me, Mrs. Lannarck arranged to care for me until I was
+well. She explained the whole affair to Mr. Lannarck, when he came
+home to luncheon and that big, grave, silent man accepted her
+statements without comment. Sick as I was, I heard all this and I too,
+made some resolutions. I was not going to miss this chance of having a
+home, and a mother. The very next morning I offered to get up and help
+her do the dishes. She laughed like a girl, and vetoed my offer. In a
+day or two I limbered up enough to get into my clothes and I puttered
+around, offering to do things. My help was declined, but I could see
+that it had the right effect.
+
+"I didn't go to school for a few days. My face and head were still in
+bandages. The story of the attack was in the newspaper and the civil
+authorities committed the moron to an institution for the
+feeble-minded. Some of the orphan kids visited me and I got them to
+bring my little set of drawing tools. I was tinkering with these when
+Mister Lannarck came in. He looked at some of my sketches and asked if
+I could draft a plan in true proportions. I told him I thought I
+could, if I had the correct measurements. He put on his coat and left.
+
+"Now Mr. Lannarck was a carpenter-contractor. Not a big one, with an
+office and a draftsman, bookkeeper and such; just a carpenter with a
+desk in the front room where he kept his papers. He had little
+education but his figures were correct. He had built good buildings,
+but he specialized in repairs--in the upkeep of property--and he had
+many clients. He was honest and fair; he made money and saved it. He
+could read blueprints but he couldn't make 'em. His fingers were all
+thumbs when it came to outlining.
+
+"Presently he came back with some figures, and about the worst outline
+I had ever seen. He explained it was a church. It was to have an
+addition. There was a memorial window to be taken out and placed at
+the right place in the new part. He had the correct figures and he
+wanted a rough draft to show 'em. He gave me some big sheets to work
+on.
+
+"That night, Mrs. Lannarck had to order me to bed, I was that
+interested. The next morning I was up early. That evening I showed him
+my outline. He didn't say much. He took the drawings and his own
+figures to a meeting that night. When he came home he said he had
+closed the deal, that my outline was what had helped, said it would
+make money. My, oh, my, but there was a proud boy in a big bed at the
+Lannarck home that night. That was the first dollar I have ever
+earned. Of course, I didn't get the dollar, but I got much more.
+
+"It sounds sorta mushy, doesn't it, Mrs. Gillis," said Davy,
+interrupting the recital. "Kind of a Pollyanna tale with a Horatio
+Alger finish. But in none of his stories did Alger ever portray a
+tougher background or give it a bigger skyrocket finish. Just think of
+it, Mrs. Gillis! Here was a kid with the black thought that he was
+never to be a man; was never to do a man's work, never to win in any
+manly contest. Worse yet, he had never seen his father or felt a
+mother's caress. He never had had a place called home. Do you blame
+him for horning in?
+
+"Well, it worked out better than I hoped. The next day Mrs. Lannarck
+began moving the furniture in one of the bedrooms. She emptied dresser
+drawers, cleared out the closet and brought in other things. Then she
+invited me up there; told me that she had arranged every thing and
+this was to be my room, where I could put my things.
+
+"Things? Why, I had come into that home with a busted head and not a
+penny in my pocket. The very clothes that I wore belonged to the
+county. Except for the little drawing tools I had, you could have put
+all of my things in a thimble. Yet I was the richest man in
+Springfield.
+
+"I lived in that room four happy blessed years. They were years of few
+incidents and no friction. Mrs. Lannarck bought me a complete outfit
+of clothing, and she was as particular about the details as if it were
+a bride's trousseau. She even provided me with a weekly allowance,
+small, to be sure, but there was nothing I needed. I kept right on at
+school and helped around the house wherever I could. I kept Mr.
+Lannarck's books, made out his estimates, and drafted his plans. I
+checked up his payrolls, met his workmen, and his banker. I even met
+the judge of the court when they adopted me and changed my name.
+
+"I went to church with Mrs. Lannarck, went to Sunday School, and took
+part in the entertainments. They insisted I was a drawing card and
+they featured the appearance of a midget on the program. It was all
+right by me if it met the approval of the Lannarcks.
+
+"During the war, the committee featured me in the Bond Drives. There
+was a big fellow I teamed up with, named George Ruark. He was nearly a
+seven-footer and weighed three hundred. I could stand in his two hands
+as he held them in front of him and urged everybody to back up the war
+as strongly as I was backed. It made a hit; it got results.
+
+"And then inevitable but unwanted death stalked in, to ruin
+everything. Mister Lannarck died. He was older than I had thought. He
+was always careful and honest. He was putting a new roof on the
+Auditorium when he fell. Maybe it was a stroke. They took him to the
+hospital. He died on the third day after the fall.
+
+"This was the beginning of the end. A link was broken in the chain. It
+never mended. Mrs. Lannarck bore up bravely, but I could see that she
+had lost all earthly joys and simply awaited her summons. Mr.
+Lannarck's financial affairs were in good shape. He left quite an
+estate. The income was ample for our simple needs, but that was not
+enough. Mrs. Lannarck simply could not go on. She died in a little
+over a year following the death of her companion. For the second time
+in my life, I was an orphan.
+
+"But this time I was to have a guardian. I had been legally adopted. I
+was the heir. I was rich. In the first fifteen years of my life, I had
+never seen money, never a penny of my own. Now it was the other way.
+After the funeral I went down to the bank to consult with Mister
+Gaynor. He handed me a sealed envelope. It was a message from the
+dear, kind, motherly Mrs. Lannarck. It was a letter of kindly advice,
+personal and spiritual. She said that she never doubted but that I
+would walk in the right path, but she made this final appeal. If I
+never married, never had heirs or dependents, and if there was any of
+the Lannarck estate left at my death, would I make a will, leaving a
+portion of it to the Grace Avenue Presbyterian Church, in trust for
+its upkeep, and a portion to the county orphanage, for the occasional
+entertainment of its inmates.
+
+"Mrs. Gillis." Davy was the one now affected by the recitals. His
+voice was lower and slower. "Mrs. Gillis, after reading that message,
+I hadn't the tears out of my eyes nor my voice cleared up, until I was
+making that will. Gaynor did the work, he knew how, that was his
+business, and he made it read just as Mrs. Lannarck had requested. The
+Trust Department of the bank was made the trustee. One-half of all
+income from my estate was to be paid to the church, the other half for
+orphanage entertainment. It stands just that way yet, although the
+value of the estate has doubled.
+
+"The Lannarck estate was what the bank folks called Income Property.
+It included two suburban store rooms with apartments above. There were
+three very good residences, five shares of bank stock, bonds and notes
+and a considerable bank deposit. I made a resolution then and there,
+that I would never touch a penny of it, and that resolution has been
+kept. The income has piled up until it now nearly equals the
+principal. Poor old Gaynor, the next-best friend I ever had, keeps the
+income collected and invested, and if this depression would only let
+up and give him a chance, he could build those Presbyterians a new
+church and give the orphans a picture show every night.
+
+"Of course I've earned quite a lot of money, meanwhile, but Gaynor
+keeps that as a separate checking account; says circuses and
+vaudeville are not a dependable source of income and that I may go
+broke. This Ralph Gaynor is a wonder in his line, but it's not my kind
+of a line. He talks of interest, margins of safety, of unearned
+increments, corporate earnings, and things like that. His is not the
+big bank, with its long rows of figures. His is just a little
+'Dollar-Down' concern, and he owns it all. Just now, in this
+depression, the Big Fellows are running to him asking, 'What to do?'
+And he's telling 'em to trim sails and stay close to shore.
+
+"Ralph Gaynor is the second helpful man to come into my life, but when
+I grew sick and tired of being gawked at, during all my waking hours
+and resolved to duck away from the mob, I didn't go back to Ralph
+Gaynor for advice. He just wouldn't understand. The word 'recreation'
+is not in his vocabulary. Colts, dogs, kid-saddles, horseback riding,
+Landy's wisecracks, and my present-day joys have no listed values with
+Ralph Gaynor, and I passed him up. If it were Mrs. Lannarck, she would
+understand and give it sympathetic approval.
+
+"Well, that's something of the life story of one midget, Mrs. Gillis.
+Add to this, twelve long summers with circuses and the winters spent
+in vaudeville (both with their mobs and gawking crowds) and it's
+almost a completed volume. There is yet one chapter to be added and I
+want to talk about it to the public. One man, Baron Singer, did more
+for midgets--little people--than any other person, in all time. He
+lifted them out of the mediocre; gave them standing and personality.
+I never met the Baron, but I want the public to know what great work
+he did for an underprivileged group. And I will tell 'em Saturday
+night."
+
+
+
+
+9
+
+
+Gillis and Welborn did not return from their mission the next day as
+they had planned. Sunday passed by without word of their whereabouts.
+The stay-at-homes wondered if it was to be peace or war with maudling
+gangsters. Did Welborn's fifty-to-one chance fail? Davy had planned to
+ride over to the B-line, and go over his speech-plans with his manager
+and promoter. Now, it seemed necessary that he and Landy ride down to
+the filling station seeking news of the missing ones. Monday noon, the
+faithful old Gillis car labored up the hill and came to a stop. Jim
+and Sam got out to inquire if dinner was ready.
+
+Little was said during the meal as to the outcome of their trip. Jim
+made a brief explanation that they had been as far as Rawlins,
+accompanying the sheriff in his disposition of his boarders. The
+sheriff explained that he wanted to take them past the penitentiary to
+show them what they missed, and where they would live if they ever
+came back to this section. He took them all to the railway station,
+loaded two on the east-bound train and two went west. The sheriff
+retained the count's car as security for advances made.
+
+That evening, however, after Davy had returned from delivering Welborn
+his supper, the four gathered in the Gillis sitting room and Jim gave
+more details. "This man Welborn musta been in the army," he declared.
+"Musta been a tough old top sergeant, er the general in command, the
+way he took charge. He managed every detail and managed it right.
+Everything worked out as planned.
+
+"We kept old Maddy out of the judge's sight, 'en it was well enough
+that we did, for Judge Withers was pretty hostile towards these crazy
+galoots that invaded the community and disturbed the peace. He would
+enforce the sentence, but he listened to the sheriff's complaint that
+four such prisoners were too many for his cramped quarters, too costly
+for the results obtained. The judge agreed to suspend sentence on
+condition that the sheriff would deport 'em and keep 'em deported.
+
+"We didn't have any trouble establishing Maddy's claim to the two
+sacks of dust. Maddy easily identified 'em and I knew they were his,
+but what about these gangsters? Would the count surrender title to the
+damaged car to compensate for rail transportation? And would they
+agree to leave and never come back? The sheriff had had several
+interviews with 'em on these matters and had never gained assent to
+the plan, especially as to the count and his car. The sheriff was
+bothered, didn't believe it could be done.
+
+"Again it was Welborn who made the plan and gave orders. 'Bring that
+count in here,' he said, 'and leave me alone with him for about ten
+minutes. I'll find out if he wants to live or die.' And the sheriff
+did as Welborn said, and before the ten minutes were up, the count had
+readily and eagerly accepted all the conditions. We took all of 'em
+over to court, the judge repeated the sentence, suspended it if they
+stayed out of the court's jurisdiction. We had 'em in Rawlins and on
+their way by Sunday noon.
+
+"No, I don't know what Welborn said to the count," was Jim's reply to
+Davy's eager question. "It must have been potent and terrifying, the
+way that gangster wet his lips and swollered."
+
+"Did young Goff accept Maddy's gift of the gold dust?" Jim laughed.
+"That's another Welborn plan and order and it wasn't ignored. This
+young Goff is a fine fellow. He took good care of Maddy during the
+whole trip. When we got back to the filling station and Goff was to go
+on his way, Maddy offered him the dust and he refused it. Here
+Welborn stepped in. He shook a little out of one sack to make 'em
+equal; he handed one sack to Mrs. Carter and placed the other in
+Goff's car. 'You keep that,' he ordered. 'This old man will live
+longer, happier, more contented in knowing he has a neighbor that he
+can freely call on for help who will respond to his call. He's got a
+right to this comfort and satisfaction. You take it.' And young Goff
+took it."
+
+The next morning David Lannarck was up bright and early, intent on his
+plans to visit the B-line ranch, but Mrs. Gillis had beat him to the
+draw. Landy was directed to change the stock cattle over into the
+ravine pasture while Jim did the milking. Davy would take Welborn's
+breakfast to him and wait at the Point until Landy, and the dogs, had
+finished their job.
+
+Like the rest of the men folk at the Gillis ranch, Davy accepted his
+orders. He saddled the colt, maneuvered him up to the kitchen door for
+the basket of breakfast, and rode to the Point alone. Early as it was,
+he found Welborn up the ravine examining the gravel in a sheltered
+nook.
+
+"I can work this area this winter, when the rest of the valley is
+covered with snow," Welborn explained as they walked back to the cabin
+and the basket of breakfast.
+
+"Yes, and if you had a dynamo and electric lights," retorted Davy,
+"you could work nights. What's all the rush? This stuff will keep."
+
+Welborn laughed, but he grew serious to explain: "I would like to take
+nine thousand dollars out of this hole by early spring, and as near as
+I estimate values, I've got the job about half done. There's nearly
+two hundred ounces in those little sacks. If my partner will be
+lenient in demanding his share, I think I can get it done this
+winter."
+
+"If I advance the nine thousand right now, say by the end of the week,
+will you let up on this drive-drive-drive stuff, and relax and be
+yourself?" Davy's question was a demand, earnestly stated.
+
+Welborn gave an inquiring look to see if he was being scolded or
+kidded. He decided that it was neither of these. "Why would you want
+to do that, Laddie?" he asked in a subdued tone.
+
+"Just to keep a good man from worrying himself to death," retorted the
+midget. "I want to prevent a funeral, make an asset out of a
+liability. I want to get a big, fine man back to his normal self. If
+you will agree to let up on this push-drive-urge stuff; stop long
+enough to read a book, to laugh at Jiggs or Popeye or Dagwood, or any
+of the other funnies, go with me over to Adot where the mine-run folks
+can see what a big, fine upstanding partner I've got, why I'll have
+that little, old nine thousand in here by Saturday.
+
+"Oh, I know that money is scarce, hard to get just now," Davy
+explained in response to Welborn's shake of the head, "but this money
+is idle, and there's plenty of security up in that ravine. It's not
+the loan, it's the results, I'm wanting. Of course, there's something
+eating you, some past catastrophe or mistake, that's got you down.
+You're worried, killing yourself trying to get it corrected. I don't
+know what it is, and don't want to know, until you are ready. Of
+course it will work out all right. There'll be a climax, a denouement,
+as old director Mecklin used to call the final act, and I want you to
+be right here, in person, in good health and spirits, to join with the
+rest of us in the applause and cheers."
+
+Welborn had walked over to the window, but not to look out. His head
+was down, he was taking punishment. Presently he lifted his shoulders
+and head. There was a smile on his face even if his voice was husky.
+"In all my varied years, Sonny Boy, I never heard finer compliments
+mixed up with some real truths. What you've said is worth more to me
+than your kindly offer of funds. I wouldn't take your money under any
+condition, it would add complications, but I am going to take your
+advice. From now on, I'll try to do as you say, try to save myself for
+the glorious finish that you picture."
+
+The arrival of Jim in the old car and Landy's clamorous calls broke up
+the conference. Davy hurried out to join his friend in their planned
+trip to the B-line ranch. He was very quiet in the hazards of Brushy
+Fork, but on arriving at the level stretch beyond he stopped Landy.
+"What am I going to name this colt, Landy? He's got to have a name, if
+he's to be taught to do things. Old Boss Fletcher had a name for every
+elephant in the herd, and they would step right out when their names
+were called. Horses, dogs, elephants, even the cats quickly learned
+their names and the short words like 'halt,' 'go,' 'kneel,' 'turn,'
+and the like. This colt is smart, wants to do things, if you're not
+too dumb in telling him what you want. But he's got to have a name."
+
+"Alice and I were talkin' about that the other night," replied the ex
+cow-hand. "She had some flossy ones: Emperor, Commander, President, en
+sich, but I vetoed that trash, the colt couldn't carry 'em and live. I
+suggested Red, er Monty, er some sich. Thar we adjourned and left the
+colt without a moniker. What's yer notion of a name fer this little
+hoss?"
+
+"I just can't think of the right one," said Davy resignedly. "It
+wouldn't do to name him after some of the folks around here, that
+would mix things up. The circus folks have worn out such names as
+Barnum, Ringling, Robinson, Bailey, Coles, Sells, Barnes, Wallace, and
+others and they don't fit a small hoss anyhow. I am in hopes that this
+fine, smart Adine girl at the B-line has some sort of a suggestion.
+Maybe, she's got a name that will do."
+
+At a favorable place on the narrow road where the travelers could gaze
+down on a bunch of the B-line cattle quietly grazing and where the
+morning sun splashed varied colors on the distant hills, Davy pushed
+his mount in front of old Gravy to halt the party. He flung his hand
+in a wide sweep to include everything in sight.
+
+"That's Paradise, Landy. It's what I've dreamed about for the last ten
+years. It's the wide open spaces filled with all the variations in old
+Nature's book of scenery. And best of all, there's no mob of nit-wits
+to titter and smirk. It's my Heaven.
+
+"Just now, two things blur the picture; I want to get this speech
+thing off my hands, and I want to find a resister, a sass-back, a
+contrary cuss, that will argue back at me. I want to keep him nearby
+to remind me of old times. Why back two years ago, I used to visit old
+Polo Garrett, who had the concession in the menagerie tent, just to
+get cussed out. Polo's vocabulary was limited to sassing back. 'What's
+eatin' ya?,' 'Git outa here,' 'Who's a-running this dump?' 'Whar do ya
+git that stuff?' were his mildest phrases. When I got fed up on a
+bunch of simpering women and their, 'ain't he cute?' stuff, all I had
+to do was to barge in on Polo and get cussed out and learn that the
+world wasn't all gush and guff.
+
+"And particularly I need this 'argufyer' right out here now. I'm
+getting tired of having my own way. The people are too kind, too
+considerate, regard me as a child to be petted and pampered. There's
+too much mushy sentiment. A day or two ago, I told Mrs. Gillis my life
+history. It was mushy and without climax. She wanted to cry over it.
+This morning, before you came to the Point, I gave Welborn a big going
+over about his working all the time. And he never sassed back. He
+should have kicked me out. Instead of that, he agreed with me. Him, a
+big, strong man that had made a gangster eat his gun and ordered the
+judge and sheriff what to do! The idea! Him letting a midget order him
+around! What we need here is a good cusser-outer."
+
+"You're too late," said Landy dryly. "You've missed yer appointment by
+about forty years. We had a party up state wunst, that filled all yer
+requirements. Hit was a woman. She'd fuss at the sun fer comin' up, an
+cuss hit fer goin' down. She buried three husbands en was deserted by
+several more. At her death, en in honor of the happy event, they named
+a little crick after her. They called hit Crazy Woman's Crick.... Hi,
+Potter," Landy called, as they approached the stables of the B-line
+ranch. "Git that gate opened and throw out yer welcome rug."
+
+"Troubles never come single, they come in bunches," grumbled Potter as
+he complied. "Two hosses go lame this mornin', en Jim Finch, the
+grazing commissioner, comes from up on the Mad Trapper Fork a-callin'
+on us fer help to round up some of old Hull Barrow's misfits of horns,
+hoofs, and hides, en to add further miseries, here you arrive on the
+scene. Why, Peaches gave out strict orders, that if old Turkeyneck
+came prowlin' around, to say, that she wasn't at home at all en to
+tell the little gent to ride right into the house."
+
+"Who said that?" demanded Davy, with alacrity.
+
+"Why, Peaches, Miss Adine, she said if old Landy--"
+
+"Ye, Ho!" yelled Davy excitedly. "This colt is named. That's it!
+Peaches! Why didn't we think of that before, Landy?" Davy patted the
+colt's neck affectionately. "That's your name, old boy, Peaches!"
+
+Hearing the outcry, Adine Lough came out of the house, and down the
+graveled way. "Good morning," she called. "I was expecting you. My,
+but he's handsome," she exclaimed, examining the little horse that
+arched his neck in approval of the inspection. "You look like a
+gallant cavalier out of the old picture books."
+
+"We've just named him," said Davy proudly. "We named him after you.
+His name is Peaches."
+
+"Ah, pshaw," said the girl, laughing and blushing. "That's just a
+nickname that these men out here call me behind my back, of course,
+and the poor colt deserves a better fate. But come in, both of you, I
+have good news." The girl led the way into the hall. "You go in and
+visit with grandpa, Landy, while we talk shop in the library.
+
+"I talked with the Nazarene preacher and he's very enthusiastic over
+the plan and prospects," Adine explained after they were settled in
+the workshop. "I told him of the ad, that I was to run in the paper
+and he's somewhat of an artist and is putting up signs all over town.
+It augurs a good crowd, the biggest ever to assemble in Adot. He plays
+an accordion and his wife sings and they have arranged for a quartette
+of girls to sing a couple of numbers and then you are to talk. The
+meeting is to be held in Joe Burns's big warehouse and it won't hold
+the people. Now this is not a church meeting, it's an entertainment.
+You can laugh and applaud at will. You can tell funny stories about
+circuses or what-have-you, it's informal, go as far as you like!"
+
+"Well, here's how I had mapped out the talk. I'll tell 'em something
+about midgets," said Davy, "for midgets seem to be a forgotten subject
+in literature. If you will comb your college library down at Boulder,
+you'll not find a single book on the subject, and I am not sure that I
+know enough about 'em to fill out a talk on the subject."
+
+"That's the very subject you ought to talk on. Why I can hardly wait
+to hear it. Who better can tell it? If you are short of facts, just
+romance a little, that's allowable where facts are scarce. Tell 'em
+personal incidents and don't make 'em too solemn or pathetic. Make 'em
+laugh. Personally, I'm going to get a close-up seat, for in that big
+barn of a place I doubt if you can reach the outer fringes."
+
+"Well, if the preacher gent can make himself heard, I can too,"
+retorted Davy. "I practiced up on that stuff, there's where I
+specialized. You see, Miss Adine, when I joined up with the Singer
+Midgets at Saint Louis, I didn't have an act, a specialty, anything to
+give the public. I just joined up because Baron Singer was collecting
+midgets, showing 'em a good time, with no thought of making a profit.
+But it did make profit. The public wanted to see midgets.
+
+"It was my first contact with my clan. I noticed that midgets didn't
+change their voices when they reached maturity, still spoke in
+childish tones. Not having much to do, I practiced voice culture,
+deepened and strengthened my speech. I made my voice reach to the back
+seats. It earned me a job. I became the announcer; made the
+in-front-of-the-curtain talks. In the summer, with the Big Top, I
+often simulated the ringmaster to make announcements from the center
+ring. It was a feature all right, seeing a little guy doing a big
+man's job.
+
+"Oh I'll make 'em hear all right, but what they are to hear is the
+problem. To the midget stuff I thought I would add a few paragraphs
+about circus people, the different kinds and what they do. The general
+public never contacts the real circus people, just the ticket takers,
+ushers, and roustabouts. They never meet the managers and performers.
+And because grafters, shilabers, and skin-game artists follow
+circuses, the public thinks these are a part of it. It's only fair to
+circus people that this connection be denied."
+
+"Why, I didn't know that," exclaimed Adine, "I just supposed the
+grafters were a part of it. Here I am, learning a lot of things and
+school not yet started. Anyhow, I'm going to buy a ticket for Mrs.
+Carmody and inveigle her to the entertainment. She said circus people
+ought not be allowed to participate in a church benefit.
+
+"Now you are to come over here Saturday morning. Bring Landy with you,
+as we can all three ride to Adot in my roadster. There, we will lay
+the top back, and with you between us, sitting up on the back cushion,
+we'll parade the town. The door opens at seven o'clock. Performance
+begins at seven-thirty. Then we come back here for the night and you
+can ride home Sunday morning. You can talk for an hour if you want to,
+but you should speak for thirty minutes at least."
+
+
+
+
+10
+
+
+"Are you going to live here always?" asked Davy as he slid down off
+the dictionary and chair at the end of the conference. "What I mean is
+this, Adine," he added, noting the girl's questioning look. "Are you
+going to spend your life out here in the sticks, with cattle, horses,
+and a few yokels that you have to ride miles and miles, before you see
+two of 'em together?"
+
+"Why, this is my home, I belong here, the same as other young people
+live with their folks," replied the girl, somewhat startled by the
+abruptness of the question. "I haven't planned to shift pastures, as
+grandaddy would say. Why are you asking such an abrupt, personal
+question?"
+
+"Well, it is sorta personal and rather abrupt," agreed the midget in
+an appeasing tone. "I should have made the approach with more finesse.
+Abruptness is one of my defects. But now that I've blundered in, I'd
+just as well finish. You don't belong out here in the wide open
+spaces, in these sparse settlements. You belong in the congested
+areas, where big things are being done, where there's planning,
+execution, accomplishment. Why, you've taken over both ends of a
+little hoss trade, laid out all the plans, details and ground work for
+a community entertainment, and did it with the ease of a big executive
+lighting a cigarette. You need a big job, in a big place. With your
+personality and head-work, you can climb up the ladder to the top
+rung."
+
+"Well, of all things!" said the girl, embarrassed at the unexpected
+drift, but laughing at the implications. "And this from a guy that has
+fled the mob and wants me to take his place. Now just what big job
+have you laid out for me? Running a circus? Managing a theater? Or
+maybe operating a railroad?"
+
+"You could make a success with any or all of 'em," retorted Davy. "But
+none of these were in my mind. Some women want a career. Some gain it
+by their own efforts and some climb to success on a ladder supported
+by others. Then there is the big majority--many of 'em brilliant and
+capable--that just settle down in the doldrums of marriage and let
+their talents rust out in negligence and inattention."
+
+"Then I'm not to marry?"
+
+"You ought to. A gal as attractive, vivacious, and clever as you are,
+would have to marry--in self-defense, if for no other reason. Marriage
+need not interfere. It might help. With that hazard and gamble out of
+the way, it would allow you to expand your talents in planning,
+executing, and managing in any line you choose."
+
+"And about when do you plan that this defense marriage--this shotgun
+wedding--is to take place?" questioned Adine scornfully. "And who's
+the victim?"
+
+"Now that's a candle-flame that I'll keep my fingers out of," said
+Davy hastily. "Judge Vane told me once a person who advises or mixes
+in on the marriage relations of others is liable in damages. And
+anyhow, sane people don't run matrimonial agencies. In that debacle,
+you're on your own. I'm promoting talent, not running a marriage
+bureau. And I don't want the side show to dim the performance in the
+big top. You've got talent, personality, ability to influence others,
+and whether you are solo in the orchestra or doubling in brass in the
+matrimonial band makes no difference. You ought to be directing the
+mob instead of listening to a lone midget."
+
+Adine Lough laughed, not at the text, but the homely comparisons of
+the little man that, standing hat in hand, was earnestly and seriously
+throwing bouquets of compliments and darts of poignant facts right in
+her face. And both the flowers and darts were coming from an
+unexpected source. With the delicate matrimonial problem swept
+completely aside, she felt that this new-found friend, in his
+nation-wide travels and a million contacts, was really sincere in some
+of his estimates and was trying to be helpful in his blunt, abrupt
+appraisals. Anyhow, she was reconciled to that view.
+
+"Well, I never had so many compliments in all my life! I didn't know
+that you were a student of sociology--could estimate capabilities and
+get everyone in their right groove. I should have been conferring with
+you, for I have an unsolved problem, bigger than any you've
+mentioned." Adine had ceased her scorning tones; now she was asking
+for an answer. She motioned Davy to a footstool.
+
+"Why, I didn't know that you had a care in the world. As Polo Garrett
+used to say, 'What's eatin' ya?'"
+
+"My problem is my family. I'm the only one left that is able to do
+things. There is little I can do to aid the ones that are sick and I
+am making no progress in keeping these two big, clumsy ranches out of
+bankruptcy.
+
+"Father, as you know, is in the hospital in Omaha and mother was
+called there three weeks ago. The trivial ulcers have developed into
+something worse. Daddy went to Omaha to be near the market that was
+tumbling, crashing, and bringing on bankruptcy to stock raisers. He
+hoped to find a solution, hoped to learn that the end of the disaster
+was in sight. He had been cutting production for four years; surely a
+period of scarcity was at hand, he wanted to be ready.
+
+"Meanwhile he consulted a specialist on a matter of stomach ulcers,
+only to encounter a more serious condition. A dozen years ago, in one
+season, he had sold eighty thousand dollars worth of livestock from
+these two ranches. Just now, he has sold breeding stock until there's
+little left. Now these recent sales were made not to get money, but to
+reduce the supply, to meet conditions. Money needs were not serious
+until both banks failed two years ago, and then it became a calamity.
+And now, my young counselor, adviser, flatterer, and friend, do you
+think I should seek a job in the congested areas?"
+
+"Well, it does appear that you are involved in a lot of
+responsibility, and surely have a big problem on your hands. You speak
+of two ranches. Where's the other one?"
+
+"Really, it's all one," the girl explained, "but Grandaddy keeps up
+the pretense of operating one of his own--wants to compete with Father
+in management--in livestock, in methods. It's the Old Pioneer versus
+the Progressive. Longhorn versus thoroughbred, and Daddy indulges and
+encourages him in the plan.
+
+"You see, Grandfather had settled on Grant's Fork (that's about four
+miles west); he had built a cabin and stables, long before the
+surveyors came. 'They surveyed me in,' was his frequent statement. And
+there he lived and carried on until Father grew up, married, and built
+this home. Grandfather registered his cattle brand as the Bowline. It
+is a bent bow with a taut string. Father carried the same brand, but
+folks began calling it the B-line and both ranches go by that name.
+And it's really one to the outsider. The difference in methods and in
+management is best illustrated by the fact that in the fall,
+Grandfather takes a week to drive his finished product to the pens at
+the railroad siding, while Father trucks a full carload over there in
+the early morning.
+
+"But in all these years there never was any distinction in ownership
+of property or chattels. If Grandfather wanted a stack of hay or a
+roll of fencing he came and got it. He would call on Daddy's men for
+help as freely as he would call his own. They paid each other's bills
+without any accounting and there was never any friction, until now.
+Now, the problem of all these past years is dumped right in my lap. I
+don't know how to handle it. I am desperate for advice, so desperate
+that I now seek the counsel of the Oracle of the Footlights, the
+Mystic of the Sawdust Ring. Wilt thou help me, Sire?" concluded Adine,
+as she bowed in mock distress to the little man squirming on the
+footstool.
+
+"Well, I don't see that you need help. You've done all that is needful
+and possible. You can't heal the sick, stop a financial depression, or
+retard old age, but you've left nothing undone. Your problem is
+already solved."
+
+"We haven't reached the insoluble part," said Adine gravely. "I've
+just given you the details leading up to it. I have shown that there
+were two ranches, two plans of management, an intermingling of assets,
+and never the least bit of friction. Yet there is one thing in which
+they are as far apart as the two poles: Father always banks his money,
+and Grandaddy never did. It doesn't seem possible for a person to live
+as long as Grandfather has and not use a bank. Back in the early days,
+he wore a money belt with gold in it. In later years he had what he
+calls a keyster, a metal box with lock and key where he keeps paper
+money. He is not a miser; he pays bills promptly and gives generously.
+The keyster was never hidden. It might be left on the table or mantel
+or, because of its weight, it might be used as a door prop. So far as
+I know, no one ever cheated him, and surely no one had the nerve to
+try to take it by force.
+
+"Grandmother died before I was born. After her death, and while Father
+was setting up business over here, the Craigs moved in with Grandaddy.
+They were young people, brother and sister, Joe and Myrah, and they
+have been there ever since. Now just who the Craigs are I do not know.
+There is an old rumor among the cow hands that Grandaddy was paying
+off some sort of an old romantic debt when he took them in. It must
+have been a far-flung romance, for the Craigs reputedly came from up
+in the Wind River district.
+
+"At any rate there they are. Myrah is a good housekeeper and has been
+a good caretaker of an aged man. Joe was never a cow man. He has a
+crippled hand. In his young days he roamed the country as a hunter and
+trapper. He cuts the wood, builds the fires, and runs the errands;
+just a lackey boy, and is still just that.
+
+"When Father came to Omaha this last time, Grandaddy came over here
+occasionally. He would bring the keyster and pay the bills. Finally,
+as Father's stay was prolonged, I persuaded Grandfather to headquarter
+over here. I fixed up the front room for his convenience. He seems
+contented with the fireplace and Morris chair. I could have gotten
+along all right but the matter of finances bothered me. With the banks
+closed, we have little money available. Even if we had a considerable
+sum, I wouldn't know where to keep it. A cupboard or desk seemed an
+insecure place and my financial experience has been limited to a
+little money purse with small change and probably only one bill. Just
+now, Grandfather's keyster is the Rock of Gibraltar, the financial
+prop that is sustaining the whole structure. But what about this prop?
+How strong is it? Will it outlast the depression? I don't know. I
+doubt if Father would know, if he were here. He and Grandaddy might
+exchange quips or gibes over the matter of sales or production but
+they didn't broadcast as to funds on hand.
+
+"Truly, I don't care to know how much money is in Grandaddy's keyster,
+that's his affair. But it's irksome and tragic not to know one's
+limitations. Tomorrow the whole structure may crumble and fall, for
+lack of another dollar.
+
+"My relations with Grandaddy are peculiar. He was sorely disappointed
+that I wasn't a boy. He tolerates me and that's about all. To him,
+women are a liability, not an asset. He regards them as a necessary
+evil. If anything important is to be done, it must be done by a man.
+If he is irritated by some woman's accomplishments he growls out: 'Men
+fought for and won the territory and women followed in to take
+possession.' And for this reason it was an easy matter to induce him
+to come over here with his keyster and take charge. He just couldn't
+conceive that a girl could manage a business.
+
+"But notwithstanding his disappointments and my timidity, we've gotten
+along very well. When I go away to school he always slips me a bill or
+two for spending money. I could feel that he resented my buying a car,
+yet he pays for my gasoline without complaint. His bias, prejudice,
+and vindictiveness doesn't apply to the members of his immediate
+family, but it does apply intensely and vigorously to others. It's
+this peculiarity that might wreck the works at this critical time.
+
+"It's a family tradition that Grandaddy never went in debt for
+anything. If he hadn't the cash to pay, he didn't buy. But just now,
+they are closing out the Bar-O ranch lands, cattle, chattels, and it's
+ill repute. If Grandaddy knew of this sale, he would spend every dime
+in that keyster of his, and go in debt as far as he could, in order to
+own this thing that has been a life's obsession. And if he were to
+spend this money, be it much or little, this B-line would be
+bankrupt. I have tried to keep the news of this sale away from
+Grandaddy just to avoid this catastrophe. If it comes, I am helpless."
+
+During this recital, Adine was seated facing Davy on the footstool.
+There were lines in her face that Davy had never seen, a near quaver
+in her voice that he had never heard. The Sir Galahad of the Sawdust
+Ring had surely found a maiden in dire distress. He wriggled on his
+seat, mustering comforting words.
+
+"Well, I don't want to offend by poo-pooing your troubles," said Davy
+as consolingly as he could. "Sickness is always bad, but everything is
+being done that's possible; your grandfather's acts couldn't work much
+harm. You don't owe anything to anybody; your needs are few; your
+expenses are at a minimum. There will be a moratorium on taxes and
+your few employees would readily accept a note in lieu of cash, and
+friends like Mrs. Gillis would gladly come to the rescue if quick
+funds are needed. Frankly, you are a long way from Trouble River and
+you should not worry about crossing it until you reach the brink.
+
+"And that's that," said the little man, brushing his hands as if the
+matter were fully settled. "Now tell me about this Bar-O thing. Is
+this the same affair that Mister Potter spoke of? What's the grazing
+master got to do, in folding up a ranch? Why would your grandfather
+get all het up if he heard about it? Where is this Bar-O property?
+Maybe in this tragic drama, there is a comedy part that I could play."
+
+"There's no comedy in this local drama," said Adine, resuming her
+challenging attitude. "And you brush the tragedies into the
+wastebasket like mere dross. A while ago, you were assigning me to big
+jobs in the congested areas while you were to idle around in the wide
+open spaces. Just now, I would put you back in some city as a public
+relations officer, a Mister Fixit, to diagnose and cure personal and
+community ills. You would fix 'em or discard 'em instantly.
+
+"But, badinage aside, I know very little of the Bar-O entanglements
+and complications. It's an old story. Grandaddy knows all about it but
+he doesn't talk. There are few facts and many rumors. For three
+generations it's been a sort of a gnaw-bone, to be dug up and chewed
+on when there's nothing else. It's a musty old tradition, a sort of a
+remnant of the old days, that present day newsmongers use as a
+yardstick for comparisons. If a modern domestic complication breaks
+out, the current gossip outmatches it by the entanglements in the
+Barrow family. If it's murder, robbery, or arson, some of the Barrows
+did worse and got away with it.
+
+"Just now, some current chapters are being written. Mister Logan, the
+receiver of the bank of Adot, has foreclosed a mortgage on the real
+estate and seeks possession. Mister Finch, the grazing master, always
+lenient and forebearing, is seeking to recover past due payments. This
+may be the final chapter. Grim facts are taking the place of hearsay."
+
+"Well, just where is this land of romantic tragedy and domestic
+infelicity?" questioned Davy. "How come that the movie people haven't
+taken it over to fit their verbiage: thrilling, stupendous, smashing,
+wondrous, and so forth?"
+
+"Well, if the movie people have as much trouble getting on the
+property as the sheriff and Mister Finch are having, they wouldn't get
+a very clear picture and the story would be limited to their own
+misfortunes. Up to now, old Hulls Barrow has stood 'em off with a gun.
+They don't want to kill him and they can't get possession.
+
+"Now this Bar-O ranch is just over the hogback, south of us. There is
+no road, just a trail over the ridge. The Barrows use the other road.
+I don't know how big it is. The surveys in these hills stay in the
+valleys; the lines run from point to promontory. The units are miles,
+not rods. Tranquil Meadows, a fine area of grassland, is just south of
+the Bar-O. Had the Silver Falls project been a success, the government
+would have done the same with the Meadows tract. A road blasted
+through the hills would have connected the two tracts.
+
+"Old Matt Barrow was one of the early settlers. Grandfather's feud
+with him had early beginnings. I don't think it was personal, for they
+rarely met. Grandaddy was outstanding as a law enforcer and here was a
+petty offender right under his nose. Barrow had no cattle brand until
+they made him use one. He was uneducated, couldn't spell his own name,
+and his name, in the records, is spelled in several ways. He had no
+fences and would employ any misfit or doubtful that came along. He
+seemed to prey on one side of the ridge and sell on the other. But in
+all the years he escaped conviction of even a minor offense. In an
+early day, a lone prospector was missing. Everybody had ideas, but no
+evidence. Dan Hale's stacks were burned. No evidence. And so it ran
+through the years.
+
+"Barrow raised two boys. This Hulls, who is standing off the law with
+a gun, and Archie, who disappeared in about a year after Maizie came.
+The boys surely must have had a mother, but there is no record or
+rumor of a death or burial. The same is true of old Clemmy Pruitt, who
+went there to live. Old Matt Barrow must have maintained a private
+cemetery and conducted the funerals.
+
+"The boys, Hulls and Archie, grew up to be old bachelors. They carried
+on in about the same fashion as the old man. Maybe they visited the
+settlements and got drunk oftener than he did, but the Bar-O continued
+as a mystery and a sore spot in a neighborhood that was struggling up
+from primitive ways." Adine paused to chuckle a bit at the midget's
+interest in the recital. The little man's eyes were glued on the
+speaker, he missed never a word.
+
+"You are marveling how I know so much about a thing that is based on
+hearsay and rumors," continued the narrator as she pointed to a
+manuscript on the table. "There are my notes for my thesis, 'Social
+Work in Rural Communities.' It's full of notes and comments on the
+rumors and hearsay about the Barrow family. In every community the
+exception to the rule is played up as the feature story. In
+Pittsburgh it's steel; in Boston, the Back Bay district gets the
+headlines; in Charleston, it's the Colonial homes that are featured.
+The mine-run folks get no mention. Here in Henry County, it's the
+Barrow family. In my notes, I simply list 'em as rumors, letting the
+reader be the judge. And now, let's get along to the final chapter.
+
+"Maizie came to the Barrows about ten years ago. Where from, nobody
+knew, but there were many unconfirmed rumors. It was given out that
+her last name was Menardi. Whether this was her family name or
+acquired by marriage, was not stated. Maizie took over--house, corral,
+and ranch. She made but few changes in the material things, but the
+two old bachelors and the occasional cow hands were certainly speeded
+up. Old Jeff Stoups, who had been a retainer since the days of old
+Matt, quit. 'A woman boss is bad enough, but a hellion is wu's,' was
+Jeff's statement.
+
+"I have never seen Maizie in all these years. She is rarely away from
+the Bar-O. Her public appearances are limited to a few rare visits to
+the stores and a few days spent in court. Mr. Phillips, on her first
+visit to the drygoods store, described her as dazzling and imperious.
+Mrs. Phillips describes her as being near thirty years old, tall,
+rather graceful, regular features, a perpetual sneer, coal-black hair
+and a coppery skin never seen on another. Her dress was normal, with
+few adornments. She was bareheaded, wore mannish gloves, and sported
+large circlet earrings. She differed little in appearance from other
+women; her voice was low and deep; she could read. She bought books
+and magazines.
+
+"Our Charley Case (the comedians around the stables call him
+Flinthead) furnished the caricature of the lady. He was coming back
+from Grandaddy's south pasture and rode the trail past the Bar-O to
+see what he could see. He pictured Maizie as wearing overalls, a man's
+shirt with the tail out, a big slouch hat, and buckskin gloves. She
+was directing Jeff Stoups about digging a post hole.
+
+"And then came an added feature to the strange personnel. About a
+month after Maizie's arrival, a young man was occasionally seen around
+the Bar-O. He was neither cow hand nor laborer. His status was that of
+a constant visitor. He quartered with the family, if Hulls, Archie,
+and Maizie would be called a family, instead of living at the
+bunkhouse. Old Jeff referred to him as a dude, but the comment applied
+to mannerisms rather than clothes. He dressed as a townsman; he
+frequented the poolroom and Gatty's doggery. He announced his name as
+Steve Adams, said that he was Maizie's nephew. He played a fancy game
+of pool and drank in moderation.
+
+"Questioned by the curious, he talked freely but always about places
+and conditions elsewhere. He knew nothing about local affairs. That
+summer he made frequent trips. On his return he would report having
+been to Chicago, Kansas City, Denver. A later checkup revealed that he
+was telling the truth. And these truthful stories were exasperating.
+They explained nothing. The Bar-O, with its mixed up domestic
+complications, was still an isolated enigma.
+
+"That fall was the time of the great train robbery. The event occurred
+at the same time as the local raid on Gatty's Quart Shop. The world
+news was minimized by the local affair. We gave it little thought. In
+the week following, several cattle men headquartered here and at
+Grandaddy's. They inspected several herds to include the Bar-O outfit.
+And later still, they raided the Bar-O premises. They were railroad
+detectives, posing as cattle buyers. They were too late. They got
+nothing but some bits of evidence that the train robbers had used the
+Bar-O as a hangout. Maizie explained to the detectives and sheriff
+that the strangers represented themselves as mineral prospectors. They
+worked in the hills in the daytime. They left in the evening following
+the cattle inspection. She reported that her nephew, Steve Adams, was
+in Chicago, had been there for several weeks. A check up revealed that
+this was true.
+
+"A further check up revealed that these strangers had stayed all
+night at the Unicorn Ranch near Northgate. Abel Sneed, the Unicorn
+boss, as a matter of precaution went through their 'war bags' while
+they slept. He found nothing unusual, surely no money.
+
+"What became of this giant sum that was blasted out of the safe after
+wounding the messenger? Neither the detectives nor anyone else ever
+found a trace of it. But a further enigma was added to the mystery
+when a month later Archie Barrow, the younger brother, came to the
+Records office and made a deed of his undivided share in the Bar-O
+lands to his brother Hulls. Archie made the statement that he was
+through, was leaving for the Northwest, and that he would not return.
+
+"Hulls Barrow surely didn't get the Express Company's money. A year or
+two later Maizie brought him to town to give the bank a mortgage to
+secure funds to defend Steve Adams, charged with murdering Allie
+Garrett. Maizie hired a firm of Denver lawyers and the case went
+through all the complications of venue, trial, and appeal.
+
+"This trial was the community's biggest event, although it had origin
+in a barroom brawl. During its progress, business was suspended while
+the public swarmed in, hoping that the truth of the Barrow mysteries
+might be revealed. The public was disappointed. Steve Adams never took
+the witness stand, although many thought he had an even chance to
+convince a jury that he was not the aggressor. The prosecutor was
+materially aided in the case by Judge Griffith of Laramie. There was
+no record as to who paid Judge Griffith, but Grandaddy was highly
+gratified that the accused got a ten-year sentence. He was one man in
+the community that knew of Griffith's ability as a prosecutor.
+
+"And now that old mortgage is being foreclosed. The Bar-O is on the
+market at a forced sale. If Grandaddy knew about it, he wouldn't sleep
+until he owned it. If he were ten years younger he would go over there
+and shoot it out with Hulls Barrow for the possession. And he needs
+more land about as badly as he needs ten thumbs on one hand. He
+already owns all that joins his, his holdings envelope the Bar-O on
+three sides. He might covet the grazing rights in the Tranquil Meadows
+district, but two of our winter grazing meadows will lay idle this
+winter and our fifty ricks of hay are about four times more than we
+can use.
+
+"Really, Grandaddy doesn't want more land, wouldn't buy other
+adjoining land, but he would spend every available cent to get rid of
+the Barrows. I have two slender, lingering hopes. First, if he does
+find out about the sale and buys it, that there will still be money
+left in the keyster. And secondly, if he should buy it, I hope I can
+persuade him to sell it to some first class, reputable rancher.
+Someone with a family with whom we can be neighborly and the men folks
+can exchange work in the busy season."
+
+"How much is this mortgage thing?" questioned Davy, as the lengthy
+story seemed near the end. "What's due the grazing master? How many
+cattle are they running? When is this sale? Who can I see about the
+details? Maybe I could find somebody to take over. And anyhow, don't
+you worry about expense money. Mrs. Gillis has enough cash-on-hand to
+take care of all of us, unless this panic grows into a financial
+cyclone."
+
+"Mister Potter, out at the stables, knows most of the details. Mister
+Finch and a deputy sheriff were here this morning, talking it over
+with him. As I understand it, Mister Logan, the bank receiver, bought
+the land at the sale, but it seems that a bank receiver can't hold the
+land, he must sell it to make cash assets. Mister Logan has the bank's
+affairs in good shape, except for this item, and it's got him badly
+worried. Just now, he thinks it would have been better to have sold
+the note and mortgage to someone and let the buyer take the grief of
+getting possession. Anyhow, talk to Mister Potter, he has the answers
+to most of your questions. See him, by all means," urged Adine Lough
+as Davy prepared to join the impatient Landy standing at the door.
+
+
+
+
+11
+
+
+"We've got a lot of work cut out for us," said Davy as he and Landy
+walked down the drive to the stables. "I want to talk to Potter, but I
+don't want to show too much interest. I want to get some information
+about this Barrow resistance that's got 'em all stirred up. How big is
+this Bar-O ranch anyhow? How much money does this receiver gent need
+to have to get in the clear? How much is owed on the grazing
+allotment? And how come that a sheriff's posse can't depose one old
+man?"
+
+"Old Jim and I were jist talkin' about this same thing," said Landy as
+they paused at the yard gate.
+
+"Does Mr. Lough know about it?" exclaimed the astonished midget.
+"Adine didn't want him to know! Who tipped it off to him?"
+
+Landy chuckled as he fingered the gate latch. "Old Jim's been 'round a
+right smart time, en he don't confer with young women on business
+matters. He read the leetle fine print legal ad in the papers en he
+sent his handyman, Joe Craig, to Logan, the receiver gent, en got all
+the details."
+
+"Does he want the ranch?" questioned Davy.
+
+"Naw!" scorned Landy. "Old Jim says hit will be eight years before the
+ranchin' business can git back on hits feet, en by that time he'll be
+moulderin' dust en dry bones. Old Jim's still harpin' on that funeral
+business. Now he plans to hold a big barbecue en send out invitations.
+Jim's got the money all right, but he wants to spend hit on a big,
+spread-eagle funeral."
+
+"Adine should know about this. It will save her a lot of worry," said
+Davy, and he hastened back to the house. Presently he rejoined his
+companion, who was watching a party of horsemen coming down the lane
+back of the stables.
+
+"Looks like a retreat," was Landy's comment. "I don't see eny scalps
+a-hangin' on their spears."
+
+"How big is this Bar-O affair, how many acres?" questioned the little
+man.
+
+"They don't measure in acres," said Landy, still watching the
+approaching party. "Old Jim says hit's about eight sections, four wide
+and two deep."
+
+"How big is this judgment? How much money would this receiver and
+grazing master have to have to get 'em in the clear? What's the
+friction that they can't get these resisting parties to see the
+inevitable?"
+
+"Thar's Logan en Finch, with Flinthead en Hickory," exclaimed Landy,
+as the horsemen approached the far gate. "She's a water-haul. Old
+Hulls has stood 'em off ag'in. Now about yer questions. If ya would
+put' em through the chute, one at a time, 'stead of pushin' 'em up in
+droves, I could answer better. On the money question, I git this from
+old Jim. He gits hit from Joe Craig, en he got hit from Logan, so I
+guess hit's right. The original note was three thousand dollars. They
+overdrew en added some. The int'rest en costs runs hit to forty-two
+hundred. The grass bill is less'n three hundred. The whole biz is near
+forty-five hundred."
+
+"Why, a little performing elephant is worth that!" scorned the midget.
+"The script of a good vaudeville act would sell for twice as much.
+What's the matter with the local moneychangers? What's the whole thing
+worth anyhow? Why doesn't some diplomat wheedle old Hulls off? And
+why--"
+
+"How much is yer little elephant earnin' now, eatin' his head off in
+winter quarters?" interrupted Landy dryly. "Whar would ye show yer
+vaudeville act with the show places all closed? Hit's the same here en
+all over.
+
+"Ef I was a young man, I'd take a fling at this thing," said Landy
+soberly. "She's wuth about ten times the amount asked. Alice has a
+leetle money, not that much maybe, en she's purty tight, yit hit might
+be done. Old Jim Lough is cautious and reliable, but he's set the
+date of the comeback too far off. Cattle is gittin' scarcer every day
+and people must eat. I'm too old to mess in, but a youngster could
+take over en double his money in five years. In ten years he'd be
+asking ten times the price he'd paid. But with the banks closed en
+investors in a financial stampede, five thousand dollars can't be
+picked outen the sage...."
+
+"Why, Landy! I can have five thousand dollars here in five days,"
+interrupted Davy. "If there was any way to move Hulls and Maizie out,
+I would deal with 'em before they dismounted." Davy waved his hand in
+the direction of the horsemen that had stopped at the farther corral
+to inspect the weaned calves.
+
+"Hulls en Maizie woulda been out long ago if they'd quit snoopin'
+around and let Hulls peddle a few cows to git money to travel on. I've
+got a musty but reliable tip Hulls is itchin' to go. Hit's too long a
+tale to tell without stim'lants, but Archie has sent fer Hulls en
+Maizie, wants 'em to come en he'p him with a roomin' house down in
+Arizony, whar they're a-buildin' a big dam, en things are boomin'.
+Hulls is shore plannin' a git-away. He thinks he can drive through en
+take some plunder with him. He's traded off his ridin' hosses fer
+harness critters. He's contracted Ike Steele fer a light spring wagon.
+With a little money in his pocket, Hulls is ready. You buy this thing,
+Son! Slip Hulls a hundred en he's out en gone.
+
+"Anyhow, let's listen to their talk. They've finished another failure
+en are worried. Sass 'em if ye want to, en kid 'em out of the hundred
+if ye can," was Landy's final caution as the party of horsemen
+dismounted and loitered to hear Potter and Landy's caustic comments
+before going to their car, parked outside the gate. Landy introduced
+Davy as a newcomer.
+
+"Ye should have had my podner here with ye this mornin'," badgered
+Landy. "His size en power mighta skeered Hulls en made him quit."
+
+Logan laughed as he pictured the midget in a contest with shaggy Hulls
+Barrow. "Maybe we could deal with Hulls," he said, "if we could get
+him away from the woman. If your young friend has a way with women,
+could lure Maizie out of hearing for a few moments, we could sure use
+him."
+
+"Well, I've never won any medals in contests for women's favors," said
+Davy, "but I've found that a bouquet of flattery sometimes helps. Have
+you tried the Rose-Chrysanthemum method?"
+
+"That's what we were trying today," said Logan resignedly, "but
+instead of roses and posies it turned out to be brickbats and
+cabbages. You see, we left the sheriff at home and took along the men
+from here, hoping to get past the guard line and count up what cattle
+is left on the place. But it was no use. The yard fence was the
+deadline. Maizie was right at Hull's elbow, commanding her one-man
+army to fire at will. Not being armed, we fell back to consolidate
+losses instead of gains. Have you any suggestions or plans?" Logan's
+reply and question was directed at Landy. Like others, in their first
+contact with midgets, he was giving Davy the status of a child. He
+could not credit him with experience or expect counsel from that
+source. Landy's reply was not comforting.
+
+"Wal, hit does look like a couple o' killin's en the expense of two
+funerals 'fore ye can git action. Old Matt, the daddy of 'em, is
+reported as havin' a private graveyard, scattered eround somewhar. Hit
+might come in handy in this emergency. In yer gaddin' around have ye
+ever seen enything like hit?" concluded Landy, turning to Davy.
+
+"I never did!" said the midget emphatically. "It's got more
+entanglements than the time Solly Monheim took the bankrupt law to
+escape bankruptcy. That's the way Solly explained it after his show
+went on the rocks at Lincoln. And anyhow," he added to Logan, "why
+don't you peddle the thing to someone else and let them take the grief
+and do the slaughtering?"
+
+"There's no slaughtering, as you call it, involved," said Logan with
+much dignity. "It's a lawful proceeding. If anyone is killed it will
+be done legally and in due process of enforcing the law."
+
+"So you left the law out of it, left the sheriff at home, and went
+prowling on your own. If the old belligerent had cut down on one of
+these cow hands this morning, everything would have been legal and
+orderly?"
+
+Davy's sarcasm struck home. Logan's face flushed. He realized that he
+was talking to an adult, not a child. He resented the criticism. But
+for the fact that the little man was a friend of Landy Spencer he
+would have made a harsh reply or ignored him entirely.
+
+"Well, just what is your interest in the matter?" he questioned. "I
+don't see your name on the list of bank stockholders. Maybe you are
+kin to the Barrows, sort of looking after their interests?"
+
+"No, I am not related to the Barrows. Never had the pleasure of ever
+seeing one of 'em. I don't know where they live, couldn't find the
+place without a guide. Wouldn't know how big it was after I'd seen it.
+I'm just an innocent bystander with big ears and a lot of curiosity.
+There is a rumor abroad that the ranch is in the hands of a receiver,
+that it's for sale, that the receiver is having some trouble about
+possession. If I could get just a few facts and find this receiver,
+I'd make him a proposition to buy it 'as is,' as the auctioneers
+sometimes say."
+
+"You have never seen the ranch?" questioned the astonished Logan. "You
+would bid sight-unseen for a property that you don't know where it's
+located--would accept a deed without possession? Young man, you need a
+guardian."
+
+"I had one once," retorted the midget, "and in the eight months of his
+management he turned over quite a lot of money to me, enough to gamble
+on, to buy a block of blue sky or a pig in a poke. Maybe there's
+enough to make a bid on a ranch, a property with a crazy man on it,
+armed with a gun and threatening to shoot intruders. If you are the
+receiver, I want to make a bid for the Bar-O ranch, as it is."
+
+"No bids are solicited," said Logan severely. "The judgment is for
+forty-two hundred dollars. I bid it in for that, and must account for
+that amount. Then there are expenses and costs being added from time
+to time--"
+
+"Now you've hit center," interrupted the midget. "You've pricked the
+sore spot. There are costs being added, and time being frittered, and
+nothing accomplished. It might run on this way for months, and you
+hoping to have the collection cleaned up and get the bank opened soon
+thereafter.
+
+"Now I'm wanting to help, wanting to get on the payroll. Here's how.
+Between now and next Thursday I'll pay you four thousand dollars for a
+deed to the Bar-O ranch. You make the consideration the full forty-two
+hundred and show, in your report, an expense of two hundred in getting
+possession. Then it's up to me to get old Shells, or Hulls, or what's
+his name, to move out. It might cost me the two hundred, it might cost
+a lot more; that's my lookout. Maybe the old guy won't move at all.
+But in any event, I shall not resort to law, won't call the sheriff to
+get killed or get action. With winter coming on and a woman mixed up
+in the case, it would be too bad to set 'em out in the snow without
+shelter or money."
+
+Adine Lough, more deeply interested in the outcome than any other
+person present, had come from the house to join the little party now
+congregated in front of Potter's little office building. She heard
+Davy's final proposition. She saw tough, seasoned old Landy Spencer
+furtively reach down and pat the little man on the back.
+
+"What about the cattle?" asked Finch, breaking the tension.
+
+"Are any cattle left, and how many?" Davy countered promptly.
+
+"I don't know," replied Finch sheepishly. "We didn't get to count 'em
+this morning. There's probably thirty or forty old cows with unweaned
+calves and a bull or two. Then there's a bunch of wild, unbranded
+yearlings, probably twenty or thirty, over on that pasture by the
+cliffs. He's got no feed, no hay put up, and has probably been selling
+off some of the better cows and calves."
+
+"How much are you set back in this debacle?" asked the midget,
+dropping his bantering tone.
+
+"The Bar-O ranch owes me, not the government; I have always advanced
+the money. Two hundred and eighty dollars. You see," Finch hastened to
+explain, "the government has an area in there that's rather
+inaccessible. They've been holding it for settlement. It's more than
+the Bar-O folks need, but there's no one else, unless I bring in sheep
+men and open up an old controversy. So, in the years past, I've
+haggled money out of the Barrows, just a little at a time, but we've
+kept friendly until now. Now, it looks like I'm up against the iron."
+
+"You're not so bad off," chuckled Davy, "you've had a fine lot of
+experience. Here's my proposition on your case. If the receiver
+accepts my offer of a deed without possession, I'll give you a hundred
+dollars. If I get possession in the next two years, and you allot me
+the grazing rights to that area, I'll pay you the balance. If I don't
+get possession in that time, you can charge off the balance due. Do I
+hear any takers?" said the little man, simulating the call of an
+auctioneer.
+
+"Well, I'm a taker," said Finch resignedly. "It's a rough road, but it
+seems the only way. What's your reaction, Logan? Are you a taker?"
+
+"I'm a taker, when there's anything to take. How are you to get the
+money in here?" he asked of Davy. "Without a bank, we can't handle
+checks or drafts. How do you plan the payment?"
+
+"Is there a telegraph station in Adot? No? Well, that's too bad. If
+there was a commercial pay station there, I could have the money here
+this afternoon. As it is, I suppose I would have to have the actual
+currency shipped by express to Laramie or Cheyenne. Where do you do
+banking?" he asked of Logan.
+
+"I have an account with the Guaranty at Laramie and with the First
+National at Cheyenne. I hope to have our bank here opened by the
+holidays."
+
+"The holidays would be too late. Hulls might kill somebody, or
+voluntarily move out and spoil the trade. Also, I'll have to have
+added money--have to open an account to get funds with which to
+appease Hulls or to live on, while I am working at it. I have never
+been in Laramie and I nearly got killed in Cheyenne, so I'll open an
+account at Cheyenne. If you say you'll trade, I'll get on the phone
+and have the cash or an acceptable draft in Cheyenne as soon as the
+mail can get it there."
+
+"Well, I guess I'll trade," said Logan resignedly. "This Barrow thing
+is the last outstanding debt due the bank. I hope the judge will
+approve my report of the matter, so that I can get the bank opened by
+Christmas. We will have to go to town and draw up a contract. Can you
+go today?"
+
+"Well, I will have to go somewhere to get on a long distance telephone
+about sending the money. Where to and how much. With the winter
+weather approaching, I may have to wallow through snowdrifts to get to
+Cheyenne, but that's a risk incident to the business."
+
+"We'll get you over to Cheyenne," interrupted Potter, who had shown
+deep interest in the conversation, "we'll get you over if we have to
+use a snow plow. Maybe you've got the magic to get this row settled.
+At any rate, it's worth a trial."
+
+"I have a telephone in my office at Adot," said Logan. "I am using the
+back room of the bank as an office. I've kept the phone."
+
+"Is there an extension on it?" asked Davy eagerly. "Yes? Fine. When I
+get this banker on the phone, I want you to listen in. It's an
+education to any man to hear Ralph Gaynor talk. He's the boss of the
+Dollar Savings Bank in Springfield. It isn't a big bank, just a stout
+one. And now all the others are looking to him for advice. Of course
+he'll razz me about making a venture in these hazardous times, but it
+will be worth your time to hear him do it."
+
+"How are we to get back from Adot?" asked the midget abruptly of
+Landy.
+
+"I'll take you over and bring you back," interposed Adine Lough. "I
+want to hear that man sass you over the phone, if he can get in a word
+edgewise, and you on the other end of the line."
+
+Davy laughed with the others. "Well, the parade starts promptly at
+eleven, the doors to the Big Show open at one, let's git goin'," said
+the little man, simulating a circus announcer.
+
+Adine went to the house for her hat. Potter maneuvered her roadster
+out to the driveway, after checking the gas and oil. Then a flushed
+girl, a midget man, and an aging Nestor of other days drove away on a
+mission that pleased them all.
+
+
+
+
+12
+
+
+The State Bank of Adot had been an important institution in an
+unimportant community. It employed three people and enlarged its
+chartered rights to perform many services in the little community. In
+the prosperous days following the World War it added to its surplus
+and paid fair dividends to scattered owners of limited shares. Its
+service was appreciated by home folks; its prosperity attracted the
+attention of Aaron Logan.
+
+Logan, with limited capital and an alert mind, operated a petty loan
+business. He traded for what-have-you. In the early twenties, he
+exchanged his chips and whetstones for single shares of bank stock.
+Arriving at a favorable status, he persuaded the bank directors to
+enlarge the capital to absorb his petty loan business. In 1924, he
+quit the "street" to accept a cushioned chair in the rear room of the
+bank. His experience would add caution and prudence.
+
+For, just now, the cattle business was slipping; prices were falling
+below the cost of production. Home folks were not buying; the rescued
+European nations forgot, as usual, their benefactor and dickered for
+meager supplies of meats and grains at other marts. America's foreign
+trade sank to a new low. Her thousands of merchant craft rocked
+listlessly and rusted quickly in stagnant waters while the false
+prophets of Mammon urged idle capital to pyramid a luring stock market
+to a glorious peak and final crash.
+
+The banks of America were the first to feel the pinch. Some waited too
+long--waited to dole out to a frenzied public all available cash and
+close the doors too late for solvency. But not so with the Bank of
+Adot. Aaron Logan got his order for receivership before his public
+went frantic and while cash was yet available. Under court order he
+was proceeding to thaw out the frozen items of assets, and planned to
+open the institution to those who would limit their withdrawals to
+stated amounts. He made progress in these endeavors until he bumped
+into the stone wall of the Barrow loan. Really, it wasn't a giant sum,
+as such sums are rated in banking circles, but in the present instance
+it represented the difference between opening a bank or keeping it
+closed.
+
+Aaron Logan had given the matter of this Bar-O affair much thought. He
+had canvassed every available prospect. In all the community there
+wasn't a person that would give a thin dime for a property with a
+defiant oldster thereon, who would certainly kill or be killed if
+possession was to be gained. And a killing was bad advertisement, a
+poor prelude to opening a bank.
+
+But in the very hour he planned to execute this last resort, a rank
+outsider, an unknown and uncanvassed source, a little runt of a man
+with more confidence and assurance than his size would warrant, was
+offering to take over the ranch and assume the problem. Aaron Logan
+regarded it as a slender chance--could not believe that one so small
+could have earned so much--but he would take the chance. He headed his
+car up Willow Street to stop at the bank's rear door. He waved Adine
+to a favorable parking space.
+
+"I will call Mr. Limeledge, my lawyer, to draw up a contract," he said
+as the party of five were seated in the back room.
+
+"Well, that's hardly necessary," said Davy. "If you jot down a memo
+that you will make a deed to David Lannarck to the Bar-O ranch upon
+payment, on or before October 18th, 1932, of four thousand dollars in
+cash and a probable expenditure of two hundred dollars in getting
+possession, and sign it, I will also sign it and it will be an
+agreement. But before we do anything, I want to get on the phone to
+see if I can contact Ralph Gaynor. None of you folks really know me. I
+want you to listen in so that we can get acquainted. Here's the money
+for the long distance call," he added. "Tell the operator that it's
+OK."
+
+Aaron Logan didn't like being told what to do, especially by a little
+cocksure midget. But there was the matter of getting rid of a bad
+problem. He complied with Davy's request.
+
+"This is David Lannarck at phone fifty. I want to talk to Ralph
+Gaynor, at phone BA two hundred in the Dollar Savings Bank in
+Springfield. Yes, that's the state. I should have said so, for it's a
+grand old commonwealth. I'll be right here for an hour."
+
+In the lull of waiting, Aaron Logan wondered--wondered how one so
+small hoped to depose one so fierce and stubborn. He would find out.
+"Do you think you can get Hulls and Maizie out of there by
+Thanksgiving?" he inquired politely.
+
+"It doesn't really matter," said David languidly. "But I must try to
+get acquainted with 'em; make friends with 'em if I can."
+
+"Why do you hope to persuade 'em to get off?" exclaimed the
+astonished receiver. "I've seen 'em. They're impossible."
+
+"Maybe you didn't see 'em at their best," replied the midget quietly.
+"I've never seen either of them, but I've had several descriptions
+from others and this Maizie shows possibilities."
+
+"Possibilities for what?" snorted Logan. "That woman is a she-devil
+that would commit murder to gain her ends. She wouldn't listen to a
+governor granting her a reprieve. And anyhow, what are her
+possibilities?"
+
+"I understand, from descriptions, that she is of the gypsy type--dark,
+languid, glamorous. If she's all that, I can place her." Davy's reply
+was slow and indifferent. Now he brightened up to add: "Say, when I
+get on the phone, shall I tell him to send me a draft on a Denver bank
+or shall I tell him to ship the cold cash by express, or wire it to
+Cheyenne by Western Union?"
+
+"Cold cash is never out of place in paying a bill, but if you have a
+draft sent to the First National in Cheyenne, we can go there and make
+the transfer. I need to go to Cheyenne anyhow."
+
+"And I need some added cash," said Davy Lannarck. "I'll have 'em make
+the draft for five thousand. The First National can split it as we
+direct."
+
+Davy made much of jotting down notes; Landy Spencer sat quietly, his
+face immobile; Adine Lough went to the window ostensibly to dab on
+make-up, but really to suppress smiles and stifle laughter. A man of
+importance--a bank receiver, an arm of the court--was being kidded and
+he didn't know it.
+
+In the drive across country from the B-line ranch, the three in the
+roadster planned and outlined their conduct at this proposed
+conference at the bank. Landy related fully the incident as to why he
+knew that Hulls Barrow and Maizie planned a quick getaway. Landy had
+contacted Ike Steele only a day or two ago and Ike's story of the
+wagon trade unfolded the plot. Stripped of inconsequential details,
+Ike's story follows:
+
+Ugly Collins, a former resident, was back on important business. Ugly
+had left the country a decade ago, following his acquittal for petty
+thieving. In his driftings about, he landed in Las Vegas. There he
+contacted another former resident in the person of Archie Barrow.
+Archie was in the money. He was sole proprietor of a big rooming house
+in a community that was being congested with trainloads of steel,
+cement, derricks, and cluttered with humanity who had come to build,
+and were building, a great dam in the nearby Colorado River. Archie
+needed help to carry on a business that had increased a hundredfold.
+He recalled his brother Hulls, who might be useful, but he
+particularly recalled the executive capacities of Maizie. She was
+badly needed to prod the Mexican women in their labors of making beds
+and sweeping rooms that were occupied twice daily.
+
+But Archie knew it would be useless to write to a brother that never
+went to the post office and was remote from rural deliveries. He was
+happy to contact Ugly Collins. And just now, Ugly had two objectives:
+one, to get away from a place where work was paramount; the other, to
+get back to Adot and look after a possible inheritance. He understood
+that his mother had died, leaving the little homestead that surely
+should have sold for more than mere funeral expenses.
+
+A deal was quickly made. Archie would pay train fare and Ugly would
+contact Hulls and Maizie; would move the bankrupts out of trouble and
+poverty to an Eldorado of prosperity. For once in his varied and
+useless career Ugly performed a successful mission. Hulls and Maizie
+readily agreed to the plan. They would drive through--taking with them
+needed and useful plunder. Having seen Maizie, Ugly decided he would
+travel back with them. All details for the trip were now completed,
+except that a little more expense money was badly needed.
+
+Landy cautioned Ike Steele not to disclose the proposed move to
+anyone else. Vaguely, Landy entertained the hope that someone--just
+who, he had not planned--would buy the Bar-O. Acting on a hunch, he
+"touched" his sister Alice for a hundred. On the drive-in, Adine
+stopped the car while Davy invoiced his available cash at sixty-five
+dollars. These conspirators now planned that immediately after a
+contract was signed, Landy would search out Ike Steele, give him the
+hundred dollars, to be given to Ugly Collins when the party was loaded
+and on their way. Ike would be paid a personal ten, if he got it done.
+
+And these conspirators made other plans. Knowing that in the interval
+of getting phone connections they would be beset with furtive
+questions from a curious executive. What was he going to do with the
+ranch? how did he plan to get the resisters off? and other pertinent
+questions, they planned for evasive answers.
+
+"Leave that to me," said Mr. Lannarck. "I think I can parry every
+thrust, can lead him through a mystic maze of information that will
+pile up a lot of useless knowledge." And the little man was getting
+along very well with his assignment, as Adine polished her nose at the
+window and Landy Spencer sat quietly, seeming uninterested in mere
+worldly affairs.
+
+"You were speaking of employment awhile ago," said the persistent
+Logan. "You spoke of 'placing' Maizie. Do you conduct that kind of an
+agency?"
+
+"No," said Davy, still busy with his notes. "In Maizie's case, I would
+have to buy out the business, plan the details of her dress and
+appearance, and 'plant' her as a 'front'--a 'come-on'--for the
+suckers' money."
+
+The bewildered receiver had let the craft of conversation drift into
+strange waters. Was he dealing with a moron or a maniac? Except that
+this was the only bid he had ever had--the only prospect in sight--for
+a deal that would open a bank, he would take the phone, cancel the
+call and dismiss the conference. In desperation he would make another
+try.
+
+"Well, I don't know what you are talking about, but I do know this
+Maizie woman. If these places you speak of call for a stubborn
+hellion, then you've got the right party. But I would like to know
+just where she could be made into a useful thing?"
+
+"I wasn't thinking of her temperament," said Davy as he folded up his
+memorandum. "She's described as the gypsy type. Such a type is
+valuable when properly placed. Were you ever at Coney Island?" he
+asked abruptly. "No? Well, it's a resort, a playground, down New York
+way. Henry Hudson landed here, and many another Dutchman has been
+'landed' and made regrettable discoveries right on this same spot. It
+has a bathing beach where the gals show what they've got and fat men
+flounder and cavort far beyond their capacities. Up from the beach is
+the midway proper--a carnival or street fair, with bandstands and
+dance platforms, peep shows, free shows, and legits. At the proper
+season these places are alive with spenders. They bring in carloads of
+money and take away nothing more tangible than experience. Why, Mister
+Logan, a man of your talents could spend profitable days at Coney
+Island in the study of financial circulation, could write a book,
+entitled 'The Slippery Dollar; Its Origin, Its Travels, Its
+Destination'! Some of these dollars have origin in work and sweat and
+some stem from blood and tears, but all--"
+
+"And just where in this mess would this Maizie woman belong?"
+interrupted Logan desperately. "Your recital is interesting, but it
+doesn't get to the point. Where and why would you place her?"
+
+"Why, I'd place her as a 'front' down at the fortune-teller's booth,"
+replied Davy quickly. "I'd either buy out--or buy in--with Tony Garci,
+who has a concession, and plant Maizie right at the tent-flap as a
+'come-on.' Her name would have to be Madame Tousan, or Princess
+Caraza, or some such, and she would have to dress the part. Black and
+red, maybe, with plastered hair and a coppery skin. A quart of rings
+and bracelets on each hand and arm, horseshoe earrings, and a big
+ostrich fan. Never a word of English, mind you! She'd just wave the
+fan to the entrance and inner glories where Tulu Garrat, Tony's wife,
+would read palms, or the crystal ball, and take the money."
+
+Davy, too, was getting a bit anxious. He was running out of details.
+He glanced at the phone, hoping for relief. None came. He rambled on.
+
+"If I ran this fortune-telling dump, I'd lift it out of the
+ten-twent'-thirt' class, to an even smacker--maybe two. I'd give 'em a
+written reading with 'a hunch' in it. They all play hunches down
+there. Hoss racing, stock market, numbers rackets, and such. They'd
+play my hunches. If they win, I'd have wide advertisement; if they
+lose, nothing said.
+
+"Off hand, I'd say the racket was good for a 'grand' a week. Maizie
+would get fifty, Tony and his wife a hundred smackers, another fifty
+for the concession. In ten weeks, I could pay for the Bar-O and
+have--" The telephone rang. "If that's for me," said the little man to
+Aaron Logan, "get on that extension and listen to the story of a
+misspent life, for I'll try to get him to tell it."
+
+As the conversation was both spoken and heard, both are here given.
+
+"Hello, hello. Yes, this is David Lannarck. Hello, Ralph. This is your
+midget friend Davy. I'm in Adot--yes, that's what I said--what they
+all say.... A dot on what? It's out of Cheyenne--a good ways out. But
+I want to do business as of Cheyenne. I want you to send a Denver
+draft to The First National Bank at Cheyenne for five thousand
+dollars, to arrive there before the eighteenth of October."
+
+The phone was working splendidly; even those without an earpiece could
+hear the over-production.
+
+"This is a fine time to separate a bank from assets. What are you
+buying? Blue sky or a phony gold mine?"
+
+"Neither one," said Davy promptly. "It's a ranch--with an old man on
+it--with a gun, defying all comers."
+
+"Why, I thought the old cattle wars were all over," came the reply. "I
+suppose, on account of your size, you hope to slip through the guard
+line."
+
+"Naw," replied Davy, "it really doesn't matter whether the old man
+gets off or stays on. It's ten sections. If things brighten up a bit,
+it looks worth the money."
+
+"Ten sections?" came the astonished inquiry. "How will you ever see it
+all--you with short legs?"
+
+"Why, I've got a hoss," said Davy proudly, "I've got the finest hoss
+west of the Big River. He can do tricks too. By spring I can have him
+doing stunts that will make Bill Reviere's act look like a practice
+stunt."
+
+"Well, God help poor sailors on a night like this, and midgets too.
+But at that, I think you are in the right groove. Things will loosen
+up; they've got to. Have your title examined carefully. See that your
+grantor is responsible."
+
+"I'm buying it from a bank receiver. It's a part of the frozen
+assets," interrupted Davy. "The bank is to reopen when this is
+settled."
+
+"Now let me get this right. You want a Denver draft, sent to you, care
+of the First National Bank in Cheyenne, Wyoming, for five thousand
+dollars." The words were slowly said as if a memorandum was being
+made. "All right. The item will go out this evening. Good luck and a
+prosperous investment."
+
+"Hold on, Ralph, just a minute. I'm in that bank that's to reopen. The
+phone here has an extension. The fellow with whom I am dealing is on
+that extension. No one out here knows me--I need an introduction. Will
+you briefly tell 'em who I am?"
+
+"Well, that's bad," came a laughing reply. "It might ruin everything.
+But here goes. Mister Receiver, David Lannarck, with whom I am
+talking, is a midget--nearly forty inches tall and about thirty years
+of age. He was born here, inherited a comfortable estate that we
+manage--collect his rents, pay his taxes and repair bills. We also pay
+his generous church contributions and charity donations. He has never
+drawn a cent from the accumulations. For the last decade I have seen
+little of him. He travels extensively--in vaudeville, with circuses.
+He comes back about once a year to deposit his earnings. These we keep
+separately because that's the way he wants it. He writes no checks.
+Simply tells us what to do, and we do it. Only once before this has he
+called on us. That was a train wreck and an injury that interrupted
+his routine. He phoned for us to pay bills and we paid 'em, as we are
+paying this one.
+
+"He's affable, charitable to those he likes, talks the jargon of the
+circus people, and is, with all, a truthful, likeable chap. Is there
+anything else, Mister Receiver?"
+
+"Thank you, Ralph, and good-by," said Davy as he hung up.
+
+Hastily Aaron Logan prepared a memo stating the terms of the sale.
+Adine Lough made a copy. Both were signed by both interested parties,
+then Davy paid Finch fifty dollars on his contract and the meeting
+adjourned. Davy and Adine went to Jode's restaurant for a bite to eat.
+Landy went in search of Ike Steele to post a deposit for a quick
+getaway and, strange as it may seem, Aaron Logan sought the same
+person and with a similar purpose.
+
+
+
+
+13
+
+
+Adine Lough had high rating in the community affairs of Adot. Her zeal
+for higher education, her church work, and her general deportment gave
+her contact with the better element that was trying to modernize--trying
+to lift a community up and out of the rawness of frontier days. But if
+the critics, the estimators of social standing, had seen her and her
+associates on this fine October afternoon, they would have moved her
+down several rungs on the social ladder.
+
+She was in close conference with a midget, an ex-circus man, out of
+work and advertised widely to give a talk at the warehouse Saturday
+night! (They would hear this talk before making a final estimate.) And
+Adine's other conferee was old Landy Spencer, a notorious resister of
+progress, who spoke in the language of other days, whose
+appearance--from battered hat to narrow bootheels--simply pictured the
+undesirable past; his associates, when he came to town, were of the
+rabble--the lower stratum. Very true, in other days, the bank had
+given him a rating as not needing endorsers if he sought a loan. Very
+true, Judge Sample had stated publicly that he would accept Landy
+Spencer's word without the formalities of being sworn, but as a social
+factor in the community, Landy didn't know where the social ladder was
+located, let alone about reaching the lower rung. And all afternoon
+Adine Lough was in close conference with such as these!
+
+Landy returned to Jode's place sooner than he was expected. There was
+a sheepish grin on his weathered face. "They beat me to hit," he said
+in a low voice as Jode went back to the stove for his steak and
+potatoes. (His companions were munching wafers and drinking chocolate
+milk.) "Ike had already been en done hit."
+
+Being served, and with Jode in the kitchen, the aged courier disclosed
+the results of his mission. "Ye don't tell Ike what's on yer mind;
+jist give him rope, git him started, en he'll come from under cover. I
+went to his shop en he wasn't workin'. Seemed to be waitin'. I prodded
+in, en he unfolded that he was waitin' for Logan. Our Logan, ye
+understand. Hit whetted my int'rest; I prodded ag'in, en with results.
+Ike said that Logan came to his shop Tuesday. He'd seen Ugly Collins
+a-hangin' 'round Ike's place, en he wanted a quick move by Ugly. He
+slipped Ike two new twenty-dollar bills en told him to loan 'em to
+Ugly if he made a quick git-away. Ike did as d'rected. Ugly come en
+got the wagon this atternoon. Promised that he'd load tonight en be on
+the road by midnight.
+
+"Well! That settled the coffee! I didn't keer to hang eround eny more.
+But I did want a whit more information. Did Logan know that old Hulls
+en Maizie were included? 'Naw,' scorned Ike, 'Logan didn't even know
+that Ugly knew 'em--didn't know that Ugly had ever been at the Bar-O.
+Logan didn't know about the wagon. Thought the forty was about right
+for train fare. He jist wanted Ugly out of the country en I got hit
+done,' says Ike.
+
+"I didn't keer to meet Logan--then. I remembered that I had some boots
+at Billy's fer half solin', en I slipped Ike a five spot with the
+caution that he was to say nothin' in his report to Logan about who
+was in Ugly's party. Ike wanted me to stay en listen to his ideas as
+to why Logan wanted a quick move by Ugly, but I already had my notions
+about that. I slipped away fast. But in comin' here I remembered that
+I hadn't left eny boots with Billy."
+
+Landy finished his steak and story about the same time.
+
+"Well, do you think they will get away tonight?" asked Davy eagerly.
+"Is there any way that we can hang around and find out? Why would
+Logan want this Ugly party to get out of the country? Why can't we--"
+
+"Thar ye go! Crowdin' the question-chute. Son, ye orta number 'em, en
+I could answer by number. Anyhow, let's git goin'! Hit's a long ways
+home--with a change of cars at the B-line, en the last lap ain't fit
+fer night ridin'. We can talk while we ride. Out thar, Jode won't be
+hangin' around, shufflin' the dishes en tryin' to get an earful. Let's
+go."
+
+On the way home, Adine Lough was the happy one of the trio. The
+revealing incidents of the day had cleared away the threatening dark
+financial cloud. Now if her father could only be brought home with the
+assurance of his getting well, her cup of happiness would be
+overflowing. Just now, she was planning an added chapter to her
+thesis, "Welfare Work in Rural Communities." She would touch on the
+subject of "Aid from Unexpected Sources," for she had experienced just
+that! In the events of the day, it was revealed that a little, unknown
+midget of a man, with a doubtful background, was indeed a man,
+mentally, morally, and financially. Back of his cynicism--often
+expressed in the jargon of the underworld--was an alert mind that
+could lead an inquisitor into a maze of unaccomplishments.
+
+Too, in said thesis, she would make some radical changes in the
+paragraphs touching on "influences of pioneer habits and traits in
+community upbuilding, etc." The recent conduct and tactful
+accomplishments of Landy Spencer were the reasons for such a change.
+Heretofore, she had welcomed old Landy as a visitor to the B-line for
+the reason that Grandaddy liked him, wanted to confab and badger about
+the old days. She had casually learned that Landy had had to work as a
+boy, as a youth, and as a young man, that he had accumulated enough so
+that he could now enjoy the play-days once denied him. Yes, she would
+change her notes to say: "uncouth verbiage and slatternly dress are
+often assets in gaining information and are no hindrance in granting
+loyalty and devotion."
+
+The journey home, despite the uncertainties pending, was a joy-ride
+for the two. Landy, as was his wont, clutched the armrest of the car
+and said nothing. Time was, when safe in a saddle, he had thrown reins
+to the wind "en allowed that critter a spell of fancy worm-fence
+buckin', but a-ridin' a auto wuz dangerous business."
+
+Arriving at the B-line stables, the party paused for a final
+conference. Tomorrow would be Friday. In the early hours Davy and
+Landy would make a furtive visit to the Bar-O ranch to see if Ugly
+Collins had carried out his plans to evacuate the resisters. "Maybe
+they set fire to the house or poisoned the cattle," suggested Davy.
+Landy poo-pooed the idea.
+
+"They're on a slow train," he explained. "In that outfit they can't do
+over six miles an hour. A fire would announce their malice, en a
+sheriff would overtake 'em before they reached North Gate. They don't
+know about cattle-pizen--thar's no loco weed around here."
+
+Saturday was the date of the entertainment in Adot. Davy and Landy
+would ride over to the B-line and go to town in Adine's roadster. In
+Adot, Davy would again contact Logan and fix the date to meet him in
+Cheyenne on Monday. "That check--the draft thing--will be there by
+that time," was Davy's opinion. "I hope I can pry Welborn loose from
+his digging and delving long enough to take me over that road again."
+
+"You don't have to do that," interposed Adine. "I'll drive you to
+Cheyenne. I'm as anxious as anyone to get this thing settled. This
+Bar-O thing has been a neighborhood problem, an obsession, a thorn in
+the flesh, ever since Grandaddy was a young man. I want to be a party
+in removing the thorn. I'll have Joe and Myrah to look after
+Grandaddy, and I'll have Mister Potter to look after Joe and Myrah and
+everything will be all right.
+
+"But you'll have to meet me at Carter's filling station," she
+cautioned. "I'll have to drive through Adot and around that way. I
+can't drive across the valleys and ridges as you horsemen ride them.
+So we'll meet at the filling station at seven-thirty. We will be in
+Cheyenne long before noon."
+
+"Hi ya, Potter," called Landy as they were saddling the horses. "I
+want you to order a set of shoes for this colt."
+
+"I've got a set. I tried 'em; they fit. But he won't need shoes this
+winter; he's better off without 'em. If a bunglin' mechanic over thar
+will leave his feet alone he'll be all right till spring."
+
+Landy regarded the gibe as irrelevant. The saddle invited. Once aboard
+and before they reached the Ranty he was detailing answers to some of
+Davy's questions.
+
+"This Logan party ain't exactly crooked but thar's some noticeable
+bends in his career. When they baptized him they ought to have given
+him another dip. 'Course, he gits his money by pinchin' en scrougin'
+en this Ugly Collins affair goes a leetle beyond the limit.
+
+"This Ugly was borned here. His right name is Clarence, but early
+someone branded him Ugly, en because he resented hit, the name stuck.
+He wasn't so ugly--jist ornery. His daddy died; his mother lived on a
+little place in town, up-crick from the bridge. Ugly wasn't a roarin'
+success as a producer--jist idled and fuddled until he got to be a
+man. Then he got indicted with others fer robbin' a little tannery
+that was operatin' down the crick. This tannery was mostly out of
+doors. They was charged with stealin' leather, but in the testimony it
+showed that Ugly didn't steal leather--jist knives en other plunder.
+He was flung loose. He left the country. That was twelve years ago. In
+all these years, no one in Adot was compelled to look on Ugly Collins.
+Not till last week did the public know he was alive. Even then thar
+was no gineral rejoicin'--nobody killed a fatted calf.
+
+"Now Ugly's mother died three years ago. A dear, uncomplainin' old
+soul, the funeral was conducted by Romine, the undertaker, and was
+attended by many. Of course Romine would have to be paid. He got Logan
+to administer the estate. He had had Logan to do this in other cases.
+They understood each other very well.
+
+"They found but little personal property. Although Ann Griggs, a
+neighbor, said the old lady Collins had been savin' funeral money fer
+years--had it hidden in a fruit jar, no sich fund was found. The real
+estate would have to be sold to pay the claim.
+
+"Except fer Ugly, they was no heirs, en Ugly didn't answer roll-call.
+By order of the court, Ugly was pronounced dead. Simmy Gordon, the
+village cut-up, said hit was a cheap funeral fer Ugly en good
+riddance. But Simmy was wrong, as usual. The home was sold--by fine
+print--hit was bid in by Romine fer about the price of his bill and
+the costs. Later Romine deeded hit to another, who in turn deeded hit
+to Logan, who now owns hit, en the yearly income would pay a funeral
+bill--with flowers.
+
+"Ugly's return at this critical time rather upset Logan's plans. Hit
+would interfere with his gittin' a bank opened and himself back on the
+payroll. If Ugly had been flush with funds, had employed lawyer
+Gregory to git Ugly's death-order rescinded, en pried into the details
+of the old lady's estate, hit would have blowed the lid off. Hit would
+have shore been bricks and cabbages fer Logan, right when he's
+plannin' a posie shower.
+
+"Forty dollars was none too big to fend off the disaster. But where
+Logan missed the gap in the fence was that he didn't inquire as to
+details. He knew Ugly come in by train. He thought the forty would be
+expended in the same way."
+
+The two reached the Gillis home as the lady was lighting the lamp and
+setting out the evening meal. "Why, you and that girl must be
+preparing a lengthy address," she said to Davy jestingly.
+
+"That gal and I have surely had a busy day. We've certainly upset some
+precedents, broken some rules, and maybe some laws. Your brother here
+was a full participant, a co-conspirator, and was awarded the Medal of
+Intrigue by Mister Potter, when the meeting closed. But excuse me,"
+said the now jovial midget as he walked away. "I just can't look at
+those baking-powder biscuits without grabbing one; I'm that wolfish."
+
+During the meal, Davy invited Landy to tell of the day's happenings.
+"Yer new boarder here bought the Bar-O ranch--trouble en all," said
+Landy quietly. "En he's plannin' to promote the circus business by
+raisin' a lot more lions, tigers, hyenas, en sich. He's got a good
+start now, en he plans a glorious finish."
+
+The news electrified the Gillises. It provoked much discussion and
+required many explanations. It allowed Davy time to eat a hearty meal.
+Finishing, he pushed back his chair to state some final conditions.
+
+"And I'll not complete the final contract, not pay down a cent and
+throw up the whole thing, unless Mister Landy Spencer, here seated,
+pledges that he will join in with me in working the thing out to a
+final victory. No, I don't mean that he's to pay out anything, I'll
+pay all, but he's to say that he will stay with me, that he'll manage
+the thing, plan production, hire the help, and get things going. And
+we'll divide the profits. This depression can't last. Already the wise
+ones are hearing the death rattle and last gasp. But it will take some
+time to recover and we must be ready when the bulge comes. Maybe there
+are some old cows over there that Landy says are dear at ten dollars a
+head. There are some unweaned calves, and a few unbranded yearlings
+that will just about pay the cost of their roundup. But that's the
+foundation on which we are to build. What do you say, podner? Are you
+with me?"
+
+"In yer listin' of assets, ye haven't invoiced Maizie," said Landy.
+"Early this afternoon, I heard ye pricin' her to Logan at a thousand
+dollars a week. En ye haven't catalogued Hulls en the bulls, mebbe
+they're wuth more than all the rest. Shore I'll he'p ye. Hit'll be a
+pleasure to hear ye try to mesmerize Maizie like ye did Logan, tellin'
+her of this Coony Island place en the fortune tellers. We'll go over
+thar in the mornin' early en I'll watch ye hypnotize her en Hulls,
+like ye did Logan. 'Course, if they're gone, that's our loss. We'll
+invoice the remnants en leavin's, en take a fresh start."
+
+Davy was early to bed but his rest was broken in trying to picture the
+probable conduct of two persons he had never seen. In his dreams, old
+Hulls and his threatening gun was a commonplace figure. But back of
+him, and in command, was the garish image of a black-haired,
+copper-complexioned virago, whose imperious death-dealing edicts
+recalled his early readings of Sir Walter and his vivid picturings of
+Helen, wife of Rob Roy, in her judgments of the fate of a common
+enemy. He was glad that daylight came to dispel the mental mirage.
+
+"I never saw Landy so interested," said Mrs. Gillis, as she placed
+Davy's high chair at the table. "He was out feeding the horses long
+before Jim did the milking, and that's unusual. Landy likes you--likes
+to do the things you plan. Of course Landy has earned a rest, but
+there's too many that rust out when they rest up. Landy is that kind.
+He needs to be interested in something. He's had a lot of experience
+in the cattle business, and with your energy and planning and his
+experience, you ought to make a lot of money when this depression is
+over."
+
+"Well, I'm not so interested in the money-making as I am in making a
+success out of this liability. Of course I want it to pay its own way,
+pay for improved livestock, buildings, fencing, and the like. But I'm
+not much interested in piling up useless money in a resisting bank. Of
+course, when Ralph Gaynor comes out to visit us--he's the gent that
+introduced me over the phone--when Ralph comes out, he'd like to see a
+fat bank account and talk woozy stuff of safety margins, earned
+increments and that crazy rot, but I yearn to show him a going
+concern, a likeable thing, prideful of its upbuilding.
+
+"Landy and I will get along all right. He's the only one of you that
+sasses back, offers objections, overrules plans. He won't like it at
+all if I'm out with the colt and a couple of beagle hounds chasing
+jack rabbits when there's hay to put up, but that's the way we'll get
+along.
+
+"Landy will fuss if we can introduce electricity on the ranch, but he
+will weaken a little when he finds that it grinds the feed,
+refrigerates a whole beef, and cooks a meal without splitting
+kindling. And if a little surplus money accumulates, he would totally
+veto the plan of laying out a Spanish patio enclosing fine white
+buildings with red tile roofs and fancy grilles--"
+
+"Why, that would be fine!" exclaimed the listener. "Would you do
+that?"
+
+"Naw," said the midget, "but if the occasion arises, I will introduce
+the subject just to see my old mentor paw around and fling dirt. It
+will keep him from rusting out, as you call it."
+
+"Do you plan moving over there--if you get possession?"
+
+"No, I will live, or rather headquarter, with Welborn as long as he
+lets me. Landy says that a rough, hazardous trail just back of our
+house leads directly to the near corner of the property. It's the
+route of the old proposed road to the Tranquil Meadows. We're to try
+that trail this morning, and I will have to stop and tell Welborn what
+I am doing. He will be surprised, but not interested. Welborn is
+self-centered on getting some 'quick' money. When he gets that done
+he's going to be busy using it, either to straighten out his own
+financial affairs or to down or suppress some financier that has
+busted in on his plans. In either event, we will lose him. Welborn
+doesn't belong out here. He belongs in the jam, the crush, the mob,
+where they strive only for personal gain--either in bulking up a lot
+of money or acquiring personal rank or status. He's young, industrious
+and impetuous; he might get it done. It's a great game, I'm told; it
+engenders some joy and a lot of grief. Personally, I'd rather put in
+the time handling a pup or growing a clutch of chickens."
+
+Landy's appearance with the saddled horses interrupted the discussion.
+
+
+
+
+14
+
+
+The path over which Landy guided his little partner may have been an
+animal trail before the days of the intrusion of the white men. It had
+its beginnings in a little unnoticeable niche at the Welborn cabin. It
+wound a narrow way along the face of the cliff and led down and around
+to cross a quick-flowing brook that farther down was to take the name
+"Mad Trapper's Fork." Halfway down, Landy pointed out that some
+blasting here and a bridge there would make a serviceable
+thoroughfare. Davy was fairly busy in retaining his saddle-seat as
+Peaches followed old Frosty around the dangerous turns. At the halt,
+and during Landy's remarks, he gazed at the towering peaks on the one
+side and the yawning ravine on the other, and suggested that he,
+Landy, could no doubt construct the proposed improvement some
+afternoon when he was resting from his strenuous work in the hay
+field.
+
+The sarcasm was ignored. Landy searched out a convenient crossing of
+the little stream. Once out of the stream bed the party was to
+encounter a vast tableland of grazing ground that seemed bounded by
+hills and peaks on all sides--the Tranquil Meadows.
+
+It was Davy's time to halt the procession. As was his custom, he rode
+Peaches in front of Frosty and stopped for an extended inspection.
+
+    "A Jug of Wine, a Loaf of Bread--and Thou
+    Beside me, singing in the Wilderness--Oh,
+    Wilderness were Paradise enow!"
+
+chanted the little man as he gazed from peak to pinnacle. "Say, Landy!
+I once dreamed of this place, and I didn't leave out a detail. I was
+waiting for a delayed train at Peru for a jump to Buffalo to join up a
+Keith circuit. At the station there was a pestering drunk with his
+'how-come' stuff and two simpering women with their 'ain't-he-cute'
+rot. I was tired. I'd had a tough season. That summer, there was a big
+crop of gawks and I had encountered all of 'em. I wanted to quit the
+game--wanted to hide out. On the sleeper, I dreamed of this place. I
+was on a horse--a big, fat ring-horse, with a pad. I rode right
+through a bunch of cattle. I held on with more zeal than did old
+Fisheye Gleason when he fell on the back of the hippopotamus at the
+start of the Grand Entry.... Say," the midget interrupted his reverie,
+"just about how far away from this Paradise Bowl is this Bar-O
+hangout?"
+
+"The Bar-O is the lid to yer Gravy Bowl," replied the Nestor. "Hit's
+that line of hills to the no'th, en winds up in this crumpled mess of
+hills here at the east end. This last section is called The Cliffs. If
+thar's any loose yearlin's left, they'll be thar. We'll edge around
+that away en then swing over to where old Matt laid out a path to the
+southern settlements."
+
+On the way to the Cliffs, Landy recounted much local history. "They
+wuz wild cattle in these ravines long before the surveyors surrounded
+old Matt with their lines. No one knew whar they come from nor to who
+they belonged. Old Matt simply absorbed 'em, as he did anything else
+that was loose. They were his foundation stock. That's why there are
+so many yaller-hammers en pennariles among 'em. Once er twice old Matt
+forgot to put up hay en his livestock wintered in them ravines en
+pawed in the snow fer what grass they got. Hit wasn't so bad. A
+cow-brute won't thrive in close quarters; they're better off with jist
+a wind-break en rain-shelter. But look out when hit's calvin' time! A
+cow will pick out the night of the big snow en drop her calf right in
+hit. I've often wondered if the colleges that teach farmin' en sich,
+ever tackled en solved that heavy problem: 'Is hit better to fret en
+worry a cow by pennin' her up in a clean box-stall, er allowin' her in
+cheerful contentment to go off by herse'f en have her calf in the
+fringe of a mudhole at the far away corner?'"
+
+Davy was looking about as he listened. Here was the tremendous
+spectacle of which he had dreamed. It was a spoken drama in
+technicolor.
+
+Frosty pricked up his ears. Landy veered the course to the right. A
+bunch of yellowish red calves were startled out of a willow clump and
+turned to watch the intruders. As the horsemen rode around to the east
+and north they resumed their grazing. Near the mouth of another ravine
+a few more were encountered.
+
+"There're thirty-seven of 'em," said Landy, as the party completed the
+circle, "en that's about twice as many as I expected. They're in good
+flesh. With plenty of hay this winter en a mite of grain, they would
+do for quick feeders next fall."
+
+"Well, you couldn't feed 'em away off out here, could you?" demanded
+Davy.
+
+"Shore!" said the expert. "There's more shelter out here than in them
+propped-up stables at the Bar-O. The B-line's got about five times as
+much hay as they need. We ought to be able to wheedle that gal out of
+a few stacks. But haulin' hay in breast-deep snow is some job. Hit
+ought to be under way right now. If old Hulls has quit out, en we git
+action, I'll talk to Potter en them loafers at the B-line en try to
+git a few ricks tucked away in here before snow comes. A few blocks of
+salt, scattered around, will keep 'em from diggin' dirt er huntin' a
+lick."
+
+And now the inspectors turned west to follow cattle paths over an
+undulating terrain for at least two miles. Here a double trail was
+encountered. Landy rode for a distance in both directions looking
+intently for signs.
+
+"Ugly Collins has either lost his time-card er has traded his wagon
+fer a airyplane," said the mentor. "Mebbe Maizie has delayed the
+take-off to finish her war with Logan. At any rate, they haven't left
+a wagon track. Let's go by the house. I'll introduce ye as a circus
+man from Springfield that's visitin' en lookin'. If ya can interest
+Maizie so I kin talk to Hulls private, hit will he'p a lot."
+
+"Not me!" interposed the little man hastily, "just leave me out of
+this local war. I've got a date with some church folks tomorrow night.
+But I don't want to be carried in feet foremost and hear the preacher
+talk about 'the many mansions and green pastures.' Isn't there some
+way that we can by-pass this Maizie and her orders 'to kill on
+sight'?"
+
+"Why, I thought ya wanted to meet Maizie," chuckled Landy, "thought ye
+wanted to contract her fer fortune tellin' down at that island place?
+Anyhow," continued the raconteur in a serious vein, "there's no chance
+fer a row. I know Hulls, I knew his daddy, old Matt. He knows I'm no
+sheriff a lookin' fer trouble. He'll talk to me like a friend. I'm
+jist out here a-showin' my circus friend the scenery. He'll talk to me
+all friendly like, en Maizie will be tickled at yer size en talk about
+circuses en sich. Speak up to her. Tell her that she belongs in this
+fortune-tellin' business. Cut up a few of yer dance capers--git her
+interested--en I'll find out why they ain't on the road to a getaway."
+
+Landy turned into the double track that led north followed by a
+reluctant midget. He watched the paths for signs of recent travel but
+continued his recitations of local history.
+
+"These Barrow folks ain't bad--jist ornery. Hit's due to breedin' en
+custom, fer they are part Injun. Old Matt told me so, one time when I
+was over here a-lookin' fer lost horses. Matt said his mother was a
+Ute--full-blooded en tribe-raised. Now, Injuns don't have much regard
+fer personal property. Except fer their arms en blanket all else is
+jist common plunder fer anyone. The deer in the thicket, the fish in
+the streams, and the birds in the air belong to the feller that gits
+'em. 'Course, Matt absorbed the wild cattle, en any other cattle he
+found on the loose. He didn't want any cattle brand--jist play the
+game his fashion, 'finders are takers,' same as fish er wild ducks.
+
+"Sich a plan didn't set well with the white settlers that was tryin'
+to put down cattle thefts. Old Matt got a bad reputation en he didn't
+try to correct hit. He matched Injun cunnin' agin the 'white laws' en
+got ostracized. He raised his boys by the same standards. This Hulls
+is jist dumb en ornery but Archie was smart. He l'arned to read, en
+when Maizie came, he l'arned to write en cipher after he was a grown
+man. If Archie got the express company's money--en hit sorta looks
+like he did--he was smart enough to 'duck out' with hit. Maizie knows
+that Archie is smart. She wants--
+
+"Look thar!" he interrupted to point at wagon tracks in the dust. "Hit
+looks like a getaway had been vetoed. Changed their minds," he added
+as he pointed to a sharp turn in the tracks and a return to the
+beaten way farther along to the north. "Now hit's anybody's guess as
+to what's happened." Landy was about to dismount for a closer
+examination when he again interrupted. "They went back to git a fresh
+start," he exclaimed as he pointed to a two-horse wagon approaching
+from between the low hills.
+
+"Now jist keep yer shirt on," he cautioned Davy. "Yer a circuser, out
+here on a visit. I'm a-showin' ye the neighborhood. Let's keep ridin'
+en be surprised like." The two rode the double trail to turn out when
+the wagon stopped. "Howdy, folks," was Landy's greeting.
+
+Ugly Collins was driving. Hulls Barrow was in the seat beside him with
+a rifle across his knees. Maizie was on a low chair in the rear,
+surrounded by bedding, boxes, tables, chairs, and all manner of
+household wares that piled high, were held in place by stakes and
+stout ropes.
+
+"Why, hit's old Landy Spencer," said Hulls as he returned the gun to
+its place on his knees. "What's got ye outen the bed so early?"
+
+"I was harassed outa bed by this pesterin' friend of mine who left the
+circus at Cheyenne to come out fer a visit en to view the scenery. I
+want ye to meet him, en he'p me answer his questions. Folks, meet
+Mister Davy Lannarck, a circuser, that's curious to see how en whar we
+live. Davy, that's my old friend Mister Hulls Barrow, en that's Mister
+Collins, en you are Miss Maizie, I take hit," Landy added as Maizie
+stood up to see what was going on. "My young friend here was cut down
+to a boy's size in heft en stature but he shore makes up the
+difference in askin' questions en in gaddin' about. When he roused me
+out this mornin' to go gaddin', I planned to swing around this way en
+let you all he'p me. But from the looks of things, you folks musta got
+word that we were comin' en are makin' a hasty move to avoid sich a
+visit."
+
+The men may have smiled at Landy's quip but Maizie laughed aloud.
+"It's the other way," she said. "You put off your visit until you saw
+that we were moving; then you come, expecting to be entertained. Had
+you come two weeks ago we could have helped."
+
+"I wasn't here two weeks ago," interposed Davy. "Then we were in the
+Northwest, looking for a town with enough money to pay the feed bills
+and freight on a lot of circus animals. In fact, we had put in the
+summer looking for such a place and never did find it."
+
+"Well, we're going to where there's money--plenty of it," said Maizie.
+
+"Take me along," pleaded the midget. "I haven't seen 'loose money'
+since we opened the ticket wagon at Grand Park in April."
+
+"What's this, Hulls!" demanded Landy. "Are ye shiftin' pastures?"
+
+"I shore am!" replied Hulls emphatically. "I'm gittin' outa the
+thistles en sage to whar thar's decent folks. I'm a-leavin' these
+hellions to rot in their tracks while I have a few days of peace en
+quiet. But don't say anything, Landy, until we git goin' en outa the
+country."
+
+"Shore I won't!" pledged Landy. "That's your business--not theirs.
+Have ye laid out a considerable trip?"
+
+"Yes, we're goin' to Nevady, down whar they're buildin' a big
+water-dam. Archie's down thar; makin' money a-plenty. There's a big
+stir on down thar. Everybody's a-workin' en Archie wants our he'p."
+
+"Well, I'm sorry yer a-leavin' but I'm glad fer this chance. I've
+wanted to see Archie ever since he he'ped me git them cattle across
+the Ranty that time. I owe him and now I've got a chance to pay." Here
+Landy searched a bill out of his billfold and handed it to Hulls.
+
+"Tell Archie that that ought to take keer of debt en int'rest. Ye see,
+I didn't have any money with me that day, en anyhow, Archie poo-pooed
+the idee of pay at the time, but I always want to pay for he'p
+thataway. But I never saw Archie again en I'm glad of this chance to
+ease my mind."
+
+Hulls folded the bill and put it in his pocket. He looked at the sun.
+"I expect that we'd better git goin'; we've put in the whole night
+a-loadin' up, en we got down here a piece en found out that we forgot
+the dog en we had to go back. En say, Landy," he called as the wagon
+started, "I forgot to turn them bulls out to worter. If ye go out that
+way, will ye open the gate en let 'em out?"
+
+The rattle of the wagon repressed the eager reply.
+
+Landy resumed the way to the north; Davy waited to watch the wagon and
+its little cloud of dust disappear over a distant swell. When he
+rejoined his friend he rode in front of Frosty to halt for a
+conference.
+
+"You've made the right estimate, Landy, they're not bad people. As
+hurried as they were, they had time to go back a mile or two for the
+dog. People that do that sort of things are not bad. I feel sorry for
+'em."
+
+"Well, yer sorrow is sorta misplaced; they're havin' the time of their
+young lives. Hulls is a-gettin' out of a mess that had no other
+outlet; Maizie is to see a lot of new scenery en will git to he'p
+Archie spend the money; Ugly is a-gittin' to hang around Maizie while
+he eats at least two steady meals a day. I was jist figgerin', Hulls
+has got more money in his pocket than he ever had in all his born
+days. He's evidently sold off about ten cows en calves to Mooney
+Whitset of the Diamond outfit; he's got the forty--if Ugly give hit to
+him, en the five I jist handed him--that Archie will never see--so,
+all told, they are in clover. Hit will take 'em about two weeks to
+make the trip, en with all that plunder aboard Archie will give 'em a
+royal welcome.
+
+"Ye see, son, old Matt--ner the boys--ever made a dime out of this
+place--never wanted to. Jist fiddled around, huntin', fishin' en
+loafin'. The whole thing wasn't any bigger an asset than a job as a
+section hand on the U P. Their sales of scrawny cattle jist about paid
+the taxes en bought their salt en terbacker.
+
+"Now, son, ye are on the Bar-O. The line runs from them peaks in the
+Cliffs to a bend in the crick at that fringe of trees. Then add two
+sections of rough land around the Cliffs, en that's hit. The Barrows
+never did much fencin'. Jist a bresh fence around the truck patch en a
+fairly good corral at the stables is about all. The cows are down thar
+by the spring. We'll turn the bulls out en go down en count 'em."
+
+While Landy was engaged in the requested task Davy took hasty survey
+of the surroundings. The stables and house were of the same
+architecture: rambling log structures that seemed to have been erected
+after many an afterthought. The front door of the house was open.
+Landy closed it, and circled the house to see that all other openings
+were closed. He then mounted and motioned Davy to follow the bulls to
+water. Here, Landy circled the cows and calves. "Thar's twenty-six of
+'em," he commented, "en ye owe Finch the full amount of his claim.
+
+"Now," commented the aged Nestor, "we'll not go over by the B-line.
+What they don't know won't hurt 'em. We'll jist slip back home the way
+we come. Tomorry will be plenty of time to go over the hay-he'p
+matter, en on Monday we must cinch the deal."
+
+
+
+
+15
+
+
+The great Burns warehouse in Adot was built back in the impulsive days
+following the construction of the Union Pacific Railroad.
+Notwithstanding the fact that the young nation was engaged in a civil
+war that challenged its existence, there was faith that right would
+prevail, hope in the future of national expansion, and charity assumed
+her wonted place. In 1862 Congress incorporated the road, borrowed the
+funds to build, and bonused the enterprise with grants of
+land--greater in area than the State of Pennsylvania.
+
+And there was need for national expansion and the development of the
+vast empire west of the Mississippi. At the close of the Civil War,
+more than a million soldiers were discharged to seek new homes in an
+uncongested area. A million immigrants came from impoverished Europe
+in the four succeeding years, begging for freedom and a place to live.
+These millions too were given bonuses of grants of land, and soon the
+uninhabited West was dotted with primitive homesteads and scattered
+ranches that must be served. Food, in all its varieties, is a primal
+necessity. Warehouses, clumsy predecessors of modern stores, must be
+constructed at advantageous points to shelter foods and make
+distribution to remote sections. Some called them trading posts.
+
+And so, back in the colorful days of the building of the fast-growing
+West, young Isaac Burns constructed his warehouse. It was high and
+wide, if not handsome. It had a driveway through it--handy for the
+four or six teams that came to unload flour, sugar, salt, spices,
+bolts of fabrics, farm implements, or what-have you. Handy, too, for
+the rancher or miner that came to buy at retail (but in wholesale
+quantities) a full year's supply of merchandise and food.
+
+But in the changing economies of a fast-growing republic, the
+warehouse plan was to take its place with the ox yoke, the spinning
+wheel, the mustache cup, and the Prince Albert coat. Hard roads and
+bridges took the place of ill-defined trails, and gasoline brought the
+rancher to trading marts daily, instead of once a year.
+
+Young Jethro Burns added a corral to the now useless warehouse and
+traded in livestock. Joe Burns, of the next generation, closed off one
+side of the driveway to make a storage room. But notwithstanding its
+favorable location in the center of town, the room remained idle.
+Except as a repository for a few odds and ends and its occasional uses
+on election days, the old warehouse rested in its past glories. It was
+an easy conquest for the persuasive, zealous Paul Curtis, the newly
+arrived Nazarene minister, to gain permission for its use for church
+purposes. Seemingly easy it was to commandeer many of the community's
+extra chairs, benches, settees, and kegs to accommodate the limited
+but growing congregation. A small platform was built at one end,
+lights were added. And now, exhortations and songs of praise filled
+the air that was once vibrant with the bawling of restless calves and
+the bleating of timid lambs.
+
+In the week preceding the event, a great muslin banner hung across the
+warehouse front proclaiming:
+
+                  UNIQUE ENTERTAINMENT!
+                    Saturday Eve, 7:30
+
+                    CIRCUS-SHOW MIDGET
+                 WILL RELATE EXPERIENCES
+
+                     Songs and Music
+              Admission--Free Will Offering.
+
+                          COME!
+
+David Lannarck was up bright and early Saturday morning. After feeding
+and brushing Peaches, he dressed himself in his best clothes. Landy,
+too, sensing the importance of coming events, improved his appearance
+by buttoning up his shirt-front. The ride to the B-line was
+unimportant. Adine Lough was ready with the roadster. By ten or eleven
+o'clock the party was in Adot.
+
+At the bridge they stopped to lay back the top. Adine drove slowly up
+Main Street; Davy stood in the middle with his hand on Landy's
+shoulder. There were but few persons on the street as the car passed
+but on its return, everybody in the stores was out on the sidewalk.
+
+"Take off that old barn-door hat, Landy, so we can see what ye got,"
+called someone from the walk. Landy complied with the request. Davy
+waved his greetings to the curious. The party halted at Jode's hotel
+and restaurant. A woman came out.
+
+Presently a young fellow, coatless and hatless, came running from the
+old warehouse. "We should have had a band to head the parade," he
+exclaimed apologetically, "but you are surely welcome. I have been
+adding more camp chairs to our seating capacity. We'll need them all."
+It was the young preacher. Adine made the introductions.
+
+"Do you want another parade this afternoon?" asked Davy. "Getting out
+the Standing Room Only sign is always an asset for future
+entertainments."
+
+"And will you be with us again?" asked the young minister quickly.
+
+"No, this is my last public appearance," said Davy firmly. "In this
+matter, I am fulfilling an agreement. I want to give all I've got;
+because I got just what I wanted. But if Adine is willing, we'll
+parade this afternoon."
+
+And parade they did, at three o'clock. Davy insisted that Landy
+participate. The aged Nestor--a perfect representative of other
+days--held grimly to his seat as the car, driven by a very handsome
+and smiling young lady, moved slowly up and down the thoroughfare,
+packed with people who had come to see--a midget!
+
+Adine, Davy, and Landy were joined in the evening meal by Mr. and Mrs.
+Charles Gillis and Welborn, who had come in Jim's car, via the Carter
+filling station. The Silver Falls project was well represented. On the
+way over, Welborn figured he could have taken fully an ounce of dust
+from the company holdings, but he was loyal to his friend--and
+promise.
+
+The audience that assembled for the entertainment at the Burns
+warehouse exceeded the young minister's estimates. The standing
+audience was greater than the number that found seats. A few
+venturesome lads who had never seen a midget climbed up to the braces
+that held sill to pillar to get a better view. But withal it was a
+quiet, orderly gathering of the men, women, and children of the
+little city and its far-reaching suburbs.
+
+While the crowd was assembling young Paul Curtis, the preacher, acted
+as usher. He seated Adine Lough and her party of five on the platform.
+Occasionally he consulted with Brother Peyton, the doorkeeper. And
+finally, as capacity was reached, he came to the rostrum.
+
+"Friends and neighbors," he said, "it's too bad that our program must
+be preceded by an apology. As a stranger in your midst, I did not
+properly estimate your interest and enthusiasm. I accept the blame for
+not providing a larger auditorium and I want, at this time, to give
+credit to Miss Adine Lough, of the B-line ranch, for her zeal in
+providing the feature of the entertainment and giving it the wide
+publicity it deserves. Make yourselves as comfortable as you can and
+we will proceed with our offerings."
+
+The young minister was a real artist with an accordion. He played
+several popular numbers, interspersed with old-time classics such as
+"The Flower Song," "The Blue Danube," and others. It was good music,
+well played, and received generous applause. These were followed by a
+solo and encore by the minister's wife and then a quartette of young
+girls sang a couple of popular selections.
+
+Paul Curtis had preceded each number by a brief statement as to what
+it was to be. Now he came to the rostrum. "We are now at the feature
+number of our program," he announced. "I understand it had its
+beginnings in a horse trade. Back in other days, a horse trade was
+often tinged with fraud and chicanery. This one has ended in a great
+good; really, it's the most fortuitous happening in my brief career as
+a minister of the Gospel. It has given me a quick and hearty contact
+with all the people where I am to work. It goes to show that a great
+good can spring from lowly origins. The Saviour of men, you know, was
+from lowly Nazareth and born in a manger.
+
+"But we will let the next speaker tell of the hoss trade, although he
+is scheduled to talk about midgets and tell us something about life
+with a circus-show. Both of these topics interest me deeply, as I know
+nothing about either, and am anxious to learn about them.
+
+"Folks, neighbors, and friends of Adot and community, allow me to
+introduce my new-found young friend and our near-neighbor, Mister
+David Lannarck, lately a feature with the Great International Circus,
+and now a resident of the Silver Falls neighborhood. Mister Lannarck."
+
+Davy slid down from an uncomfortable chair and climbed up on the
+little platform that had been placed at the side of the pulpit proper.
+
+"Howdy, folks, and thank you, Brother Curtis, for the kindly
+introduction. Calling me your young friend is a compliment I hardly
+deserve. Yet it's a form of praise encountered by midgets. I recall
+that a white-haired, gray-whiskered employee of the hotel in
+Philadelphia, where we were quartered, persistently called Admiral
+Blair, our leading midget, 'Sonny Boy.' When comparisons were made,
+the Admiral was ten years the older. I am not very adept in guessing
+the ages of either grown persons or midgets, but I suspect, Brother
+Curtis, that I was in the fourth grade in school about the time you
+were born; and that when you arrived at the fourth grade, I was doing
+a man's job on the Keith vaudeville circuit. Such things occur to
+midgets.
+
+"But let's get the Side-Show out of the way before we start the
+performance in the Big Top--let's clear up the hoss trade first. In
+that transaction I was simply the innocent bystander. The principals
+in that event are with us tonight. Acting as Master of Ceremonies of
+this Floor Show, let me introduce them." Turning to his guests of the
+evening, the speaker cautioned: "Stand up, folks, and take your bow as
+your name is called.
+
+"First, I want to present the party who contributed the Hoss, who made
+all the plans, and who through the untiring labors of this young
+minister is largely, if not wholly responsible for this splendid
+gathering, Miss Adine Lough."
+
+The applause was generous and lasting. Blushing, smiling, and
+embarrassed, Adine took her bow and resumed her seat.
+
+"And the next principal in the transaction--the man who discovered the
+hoss and led me to it--my friend, mentor, guide, and boon companion,
+Mister Landy Spencer." The applause was generous but more boisterous.
+It was evident that Mister Spencer had many boon companions in the
+audience. Landy's bow was a mixture of bends at the waist, neck, and
+knees.
+
+"And the next two, while not direct parties to the hoss trade, are
+responsible for my upkeep, who shelter and feed me--and the hoss,
+Mister and Mistress James Gillis." Again the applause was generous and
+hearty.
+
+"And last, but not least, is the man who came to me in my greatest
+hour of distress--of disgust with the mob and a fixed determination to
+get away from it all; the man who came to me when the circus was about
+to fold up, and I was yearning for quiet and peace but didn't know
+where to find it, and he found it for me. Right where I wanted to be,
+the place I had dreamed of, but never could find, the man who as my
+podner does the easy manual labor, while I do the hard thinking, the
+man who owned it all and staked me out a half interest, Mister Sam
+Welborn." Again the applause was generous.
+
+"And that completes the hoss trade episode, my friends. I got the best
+little horse west of the Mississippi River, and Miss Lough got nothing
+but the satisfaction of having planned and promoted a worthy
+enterprise in which all of you are participants. Now, let's get on to
+the main event in the Big Top; let's talk about midgets and circuses."
+
+Earlier, Davy had asked Paul Curtis to find if his voice was reaching
+the remote fringes of the audience. Being assured by a friendly nod
+that he was making himself heard, he placed his elbows on the pulpit
+and rested his chin in his cupped hands to gaze at the curious.
+
+"I wish I knew something of my subject other than my own personal
+experiences," he said in a slow, lowered voice. "General literature is
+silent on the classification and accomplishments of midgets. Except
+for Dean Swift's recitals of the Lilliputians--which is pure fiction
+and the limited paragraphs in the encyclopedias on dwarfs--which is
+the wrong name for the subject--in literature the midget is the
+forgotten man.
+
+"Even the Bible, in its wide comprehension of all classes of man, to
+include the race of giants, before the flood, the stalwart sons of
+Anak, and the giant adversary of little David, makes no mention of the
+little people except in the third book of Mosaic writings, the
+'Crookbackt' or dwarfs are warned not to come nigh the altar-fires
+where sacrifices are offered. A severe banishment, truly, but as a
+good Presbyterian, I attribute the severity of such a decree to the
+grudging envy of the jealous old 'kettle-tender' who maybe scorched
+the stew; and I get my solace in the comforting words of the Master
+who pledges that 'the meek, the merciful, the pure in heart and the
+peacemakers--large or small--shall be called the children of God.'
+
+"Yes, there's confusion in literature--even in dictionaries--as to the
+proper classification of midgets. Their status is better established
+by elimination--by stating what they are not. Midgets are neither
+dwarfs, runts, pygmies, nor Lilliputians. Dwarfs may have normal
+bodies but with either short legs or arms, or both; a runt is a small
+specimen in a litter or drove; pygmies were a mythical creation of the
+Greeks, but the name was later given to a tribe in South Africa, whose
+stature was considerably less than their neighbors; and Lilliputians
+were the creation of a mind that was later to go haywire--but not over
+midgets, mind you--it was that other enigma in human life: the
+beckoning lure of two women, and the great creator of 'Gulliver and
+His Travels' went nuts in trying to decide which way to go."
+
+A wave of stillness blanketed the audience that had come to see--and
+maybe laugh at--the antics of a midget. Up to now, the address was
+not in the expected pitch. It was far afield from the anticipated
+humor of frivolous incidents. Dissertations on literature, science,
+and philosophy came as an unexpected jolt. Davy Lannarck, who had
+spent his adult life in facing the public, now knew that he had 'em
+mesmerized.
+
+"Who, then, composes this exclusive class in the human family? Who are
+midgets?" Davy gave the question its full emphasis to include the
+dramatic pause. "Well, I've lived the life of one for more than a
+quarter of a century. If literature, dictionaries, encyclopedias, and
+Holy Writ fail to sort us into the proper herd, why, I'll heat my own
+runnin' iron and brand the ones I think are eligible.
+
+"Midgets are people. Out of a million or more of babies born one, at
+least, is destined not to reach adult stature. Normal in every way and
+perfectly proportioned, this millionth babe stops growing, while yet a
+babe, and thereafter not an inch is added to his stature and very
+little to his Weight. 'Arrested development' the scientist terms it;
+'a malfunctioning of the pituitary gland' is the doctor's diagnosis of
+the disaster.
+
+"So, one out of a million or more babies born is destined to go
+through life bumping his head against other people's knees. If it's a
+boy, he can never bust one over the fence for a home run, never look
+squarely into the face of the receiving teller at the bank or of the
+room clerk at the hotel. He is never to referee a prize fight or run
+for president. If he wants a drink at the public fountain, he must ask
+someone to get it for him. If he goes to school, church, or a public
+meeting he must either get a front seat or he'll get a back view. On
+trains, busses, and Pullmans he pays the same adult fare as the
+two-hundred-pounder across the aisle.
+
+"In the meager information about midgets, one writer, in an excellent
+article, estimates one midget to every million of population. He must
+have lived in New York City, as the little people flock to that
+metropolis, seeking employment in theaters and museums. My personal
+estimate of the ratio is that not one babe in two million is destined
+to go through life looking through the wrong end of opera glasses. In
+my brief career I have never seen more than twenty-two midgets in one
+group, and that only after Baron Singer had combed the civilized world
+in an effort to get 'em all in one assemblage.
+
+"I have said that literature is almost silent concerning midgets and
+their activities. Yet, if one would compile all the scattered
+paragraphs of the ages past, it might be a sizeable volume. Back in
+the days when chivalry ran parallel with human bondage, midgets were
+rated as personal property. Kings and emperors called them to court
+for amusement purposes; offered them as gifts to appease the powerful
+or seduce the weak. And at courtly banquets, when the liquor was
+potent enough to inspire adventuresome bravery, midgets were tossed
+like medicine balls, from guest to guest, to provide entertainment for
+the ladies and gallants there present. However, the meager paragraphs
+failed to reveal if the ball was dribbled or if free throws were
+allowed in the event of fouls being made on the brave participants.
+
+"Midgets marry same as other people, and strange to relate, fully half
+of them wed full grown adults. Just why this is I do not know. While I
+have acted the part of Dan Cupid in several stage productions, I've
+had no actual experience with the attachments and jealousies of
+humans--big or little. Midgets do have love-longings and jealousies,
+and love-making is carried on with all the zeal of modern warfare.
+Also, it has some of the elements of modern international diplomacy in
+its double-talk and duplicity. I witnessed one of these incidents as
+an innocent bystander.
+
+"André, a very competent juggler, had come to America with the Singer
+Midgets. He was a Frenchman and spoke not a word of English. In
+America, the Singer Company was rallying to its organization all the
+little people it could induce to join up in a tour of the big circuit.
+Among the new arrivals was Lorette Sanford, a beautiful little trick
+of a girl. André was much impressed with her beauty and vivacity.
+Here was his soulmate! But he just couldn't tell her of his undying
+affection on account of the language handicap. Lorette knew not a word
+of French.
+
+"But love laughs at locksmiths and Cupid has many assistants. André
+sought out Jimmy Quick, who had toured France and could make himself
+understood. Jimmy was commissioned to anglicize a proper proposal and
+André spent hours in repeating the verbiage as taught. At the proper
+moment, he met the object of his adoration back of the scenes and
+fired his volley of transposed endearments. It had a tremendous effect
+all right, but it was in reverse gear. Lorette screamed and ran, but
+quickly returned to slap André's face, kick his shins, and push him
+sprawling into a mess of paint cans and brushes. Surely a disastrous
+ending for a well meant intention.
+
+"Of course it turned out that Jimmy Quick, who secretly had notions of
+his own as to the beauty and desirability of the object of André's
+affections, had composed a proposal of all the vile and abusive words
+in the English language. Jimmy was too big for André to chastise, but
+as the rumor of the incident spread and the comedians began to quote
+freely some of the indecent phrases of the hoax, André fled the scene
+of torment. He left the company at Buffalo and went to Quebec where
+English was in limited use, and the story unknown.
+
+"But André's juggling act was invaluable among so many amateurs. The
+manager went to Canada to urge his return. But by the time he
+succeeded, Jimmy Quick had eloped with the fair Lorette and had joined
+up with Cairstair's Congress of Living Wonders. And to give the matter
+a modern and adult finish, it turned out that André already had a wife
+and child in France.
+
+"Yes, midgets--small in size and few in number--marry and raise
+families in about the same proportions as 'the big ones.' It is a
+matter of record that Mrs. Judith Skinner, herself a midget, gave
+birth to fourteen children. They were all of normal size. In fact, the
+mystery of midget existence is further complicated by the added truth
+that no midget ever gave birth to a midget.
+
+"Midgets never grow bald and are usually vain in the matter of dress,
+probably due to the fact that in the past they were attachés of
+royalty. A midget is usually suave in manners and not easily
+embarrassed in public. Several instances are related that midgets,
+back in the conspiring and deceitful days of royalty, gave their
+patrons much information of enemy intrigues and adverse plottings
+against the crown.
+
+"This story is told of a midget's participation in imperial intrigue.
+Richebourg, only twenty-three inches tall, was an attaché of the royal
+family of Orleans, deeply involved in the French Revolution. Swaddled
+in baby garments, he was allowed to be carried through enemy lines by
+an ignorant maid, bearing vital messages to friends of imprisoned
+royalty.
+
+"But notwithstanding their limitations in size and number, midgets
+have made material contributions in science, art, and invention. Many
+of the present day comforts and much of our current beauty in art came
+from these Lilliputians. And set this down to the credit of the midget
+populace: few midgets, or maybe none at all, are ever convicted of the
+major crimes of murder, mayhem, arson, or theft. If the 'big ones'
+were as law-abiding as the 'little ones' there would be little need
+for criminal courts and jails.
+
+"It was the establishment of democracies that gave midgets a status as
+a citizen. In the dark ages of the past, he had been a creature of
+derision, a thing to be bandied about in trade or gift. And it was in
+our own blessed United States of America that he began taking his
+proper place as a communal asset. Our own Tom Thumb and his genial
+wife, Lavinna Warren, traveled extensively over the world to prove
+that midgets were intelligent and companionable people. Later came
+Admiral Dot, Commodore Nutt, and others of the fraternity, to travel
+widely over the country, and by contact prove the worth of midgets.
+
+"But it was Baron Leopold von Singer, an Austrian citizen and a man of
+great wealth, who lifted midgets out of the mental mire of being
+regarded as children and gave them their rightful place. The story is
+told that the baron became interested in little people through the
+pleadings of an invalid daughter. He invited several midgets to his
+home. Finding them agreeable and companionable, he founded a midget
+city with all the conveniences and accessories of a municipality to
+include a theater where much talent was revealed.
+
+"In the midst of these activities Austria became a center of strife in
+the World War. The baron hastily moved his theatrical activities to
+London, and later to the United States where he toured all the larger
+cities to exhibit his little troupers and their talents.
+
+"Really, the baron never planned this tour of the Singer Midgets as a
+money making venture. He had learned to love the little people and
+took keen pleasure and joy in the development of their genius to
+entertain the public. He paid good salaries with no thought of
+commercialism. But the enterprise did make money. It was a major means
+of revealing to the public that midgets have talents. And best of all,
+it furnished a wide field of employment to little people. The public
+wants to see midgets and fully fifty percent of these are now engaged
+in some form of show business.
+
+"My personal contact with show business was made through the Singer
+Midgets. As a youngster I had planned to study architecture, as I had
+developed some talent at the drawing board. But the death of my
+parents interrupted my home life. I sought diversion. I visited the
+Singer Show at St. Louis. I had no specialty--no act--that would amuse
+the public, but the manager signed me up, hoping to develop something
+useful. And I did develop. On account of my voice being in the right
+pitch, I expanded into a spieler, a front man, the person who makes
+the announcements in front of the curtain, that does the ballyhoo for
+the side show or bawls out, from the center ring, the features of the
+concert 'that will immediately fallaawftah this pawfo'mance.'
+
+"And for twelve years, winter and summer, night and day, I have
+traveled about to see our dear America at its best and its worst. In
+that time, I have looked into the faces of half the people of the
+nation and, as a corollary, I was the object of their scrutiny and
+comment. I got tired of the job. I wanted to get out where I could
+meet them, one at a time, to tell jokes, hear the news, complain about
+the depression, cuss Congress, and sympathize with those in distress.
+
+"But please do not think that my aversion of the public extends to a
+meeting such as we have here tonight. Here, I feel happy in being
+permitted to meet my neighbors and grateful for the opportunity to
+give such publicity as I can to the accomplishments of the little
+people who for centuries were held in a bondage of ridicule and
+derision, but who now, by industry and mental accomplishments, stand
+side by side with all who seek to make this a better world.
+
+"And now let's go to the circus where--"
+
+Davy's further remarks were interrupted by applause. Led by the young
+minister, the seated audience rose to cheer his simple, earnest story
+of midget life and accomplishments.
+
+"Now, I am doubly paid," said the little speaker, showing his first
+signs of embarrassment. "Maybe the double pay is for overtime; maybe
+you are glad that I am nearing the end of the story. At any rate,
+let's go out to the circus lot, even if we do not get inside the Big
+Top. That will shorten the program.
+
+"I love the circus. Inside the ring of its glamorous pageantry is a
+circle of closely knit friendships and sociability not found in any
+other organization. From management to roustabout there are common
+ties of interest. And because a destination must be reached on the
+hour, and a pageant presented, there is teamwork such as I have never
+seen elsewhere. Personally, I think circuses, in their precision of
+movement and volume of property handled, have been used as models for
+our great United States' Armies in their muster of men and equipment
+and in the accuracy of transportation.
+
+"Think of it! A big circus, in property and personnel, is the equal of
+a small city. On Monday, this city sets up shop in a Des Moines suburb
+to give two exhibitions. Tuesday it shows in Omaha; Wednesday, in
+Kansas City. It sets up and tears down, the same day. It changes
+location while you sleep. All details, from elephants to tent stakes,
+from kid-show banners to the great arena that shelters and seats ten
+thousand patrons, all must be torn down, transported, and set up
+between sunset and sunrise. I know of no other private enterprise that
+so truly represents the skill, aptitude, and energy of American
+genius.
+
+"But pshaw! All of you have been to circuses! Yet there are erroneous
+impressions abroad that should be corrected. Circuses are, for the
+most part, privately owned and have grown up from small beginnings.
+The owners are business men such as you meet in other industries. They
+employ the best talent available in each department. They try to get
+young bank employees to handle bookkeeping and finances. Surely the
+man on the ticket wagon must be a wizard to handle the volume of
+business done within the limited time; and the boss canvasman, to lay
+out and erect a circus city in two hours, must know his men and
+property in every detail.
+
+"But the important part of the circus business is transacted in the
+winter months and in remote and strange places. What are we to exhibit
+in the coming season? The entire world is scouted to find new and
+sensational features and spectacles. Not only are the jungles combed
+for the little known and strange creatures of earth, but the highly
+civilized quarters of the world should yield new accomplishments in
+the acrobatic field and in the latest achievements of science and
+art. And in these later years, all history is carefully explored for
+the dramatic incident that can be portrayed in glamorous pageantry for
+the amusement and education of those who come to the circus.
+
+"And then comes the gravest problem of all. Where will we exhibit this
+planned program? Routing a circus is a technical matter. Every feature
+of the locale must be studied. Stock markets and boards of trade must
+be consulted as to the financial outlook. Crop estimates, factory
+production, and foreign markets are big factors in the planning.
+Droughts, floods, crop failures, labor troubles, and great fires are
+some of the many things to be avoided in the routings. All this must
+be planned before a pitch is made.
+
+"Aside from the management the personnel of a circus naturally divides
+itself into three groups: the ring performers, the animal trainers,
+and the roustabouts. The first named, consisting of acrobats,
+tumblers, jugglers, aerial artists, and equestrians, are an exclusive
+class that eat at the same table and use the same Pullmans. They are
+not 'snooty,' just reserved. There are many foreigners among them. In
+some acts the entire family takes part. They are a sober lot. Hard
+liquor has no place on the refreshment list of a class whose life is
+dependent on a clear brain and a sure hand and foot. Many of them are
+good church folk. We could always tell when Sunday morning came by the
+bustle and stir to attend early Mass.
+
+"Roustabouts, the labor battalion of the circus army, join up out of
+curiosity and quit when satiated. A wise boss never fixes a specific
+payday or else, on the day following, not enough of 'em would be left
+to light the cook's fire. They are the first to be rousted out in the
+morning and never go to bed. They are supposed to catch naps during
+the afternoon performance and of evenings before the menagerie is torn
+down for another move. However, these naps are canceled if they can
+contact the public for a 'touch' or gain an audience for their weird,
+fantastic tales of personal heroism in their life with the circus.
+
+"And because Mister John Q. Public contacts these ne'er-do-wells and
+romancers, he forms wrong estimates of the business. Mister Public is
+further deceived in believing that the 'con man' who has a pitch
+nearby is connected with the enterprise. Circuses are widely
+advertised to appear at a certain place on a fixed date. The skin-game
+artists and shilabers, cheaters, flimflammers, and medicine men flock
+to these gatherings as flies to a picnic. They are as barnacles on a
+fast-moving ship, flies in the ointment of circus management. Happily
+much of this odium has been erased. By close cooperation with local
+authorities, the con man and shilaber is moved out before he starts.
+Unhappily the stigma of past incidents still persists.
+
+"And now, you are happy that I am approaching the end of the chapter,
+and I am happy to say a final word in behalf of my favorites among the
+circus folks, the animal trainers. To me, these patient, hard workers
+are the cream of the crop. Whenever I had time to spare I was a
+visitor in their schools. We marvel that we can communicate by
+telephone and radio, but animal trainers not only make themselves
+understood, but they must first teach their subjects the language in
+which they speak. At these training schools I've seen horses, dogs,
+elephants, seals, and birds told in pantomime what certain words mean;
+they are then told to execute the exact meaning of the word. Those who
+teach young humans have an easy task as compared with these patient
+teachers of dumb, but brainy brutes.
+
+"Animal trainers are born with the 'gift.' None, so far as I know,
+would shine in educational circles and none are dilettanti in the arts
+and sciences, yet they have that mysterious 'it' of influence and
+command. I've seen a great herd of elephants move in unison at a
+whispered word, and a dog will venture to death's door if a little,
+old ragged master bids him to do so. A queer relationship this! It has
+always fascinated me.
+
+"But, I want you to understand, my admiration for the game does not
+extend to the cat family. I always turn my back and walk away when I
+see Beatty walk into a cage of tigers, leopards, lions, or cougars. I
+admire his pluck but condemn his judgment. I cannot join the general
+public in admiring the sinuous majesty of the cats. I was always glad
+to hear the final slam of the gate and to wonder if the latch caught
+as Clyde backed out.
+
+"But with the rest of the trainees I am in good standing. I love to
+ramble around in the menagerie and hear the big talk of the gang in
+charge. Elephants like children and midgets. Old Mom always had a
+friendly greeting for me and knew in which pocket I had parked the
+peanuts. Seals know a lot more than they let on. However, they are a
+jealous set. They sulk and pout, worse than humans, if one act wins
+more applause than another.
+
+"As a sort of a summary of my happy hours spent with animal trainers,
+I offer the opinion that dogs, because of their centuries of contact
+with man, are the most faithful creatures of the animal kingdom; that
+horses are the most useful, for this great western empire would still
+be a desert or a roaring wilderness had it not been for the horse.
+Elephants are smarter than many of the other creatures. They can
+reason from cause to effect. This I know, for one dark, rainy night
+when we were stuck in the mud trying to get off the lot at Columbus,
+old Canhead Fortney was using two of the smaller Asiatics to shove the
+big cages out of the mire. Jerry Quiggle had six horses on a chain and
+was surging away to get the wagons out to the pavement. Canhead moved
+the little elephants around back of the big rhinoceros cage and fixed
+the head-pads for the big shove. But they didn't shove. Canhead bawled
+and fussed around in the dark and thought he had a mutiny on his
+hands. Presently he heard Jerry, up in front, hooking on the chain and
+clucking to the horses. Then the little Asiatics, without further
+orders, bent to their task and the big cage rolled out to the hard
+surface. Canhead apologized for his error. He stopped at a hydrant and
+washed the mud off the elephants' legs and gave 'em an extra feed.
+
+"But of all the animals under training, I think seals are the
+smartest. They are uncanny in their reasoning. They do unexpected
+things. When seals are associated with human beings as long as dogs
+they will speak our language and do it correctly. I think seals like
+to tour the country in the hope that some day they can go back to the
+ocean, to the rocks and cliffs and slides, to tell the other seals
+just how dumb we humans are.
+
+"And that's about all, my friends. I realize that my rambling remarks
+are poor pay for the splendid little horse I got. Really, if my time
+and talk is the value of exchange, I would be here for a week, telling
+of the tragedies and comedies I've seen in this vast, fast-moving
+business. I could tell of the big blow-down we had in Texas; of the
+train wreck in the Carolinas; of the near elephant stampede we had
+when the woman raised her parasol as the parade was forming in
+Frankfort. And to show how closely tragedy and comedy are interwoven,
+I'll ring down the final curtain by telling this incident.
+
+"At Toledo, the Grand Entry was forming for the night performance. In
+the menagerie tent the animals, chariots, Roman soldiers, and
+attendants were being lined up for the Grand March. In the lineup were
+two hippopotamuses. It was a new feature, having these big brutes free
+and unrestrained in a parade. Just as the march started, old Fisheye
+Gleason, a seasoned old retainer who cleaned out cages, fed the
+animals, and who claimed he was with Noah when he landed his animal
+collection on Mount Ararat; old Fisheye was climbing down from the top
+of a cage when he stumbled and fell right on the back of a hippo. Now
+a hippo isn't classed with the smart animals. He makes up in bulk what
+he lacks in brains. He is billed as being the 'Blood-Sweating Behemoth
+of Holy Writ.'
+
+"But it was Fisheye that did the sweating. He didn't want to fall off
+to be run over by the chariots and it was hard to stick on the round,
+fat hippo. And the poor, scared hippo ran through the band,
+scattering musicians and horns, ran round the arena with Fisheye
+aboard, and finally scrambled up about four tiers in the reserved
+seats to an entangling stop. So far as I know, this was the only
+parade that Fisheye ever headed, and Toledo was the only city to
+witness such a Grand Entry.
+
+"Thank you, one and all, for your kindly indulgence."
+
+Again the young minister headed the prolonged applause, but he
+motioned for the audience to remain seated for a final word.
+
+"This is one of the happy events of my life," he said
+enthusiastically. "I have been well entertained, and have gained much
+valuable information on two subjects that I knew little about. And now
+that I am to add a further paragraph as to our material gains, I hope
+our guest and entertainer will understand our deep appreciation of his
+presence with us and his thoughtful remarks.
+
+"Brother Peyton informs me that the receipts of the evening amount to
+four hundred and seventy-one dollars. This is a giant sum to be
+collected voluntarily, in a small community, in a time of depression
+and for an entertainment that was wholly home talent and given at
+little expense.
+
+"Our parent church provides for loans to be made, to match sums
+donated for building purposes. I am making application for such a
+loan. I have contracted for the purchase of the old Hartman home at
+the corner of Laramie Street. It needs a new roof and new paint. If a
+partition is torn out it will be ample for our church needs just now.
+Tomorrow I will canvass the community for volunteers to do this work.
+I have already made some inquiry on this matter and feel sure that we
+can get donations of three hundred manpower hours for this task.
+
+"So what you two have accomplished this night," said the youthful
+preacher in closing, "will be shown in our church records. It will be
+recorded that a handsome, enthusiastic young girl and a former circus
+performer made the initial contributions that established a church in
+a community where it was said that such a thing was impossible. I
+thank you all for your presence here, for your labors, and your
+contributions."
+
+
+
+
+16
+
+
+Sunday was a quiet day at the Gillis home. It was freighted with both
+doubt and hope. Landy and Davy were out of bed at four o'clock Monday
+morning. At five they were in the saddle; at six-thirty they were at
+the Carter filling station. Adine had just arrived and had introduced
+herself to old Maddy, seated on the porch. She heard a brief recital
+as to the cause of his injuries and as Landy and Davy rode up she
+invited the invalid to accompany the party.
+
+"It will do you good," she explained, "for after the snows come you
+must stay in the house for a long time. We three ride the front seat
+but there is a long, narrow seat at the rear where you can prop up
+your injured feet and view the scenery."
+
+Maddy laughed. "I've seen too much scenery already. I feel more like
+resting than I do gadding. I am, however, deeply interested in your
+project. If you take over that Barrow ranch and get Hulls out of the
+country, I want to recommend a tenant--a companionable fellow and a
+hard worker that will make a good neighbor and bring decency out of
+that disgrace. It's young Goff, who saved my life. He lives over the
+state line; raises sheep and cattle; has no family, and needs
+expansion. He would make that Tranquil Meadow area bloom like a rose."
+
+"Well, I'm not the buyer," cautioned Adine, "but I will certainly use
+my influence. Your benefactor has already proven his worth as a
+citizen, and we need that kind of folks to live down the past. I will
+do my best."
+
+Landy and Davy had parked their horses in the Carter corral to take
+their place in the awaiting car. At near the noon hour they parked in
+front of the National Bank in Cheyenne.
+
+"What's your birthday?" inquired the gentlemanly cashier, as Davy made
+inquiry as to the receipt of the draft.
+
+"May thirtieth," responded Davy promptly.
+
+The cashier laughed as he produced the expected document. "Your
+sending party seems to know you very well, and know how to solve our
+problem of identification. Do you want to open an account?"
+
+"Well, I suppose that's the way it should be handled. I want to pay
+the most of it to Mr. Logan, if he's prepared to accept it. I want to
+pay Mr. Spencer here one hundred dollars and he wants to add that to
+the account of Mrs. Gillis and I should add fully fifty dollars to
+that account to keep sweet with the best cook I ever encountered.
+Then, too, I should pay Mr. Finch fifty dollars. After that, if there
+is any left, I hope you can keep it for me until I can add it up to a
+profitable figure."
+
+"Ah! here's Mr. Logan," interrupted the cashier. "You gentlemen just
+come into the customers' room and we will work out the details."
+
+"You are prompt. I thought I would beat you here," said Logan to Davy
+and his party. "Saturday I had a deed prepared to the Barrow ranch and
+had the judge approve the sale with the conditions of possession as
+stated agreed. I have it here and ready for delivery."
+
+It was Mr. Gore, the courteous cashier, who took charge of the
+business. He secured the endorsement of Davy's draft, took his
+verified signature, drew the required checks, saw them signed and
+exchanged. The entire transaction was completed in a few minutes.
+
+"You will see Mr. Finch before I do," said Davy to Logan. "Will you
+please hand him this check for fifty which completes my obligations to
+him and tell him that I am having the cattle remaining on the ranch
+appraised. If the appraisal warrants, I will pay the balance of his
+bill and send the remainder to Hulls Barrow."
+
+"Appraised! Bosh!" snorted the bank receiver. "You'll not get close to
+see any part of the ranch, let alone counting the scrub cattle. I've
+been up against old Hulls and his gun, and I know what I'm talking
+about."
+
+"The cattle have already been counted," said Davy quietly, "and I had my
+first view of the Bar-O Friday. The cattle seem in good flesh but the
+general property needs a lot of repair. I was very sorry to see Mr.
+Barrow leave; I could have used a man of his firm determination...."
+
+"Leave?" demanded Logan. "Is Hulls gone?"
+
+"Left Friday morning early, taking with him his gun, dog, chickens,
+household plunder, and worst of all, Maizie. And that woman was the
+exact type I needed."
+
+"Where did they go?" questioned the astonished receiver.
+
+"Except for the coop of chickens and the household goods, it looked
+like a picnic. However, their guide, mentor, and boss had a faraway
+look in his eye--seemed impatient to get going. Who was he? Well, I
+don't know the folks hereabouts." Turning to Landy, Davy drawled, "Who
+was that fellow that was driving?"
+
+"Hit was Collins, Ugly Collins, en from the way he was bossin' en
+pushin' along, he was tryin' to make hit to Denver by nightfall."
+
+"Well, he certainly upset my plans," said Davy resignedly. "But that's
+what one encounters in making trades, Mr. Logan. You plan out what you
+are going to do, only to find out that others also make plans.
+
+"Well, folks," said Davy, picking up the new account book and pad of
+checks, "where is that famous restaurant that you've been talking
+about? Landy's breakfasts have no stretch in 'em, don't last. I'm
+wolfish. Well, good-by, Mister Logan, and good-by, Mister Gore. I hope
+we have pleasant relations. Good-by all." And Davy ushered his party
+to the street.
+
+Seated in the Little Gem, awaiting service, it was Adine Lough that
+opened the conversation. "I hardly know how I am to get home," she
+said. "I don't like driving alone, but I certainly don't want to be
+found in the company of two heartless comedians who seek to inject
+their comedy into staid business transactions. I thought Mr. Logan's
+lower jaw would drop off when you fastened the blame of the entire
+move on his friend Ugly Collins. I could hardly repress my tears in
+your great loss of Maizie's services. I think Mr. Logan was affected
+too. Shame on both of you for being so heartless."
+
+"Yes, Logan kinda got his fingers bruised in his own b'ar trap," said
+Landy thoughtfully. "I hope his bankin' efforts won't git tangled up
+in some of his deep plannin'. Logan will git his bank started all
+right; but when this depression lifts en things git goin' Adot will
+still need a bank; this one will turn out to be 'Logan's Tradin' Post'
+er 'Logan's Deadfall.' Ye can revive a bank by man-made laws, but hit
+takes more than a slicker to keep hit goin'. Have you two settled the
+hay trade?"
+
+"Yes," said Adine, "you are to have all the stacks and ricks in the
+south field. I think Mr. Potter estimated it at near one hundred tons.
+You can have the use of one of our trucks for hauling, but you will
+probably have to hire help to move it. Our folks have never exchanged
+work with the Bar-O. Our help will probably want to wait to see if the
+new management is any improvement on the former control." The raillery
+of the youngest and happiest of the trio was seemingly lost on the
+two, now immersed in heavy responsibilities.
+
+Davy returned to the car; Adine Lough would telephone a school friend
+and window shop while Landy went to the hardware store to buy some
+needed kitchen accessories as directed in a brief note that he had
+crumpled in a deep pocket. Before two o'clock the party was well on
+the way to Carter's.
+
+Less than a month ago David Lannarck had traveled this same road. Then
+he was amazed at the shifting changes, the glory of its loneliness,
+and the utter absence of the curious and gawking. In his decade of
+travel he never encountered the land of his dreams, the wide open
+spaces that reached from here to the horizon and free of human beings.
+His business led him to the congested spots on the earth. If and when
+he traveled with a circus he spent his spare hours in the animal tent.
+Here he was not taunted with verbal gibes. Maybe this was his reason
+for liking animals. Always, he dreamed of the day when he could own
+dogs, horses, or any living thing that didn't smirk or titter.
+
+And now, on this fine October afternoon, all past hopes and dreams had
+come true; his foot was in the doorway to an earthly heaven. He was
+the owner of a ranch (maybe Ralph Gaynor would condemn the investment)
+and it had length and breadth and the desirable loneliness. He was the
+owner of a grand little horse (maybe Jess and the gang of the circus
+would scorn his size and color). He was the sole owner of a herd of
+cattle (surely the experts and maybe the general public would classify
+them as scrubs and yellow-hammers) and best of all, he had acquired a
+few understanding friends, true and loyal. During the time of the long
+trip back to their horses he was in deep thought. His meditations did
+not concern finances, nor that other pressing question: when will this
+depression end? Truly he was trying to muster arguments and reasons
+whereby he could persuade his mentor to move the scrub yearlings, now
+quartered at the Cliffs, up to the stables and corrals with the rest
+of the cattle.
+
+For this midget, David Lannarck, was very human. Possessed of an alert
+and active mind, he had, throughout adulthood, ever been classified as
+a child. He would use his recent accomplishments and present status to
+frustrate that persistent impression. Secretly but in all details he
+planned the coup.
+
+First, he would persuade Landy to round up those yearlings in a group
+with the rest of the cattle; second, on the basis that a general
+picture of the enterprise was sorely needed to bolster his financial
+standing, he would have a photographer present, taking views of all
+phases of the adventure; thirdly, and most important, he, Davy, would
+be astride Peaches, mingling with the several cow hands against a
+background of milling cattle, either in the wide open spaces or in the
+corrals at the stables. Copies of these pictures he would send to all
+his old associates in vaudeville or in the circus business.
+Particularly, he would send several copies to Ralph Gaynor, president
+of the Dollar Savings, hoping that one of them might be displayed
+where the general public could see that a midget, a former resident,
+was active with other adults in the most fascinating business in
+America. He was not seeking to establish financial credit; that he
+had, in substantial deposits and other well known securities, but he
+wanted to get away from the persistent notion of classifying midgets
+as children.
+
+Meanwhile Adine and Landy, having exhausted merry quips and scornful
+comparisons of the past and future management of the Bar-O, now gave
+serious exchanges of opinions as to who would make a suitable tenant
+for the property that was to be built up to a going concern. Landy
+mentioned the names of a dozen old-time cattle men, now unemployed and
+surely available. None of these suited the notions of the young lady
+whose persistent idea was building up the neighborhood. She, too,
+mentioned the names of many, few of them known to the old timer.
+Finally the girl mentioned the name of Maddy's benefactor, young Goff,
+now residing across the state line. "He's in cramped quarters over
+there, I understand," said the girl casually.
+
+"He's the best man in the deestrict," said Landy thoughtfully. "But
+he's got the same problems we have. He's got critters to feed, en he
+can't run two places when the snow is here. I hope, however, that
+Davy here can make him a permanent offer that will move him at once.
+
+"But we've got to git them yearlin's outa the Cliffs en up to the
+stables," Landy announced emphatically. "We can't haul hay, wean
+calves, en be traipsin' all over ten sections to feed a few critters.
+We've got to bunch 'em en show 'em that we mean business."
+
+"That's right, Landy," was Davy's prompt approval. "Can we get that
+young Goff tomorrow? Is there a good photographer in Adot? When can we
+haul the hay?"
+
+"Thar ye go crowdin' the question chute," complained Landy as the
+party arrived at the filling station. "Tomorry we've got to be in
+Adot. We've got a deed to record; got to buy some ground feed, if them
+calves are to be weaned; got to hire a lot of exter hay hands en
+enough he'p to corral them yearlin's. En besides all that," he
+cautioned, "we've got to go to the register's office en git a
+substitute brand, fer old Hulls has shorely carried off the old irons
+outa pure cussedness. Kin ye he'p us tomorry?" His question was
+directed to Adine Lough as the two got out of the car.
+
+"Yes, I've enlisted for the duration. I am anxious to learn if the new
+management is an improvement over the old. Recent happenings have
+created doubts. Come over in the morning; I want to see the finish."
+
+
+
+
+17
+
+
+A veteran cow hand or a frequenter of the modern rodeo would have
+walked out on the roundup of the scattered kine of the Bar-O ranch on
+this gray October day. There was scarcely a thrill in the entire
+performance.
+
+At Welborn's insistence, Davy invited young Byron Goff to help out in
+the work to be done. "I may not be here always," explained Welborn,
+"and Landy won't be here forever. Young Goff is your bet. He's a
+square shooter, a good worker, and his sheep and your cattle are too
+few to awaken the old-time cattle and sheep wars. Tie in with Goff."
+
+And Goff came to look the place over and make a tentative contract. A
+day or two before the general roundup Landy and Flinthead had turned
+out the gentle cattle that stayed around the barns and sheds to mingle
+with nervous yearlings that headquartered at the Cliffs. On the
+morning of the roundup young Goff and Flinthead made a wide detour to
+appear at the easternmost side. The startled kine moved west, and kept
+moving west as they found scattered riders on either side. At the
+gate, where trouble was expected, a few "yip-yips" and a hurried push
+sent the entire herd through the gates to a safe enclosure.
+
+To David Lannarck, this was the climax of his varied career. He had a
+photographer present to take many successful shots, although the day
+was raw and gray. His circus friends may not have been impressed as
+they viewed the pictures but Davy spent happy hours in looking them
+over, especially the one where he, mounted on Peaches, was heading off
+an obstinate calf.
+
+The hay hauling from the B-line was interrupted by a snow storm that
+persisted for several days. Davy had to stay at home to train Peaches
+in many fancy tricks and to keep a path open to the Gillis home.
+Welborn, however, took no part in these activities. He continued his
+work at the ravine and expressed joy that a heavy snow would prevent a
+deep freeze of the gravel. In fact, much of his time was consumed in
+insulating the pumps, the waterpipes and the area where he was to
+work. He was often delayed by the severity of the weather but as the
+dreary weeks passed the heap of little sacks that contained his
+gleanings grew to a considerable pile.
+
+And in these monotonous months of near-solitude Davy Lannarck found
+the satisfaction and contentment of his former dreams. In five months
+he saw less than a half score of people. In his waking hours his time
+was spent in training Peaches and playing with the Gillis dogs. Most
+of the time he kept the way open to the Gillis demesne, but on two
+occasions at least, he was denied that privilege; the heavy, swirling
+snows that swept over this mountain region were too much for a midget
+man and a midget horse. It was Landy Spencer and the larger horses
+that conquered the big drifts and made a passable thoroughfare between
+the Point and the Gillis home. But spring came as is its wont; the
+great snowdrifts yielded to the demands of the sun and southern winds
+and the returning flights of birds heralded the change of seasons.
+
+But the big change in conduct and occupation was in Sam Welborn. In
+the short, dark, snowy days he labored in the recesses of the canyon
+from early dawn to nightfall, but as the days lengthened and
+brightened, he puttered about the house sorting and packing some of
+his personal effects, pressing his limited supply of clothing,
+constructing a strong box to contain his gleanings, and losing no
+chance to learn of the conditions of the roads to Cheyenne and points
+beyond. It was apparent to his few acquaintances that he was now
+prepared to overcome some past adversities that had hindered his
+progress in other fields.
+
+One evening after supper at the Gillis home Welborn made a limited
+disclosure of his future plans. "As soon as the roads are fit, I want
+to go to the assay office in Denver and cash up on past efforts," was
+his opening statement. "I hope Jim can take time out to drive me there
+and bring the car back, for I want to make a trip back East to be gone
+for a week or two. After I have finished up my business in that area I
+want to come back here and loaf around a spell and get acquainted with
+my neighbors and benefactors. As Davy has often said, 'The gold up in
+the ravine will keep.' The claims are registered in our names, and we
+can, from time to time, work 'em to keep 'em alive.
+
+"At the assay office," Welborn continued, "I will cash in the little
+dab that I had accumulated before Davy advanced the money to buy the
+pump and accessories; the rest is partnership funds to be divided and
+depos--"
+
+"Hold on!" interrupted Davy. "You've sheltered me, fed me--"
+
+"--with grub bought with your money," interposed Welborn. "You can't
+avoid past contributions by present-day denials, Laddie. Without your
+help it would have taken me ten years to do what I've now done in six
+months. And speed was and is the important requirement. In addition to
+all you've done in the past months I've still got another problem for
+you to work on."
+
+Welborn paused, seemingly embarrassed as to how to proceed. His little
+audience waited breathlessly. "Folks, I am not a criminal!" he said
+after a prolonged pause. "But I did get involved with gangsters.
+Although I made a temporary clean-up on some of them, domestic affairs
+and financial disasters made it impossible to stay on. It seemed
+cowardly to quit but there was no other way. I had no plans, no trade,
+no profession. I simply stumbled in on this method of financial
+recovery, and thanks to your kindly indulgence I am prepared to go
+back and make good some financial matters that were not of my making.
+
+"But in going back," Welborn continued, "I would like to know
+something about conditions there before they know who I am. There
+seems to be two ways to do this. One would be to camp nearby and send
+someone to investigate and report back as to conditions; the other
+would be for me to disguise myself and loaf around as a laborer,
+unemployed and looking for work.
+
+"You know something about make-up and disguises, Laddie; could I be
+made up as a laborer or a village loafer so I could sit around and
+listen in?"
+
+"You would have to let them shoulders down and pad a hump in your
+back," replied the little man. "Appearances can be radically changed
+but size is a handicap. There is a woman in Denver by the name of
+Wallace that can make you up to look like either an angel or a tramp.
+She used to be in vaudeville with costumes and makeup, now she's
+settled down in the legit--furnishes costumes for plays, charades, and
+the like. She's on one of those little side streets near the business
+district. She'll clip your head, deck you out in scraggy iron-gray
+hair and whiskers until a bank clerk would turn you down, even if you
+were identified. She'll tell you about your clothing; that's her
+specialty. Your ragged coat ought to have a hump in the back to offset
+erectness and if you carry a cane, you should use it--not twirl it
+like a baton.
+
+"But there's one of your assets, or weaknesses, that she will not be
+able to disguise," said Davy earnestly. "I take a chance in wrecking a
+fine friendship, to tell you about it."
+
+"Go right on, Sonny Boy," said Welborn, "you couldn't wreck our
+friendship if you were to spit in my face."
+
+"Well, we folks here know nothing about your past. We don't want to
+know until you release it, but I'll bet my interest in the Bar-O
+against a thin dime that you've served in the army and were a tough
+old 'top-kick' at that. You want things done your way. You resist
+being told. You want to correct the other fellow if he's wrong; even
+if disguised, you would interrupt and correct and maybe jam the whole
+works. Of course we want you to win but you've got to be careful--even
+if it hurts."
+
+Welborn's face flushed but he laughed sheepishly as he pondered the
+charges made. "You've got me dead-to-rights, Laddie; I am impatient
+and domineering, but I think I still have control. Just now I need
+information. I want to know if I am classed as a criminal or a citizen
+back in my home town. Personally, I would like to go back there, loaf
+around and listen in.
+
+"Well, it can be done," said Davy emphatically, "and I think I ought
+to be an assistant. You saved my life, now I want to be a party to
+saving your reputation. You are not a criminal; you couldn't be one if
+you tried. Just tell me the name of your home town and I will go there
+as the advance man for Lannarck's Congress of Living Wonders. I'll be
+seeking a site to assemble the company and plan the rehearsals. While
+there I will want the history of the town and the chamber of commerce
+will give it to me. In that history, your affair in all its details
+will be recited. Later on, you can stumble in as a laborer, seeking
+work. I will be quartered at the leading hotel, and you at a boarding
+house out by the junction. But we will meet at the picture show or at
+a local poolroom and I will hire you to take care of the baggage and
+the accessories as they come in. It won't take us long to get your
+status, pay your fine, or get the judge to suspend your sentence.
+
+"Let's get going, podner," said Davy, as he clambered down from his
+chair. "We'll both go to Cheyenne; you go to Denver to cash up and
+fade out; I'll go to your town to pay out and horn in."
+
+Welborn smiled as he listened to Davy's enthusiasm and slang. He
+drummed his fingers on the table as he considered his proposals. "I
+hadn't thought of involving any of our home-folks in my troubles,"
+said he thoughtfully, "but maybe your assistance and plan will be the
+thing that's needed. I want information. People will stare at and talk
+to a midget and they will pay little attention to the badly dressed
+old gent with whom he associates. Anyhow, it won't hurt to try it
+out."
+
+Davy insisted that the party should start for Cheyenne the very next
+morning. James Gillis, who was to do the driving, would wait until he
+learned of road conditions. Welborn occupied much of the time in
+fitting himself with old shoes, overalls, hickory shirts, and a
+slouch hat. On Monday, Jim learned that the nearby trails were fit for
+travel to the paved highway and on Tuesday morning the party of three
+loaded the little car with boxes of metal, bundles of clothing, and
+the like, and started for Cheyenne.
+
+During the long drive, Welborn took up much of the time in instructing
+Davy as to his destination and duties. "Bransford, a near suburb of
+Chicago, is your destination," he explained, "and the man who insulted
+the better element of the community by his insistence that the
+prevailing lawlessness was wholly due to their negligence was named
+Shirley Wells. And this same Wells, when he found that gangsters had
+taken over the management of the old family bank and brought disrepute
+to an honored name, staged a battle with these invaders that sent two
+of 'em to the hospital and maybe resulted in the death of one or both.
+Was he indicted? Did a mob form? He did not wait to see. With the
+family estate squandered, this Wells boarded a night freight train to
+avoid present responsibilities and to seek a new start in life. His
+linen and underwear was marked S.W. He changed his name to Samuel
+Welborn. You know the rest of the story, Davy, but there is a lost
+chapter in the tale. What's the present-day status of Shirley Wells in
+his home town?
+
+"In Bransford, you will headquarter at the Grand Union Hotel.
+Following your 'broadcast' about establishing a training ground for
+the Kid Show, you must quietly go to the office of Fred Townsend for
+information. He's a lawyer. If he's alive, I've got a chance; if he's
+dead, Shirley Wells is still Sam Welborn and the Silver Falls district
+must continue as his hideout.
+
+"In your contact with Townsend, tell him that I sent you--that you are
+my A.Z.--and he will understand. What you tell him is casual; your
+objective is to find out all about the standing of Shirley Wells.
+Shirley is surely a bankrupt, but is he a murderer? Are indictments
+pending? Can he be cleared of these charges? And what about the Wells
+National Bank? And where is Carson Wells? These are the things we must
+know if I am to live as a citizen or a criminal.
+
+"I will be in Denver for a few days. We surely have more than sixty
+thousand dollars' worth of metal in those containers. Some of it may
+be in bad shape. Some of it may have to be rectified, as they term it,
+and that will cause delay. Then, too, I am not certain if your lady
+friend in Denver can do her job effectively. I wouldn't want to be
+caught in a disguise. At any rate, I will be in Chicago or Bransford
+some day next week."
+
+At the railway station Jim Gillis maneuvered the ancient model to
+unload the metal and clothing at the Denver platform. Davy purchased a
+ticket for Chicago. Welborn's read "to Denver and return."
+
+
+
+
+PART TWO
+
+
+
+
+18
+
+
+Because of duties in maintaining peace along the uncertain boundary
+lines that divided a defeated people from those who had triumphed,
+Captain Shirley Wells was detained in the border lands of France and
+Germany long after his badly reduced regiment had returned to their
+homeland. Wells had been the first sergeant of a company that became
+noted for its discipline within and its activities afield. His
+promotion to a commission had been earned.
+
+Shirley had entered the service as an enthusiastic youth. In a few
+brief years he had grown to a serious-minded man. A six-footer,
+deep-chested, broad of shoulders, he had the physical ability to
+enforce the decrees and orders of his superiors while the general
+terms of boundaries were being formulated. Patiently and firmly he
+worked with the peasantry of any district where he was assigned to
+gain their confidence and earn the praise of his superiors. On July
+2nd, 1921, his nation and the others interested having completed the
+general terms of boundaries and occupation, the service by regulatory
+groups was ended. Shirley Wells had been gratified in earning a
+commission, now he was happy indeed to know that he was to return to
+civilian pursuits, for he might have to work out some peace terms in
+his home town.
+
+More than eighteen months ago, while his regiment was resting after an
+effective foray against the enemy in the vicinity of Lyons, he
+received a letter informing him of the death of his father and
+indicating that a telegram had been sent. He never received the
+telegram, and judging by a lack of replies to his letters, he doubted
+that one had been sent.
+
+Now he was an orphan. In letters from friends he learned that his
+elder brother, Carson, was in charge of the family bank at Bransford,
+a suburb of Chicago, and that he was connected with active interests
+in that city. He learned, too, that Carson now lived in the ancient
+but beautiful home formerly occupied by his parents. What about the
+boys and girls with whom he was associated in school days? Was Loretta
+Young married? Was the strong little bank, the pride of two
+generations, still rendering the service that had made it famous? And
+what of the other family assets? This returning soldier was deeply
+involved in the complications that come to all veterans who are
+hastily transferred back to civilian duties and are to encounter the
+radical changes that have been made to maintain a vast fighting force
+in distant lands.
+
+However, Shirley Wells noted little difference in conditions in the
+cities of Washington and Chicago as he hastened homeward. Buildings
+and streets appeared about as usual but the general populace appeared
+indifferent and unconcerned. Unemployment prevailed, but he seemed to
+contact more women in business places than he did in former days.
+
+At Chicago he transferred to the morning local for Bransford. He was
+disappointed that he found no old-time acquaintances among those who
+were bound for the suburbs. The first person to recognize him was the
+station agent at Bransford and his greeting was casual as he trundled
+the truck of empty milk cans to the far end of the platform. "Maybe
+these London tweeds are taboo in this central zone," he grumbled as he
+made his way up the shaded street to the business district.
+
+At the bank, he planned to walk right up to the receiver's window and
+ask old Powell if this was Tellson's bank and was Mr. Tellson in? As a
+schoolboy he had often kidded the aged cashier as to the close
+resemblance of these quarters to the little, gloomy, narrow affair
+described by author Dickens as being located at Temple Bar in the city
+of London. But the aged cashier's place was occupied by an alert young
+man who asked to be of service and Shirley could only inquire if
+Carson was in.
+
+The aged woman working at a filing cabinet turned quickly when she
+heard the voice of the inquirer. She walked to the counter to get a
+better view. "Why, it's Shirley!" she cried as she ran out in the
+corridor. "It's Shirley!--twice as big!" She made ineffective attempts
+to hug and caress the big man, who laughingly lifted her up to plant a
+kiss on either cheek. "That's the first--and best--welcome I've had
+since I landed in America, Aunt Carrie," said he. "Now I feel that I
+am home."
+
+Carson Wells came from the little private room at the rear. The
+greetings of the brothers were not so effusive. Shirley was invited to
+the private room by his brother.
+
+"I want to loaf around for a week or two," the veteran explained. "I
+want to hunt up a few old friends and hear 'em detail the awful
+experiences they suffered during the war. If you can find me a
+temporary hangout where I can store some keepsakes while I get myself
+oriented, it will be quite all right."
+
+"The housing situation is a little tight just now," said Carson, "but
+we should be able to find quarters somewhere. The Grand Union is badly
+congested of weekends and rooming houses are full up. I live in the
+three west rooms of our old home and Mr. Breen and his family occupy
+the rest. However, there's plenty of room at the farmhouse, and Davis,
+the tenant, certainly needs a lot of personal supervision, the way
+things have been going lately. At times I have felt that I should
+share the big house at the farm but my wife protests--"
+
+"Are you married?" interrupted Shirley. "And who is the fortunate
+lady?"
+
+"Why, sure I'm married. Didn't you get our announcement? I married
+Loretta Young a year ago last April."
+
+Shirley Wells occupied quarters at the family farmhome for nearly four
+years. In the first few weeks he drove an ancient model back and forth
+to the little city to renew acquaintances. The American Legion,
+quartered in a small room over a meat market, was one of his hangouts.
+Here, two or three of the unimportant members were in constant
+attendance quibbling and complaining that the general public did not
+plan and build for their uses the ornate structure they had in mind.
+For a week or two he frequented the local movies, but compared with
+past experiences he failed to find the production up to the
+announcements that the portrayals were stupendous and thrilling.
+Social affairs in the community seemed confined to "groups." Luncheon
+clubs, such as Rotary, Kiwanis, and Lions seemed to dominate
+commercial activities while the Dramatic Club and P.T.A. organizations
+took care of other community gatherings.
+
+But to Shirley Wells, the one big change from old-time conditions was
+in the liquor business. The saloons that flourished in the days before
+his enlistment were not now operating. Of the seven places where
+liquor was sold only one maintained a resemblance to former
+conditions. Dinty O'Neal's place, across the tracks, appeared about as
+disreputable as it was in former days. Some of the young sports
+laughingly insisted that Dinty's home-brew was in a fair way of making
+the city famous.
+
+Two of the uptown places continued to operate a few pool tables and
+sell soft drinks. One room, formerly occupied by a saloon, was now the
+office of a trucking company with headquarters in Chicago. Shirley was
+later to learn that young Anzio, the new bank employee, was a nephew
+of the manager of the trucking company.
+
+Shirley gave little attention to the affairs at the bank. Carson
+seemed unwilling to share the responsibilities of a business that was
+severely affected by the growing depression. As a youngster Shirley
+knew much of the details of the business but he realized that he had
+no present-day knowledge of credits and loans. He made no effort to
+intrude.
+
+Knowing that he must rely on his own efforts to earn a living, Shirley
+secured desk-room in the elaborate offices of Fred Townsend, a
+personal friend and a leading lawyer in the community. Here he acted
+as a receiver in several complicated cases and was often busy in
+securing evidence. This employment occupied much of his time and gave
+opportunity to note the trend in community affairs.
+
+Meanwhile, Carson found a customer for the family farm. "The Model
+Trucking Company wants the place for storage," he explained, "and they
+are the only concern on our books that has a growing account." Shirley
+moved into town to an apartment over the Banner office.
+
+Indeed, the trucking company was an active concern. Trucks grew in
+number. Night shipping was a principal activity. Local "night hawks"
+were to learn that coal and corn composed most of the incoming loads,
+and the finished product went to Chicago. Local distributors were
+supplied only from that central city.
+
+As is usually the case, revulsion follows negligence. Now sober-minded
+but financially distressed citizens would correct the prevailing evil.
+The eighteenth amendment must be repealed. The people of the nation
+were voting to undo what had been done.
+
+Locally, Reverend James Branch of the Fourth Avenue Church called a
+meeting of ministers and church officials to discuss the probable loss
+of the amendment that was to have been the cure for liquor evils. The
+call to the meeting was announced in the local newspapers.
+
+Shirley Wells had not been specifically invited to the conference. He
+was curious to learn, however, if there was a cure for this festering
+ailment that afflicted the nation other than the repeal of the
+amendment. He quietly took a back seat at the small but select
+gathering in the church parlors to listen to the protests and
+complaints. And there was little else in the several talks--protests
+against the lack of law enforcement; complaints that Chicago gangsters
+were broadening their sphere of activity to include adjacent cities
+and suburbs in the distribution and sale of raw alcohol and needled
+beer. In these discussions no speaker offered a solution to the
+problem.
+
+The Reverend Branch presided. Following the several talks he
+recognized Shirley Wells and in an elaborate introduction, reciting
+his war service, he asked Shirley if he had a solution for the problem
+now under discussion.
+
+"I came here seeking information," said Shirley quietly. "I surely
+must be the most ignorant one present. I wasn't in the States when the
+amendment was passed and have had limited opportunity to note the
+effects. It is apparent, however, that there is something wrong,
+radically wrong, with the whole population--both the criminal and the
+law-abiding."
+
+"Why! what's wrong with the better element?" demanded the chairman
+quickly. "It was the law-abiding citizen that planned and urged and
+voted for the eighteenth amendment to the Constitution. Our planning
+and work was effective. And now, they would nullify our past labors."
+
+"And then, what did you do?" demanded Shirley as he rose to his feet
+to emphasize what was to follow. "You, figuratively, folded fat hands
+across pudgy stomachs and left the enforcement of your edict to the
+officers who were friends of the bootleggers. Your failure to act
+causes this repeal."
+
+"Is it your idea that the better element of a community must quit
+their business to take up the matter of law enforcement?" the chairman
+asked in scornful tones.
+
+"It's my idea," retorted Shirley as he advanced from the rear to the
+center of the gathered group, "it's my idea that anyone who launches a
+new, untried craft in unexplored waters had better stay at the helm
+instead of leaving the management of the boat to those who deride the
+plan. It wouldn't have taken much of your time, Doctor Branch, to have
+organized an enforcement committee to assist the policeman who was a
+friendly acquaintance of the former liquor man, who has now turned
+bootlegger. Policemen are selected because of their acquaintance with
+the underworld and they are very human. Void of any contacts with the
+better element of the community, they allow their friends to run wild
+in lawlessness until the affair gets beyond control. That's what
+happened in Bransford; that's what happened everywhere. Lawless greed
+flourishes in the atmosphere of negligence.
+
+"But I didn't come here to quarrel with the better element of my home
+town," concluded Shirley as he reached for his hat. "I had hoped that
+you had a solution, a plan, to meet the oncoming conditions. Just now
+the States are voting to repeal the amendment. It seems certain that
+it will be repealed and within the next year or two, the old saloon
+will be functioning as in former days. It will pay a tax to the
+government on the product sold, it will pay a tax to the city, it will
+furnish a bond to operate legally and at stated hours, and its return
+will be welcomed by many. But remember that the greedy and grasping
+back of it all will overdo, as always, and the amendment will be
+re-enacted. This time, if it has the support of a well-organized
+enforcement committee, it will function despite the efforts of the
+greedy."
+
+
+
+
+19
+
+
+The Bransford Morning Herald contained no account of the meeting at
+the Fourth Avenue Church. News of the rebuff as administered to the
+better element by a rank outsider was slow in gaining circulation. But
+the incident was not wholly suppressed. Judge Parker, who had been
+present, chuckled the incident to a few friends; Holstroff, the
+merchant, recited the details to a few customers as they discussed the
+probable outcome of the state elections now being held; and Joe
+Dansford, the church janitor, told the incident of how the meeting
+ended in a general row, without the formality of a motion to adjourn.
+Lacking a correct account, the general public of the little city
+elaborated the story to include fisticuffs and swear words.
+
+Carson Wells, of the Wells National, heard the story and was much
+concerned. It affected his leading customer. Just now, banks were
+closing in increasing numbers, local factories were shut down,
+retailing limited to bare necessities, and only one concern in the
+community earned money. Carson, as well as the managers of the Model
+Trucking Company, realized that in the event of the repeal of the
+amendment, ruin was inevitable. It was Carson's problem to stop such
+publicity. Shirley must be silenced. He was found at the public
+library and was invited to come to the bank after three o'clock.
+
+"That vindictive speech you made at the church meeting is proving very
+costly," said Carson as the brothers seated themselves in the little
+consultation room in the rear of the bank. "It affects your own
+personal affairs, and seeks to wreck the only concern in the city that
+is functioning and making money. Your interest in this bank demands a
+retraction of what you said at that meeting."
+
+"Why, I didn't know I had an interest in this bank," said Shirley in
+even tones. "In the years past, I have been shunted around from pillar
+to post, living on the few small fees received from receiverships and
+bankruptcy petitions. And I didn't think that I had banking interests.
+I certainly am an object of personal negligence, but hereafter the
+matter will have my attention."
+
+Carson was nonplused at both the answer and attitude. He had planned
+his remarks, however, and he proceeded along prepared lines.
+
+"Your remarks at that meeting were uncalled for. Your insistence
+created enemies. No one at the meeting was in favor of repealing the
+amendment and restoring the unwanted saloon. Yours was the attitude of
+the drinking ne'er-do-wells of the underworld. Two of those present at
+that meeting have withdrawn their account, others will do the same.
+You were simply undermining your own foundations."
+
+"And just what sort of a structure stands on my foundations?" drawled
+Shirley. "I am a sort of a misfit in the community structure. I do not
+live in my family home, am not employed in my family bank, was moved
+away from my family's farm, have never been consulted on business or
+social affairs since my parents died. Really, I have no foundations
+that could be undermined."
+
+Carson's face reddened as he listened to the truth. He walked to the
+water-cooler, took a drink, and returned to his seat. "In some things
+you are right," he confessed. "When you came home from France, I hoped
+you would seek a professional career--would turn to politics and make
+a name for yourself and the family. It seemed my business to work hard
+and aid in building that career, but you didn't go the way I hoped."
+
+"Just what aid did you render in building such a career? It takes
+money to acquire a profession. How much did you contribute?"
+
+Again Carson was unable to make a specific answer to the cutting,
+personal questions. He cleared his throat. "I didn't make any
+contributions. I wasn't asked. I was...."
+
+"Do you have to ask for your own property, in this day and age?"
+demanded Shirley. "When Father died, I was an heir to one half of what
+he possessed: home, farm, bank, bonds, and money on hand. Very
+properly, in the absence of the other heir, you took charge of the
+property and managed the business. But on the return of the other heir
+you made no accounting. In fact, you resented his interest in anything
+connected with the business."
+
+"When you returned from the war," said Carson, "we were approaching a
+depression that grew to disastrous proportions. Banks are the first to
+feel such a calamity. My whole time has been devoted to
+curtailment--to restricting loans and seeking deposits. Truly, we
+haven't earned a cent since the war ended."
+
+"So that's the reason you bought the fancy, high-priced limousine and
+gave several parties at the country club! That's the reason why you
+maintain those luxurious quarters in Chicago! You were wanting to show
+the public that...."
+
+"Never mind what I was doing," interrupted Carson angrily. "It's what
+you have done that is the matter under discussion, and we are getting
+nowhere. We might as well adjourn."
+
+"Not yet," demanded Shirley hastily. "Keep your seat. The show has now
+reached the second act. Let's sit it out." It was Shirley who stood up
+as Carson resumed his seat.
+
+"Our family was always reticent. We avoided publicity; didn't want
+Mister John Q. to know about our affairs. You surely remember how
+reluctant our father was when it was found that his private bank must
+be nationalized. One little share was issued to Aunt Carrie, one to
+John Powell, his old, trusted employee, and he held the rest. He
+didn't want the public to know about his private affairs.
+
+"I think I inherited most of his secretive qualities," Shirley
+continued. "I listened to a lot of rumors and then I began to
+investigate. My findings lead to but one conclusion: you allied
+yourself with gangsters in the hope of participating in their enormous
+gains only to find that you are the biggest sucker on their list."
+
+"I didn't favor anybody," said Carson hotly. "Our relations were
+simply that of banker and customer."
+
+"And to maintain cordial relations you deeded to them a fine but
+isolated farm where, uninterrupted, they could produce 'rotgut' to
+supply the entire Chicago area. Have you been out there lately? Father
+used to call it Forest Home. The Hereford cattle that he reared topped
+the market. It's different now. The gates are locked. A thug stands
+out in the roadway to divert traffic. In the night, truckloads of corn
+and coal arrive to produce the 'hell-fire' that is bottled, labeled,
+and distributed over the district."
+
+In the midst of this recital Carson dropped his head down on his arms,
+folded on the table.
+
+"I don't know a thing about the conditions here at the bank," Shirley
+continued in softer tones, "but there are public records that tell an
+incriminating story. The records at the courthouse show a mortgage to
+the Reliable Insurance Company on our home here in the city. My
+signature on such a mortgage was forged. I didn't know about this
+until I was forced into this investigation. You, and your bank, must
+have needed money very badly and you committed forgery to get it.
+Based on this fact alone, one has a right to believe that you are
+fooling the busy bank examiners with forged securities. It's just a
+question as to what hour you will be uncovered and convicted."
+
+Carson still reclined his head on folded arms. Shirley was preparing
+to leave. "We are broke, Carson. I haven't a dime and you have less.
+But I am not going to stay in Bransford and be a party to your
+downfall. My word alone would prove your guilt. I don't know where I
+am going, but I intend hiding out until this thing blows over. But
+before I go, Carson, I want an interview with your criminal friends to
+tell 'em what a set of dirty, crooks they are."
+
+Late in the afternoon, as Shirley was busy in clearing his desk of
+unneeded papers, his friend Townsend dropped in to confer on some
+pending matters.
+
+"I am sorry, Fred, to tell you I am leaving," said Shirley as he
+closed the desk. "I don't know where I am going and I don't want the
+public to know where I am located. If you have the time, I would like
+to tell you the cause of it all and put you wise to some incidents
+that seem sure to happen."
+
+"I think you are going to confirm some suspicions I had formed in
+connection with the Larwell estate. The account at the Wells Bank
+didn't conform to the little credit slips as issued."
+
+"You are on the right road, oldtimer," said Shirley, and he proceeded
+to relate what was said in his recent conference with Carson. He cited
+the incident of the forged deed and detailed conditions at the farm.
+"The Wells National is not only broke," he added, "but Carson is
+involved in several criminal activities. I don't want to be present
+when the crash comes; I don't want my evidence to convict him. I am
+going to hide out where a summons-server cannot find me."
+
+"Maybe you are right," said Townsend thoughtfully, "but there are some
+things you should do before you leave. The crash will come, no doubt;
+Carson's share of the estate will be charged with his criminal
+actions; yours is not involved. Before you go, you should give to
+someone a full power of attorney to take care of your interests. In
+the midst of juggled accounts and forgeries, there may be something
+left, and anyhow, the receivership cannot be closed without your
+consent."
+
+"You are right, as always, Fred, and you are the very person to have
+that power. Let's get it done right away. I have another thing on hand
+that must be taken care of after supper."
+
+"When are you leaving, and have you enough money to get you out of
+town?" asked Townsend as the two returned from across the hall where
+the instrument had been notarized.
+
+"I think I will leave tonight. The bubble may not burst for a while. I
+want the public to become accustomed to my absence. As for money, when
+I pay for my supper, I may have as much as forty cents left."
+
+"You are braver than I thought and as stubborn as I suspected," said
+Townsend as he searched his pocketbook. "Here's a twenty. That may get
+you across the river and on your way. You will make your way all
+right, but if your case becomes desperate draw on me under the name
+A.Z., and I will understand. Your financial affairs are in desperate
+condition but the case is not hopeless. You are young and healthy but
+you lack a definite plan of life. If someone will throw you a line
+while you are floundering in this slough you will come out all right.
+Now what's this thing you are to do after the evening meal?"
+
+"I've made a phone date to tell Anzio and his set of crooks what a
+rotten set of gangsters they are. It won't take me long to tell 'em
+and then I am ready to leave."
+
+"You might not be able to make a get-away from those mobsters. Taking
+an enemy for a final 'ride' is one of their favorite pastimes. And
+anyhow, you can't tell 'em anything that they don't already know. You
+have no right to do such an uncalled for thing."
+
+"Oh, yes I have," said Shirley as he took his hat preparing to leave.
+"My visit might precipitate an incident. Anyhow, I'm on my way."
+
+Shirley left the office. Townsend went to the telephone in the front
+room.
+
+
+
+
+20
+
+
+Shirley had delayed his evening meal to fit his appointment at the
+Model Trucking Company. Near eight o'clock he crossed the street to go
+up the alley to Cherry Street. At the crossing of the dark alley he
+encountered a policeman and was greeted casually by that officer. In
+front of the lighted office he accosted another officer, standing in a
+darkened area near a car parked in front. "Maybe this is a warning,"
+he thought, as he stepped into the well-lighted office.
+
+He was greeted cordially by Anzio and was introduced to the two others
+present. "This is Don Carlin, our custodian here, and this is Jan
+Damino, our most trusted employee." Carlin was a slight young man, but
+his companion differed much in size and considerably in age. Damino,
+aging to baldness, was a commanding figure. Thick-chested, with arms
+and legs of considerable size, his seamed face revealed a ragged scar
+from temple to chin. Both nodded acknowledgment of the introduction
+and Carlin brought a chair for the visitor.
+
+"I'm glad you've come," said Anzio in pleasing tones. "Your brother
+reports that you have been badly informed as to what this company is
+doing. We want to correct any such wrong ideas."
+
+"No one has given me any information about you," said Shirley
+scornfully. "I was out to the old farm and saw with my own eyes just
+what's going on."
+
+"Ah! You paid us a visit and we didn't know it. Somebody has been
+negligent."
+
+"That's right! Your carefully guarded distillery had a visitor. I used
+to live out there. Knowing about your locked gates and posted guard, I
+went on the farm from the rear. I edged up to see your still in
+operation in the old shed. I saw your bottling plant in the big barn.
+It recalls the old adage: 'You can't fool all the people all the
+time.'"
+
+Anzio's face clouded as he planned a reply. "You didn't go in close
+enough to see what was being bottled and labeled? You are willing to
+spread a false report without having the facts?
+
+"What you glimpsed in your casual snooping was the details of the one
+business in this community that is prospering. Out in your family's
+old farm, Doctor David Allen, formerly of St. Louis, is preparing,
+mixing, bottling, and labeling 'Allen's Stomach Bitters' that has been
+famous in the South and Southwest for many years. He is now pushing
+sales in the North and East. Because of its vegetable content, just a
+small amount of alcohol is a part of the mixture.
+
+"You saw only the sidelines in your snooping and you are putting out a
+lot of misinformation," concluded Anzio, "and to set you right, I have
+arranged for our trusted employee, Damino, to take you out there and
+show you the whole works. The night shift is on and I want 'em to show
+you every detail of the business."
+
+"Will Damino furnish a round trip ticket?" asked Shirley, as he arose
+from his chair.
+
+"I don't quite know what you mean," countered Anzio.
+
+"Oh, yes you do," said Shirley emphatically. "Damino here is a
+'one-way' man. It's his business to destroy opposition. I wouldn't
+ride with him down State Street, let alone a country road. With him at
+the wheel, we couldn't get past that thicket down by the bridge."
+
+"Get him out of here," roared Anzio as he waved to Damino to obey his
+commands.
+
+Damino approached his quarry cautiously. With his right hand he
+fingered an inside pocket of his coat; withdrew the hand to place it
+on Shirley's shoulder. "Let's git goin'," he said as he shoved Shirley
+toward the door.
+
+Shirley had seen a move that he thought important. He grabbed the
+extended right arm to give it a jujitsu move up and to the back of the
+body. It made the assailant grunt and his left knee buckled in its
+uncertain stance. Quickly Shirley reached in the inside pocket to
+withdraw a lengthy Colt revolver. Shifting the weapon to his right
+hand, he brought it down in a mighty blow on the temple of his
+assailant. Damino fell to the floor. Carlin fled the room by the back
+door. Shirley turned to find Anzio frantically searching the contents
+of a drawer in the nearby cabinet. Placing the gun in his pocket,
+Shirley seized a tall, steel-legged stool to bring it down on Anzio's
+unprotected head. Anzio joined Damino on the floor. Shirley walked out
+the front door.
+
+On the sidewalk Shirley encountered the policeman. "What's going on in
+there?" he demanded.
+
+"Not much, just now," was the reply, "but I was certainly busy for a
+short time. Why are you here?"
+
+"Your friend, Fred Townsend, is responsible. Fred is seemingly not in
+touch with our present city administration, but he sure has a strong
+pull with our chief. Fred phoned him to send two or three of the force
+down here to see that you were not killed or taken for a ride. We
+don't know what it's all about, but we're here. Ah, here's company,"
+the officer added as another policeman came out of the alley, shoving
+Carlin in front of him.
+
+"Is this the finish?" inquired the alley officer. "This fellow,"
+pointing to Carlin, "came out of the back door rather hurriedly and
+began searching in a pile of junk. I thought that was a part of that
+play. What's it all about anyway?"
+
+"This is the finish, my friends, and I am very much obliged for your
+presence," said Shirley as he prepared to leave. "But there's a couple
+in there that may need first aid. Go right in; give what assistance
+you can, and call me if I'm needed."
+
+Shirley watched the perplexed officers as they went into the front
+office. Then he walked leisurely up the alley to Oak Street. Nearing
+the railroad, he heard a freight train slowing down at the water-tank.
+Now he hurried to pass down the train to a boxcar with an open door.
+He crawled in. As the train pulled out, he went to a front corner, sat
+down to pull off his shoe and place a neatly folded twenty-dollar bill
+on the inner sole.
+
+Whatever his future was to be, Shirley Wells was on his way.
+
+
+
+
+PART THREE
+
+
+
+
+21
+
+
+David Lannarck arrived in Chicago in the late afternoon. Wanting to
+see Bransford in the daylight hours, he stayed the night with a friend
+at the Miami Patio to take a morning train to his destination. He had
+never been in Bransford and he preferred to take an open cab to the
+Grand Union so that he might look around. At the hotel he was assigned
+the parlor suite with telephone and bath, probably because the clerk
+had never before registered a three-footer with the face and voice of
+an adult.
+
+Davy was not yet ready to announce his plans for rehearsals. He wanted
+to know more of local conditions. He phoned the Fred Townsend office.
+"Mr. Townsend is in court this morning," the secretary reported, "but
+he will be available this afternoon."
+
+"Save me the first hour," said Davy. "It's important to both of us."
+
+After luncheon Davy tipped the bellhop to accompany him. "I could
+probably find the place," he explained, "but I go better if I am
+haltered and led to the spot." As the caller hoped, Townsend was in.
+The secretary ushered Davy into the private office.
+
+"I was sent here by a Mister Sam Welborn," Davy explained. "He wants
+to learn of the legal status and community standing of a former
+resident by the name of Shirley Wells."
+
+"Shirley Wells! Do you know Shirley Wells?" Townsend sprang to his
+feet and walked around the desk. "Is Shirley Wells alive? Available?
+Can I get in touch with him right away?"
+
+"Say, Mister Townsend, out in my blessed locality, where men are men,
+and the women are glad of it, they accuse me of asking eight or ten
+questions before the first one is answered. I want to take you out
+there to show 'em I am an amateur. For a year or more I have been
+associated with an upstanding gent who gave out his name as Sam
+Welborn. In all my public career I've never met a person more honest
+in business or more fearless with thugs and undesirables. Ten devils
+couldn't stop him if he thought he was right and even a midget could,
+and did, shame him out of some of his atrocious efforts. When he
+reached a certain goal in his persistent activities he disclosed to us
+four at the home where he headquartered that he was going back to his
+old home town to find out just where he stood--criminal or citizen. He
+planned to go back there in disguise; to listen in, to read old
+newspaper files, and to learn the truth.
+
+"And then I horned in. This man Welborn had saved my life; he got me
+planted where I wanted to be; I owed him everything. I didn't ask--I
+just told him--that I would go to his town and, under the pretext of
+rehearsing a midget show, I would get the needed dope. He fell right
+in with my proposal. He disclosed that his name was Shirley Wells,
+that his home town was Bransford, and here I am."
+
+Townsend went to the door of the office. "I will be busy for the next
+hour," he said to the secretary as he closed the door.
+
+"Just where, and how soon, can I contact this Shirley Wells?" Townsend
+asked as he seated himself alongside of Davy. "This is really the only
+time I've needed him since he left. Where is he? I'll send him all the
+funds needed to get him home."
+
+"He's in Denver, just temporarily. I do not have his address, but he
+will be in this Chicago vicinity by the end of this week. Maybe he
+will be disguised, but I hope not. He will phone me at the Grand Union
+to know how he stands in his home town. That's what I've come here to
+find out. Is he under indictment? Will he have to serve time? How much
+money is needed to clean his slate? Will a mob form if he shows up on
+your city streets? What was it he did, anyhow?"
+
+Fred Townsend laughed quietly. "We are both so anxious to get
+information that our cross-questioning is confusing. However, when you
+described your man as honest, persistent, and fearless in dealing with
+crooks and thugs, I would have known that you were talking about
+Shirley Wells, even if you had omitted the name. He's just that!
+
+"Shirley Wells is not under indictment, and when he returns the
+general public will give him a hearty welcome. In fact, had he stayed
+here for a day or two after the incident he would have been a hero.
+Would have been carried at the head of the mob of women that paraded
+the streets of our city in protest of conditions. He would have been a
+part of the orderly crowd of men that went out to the old farm to
+destroy the offending distillery. Shirley Wells started the clean-up
+here, and it spread to all affected localities. This is the story."
+
+Then Fred Townsend told the story, to include the history of the Wells
+bank, of Shirley's army service, of Carson's banking relations with
+the Chicago mobsters. "For nearly a decade this Shirley Wells was a
+silent do-nothing. He seemingly hesitated to claim his property rights
+and yet had nerve to invade the stronghold of these gangsters and tell
+'em the truth. He nearly killed two of 'em and the other disappeared."
+
+And then Townsend detailed what followed as the morning paper gave big
+headlines of the desperate adventure. It not only recited that the two
+were hospitalized in a critical condition but it gave inside
+information as to the illegal business being conducted at the farm.
+"That evening, nearly a thousand women paraded our streets to the
+mayor's office, with banners flying, to insist that there be a
+clean-up of the entire illegal business.
+
+"The next day, fully fifty automobiles assembled at Fifth and Cedar
+Streets to drive out to the farm and burn down the old shed where the
+still was located. I was in that party and I easily persuaded them to
+allow the house and big barn to remain unharmed, but all bottles,
+labels, cans of liquids, crates, and containers were thrown in the
+fire. The house-furnishings revealed that it was the headquarters for
+the many employees, but none were present, either to welcome or
+protest.
+
+"On returning to town it was learned that Carson Wells had committed
+suicide. His worthy wife was not at home, was not present at the
+funeral. She is reported as living in Chicago, a housemother at a
+sorority of one of the universities.
+
+"The Wells National Bank was of course closed. I was appointed the
+receiver. Things were in a terrible mess; negligence and forgeries
+caused a lot of added work, but the bank had a valuable asset in that
+the stock was held in one family--wasn't scattered to cause
+contentions and delays. I recovered the farm, held on to the bank
+building, and charged the forgeries and shortages to Carson's account.
+Shirley is possessed of the remainder, but it's not enough to do
+what's required.
+
+"This city needs a bank. The nation is recovering from the depression
+and very soon business will be back to normal. The Wells National must
+be restored to service and Shirley Wells, the man who started the
+clean-up, must be connected with it. His service in cleaning out those
+crooks was, and is, the big asset.
+
+"Here in my office I have prepared a list of names of those who can,
+and should, take stock in a bank. With Shirley here, we can canvass
+this list for the needed subscriptions. Surely we can...."
+
+"Just how much money will it take to revive a bank?" asked Davy
+quietly.
+
+"Forty or fifty thousand dollars will be required to complete the
+subscriptions and show a small surplus and I think we can----"
+
+"Why, Shirley will have that much, and more, in his upper vest pocket
+when he arrives," and then Davy told his lengthy story to an eager
+listener.
+
+"I have known him for nearly two years," said Davy in concluding his
+lengthy recital, "and in that time he worked hard--too hard. I
+upbraided him for it. Now, knowing why he was so continuously busy,
+working to restore his family name and credit in his home town, I
+should have kept my mouth shut."
+
+"Do you think he will consent to taking charge of the restored family
+bank?" asked Townsend. "Will he apply the money to that end?"
+
+"I'll see that he puts up the money. He says that half of it is mine,
+but he may balk on taking charge. And that's our present job. I have a
+friend in Springfield that's the greatest little banker the world ever
+produced. I'll get him here, or send Welborn--I mean Shirley--to him
+to learn the game."
+
+"This has certainly been my lucky day," said Townsend as the party
+broke up. "This morning the judge approved my settlement of the
+long-standing Norris case, I received a letter containing a draft of
+an outstanding debt, and now the important Wells bank receivership
+settles itself. Let me know the minute Shirley arrives."
+
+Davy's hours of impatience were interrupted on Saturday morning by a
+telephone call from Chicago. The booth at the Grand Union afforded the
+privacy needed.
+
+"If you are in your own clothes...."
+
+Davy's directive was interrupted by a hearty laugh, and a prompt
+inquiry: "Am I under indictment?"
+
+"Naw! You're not under anything. You're at the top of the heap. Your
+scrap started things. Get out here on the first train--there's a lot
+to do and I've pledged you to carry out all the plans as proposed by
+your friend Townsend. There's lots to do. Get here at once."
+
+And Shirley Wells of the East, Sam Welborn of the West, did as he was
+directed. He arrived in Bransford shortly after the noon hour. And the
+rest of the afternoon he was listening to Davy's story and Davy's
+plans. Sunday morning, at the Fourth Avenue Church, he was cordially
+greeted by many, some of whom he had ridiculed at a former session.
+Monday, the full day was spent in the office of his friend Townsend.
+Tuesday, Ralph Gaynor of Springfield arrived in Bransford in response
+to Davy's telegram, wherein it was suggested that "one carfare was
+cheaper than two."
+
+Shirley Wells admired Ralph Gaynor but he marveled at his methods.
+Instead of taking him down to the bank building to review the former
+methods of conducting the business, Gaynor persisted in interviewing
+any and all with whom he came in contact: business and professional
+men, farmers and laborers, women clerks and housewives. His questions
+were casual, the extended answers were his reward. That evening, in
+Townsend's office, he delivered his estimates and opinion.
+
+"Banking service is badly needed in your city. Your present plans are
+timely. A news story should go out tomorrow that the organization is
+formed and will be functioning next week--this to prevent others from
+invading this fine prospect. You have present opportunity to secure
+the services of young Nelson, down at the Wide-Awake, as a receiving
+teller. He is fast and accurate in money matters. The young lady that
+compiled Mr. Townsend's reports can, and should, take care of the
+growing bookkeeping. You will not make a great deal of money in this
+first year of operation. After that, you will have the best banking
+investment I know of."
+
+"But what about our new cashier, Shirley Wells?" inquired Townsend.
+"What's his job? He and his little friend here own practically all the
+stock."
+
+"The banking business," said Gaynor, "has its peculiarities. Back of
+the counter, it's simply a matter of accuracy. In front of the
+counter, however, it's a question of diplomacy and good judgment.
+Shirley Wells is an asset. His business is in front of the counter,
+greeting the trade and broadening the field for service. A bank must
+have assets if it is to make loans."
+
+The Wells National Bank, with its tidy and growing millions of assets,
+is functioning at 201 North Oak Street, Bransford, U.S.A.
+
+Just where should these ramblings end? A tragedy ends at the death of
+any or all; a comedy ends with one of the revived jokes of former
+years; a biography should terminate at the grave, and a romance
+finishes as the groom carries his hard-won prize across the threshold
+of the cottage or palace. What's the finish here?
+
+A start was made to tell the life story of a midget, but complications
+arose that could not be avoided. Instead of traveling the infrequent
+paths of the Lilliputians the journey has, in many instances, swept
+down the traffic-filled thoroughfare of the big adults. But midgets
+are few in number, they have few contacts with each other. In most
+every instance, their employment is to exhibit themselves to the
+thousands and thousands who come to see and comment.
+
+Midgets do not go to war, cannot win a prize fight, or bust one over
+the right field fence for a home run. Their field for service is
+limited to public exhibitions; their contacts wholly with the
+questioning adult. The tragedies of a midget are of the lighter sort,
+comedies prevail only in a minor degree, romance is a limited factor,
+and in this particular instance, these ramblings cannot be classed as
+biography--the principal characters are still alive.
+
+And because they are still alive and functioning, the reader is
+invited out to the Adot vicinity to see--and maybe participate--in the
+continuing story.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+    +-----------------------------------------------------------+
+    | Typographical errors corrected in text:                   |
+    |                                                           |
+    | Page  42: ditsance replaced with distance                 |
+    | Page  54: expained replaced with explained                |
+    | Page  68: insistant replaced with insistent               |
+    | Page  71: hastry replaced with hasty                      |
+    | Page  94: 'wth' replaced with 'with'                      |
+    | Page 157: bookeeping replaced with bookkeeping            |
+    |                                                           |
+    +-----------------------------------------------------------+
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+
+
+
+End of Project Gutenberg's David Lannarck, Midget, by George S. Harney
+
+*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK DAVID LANNARCK, MIDGET ***
+
+***** This file should be named 20384-8.txt or 20384-8.zip *****
+This and all associated files of various formats will be found in:
+        http://www.gutenberg.org/2/0/3/8/20384/
+
+Produced by David Starner, Dave Morgan, Jeannie Howse and
+the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at
+http://www.pgdp.net
+
+
+Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions
+will be renamed.
+
+Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no
+one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation
+(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without
+permission and without paying copyright royalties.  Special rules,
+set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to
+copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to
+protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark.  Project
+Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you
+charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission.  If you
+do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the
+rules is very easy.  You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose
+such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and
+research.  They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do
+practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks.  Redistribution is
+subject to the trademark license, especially commercial
+redistribution.
+
+
+
+*** START: FULL LICENSE ***
+
+THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE
+PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK
+
+To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free
+distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work
+(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project
+Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project
+Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at
+http://gutenberg.org/license).
+
+
+Section 1.  General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm
+electronic works
+
+1.A.  By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm
+electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to
+and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property
+(trademark/copyright) agreement.  If you do not agree to abide by all
+the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy
+all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession.
+If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the
+terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or
+entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8.
+
+1.B.  "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark.  It may only be
+used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who
+agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement.  There are a few
+things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works
+even without complying with the full terms of this agreement.  See
+paragraph 1.C below.  There are a lot of things you can do with Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement
+and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic
+works.  See paragraph 1.E below.
+
+1.C.  The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation"
+or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic works.  Nearly all the individual works in the
+collection are in the public domain in the United States.  If an
+individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are
+located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from
+copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative
+works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg
+are removed.  Of course, we hope that you will support the Project
+Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by
+freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of
+this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with
+the work.  You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by
+keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project
+Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others.
+
+1.D.  The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern
+what you can do with this work.  Copyright laws in most countries are in
+a constant state of change.  If you are outside the United States, check
+the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement
+before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or
+creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project
+Gutenberg-tm work.  The Foundation makes no representations concerning
+the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United
+States.
+
+1.E.  Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg:
+
+1.E.1.  The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate
+access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently
+whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the
+phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project
+Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed,
+copied or distributed:
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+1.E.2.  If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived
+from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is
+posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied
+and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees
+or charges.  If you are redistributing or providing access to a work
+with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the
+work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1
+through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the
+Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or
+1.E.9.
+
+1.E.3.  If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted
+with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution
+must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional
+terms imposed by the copyright holder.  Additional terms will be linked
+to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the
+permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work.
+
+1.E.4.  Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm
+License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this
+work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm.
+
+1.E.5.  Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this
+electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without
+prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with
+active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project
+Gutenberg-tm License.
+
+1.E.6.  You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary,
+compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any
+word processing or hypertext form.  However, if you provide access to or
+distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than
+"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version
+posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org),
+you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a
+copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon
+request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other
+form.  Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm
+License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1.
+
+1.E.7.  Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying,
+performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works
+unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9.
+
+1.E.8.  You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing
+access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided
+that
+
+- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from
+     the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method
+     you already use to calculate your applicable taxes.  The fee is
+     owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he
+     has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the
+     Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation.  Royalty payments
+     must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you
+     prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax
+     returns.  Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and
+     sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the
+     address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to
+     the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation."
+
+- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies
+     you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he
+     does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm
+     License.  You must require such a user to return or
+     destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium
+     and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of
+     Project Gutenberg-tm works.
+
+- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any
+     money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the
+     electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days
+     of receipt of the work.
+
+- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free
+     distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works.
+
+1.E.9.  If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm
+electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set
+forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from
+both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael
+Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark.  Contact the
+Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below.
+
+1.F.
+
+1.F.1.  Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable
+effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread
+public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm
+collection.  Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic
+works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain
+"Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or
+corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual
+property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a
+computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by
+your equipment.
+
+1.F.2.  LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right
+of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project
+Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project
+Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all
+liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal
+fees.  YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT
+LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE
+PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH F3.  YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE
+TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE
+LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR
+INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH
+DAMAGE.
+
+1.F.3.  LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a
+defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can
+receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a
+written explanation to the person you received the work from.  If you
+received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with
+your written explanation.  The person or entity that provided you with
+the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a
+refund.  If you received the work electronically, the person or entity
+providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to
+receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund.  If the second copy
+is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further
+opportunities to fix the problem.
+
+1.F.4.  Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth
+in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER
+WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO
+WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE.
+
+1.F.5.  Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied
+warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages.
+If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the
+law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be
+interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by
+the applicable state law.  The invalidity or unenforceability of any
+provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions.
+
+1.F.6.  INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the
+trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone
+providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance
+with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production,
+promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works,
+harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees,
+that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do
+or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm
+work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any
+Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause.
+
+
+Section  2.  Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm
+
+Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of
+electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers
+including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers.  It exists
+because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from
+people in all walks of life.
+
+Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the
+assistance they need, is critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's
+goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will
+remain freely available for generations to come.  In 2001, the Project
+Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure
+and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations.
+To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation
+and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4
+and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org.
+
+
+Section 3.  Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive
+Foundation
+
+The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit
+501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the
+state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal
+Revenue Service.  The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification
+number is 64-6221541.  Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at
+http://pglaf.org/fundraising.  Contributions to the Project Gutenberg
+Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent
+permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws.
+
+The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S.
+Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered
+throughout numerous locations.  Its business office is located at
+809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email
+business@pglaf.org.  Email contact links and up to date contact
+information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official
+page at http://pglaf.org
+
+For additional contact information:
+     Dr. Gregory B. Newby
+     Chief Executive and Director
+     gbnewby@pglaf.org
+
+
+Section 4.  Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg
+Literary Archive Foundation
+
+Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide
+spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of
+increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be
+freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest
+array of equipment including outdated equipment.  Many small donations
+($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt
+status with the IRS.
+
+The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating
+charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United
+States.  Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a
+considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up
+with these requirements.  We do not solicit donations in locations
+where we have not received written confirmation of compliance.  To
+SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any
+particular state visit http://pglaf.org
+
+While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we
+have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition
+against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who
+approach us with offers to donate.
+
+International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make
+any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from
+outside the United States.  U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff.
+
+Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation
+methods and addresses.  Donations are accepted in a number of other
+ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations.
+To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate
+
+
+Section 5.  General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic
+works.
+
+Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm
+concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared
+with anyone.  For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project
+Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support.
+
+
+Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed
+editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S.
+unless a copyright notice is included.  Thus, we do not necessarily
+keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition.
+
+
+Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility:
+
+     http://www.gutenberg.org
+
+This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm,
+including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary
+Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to
+subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks.
diff --git a/20384-8.zip b/20384-8.zip
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..2821825
--- /dev/null
+++ b/20384-8.zip
diff --git a/20384-h.zip b/20384-h.zip
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..280d0d4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/20384-h.zip
diff --git a/20384-h/20384-h.htm b/20384-h/20384-h.htm
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..25d1133
--- /dev/null
+++ b/20384-h/20384-h.htm
@@ -0,0 +1,7701 @@
+<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd">
+<html>
+  <head>
+    <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=iso-8859-1" />
+    <title>
+      The Project Gutenberg eBook of David Lannarck, Midget, by George S. Harney.
+    </title>
+    <style type="text/css">
+/*<![CDATA[  XML blockout */
+<!--
+    P {  margin-top: .5em;
+         text-align: justify;
+         margin-bottom: .5em;
+         text-indent: 1em;
+         }
+    H1   {
+         text-align: center; font-family: garamond, serif; /* all headings centered */
+         }
+    H5,H6 {
+         text-align: center; font-family: garamond, serif; /* all headings centered */
+         }
+    H2 {
+         text-align: center; font-family: garamond, serif; /* centered and coloured */
+         }
+    H3 {
+         text-align: center; font-family: garamond, serif; /* centered and coloured */
+         }
+    H4 {
+         text-align: center; font-family: garamond, serif; /* all headings centered */
+         }
+    HR { width: 33%;
+	margin-top: 1em;
+	margin-bottom: 1em;
+       }
+    BODY{margin-left: 10%;
+         margin-right: 10%;
+        }
+    a  {text-decoration: none} /* no lines under links */
+    div.centered {text-align: center;} /* work around for IE centering with CSS problem part 1 */
+    div.centered table {margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;} /* work around for IE centering with CSS problem part 2 */
+
+    .cen      {text-align: center; text-indent: 0em;} /* centering paragraphs */
+    .sc       {font-variant: small-caps; font-size: 95%;} /* small caps, normal size */
+    .noin     {text-indent: 0em;} /* no indenting */
+    .block    {margin-left: 5%; margin-right: 5%;} /* block indent */
+    .right    {text-align: right; padding-right: 2em;} /* right aligning paragraphs */
+    .totoc    {position: absolute; right: 2%; font-size: 75%; text-align: right;} /* Table of contents anchor */
+    .tdr      {text-align: right;} /* right align cell */
+    .tdc      {text-align: center;} /* center align cell */
+    .tdl      {text-align: left;}  /* left align cell */
+    .tdlsc    {text-align: left; font-variant: small-caps;} /* aligning cell content and small caps */
+    .tdrsc    {text-align: right; font-variant: small-caps;} /* aligning cell content and small caps */
+    .tdcsc    {text-align: center; font-variant: small-caps;} /* aligning cell content and small caps */
+    .tr       {margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; margin-top: 5%; margin-bottom: 5%; padding: 1em; background-color: #f6f2f2; color: black; border: dotted black 1px;} /* transcriber's notes */
+    .tr2      {margin-left: 25%; margin-right: 25%; margin-top: 5%; margin-bottom: 5%; padding: 1em; border: solid black 2px;} /* dustcover notes */
+    .pagenum  { /* uncomment the next line for invisible page numbers */
+               /*  visibility: hidden;  */
+               position: absolute; right: 2%;
+               font-size: 75%;
+               color: silver;
+               background-color: inherit;
+               text-align: right;
+               text-indent: 0em;
+               font-style: normal;
+               font-weight: normal;
+               font-variant: normal;} /* page numbers */
+
+    .poem             {margin-left: 5%; margin-right: 15%; text-align: left;}
+    .poem br          {display: none;}
+    .poem .stanza     {margin: 1em 0em 1em 0em;}
+    .poem span        {display: block; margin: 0; padding-left: 3em; text-indent: -3em;}
+    .poem span.i2     {display: block; margin-left: 2em;}
+    .poem span.i4     {display: block; margin-left: 4em;}
+    .poem span.pn     { /* uncomment the next line for invisible page numbers */
+                        /*  visibility: hidden;  */
+                            position: absolute; right: 2%;
+                            font-size: 75%;
+                            text-align: right;
+                            text-indent: 0em;
+                            font-style: normal;
+                            font-weight: normal;
+                            color: silver; background-color: inherit;
+                            font-variant: normal;} /* page numbers in poems */
+    // -->
+    /* XML end  ]]>*/
+    </style>
+   </head>
+<body>
+
+
+<pre>
+
+The Project Gutenberg EBook of David Lannarck, Midget, by George S. Harney
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: David Lannarck, Midget
+       An Adventure Story
+
+Author: George S. Harney
+
+Release Date: January 16, 2007 [EBook #20384]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK DAVID LANNARCK, MIDGET ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by David Starner, Dave Morgan, Jeannie Howse and
+the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at
+http://www.pgdp.net
+
+
+
+
+
+
+</pre>
+
+
+<br />
+<hr />
+<br />
+
+<div class="tr">
+<p class="cen" style="font-weight: bold;">Transcriber's Note:</p>
+<br />
+<p class="noin">Inconsistent hyphenation in the original document has been preserved.</p>
+<p class="noin">Dialect and unusual spelling have been retained in this document.</p>
+<p class="noin">Obvious typographical errors have been corrected in this text.<br />
+For a complete list, please see the <a href="#TN">end of this document</a>.</p>
+<p class="noin">Linked Table of Contents added for the convenience of the reader.</p>
+</div>
+
+<br />
+<hr />
+<br />
+
+
+<div class="tr2">
+<h3>David Lannarck, Midget</h3>
+
+<p class="cen"><i>An Adventure Story</i></p>
+
+<p class="cen"><i>by</i> <span class="sc">George S. Harney</span></p>
+<br />
+
+<p><i>David was small, but Oh my!</i></p>
+
+<p>Circus life was exciting enough, but
+young David Lannarck was tired of being
+stared at and bullied because of his
+small size. So when a tall Westerner
+saved his life in Cheyenne, and David
+and he became friends, why, the circus
+midget decided to make his home in the
+wide open space.</p>
+
+<p>With big, rangy Sam Welborn, David
+started out to become a rancher and live
+out his days in peace and quiet. But
+excitement seemed to follow the circus
+midget wherever he went. The big man and
+the little one ran into gunman, thieves
+and rustlers, and where big Sam's
+strength was not enough, David's wit had
+to get them out alive.</p>
+
+<p>Circus life and Western adventure are a
+highly unusual as well as a delightful
+combination, but the author George S.
+Harney has a first-hand authentic
+knowledge of both. As a young man in
+Indiana, he was a personal friend of Lew
+Graham, the circus announcer for the Big
+Show, Barnam &amp; Bailey's Circus. Lew
+Graham, handsomely dressed, told the big
+audience what came next on the program.
+During the long winter lay-ups, they
+would swap yarns in the unique circus
+lingo, which Harney has recorded in
+<i>David Lannarck, Midget</i>.</p>
+
+<p>Later, Mr. Harney served in the
+Spanish-American War. After the war,
+"Cap" Harney became active in the
+development of southern Idaho, and
+although he sold his holdings there
+1945, he confesses that he is still
+"haunted by the wild isolation of that
+district west of Cheyenne."</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Harney is a native Hoosier, a
+resident of Crawfordsville, Indiana.</p></div>
+
+<br />
+<br />
+<br />
+<br />
+<hr />
+<br />
+<br />
+<br />
+
+<h1>David Lannarck,<br />
+Midget</h1>
+
+<br />
+<br />
+<br />
+<br />
+
+<h4><i>AN ADVENTURE STORY</i></h4>
+
+<br />
+
+<h3>by GEORGE S. HARNEY</h3>
+
+<br />
+<br />
+<br />
+<br />
+<br />
+<br />
+<br />
+<br />
+
+<h5>EXPOSITION PRESS &middot; NEW YORK</h5>
+
+<br />
+<br />
+<br />
+<hr />
+<br />
+<br />
+<br />
+<br />
+
+
+<h5>Copyright, 1951, by George S. Harney</h5>
+
+<br />
+
+<h5><i>All rights reserved<br />
+including the right of reproduction<br />
+in whole or in part in any form</i></h5>
+
+<br />
+<br />
+
+<h5>Published by the Exposition Press Inc.<br />
+386 Fourth Avenue, New York 16, N.Y.<br />
+Manufactured in the United States of America<br />
+Consolidated Book Producers, Inc.<br />
+Designed by Morry M. Gropper</h5>
+
+<br />
+<br />
+<br />
+<br />
+<hr />
+<br />
+<br />
+<br />
+<br />
+
+
+<div style="margin-left: 35%; margin-right: 30%;">
+<p class="noin"><i>It is very true, that the small things in<br />
+life are sometimes the most important.</i><br /></p>
+
+<p class="right">&mdash;<i>CHURCHILL</i></p>
+</div>
+
+<br />
+<br />
+<br />
+<br />
+<a name="toc" id="toc"></a>
+<br />
+
+<h3>Contents</h3>
+<br />
+
+<h4>PART ONE</h4>
+
+<h4><a href="#Chapter_1">Chapter &nbsp;&nbsp;1</a><br />
+<a href="#Chapter_2">Chapter &nbsp;&nbsp;2</a><br />
+<a href="#Chapter_3">Chapter &nbsp;&nbsp;3</a><br />
+<a href="#Chapter_4">Chapter &nbsp;&nbsp;4</a><br />
+<a href="#Chapter_5">Chapter &nbsp;&nbsp;5</a><br />
+<a href="#Chapter_6">Chapter &nbsp;&nbsp;6</a><br />
+<a href="#Chapter_7">Chapter &nbsp;&nbsp;7</a><br />
+<a href="#Chapter_8">Chapter &nbsp;&nbsp;8</a><br />
+<a href="#Chapter_9">Chapter &nbsp;&nbsp;9</a><br />
+<a href="#Chapter_10">Chapter 10</a><br />
+<a href="#Chapter_11">Chapter 11</a><br />
+<a href="#Chapter_12">Chapter 12</a><br />
+<a href="#Chapter_13">Chapter 13</a><br />
+<a href="#Chapter_14">Chapter 14</a><br />
+<a href="#Chapter_15">Chapter 15</a><br />
+<a href="#Chapter_16">Chapter 16</a><br />
+<a href="#Chapter_17">Chapter 17</a><br /></h4>
+
+<h4>PART TWO</h4>
+
+<h4><a href="#Chapter_18">Chapter 18</a><br />
+<a href="#Chapter_19">Chapter 19</a><br />
+<a href="#Chapter_20">Chapter 20</a></h4>
+
+<h4>PART THREE</h4>
+
+<h4><a href="#Chapter_21">Chapter 21</a></h4>
+
+<br />
+<br />
+<br />
+<br />
+<a name="Chapter_1" id="Chapter_1"></a><hr />
+<br />
+<br />
+<br />
+<br />
+
+<h2>PART ONE</h2>
+
+<br />
+<br />
+<br />
+<br />
+<hr />
+<br />
+
+<h3>1<span class="totoc"><a href="#toc">ToC</a></span></h3>
+<br />
+
+<p>In all her days of presenting the spectacular, Cheyenne had never
+witnessed a more even contest than was now being staged this day in
+the early autumn of 1932, at the circus grounds in the city's suburbs.
+It was a race between a midget and a lout.</p>
+
+<p>The little man ducked under the garish banners portraying the wonders
+of the Kid Show, raced the interval to the "big top" of the Great
+International, then back again, closely followed by a lanky oaf whose
+longer strides evened the contest.</p>
+
+<p>"I'll cut yer ears off," the pursuer snarled, as the midget swung
+around the pole supporting the snake banner, thus gaining a distance
+on his enemy. "En I'll cut yer heart out," the big one yelled as he
+stumbled and almost fell.</p>
+
+<p>As evidence that he would make good his terrifying threat, the lout
+flourished a clasp-knife in his right hand; with his left, he made
+futile grabs at the midget's coat tail.</p>
+
+<p>The crowd that watched this contest was not of the circus. It was a
+gathering of those who came to the lot at an early hour to watch the
+Circus City set up shop for the one-day stand in this western
+metropolis. Some of the onlookers were railroad men, off duty; some
+were cow hands from nearby ranches; a few Indians from the reservation
+beyond the willow-fringed Lodgepole Creek, lent their stoical
+presence, while several soldiers from the newly christened Fort Warren
+with or without official sanction, were on hand to witness the setup.</p>
+
+<p>It was the accepted judgment of those present that the midget and the
+lout were staging a ballyhoo&mdash;a "come-on"&mdash;preliminary to the opening
+of the Kid Show. There was no applause as the little man outwitted his
+follower by an adroit dodge under the ticket wagon. No one tripped
+the <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10">[10]</a></span>lout as the race led through the assembled crowd. If the contest
+was a part of the day's program, no spectator seemed willing to play
+"stooge" in this preliminary performance.</p>
+
+<p>Some distance to the north where the two great tents of the main show
+came together, a group of workmen were operating a stake driver. In
+this gang the midget knew he would find understanding friends. If he
+could gain sufficient distance to undertake this straightaway, he
+would find help. He dived between a spectator's legs, turned to the
+right, and ran for this haven of hope.</p>
+
+<p>Two things interrupted his plans. A ramshackle auto moved across his
+path. To avoid collision, the midget veered his course to step in a
+hole and fall sprawling at the feet of the man clambering out of the
+machine. His pursuer was on him in an instant. "I tole ye I would cut
+yer heart out," he panted as he brandished the knife. But before he
+could execute the threat, the knife was struck from his uplifted hand.</p>
+
+<p>The lout screamed with pain as he grabbed his wrist. "Yu've broke my
+arm," he shouted as he danced around the big man. "Why don't ye pick
+on one of yer size?" The stranger took in the situation at a glance.
+The slanting forehead and the evil though childish face revealed a
+moron with whom words of reason would have little effect. He said
+nothing.</p>
+
+<p>It was the midget who took charge. He scrambled to his feet, took a
+few deep breaths, brushed the dust off his coat, and ordered the moron
+back to the side show. "Go back to your mother," he commanded. "Go
+right back to Mamie and tell her what you've been doing, and tell her
+all of it. Don't look for your knife; I'll get that for you when you
+get over your tantrum."</p>
+
+<p>The midget watched the retreating figure. "His mother is a fine
+woman," he explained to the stranger. "Has charge of costumes and
+assists in makeup. That dunce is with her on a few days vacation from
+a school for the feeble-minded.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">[11]</a></span>"And now, Mister, I want to thank you for your timely help. You
+probably saved my life, for you can't tell what a half-wit will do,
+when in a tantrum and armed with a knife. All my life I've had the
+enmity of half-wits. The big ones tease 'em and they take it out on
+the little fellow.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, that's that, as dear Marie Dressler says. I certainly am
+indebted to you, Mister. What's your name, Mister? I surely ought to
+know the name of the man that probably saved my life."</p>
+
+<p>"My name is Welborn, Sam Welborn. I live quite a distance back in the
+hills."</p>
+
+<p>"And my name is David Lannarck, and I've got a score of other names
+besides, to include Shorty, Prince, Runt, Half-Pint, and others. I'm
+with the Kid Show. I was getting my stuff in shape for the opening
+when Alfred decided to work on me with that knife. And he about got it
+done, because there were none of the show people around to take him
+off me. The spectators thought it was some sort of a pre-exhibition.</p>
+
+<p>"And now, Mr. Welborn, let's go down to the cook tent and get a cup of
+coffee, and then you can look around the lot until the shows open. I
+want you to be my guest for the day. I feel that I can never repay you
+for what you have done. If you ever want any help or aid that a little
+fellow like me can give, call on me; there are a few things that I can
+do."</p>
+
+<p>"Well I do need some help, right now," said Welborn. "I want to
+dispose of a couple of bears."</p>
+
+<p>"Bears? What kind of bears?"</p>
+
+<p>"Two black bear cubs, fat and fine and just ready to be trained. I
+caught them up in the hills, and find that I have about as much use
+for them as I would have for a yacht, or a case of smallpox. I've
+tried turning them loose, but they won't go. Knowing that the show was
+to be here today, I brought them down in the trailer, hoping some one
+wanted two healthy cubs to fit into an act or exhibition."</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">[12]</a></span>"Bears, bears," mused the midget. "Truth is, Mr. Welborn, I'm not
+posted on the bear market. Offhand, I would say that they were not
+worth much to a show that was losing money by the bale. You see, this
+good old year of '32 is a bust. A depression hits a circus first and
+hardest. Just now, we are cutting the season and have planned a
+straightaway back to winter quarters. Instead of going down through
+Fort Collins, Greeley, Denver, Pueblo, with a swing through Texas, we
+have canceled everything. We play this Union Pacific right through to
+Omaha and thence back home by direct rails. So a pair of bear cubs
+wouldn't be much of an asset right now."</p>
+
+<p>"Anyhow, let's look 'em over while I think up a plan." The midget
+recovered Alfred's knife from the dust and walked over to the trailer
+that he noted had a wooden coop of slats aboard. He climbed up on the
+wheel where he could see two black, wooly objects, scarcely a foot
+high, and nearly that size in length and breadth.</p>
+
+<p>"They do look fat and in good fur," he commented, "and from the way
+they are working on the slat on yon side, you won't have them long.
+They would be out of the pen in another half-hour."</p>
+
+<p>"That's the point to the whole matter. You just can't keep 'em penned
+in, and you can't keep 'em barred out. They have reached the pest
+stage and are incorrigible. Now I didn't expect to get much out of
+them anyhow," continued Welborn. "If I could find a home for them,
+where they would earn their keep, I would be willing to give them to
+such a party. Oh, I know it sounds sort of mushy," he hastened to
+explain as he noted the questioning look on David's countenance, "but
+I killed their mother for raiding our truckpatch and hogpen and I
+found these little fellows up near the den, starving and unable to
+fend for themselves. I took them home, fed them milk and bread and
+sugar and brought them up to where they are. But they have reached the
+stage where something must be done. As you see, they <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">[13]</a></span>are hard to pen
+up and it's worse to turn them loose. Life to them is one continuous
+round of wrestling, scrapping, knocking over anything that's loose,
+and tearing up anything in reach. Whipping them does no good. They cry
+and beg until you are sorry and then it's to do all over again. I just
+couldn't kill them; it would be like killing a pet dog. So I just
+thought that if I could find someone to take them and care for them,
+it would be good riddance and give me time to go back to my work."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, that solves the problem," said the midget, gleefully. "I've got
+your party. He's old Fisheye Gleason right here with the show. We can
+deal with that old buzzard as freely and as profitably as if we were
+in a cutthroat pawnshop. Hey, you fellows," he called to some passing
+laborers, "have any of you seen old Fisheye in the last hour?"</p>
+
+<p>"Fisheye is linin' up the wagons in the menag," said one of the men.</p>
+
+<p>"Er he may be up at the marquee tellin' the boss where to route the
+show," said another. "Maybe he's got Beatty cornered, tellin' him a
+new plan fer workin' the cats this afternoon," leered another. The
+leader pointed to the far end of the big animal tent.</p>
+
+<p>"I've got him located," said David. "Now you fix that slat so the
+bears won't leave for the next hour and we'll work on Fisheye. He has
+been with this plant ever since Uncle Ben took it out as a wagon show.
+Hear him tell it, he set Barnum up in business and loaned the Ringling
+boys their first money. Fisheye is a romancer, unhampered by facts.
+But he's a wise old man at that.</p>
+
+<p>"Fisheye Gleason still has his first dollar. He wears the same
+corduroy pants that Uncle Ben gave him on his twenty-first birthday.
+If we had the time he would tell us his personal experiences with
+every celebrity in the circus world. We haven't the time, and we've
+got to work fast and cautious.</p>
+
+<p>"Now Fisheye would balk and walk away on us if we <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">[14]</a></span>offered him these
+bears for nothing; he just wouldn't understand it. He dickers in
+animals a little; trains 'em and has 'em doing things right away. He
+likes 'em and they like old Fisheye. Why, he can take these little
+bears and have 'em turning somersaults, dancing, and climbing to their
+perches in no time. Then he sells 'em into some big act.</p>
+
+<p>"Fisheye is our meat for this play, but don't sell out too quick."</p>
+
+<p>Leaving the cubs to the further destruction of their cage, the
+prospective salesmen wended their way through a maze of sidewalls,
+poles, unplaced wagons, cages. On past the refreshment booth that was
+setting up in the central area; past a score of elephants, swaying in
+contentment over the morning hay; past camels, llamas, zebras, and
+other luminaries, to the far end of the big tent where a group of
+laborers were aiding two elephants to line up the last of the cages
+and vans in a proper circle around the enclosure.</p>
+
+<p>It was all confusing enough to the big Westerner, but the little man
+knew where to go. He pressed forward to where a little, old, dried up
+"razorback" was regaling two of the workmen with words of experience
+if not wisdom.</p>
+
+<p>"'En I told Shako," he declared with emphasis, "that he never could
+win back old Mom's confidence, till he got a big armload of sugarcane
+en doled hit out to her. En shore enough when we got to Little Rock
+and Shako got holt of some sugarcane, he win that old elephant's
+respect instanter. En that ain't all! When we got to Memphis en hit
+into that big storm, why ole Mom&mdash;" But the audience died away to one
+man as the midget's voice interrupted.</p>
+
+<p>"Say, Fisheye, I want you to meet a friend of mine, Mr. Welborn. Meet
+Mr. Welborn, Mr. Gleason. Mr. Welborn here dickers a little in native
+animals and has a couple of the slickest, fattest, neatest bear cubs
+I've seen in years. He's got too much business to give any time to
+training them and I told him of your success with animals and he wants
+to make a deal with you."</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[15]</a></span>"What kind of a deal? And where's yer bars?" Fisheye was alert to the
+business up to knowing the full import of the deal.</p>
+
+<p>"They are out here in a coop&mdash;on a trailer. He brought them down out
+of the mountains this morning."</p>
+
+<p>"Did ye ketch 'em this mornin'?" queried Fisheye as he followed the
+two salesmen to the truck.</p>
+
+<p>"Naw, he's had 'em in training for two months. Best of all, he knows
+how to take care of their hair, how to feed 'em. Look, there they are,
+alike as two peas and ready to climb a pole or turn a somersault."</p>
+
+<p>Fisheye was peering through the slats. "I wish we had 'em out whar I
+could see 'em better. Now what's yer deal, Prince? Ye said somethin'
+about a deal?"</p>
+
+<p>"Well, it's like this, Fisheye. Mr. Welborn could go right on training
+these bruins and peddle them through an ad in <i>Billboard</i> for a sure
+two hundred smackers, surely by Thanksgiving&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"Two hundred nothin's," retorted the wary Fisheye, who was not to let
+a fancy price go by without protest. "Thar's no bar in the world wuth
+a hundred dollars. Why up in the Yallerstone, they offer to give 'em
+away!"</p>
+
+<p>"Sure they do, or did last year. They are the old mangy bears that
+bother tourists, Jesse James bears, that they want to get rid of. But
+they wouldn't sell you a cub for love or money. Bears are scarce this
+year. They hint of a bear famine up there.</p>
+
+<p>"And anyhow, you didn't let me finish. Why if you owned these bears
+and had 'em climbing an injun ladder right up to their perch in the
+animal act, had 'em dancing, turning somersaults, you would ask a half
+grand for them and never bat an eye. They would be worth it, and you
+know it. But rather than go through the work of getting them ready,
+Mr. Welborn is willing to take an even hundred for the two. Better
+still, he'll let you make a note for the hundred due in ninety
+days&mdash;or say Christmas. By that <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">[16]</a></span>time you've got the bears sold and
+your note paid, and jingling the difference."</p>
+
+<p>Fisheye was squinting through the slats. "I wish we had 'em out whar a
+man could see what he's buying."</p>
+
+<p>"Haven't you got an empty cage where we could turn them out in the
+daylight?" asked the sales manager.</p>
+
+<p>"Shore I have. I jist got pie Rip's cage all cleaned out an ready fer
+what come."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, get it open. Cut loose the trailer, Mr. Welborn, and we will
+back it in by hand. Here, Happy, you and Joe help push this trailer in
+to where Fisheye shows you. These cubs need initiating anyhow."</p>
+
+<p>The trailer was unhooked and carefully backed in through a passage
+laid out by the versatile Fisheye. A door was opened in one of the
+unplaced cages and the little bears pushed out into a new world. They
+scrambled to a far corner, faced about, and waited for the next move.</p>
+
+<p>"There they are," cried the midget enthusiastically, "black as
+midnight, fat as butterballs and ready for work." To be sure, the
+little salesman could not see up to the level of the cage floor, but
+his sales talk never ceased. "How much am I offered, men," he called
+out in a voice simulating an auctioneer. "How much for the two?"</p>
+
+<p>"Now you jist cut out yer comedy until I can squint 'em over," said
+Fisheye impatiently. "Kin ye move 'em around a little, Mister?"</p>
+
+<p>Welborn reached his hand through the bars and clucked to the little
+scared bruins. Hesitatingly they crept up to the extended hand and
+then sat up. They were surely butterballs as the midget proclaimed.</p>
+
+<p>"You can't tell which is Amos and which is Andy. Can you, Fisheye?"
+challenged the salesman.</p>
+
+<p>"Naw! I don't know 'em by name but that un is the oldest. In twins or
+even litters thar's one that's oldest. That un is the oldest, he
+starts to doin things fust. Now you jist tell me all over again,
+what's yer proposition about me owning these little b'ars?"</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">[17]</a></span>"Well, it is as I said. Mr. Welborn here will take your note for an
+even hundred for both bears. The note will be due Christmas. We can go
+right over to the ticket wagon and have Lew draw the note, payable at
+the Wabash Valley Trust Company for an even hundred, and the cubs are
+yours. And here's another thing," David motioned Fisheye over to
+another wagon and out of Mr. Welborn's hearing. "Here's the rest of
+the plan. I am going to offer this man Welborn ninety dollars for your
+note. He won't be bothered by having to send it to the bank, and he'll
+take my offer. There's where I come in; I make a ten spot without any
+investment."</p>
+
+<p>"How come?" squawked the amazed Fisheye. "Ye don't own no bars, ye
+ain't out no cash, en ye draw a sawbuck. Now jist why can't this
+mountain man take ninety dollars in folding money offen me and cut out
+all this bankin' stuff. I don't want any note at the Wabash Valley
+nohow. They'd jist harass me into payin' it. Jist cut all that out and
+let him take the foldin' money."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, maybe he will," sighed the super salesman. "But I thought as
+cheap as they were, I ought to have a ten spot out of it. But I resign
+in your favor. It's all among us folks anyhow. Just you go over and
+spot him the ninety and see if you win."</p>
+
+<p>Fisheye went back of a neighboring cage to search himself for the
+needed cash. The salesman turned to Welborn who in the whole deal had
+said never a word. "It worked out all right," chuckled the midget.
+"Fisheye is saying spells over his bankroll and is kissing some of the
+tens and twenties a fond and reluctant farewell. He will offer you
+ninety dollars and you take it. It's better than I'd hoped. You see,
+Fisheye has his money sewed to him and it makes it hard to acquire.
+Some of it will be plastered together, for Fisheye hasn't taken a bath
+since part of the Barnum-Jenny Lind Special went off the bridge at
+Wheeling. The little bears will always know their Fisheye, day or
+night."</p>
+
+<p>At this juncture Fisheye returned and counted down the <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">[18]</a></span>cash. Two of
+the twenties and one ten, were printed in the early twenties.</p>
+
+<p>"And now, Mister Welborn, we will have that cup of coffee and I must
+go to work. I want you to see the Kid Show and the Big Show as my
+guest. I'll have the boys park your machine and trailer right back of
+our show where it will be safe until you want it. After the main
+performance we will have dinner, say about four o'clock and we will
+call it a day."</p>
+
+<p>"I think you should have this money," said Welborn as they drank their
+coffee. He handed Fisheye's keepsakes to David. "I did not expect
+anything and I am satisfied that the bears are in good hands."</p>
+
+<p>"Not a cent," said David, waving the money aside. "I still owe you
+more than I can ever repay. Besides all this, we've done Fisheye a
+good turn. He'll have those cubs doing things before snow flies."</p>
+
+<p>"He has always wanted a Happy Family Act, and now he's got a start.
+From time to time he will add native animals like foxes, raccoons,
+badgers, and maybe a porky or two and label them 'Native Americans'
+and sell them to someone, cage and all, before next season."</p>
+
+<p>"Fisheye is versatile. Every winter he has a bunch of misfit dogs, and
+out of the outfit he'll get some smart ones that will train well. He
+is good, too, on a dog and pony act. Once a zebra got its leg broke in
+swinging one of the big poles in place. It looked like there was
+nothing to do but shoot it. But Fisheye salvaged the cripple; he
+taught it to get up and down with the leg in splints; cured him,
+except for a slight limp, and finally sold the beast as the only zebra
+that was ever broken to harness. Fisheye is a grand old liar but he's
+a fine animal man."</p>
+
+<br />
+<br />
+<br />
+<br />
+<a name="Chapter_2" id="Chapter_2"></a><hr />
+<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">[19]</a></span><br />
+
+<h3>2<span class="totoc"><a href="#toc">ToC</a></span></h3>
+<br />
+
+<p>Circuses&mdash;the big ones, with menageries&mdash;have a tradition: "the show
+must go on." Storms, fires, rail disasters, major accidents&mdash;even
+death&mdash;shall not deter. The show <i>must</i> go on. The Great International
+had lived fully up to this tradition. In all of its growing years, it
+had met and overcome any and all obstacles that might hinder its
+progress and promises. In the years past, a versatile routing agent
+could and did avoid many minor financial losses by routing the show to
+other fields. If a mine strike prevailed in one section, that district
+was missed by careful routings; if the boll weevil prevailed, the
+cotton belt was a closed field; if wheat failed in the Northwest, or
+mills were closed in Gary, the bookings were deflected to other marts.</p>
+
+<p>But the year 1932 was different; fertile fields there were not. It was
+not a case of dodging; it was a plain case of trying to hit. And there
+was no place.</p>
+
+<p>The Great International was making a brave effort to stem the tide of
+depression. Its great spread of canvas billowed over many new and
+novel attractions. It boasted of the largest herd of tame elephants in
+all the world. Its aerial acts were new to the circus lovers of
+America. Its grand opening was a riot of splendid colorings and
+beauty, never surpassed in all pageantry. Yet old Depression was
+winning at every stand. Historic Cheyenne, with its years of
+background in gathering humanity to its playdays, was little better
+than the rest. Business prudence dictated the routings from here on,
+and the route led to winter quarters. It was as David Lannarck said:
+"We play the U.P. to Omaha and then home."</p>
+
+<p>Sam Welborn, the man from the mountains, enjoyed the Kid Show,
+immensely. The trained cockatoos, the big snakes, the many freak
+people, the brief but snappy minstrel show, <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[20]</a></span>were some of the varied
+features. But best of all, Welborn watched the antics of his little
+friend of the morning adventure. He came on the little stage, first as
+a swaggering general, then as an admiral, last as a real doughboy of
+the United States Army. Dancing, bowing, and waving the flag, he won
+generous applause. Later, he came on as Cupid with bow and arrow, and
+made some fine shots into a target representing a heart. His song
+number was appropriate to this act.</p>
+
+<p>Following this performance, David conducted his friend to the marquee
+of the Big Show and passed him in to greater glories. "I will see you
+before the performance is over," he said in parting.</p>
+
+<p>The Big Show was not cut or curtailed. From the grand opening to the
+closing number the full production was given without a hitch. Sam
+Welborn, seated in the reserve section was back to boyhood days. He
+watched the many features of the bewildering panorama with childish
+enthusiasm. It was a great show. Just before the finale, he was joined
+by his little friend.</p>
+
+<p>"Our next stop will be the dining car," said Davy as they followed the
+crowd out the main entrance. "I have something I want to talk over
+with one of you Westerners and I think you are the man."</p>
+
+<p>"Maybe I am not a Westerner," said Welborn quietly.</p>
+
+<p>"Why you live out here, don't you?" retorted Davy.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, I live out here, a great ways out, clear out to the rim of
+things. If it wasn't for the mountains hemming the horizon, our 'wide
+open spaces' would be without limit. I live beyond the Medicine Bow
+Mountains over next to North Park. My nearest neighbor is two miles
+away. I am fifteen miles from a filling station."</p>
+
+<p>"Why, I didn't know there was a place in America that was fifteen
+miles from a filling station. The oil companies are surely overlooking
+a bet. Anyhow, every word you speak confirms my opinion that you live
+at the right place." The <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">[21]</a></span>two had arrived at the dining tent where a
+head waiter was assigning the guests to their places among the many
+tables.</p>
+
+<p>"We'll sit here, Tony, if you don't mind," said Davy as he ushered his
+guest to a table apart from the rest. He carried a high chair from
+another table and signaled a waiter. "This is what I have in mind, Mr.
+Welborn; I want to run away&mdash;run away from the yaps and yokels and the
+gawkers and get out where nobody can see me and where I can act just
+like a man. I am twenty-nine years old. For fifteen years I have been
+the 'objective' of the gawking squad. I'm sick of it. I want to run
+away when I see a crowd coming. When I am on the platform, I see
+nothing but dumb faces; if I am on the ground, I see nothing but legs.
+It's too tough a lifetime assignment. You understand I am not
+complaining of my lot as a midget, but I am fed up on the role. I want
+a rest&mdash;a change. And just now, is a good time to make the change from
+a game where I've grown stale. My financial affairs are in good shape,
+thanks to one of the finest men in all America, and I want to lay off
+this freak business until I can look on it without vomiting.</p>
+
+<p>"Two things woo me to this country: your wide open spaces, where
+seeing a human being is reduced to the very lowest limit; and second,
+I find that in playing vaudeville houses in the winter time, I develop
+a sinus trouble that sticks with me until I get back here to the
+mountains where it disappears entirely. Yes sir! When I hit the table
+lands of Denver, Pocatello, Casper, Rawling, Laramie, or this town,
+old Sinus passes right out of the system. For the last five years I
+have been planning to come to these Highlands and dig in&mdash;where
+humanity is the scarcest. Just awhile ago, you described the exact
+spot of my dreams. Now what's your reaction? Can I do it?"</p>
+
+<p>"Do you mean that you would want to spend the winter with me, back in
+the hills?" The big man's question was quietly put but he stopped
+eating, awaiting the answer.</p>
+
+<p>"Sure, that's what I mean. Next winter, next summer, <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">[22]</a></span>and then some. I
+want to get away from this," waving his hand in a circle to include
+the showgrounds. "And get to that," and he pointed west. "I want to
+get out where I can wear overalls; have a dog&mdash;or maybe five dogs&mdash;out
+where I can ride a hoss and chaw scrap-tobacco and spit like a man. I
+want to get away from being gawked at during all my waking hours. This
+thing here, is getting on my nerves. I feel like I want to commit
+murder when a simpering Jane looks at me, snickers and says, 'ain't he
+cute?' I want a ball bat to club every country jake doctor that looks
+me over and asks about my pituitary gland. Gee, gosh, but I do want to
+get away from that. I want to exchange these human nitwits for cows,
+calves, sheep, hosses,&mdash;broncho hosses, pintos&mdash;but not little
+round-bellied shetlands. I want to boss around among chickens, geese,
+turkeys, pigs&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"How about a couple of burros?" interrupted the listener.</p>
+
+<p>"That's it! Burros! I hadn't thought of burros&mdash;me on one of
+'em&mdash;slapping with my hat to get two miles to the gallon! That's it,
+burros! Two of them is better!"</p>
+
+<p>"And how about snows? There may be a snow yet this month that is
+deeper than you are tall."</p>
+
+<p>"Whoopee for the snow!" yelled the midget. "Me with a mackinaw and
+boots, and mittens and a shovel. Snow! Clean white snow! I love it!
+But I haven't seen any clean snow for years. All that you ever see now
+is the dirty slush that they scrape off the streetcar tracks. I sure
+would be disappointed, Mister Welborn, if you didn't have a lot of
+clean snow. And you have some sort of a shack, don't you? And we can
+cut a lot of wood, and have plenty of blankets&mdash;en books and
+magazines. And we can haul out a lot of grub, and a first-aid kit and
+such. And you don't have a big family, do you, Mister Welborn, and I
+wouldn't be much in the way, would I?"</p>
+
+<p>"No, I am all alone," said Welborn trying as best he could to answer
+the many questions. "I have no family and I do have a shack that is
+very comfortable. It has a fireplace and a stove. I have plenty of
+blankets and wood and grub. <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">[23]</a></span>But what about sickness&mdash;home-sickness!
+What about the terrors of loneliness that sometimes drive people mad!
+The wide open spaces have their handicaps, as I well know. For a year
+or more I have had just that experience. I have suffered, along with
+the joys of being wholly alone. Truly, I went into it with a bigger
+aversion to human society than you have, and I have not escaped.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, I have a shack, a good one, and a few score acres, but it's not
+a ranch. It's not stocked, has no barn or stables, and no crop but the
+native grass. It was a dreamer's plaything and I bought it with scant
+savings that should have been spent on another project. But it looked
+like I just had to own it in order to carry on."</p>
+
+<p>"What's your other project?" asked Davy, curious to know why a man
+with a ranch would not be ranching.</p>
+
+<p>"Mining," replied Welborn. "Placer mining back in a canyon or gulch
+that never felt a human footfall before I stumbled into it. It's a
+limited thing&mdash;limited to this ravine that is not more than fifty feet
+wide and a half a mile long. It was probably the old stream bed back
+before the Tertiary ages, but when the troubled mountain took another
+surge, it was left high and dry, twenty feet above water. I was
+working it this summer but the little bear cubs took most of my time.
+It takes a full day to lug enough water up to the canyon levels to
+wash out a pan of gravel. It takes the big part of the day to lower a
+sack of gravel down to the water, but at that, I have made wages. Now,
+I have an old rocker that was abandoned in the stream bed, but I need
+a pump so I can use the rocker right on the gravel bar. As it is a
+one-man job, it should be a force pump with a gasoline engine. All
+this costs money and it takes a long time to pan out enough dust to
+pay the bill. Really I had the money, but I just had to spend it in
+buying the cabin and land that was the only entrance to the placer
+bed. I just couldn't work the one without owning the other. Then too,
+I will have to blast a hole in the rock wall to get the pump located,
+after <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[24]</a></span>that, one year is all I want. One year's work will clean up all
+that one man ought to have. Of course I have practically lost this
+summer on account of the bear cub capers, and winter is at hand, but
+the outlook is better, thanks to your diplomacy and aid. With the
+money, I can live this winter and accomplish many things. By spring, I
+should be under full production."</p>
+
+<p>"But you wouldn't stay up there in that solitude with no person around
+but an old grouch that probably would not have a word to say for days
+at a time?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes I think I would," said Davy slowly but firmly. "I think I can
+risk my case as to care and friendship with a man who is considerate
+to little bears."</p>
+
+<p>Some of the circus people had finished the meal and were filing out of
+the tent, but Davy stayed, grimly determined to win his point. "About
+what would be the cost of this proposed mine equipment, and could I do
+some ranching around there while this was going on?"</p>
+
+<p>"I figure it will take three hundred dollars to buy the pump,
+pump-jack and engine; these, with a few lengths of hose and some
+dynamite, are all that's required. Of course there will be some labor
+costs in getting the pump installed, but three hundred will pay all
+bills."</p>
+
+<p>"Is that all? Why we can get that amount from Lew up at the ticket
+wagon. He will cash my check for that amount and be glad to do it.
+Holdups, you know, pass up checks. Therefore, Lew likes checks. When
+do you want it? Let's get it now while there is a lull in business,
+and you can take the pump and pipe and other gadgets right back with
+you in the truck."</p>
+
+<p>"Do you mean that you will go with me&mdash;now&mdash;on the truck? It's more
+than a hundred miles to Carter's filling station and fully twenty
+miles more over the roughest roads&mdash;or rather no roads&mdash;to the Gillis
+place and then two miles more. Why, it's an all-night trip if we were
+to start right now!"</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">[25]</a></span>"No, I am to stick with the show to Omaha. We are to be in North Bend,
+tomorrow; Grand Island, Friday; Omaha, Saturday; and then the payoff.
+I will have some things to do in Omaha. I want to telephone home and
+ask about some friends; I will talk to my financial boss and learn if
+he is still weathering the financial storm and then I am ready for the
+big jump out to your place. Can you meet me here with this
+truck-trailer outfit, say about Wednesday? I will have about three
+hundred pounds of baggage, and we must stock up with grub against
+getting snowed in. Can you meet me here Wednesday? Or, if you are too
+busy, can you send someone?"</p>
+
+<p>"Why sure I'll meet you&mdash;Wednesday or any other day&mdash;here or any other
+place you say." The man of the mountains was absorbing some of the
+little man's enthusiasm. "Sure I'll meet you, but you work so fast and
+drive right through that I can hardly keep up. Why, we hardly drive
+through with one thing until you have another. If I seem indifferent
+and not very responsive, it's because I haven't caught up yet. Think
+of it! Ten hours ago I was coming out of the hills with a serious
+problem that was hindering my work. Now, I am rid of the problem, have
+ninety dollars in cash; have the offer of all the funds I need, and
+prospects of a fine companion all through the dreaded winter. The
+change from poverty to riches has been so rapid that it's more like a
+dream than a reality. And here's the worst feature of the whole
+business," continued Welborn as the two made their way to the ticket
+wagon. "Here's the fly in the ointment. My side of the equation has
+been nothing but plus, plus. I am fearful that yours will be more than
+minus. You are tired of the mob; you want to get away from the crowds.
+You have a mental picture of the ranching business; horses, cattle,
+cowboys, knee-deep grass billowing through the great open spaces. It's
+your dream to land right in the midst of such surroundings, and your
+disappointments will be terrible to endure. I have no such ranch and
+there's none nearer <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">[26]</a></span>than ten miles of my place. Most of the cattle
+nowadays are purebred; the cowboys are cow hands, feeders, and
+care-takers&mdash;without a mount&mdash;and many of them never saw a pair of
+chaps and few wear ten gallon hats like the picture books show. That
+stuff belongs to the rodeos and dude ranches. Why the Diamond A Ranch
+over on Mad Trapper Fork is a model for any manufacturing plant. It
+has bookkeepers, salesmen, feeders from 'aggy' schools. You won't like
+that; it's not up to the standards of your dream. Of course you will
+like old Jim Lough of the B-line Ranch. He's ninety and used to be a
+tough hombre of the old school. But now he's out of the picture, his
+son Larry runs the ranch, and he is soon to give way to a young
+college girl who is up on foreign markets and the like.</p>
+
+<p>"My fears are that what you see and experience will not be the picture
+of beauty and action that you had dreamed about. My poor little place,
+without livestock or feed&mdash;or action&mdash;will be a terrible
+disappointment."</p>
+
+<p>"Well we will make a ranch out of it. The building of a ranch will be
+more pleasure than the possession of the finished product," rejoined
+Davy stoutly. "We will raise some feed, buy a few sheep and from there
+on, watch us grow! But early in this venture, I must get me a pony&mdash;a
+pinto, preferably&mdash;small enough for me to ride and big enough to go
+places. Then I'm all set. Hi, Lew!" The midget had climbed up on the
+wheel of the ticket wagon and was tapping on the window. "Cash my
+check for three hundred dollars and meet my podner, Mister Welborn."</p>
+
+<p>"Your partner in what?" queried the accommodating Lew, as he slid back
+the window and began to count out the cash. "What's your racket now,
+Prince? Have you hooked up with Ben-a-Mundi in that Crystal Readings
+graft, or is it a short-change racket?" Lew aided Davy up to the shelf
+where he could sign the check. "Better look out, Mister Welborn, your
+partner here is a slicker&mdash;a regular city grafter. He skins his
+friends just to keep in practice. Paying <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">[27]</a></span>you this little lump is just
+a bait. Later, he'll spring the trap for the big money." Lew slipped a
+rubber band around the money and handed it to Davy.</p>
+
+<p>"You had better look 'em over for counterfeit bills," retorted Davy as
+he handed the money to Welborn. "This bird puts out more counterfeit
+money than he does genuine. And say, Lew, you and Jess think of me
+when you are huddled around the stove this winter with a lot of
+razorbacks&mdash;me out in the great open spaces feeling fine, and clear of
+mobs and nitwits. You fellows will have the razorbacks throw another
+basket of cobs in the old smoky stove, and I and Mr. Welborn here,
+will be toasting our feet before a log fire in the big fireplace&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh ho, it's that ranch thing that you have been chinning about for
+the last five years," chuckled the treasurer of the Great
+International. "How many calves will you brand next year? And where's
+your chaps and your spurs? And say, that three hundred won't buy your
+bridle, let alone a ranch and a hoss. You remember Carter, don't you,
+Prince? The broncho-buster that we had in the grand opening last year.
+Why his saddle cost an even grand and he paid fifty per for his
+Stetsons. Where's your outfit, kid?"</p>
+
+<p>"Why my outfit is still in the supply house in Omaha," countered the
+midget. "I am to take it out when you and Jess come back through here
+with the Adkins-Helstrom Great Congress of Living Wonders. I'll meet
+you here on that date in my full regalia. Anyhow, much obliged, Lew,
+and Mr. Welborn I will help you out with the car and trailer so that
+you can load out tonight." Down at the edge of the lot where the city
+streets pointed to the business district of the city, the ancient
+model paused for the final conference between the new partners.</p>
+
+<p>"Now what's your address, Mr. Welborn?" asked Davy, searching about
+for pencil and paper. "If any of our plans go haywire, I would want to
+let you know."</p>
+
+<p>"And that's just another inconvenience in the business," <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">[28]</a></span>replied
+Welborn in a cautious manner. "My mail address is Adot. I get&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"Adot? Adot? Where? What?" interposed the midget. "A dot on what?"
+"The post office is Adot," replied the miner. "Capital <i>A-d-o-t</i>,
+Adot. It was probably so named from its importance on the map. It's
+just a wide spot in the road and a dirt road. We get mail twice a week
+and I am fifteen miles away. Neither will the telegraph lines help;
+there's no station nearer than this town. I have no telephone. The
+only way I could be reached, would be for you to go to the
+broadcasting station in Omaha and put through an S.O.S. on Tuesday
+night, as I have a radio. But you would have to put the call in early
+as I am going to be in this town bright and early Wednesday morning."</p>
+
+<p>"That's the spirit," crowed the little man. "Both of us, right here in
+Cheyenne, Wednesday morning. I will be here unless this Union Pacific
+folds up and quits. Why when you come to think of it, I wouldn't want
+to be where there was mail deliveries, telephones, and such; that's
+what I am running away from, that and the mob. Good-by, Sam," he
+called out, as the car took the green lights. "I'll meet you here on
+the A-Dot."</p>
+
+<p>"Good-by, Prince," said the big man as the car got under way.</p>
+
+<p>That night, an ancient model T followed by a ramshackle, home-made
+trailer, pulled away from the shipping platforms of the Cheyenne
+Outfitting &amp; Supply Company loaded to the guards with pump, pump jack,
+pipe, lag-screws, wrenches, hand drills, dynamite, fuses and caps, and
+a hundredweight of groceries. Cramped under the wheel, driving as
+carefully as his cargo would warrant, sat Sam Welborn, the second
+happiest man west of the Missouri. The happiest man west of the big
+river was flouncing around in his berth on the third section of the
+Great International Circus trains bound for North Bend, Nebraska,
+planning his outfit to be purchased in a few days at Omaha.</p>
+
+<br />
+<br />
+<br />
+<br />
+<a name="Chapter_3" id="Chapter_3"></a><hr />
+<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">[29]</a></span><br />
+
+<h3>3<span class="totoc"><a href="#toc">ToC</a></span></h3>
+<br />
+
+<p>An hour in advance of the arrival of the Pacific Limited, Sam Welborn
+paced the platform of the Union Pacific passenger station at Cheyenne,
+awaiting the arrival of his little partner from Omaha. He was a
+different man in appearance from the one who, the week before, had
+come down from the mountains in charge of two obstreperous bear cubs.
+On that occasion, he had worn overalls, a sheepskin jacket, heavy,
+clumsy shoes, and an eared cap of ancient vintage. On the day of his
+appointment, he was dressed as the ordinary business man about to take
+the train for Ogden or points west. His fairly well-worn, black,
+pin-striped suit, neatly pressed, fitted his six-foot-two frame as if
+built by a professional clothier; a rolled-collar shirt, a blue polka
+dot tie, freshly shined shoes, and a soft crush hat completed the
+outfit. Over his arm he carried an overcoat. Other prospective
+travelers wore their topcoats, but Sam Welborn was of the outdoors.</p>
+
+<p>He had parked the Ford with its trailer attachment at the west end of
+the platform. If his partner's impedimentia was not too bulky, the
+ancient model was ready for another trek to the hills. Back and forth
+along the long brick platform he strode in the bright autumn sun. It
+was no sloven's gait. An observer would have said that somewhere,
+sometime, in his career of maybe thirty years, he had faced a
+hardboiled old topper who insisted with piratical invectives that
+"heads up, shoulders back, stomachs in" was the proper posture for
+humans who were eating government grub and drawing government pay.</p>
+
+<p>Very true, Welborn was not in immediate need of exercise. In the last
+week he had worked, and worked hard, during every daylight hour. He
+had not slept in the last thirty hours. But these were figments,
+incidents, to be disregarded now that success was just back of the
+curtain. Now <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">[30]</a></span>he was to meet the little man who had made this prospect
+of success possible. Now his greetings must be cordial and
+appreciative. Nothing should be left undone to overcome the
+disappointments the midget must endure. In his first meeting with
+Davy, Welborn had tried to discourage the plan of "holing up" in a
+remote section, far removed from the things to which he was
+accustomed. He pictured himself as an old grouch, soured on the world,
+and surely uncompanionable. He dwelt on the lonely hours, the big
+snows, and other bad features but it was of no avail. Davy was on his
+way. In other days, in vastly different surroundings, Sam Welborn had
+known the tactful duties of a genial host; now he would revert to that
+role.</p>
+
+<p>David Lannarck was the first passenger to alight as number twenty-one
+came thundering in from the east. The porter helped with his grips.
+Davy searched the platform for his friend.</p>
+
+<p>"Why, why, I didn't know you! You look like another fellow!" he
+exclaimed, as Welborn reached for his grips. "You are younger, better
+looking, different."</p>
+
+<p>"I am younger, but not different," chuckled Welborn. "I've been taking
+a tonic&mdash;the tonic of hard work. I've nearly completed my big job, and
+I've located your horse for you."</p>
+
+<p>"Hurray!" yelled Davy, "And can I get him right away?"</p>
+
+<p>"There you go, jumping the gun again. Why that little horse is a
+hundred miles from here. He's not broken to ride. He might not suit
+your fancy, and it might take a lot of diplomacy to get him. He
+belongs to a girl."</p>
+
+<p>The baggage&mdash;two trunks, a showman's keyster, two suitcases, a big
+duffle bag and handbags&mdash;was loaded on trailer and backseat. "Well, I
+don't see much room for groceries," said Davy, as he climbed in.
+"We've got to have pickles and beans, and plenty of vitamins and
+calories to balance the ration. Really, before starting, I should have
+consulted Admiral Byrd on outfitting a polar expedition. Aren't we to
+stock up on food&mdash;here&mdash;or somewhere?" He questioned, <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">[31]</a></span>as he noted
+that Welborn drove across the tracks and away from the city.</p>
+
+<p>"The eating question is practically solved," said Welborn. "Solved
+through the providence and frugality of good neighbors. They are
+overstocked and it's up to us to reduce the surplus. I took out rice,
+sugar, salt, and a lot of extras on my last trip, and with their
+surplus of meat, fish, fowl, flour, fruits&mdash;canned and preserved,
+vegetables&mdash;canned and raw, we should live like pigs at a full trough.
+However, if you need tobacco, chewing gum, toothpaste, any special
+kind of medicine, we can get that at the Last Chance, further down the
+road."</p>
+
+<p>"No, I'll not need any such sidelines for many a week, but I thought
+you said we did not have any neighbors? Who runs this fine market and
+canning factory out in the wide open spaces?"</p>
+
+<p>Welborn laughed. "Wait till we get out of this traffic and on a
+straightaway; there's much to tell and we've got a lot of time. I have
+arranged for dinner about twenty miles down this road, and we will
+push things pretty hard this afternoon so that we can eat a late
+supper right at this Market and then you will understand.</p>
+
+<p>"You see, this old car, loaded like she is, and pulling a trailer, can
+do about twenty-five miles per, on this federal road, but it's not all
+federal road, and the last fifteen miles will take a lot of good luck
+and fully two hours to make the grade. I would like to get home in
+daylight."</p>
+
+<p>The general direction of the national roadway, was west. The traffic
+to and from Cheyenne at this noon hour was not heavy. Tourists were
+still touring, notwithstanding the fact that this section of the
+country might be snowed under at any time; truckloads of livestock,
+were encountered, and far down the highway, where the traffic thinned
+down, the partners met a big band of sheep that required care and
+diplomacy in passing. Presently, Welborn turned the car into a
+driveway at a neat farm home.</p>
+
+<p>"Hungry?" he asked.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">[32]</a></span>"Yes, I am always hungry, although I had breakfast somewhere this side
+of Julesburg."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, I arranged for dinner here, and we will also stock up on gas
+and oil for the long trek. Of course I carry an extra five gallons in
+the can on the running board, but this is about our last place to
+stock up on eats."</p>
+
+<p>A woman came to the door. "You are right on time," she said. "I hope
+you have brought your appetites, as the lunch is just ready."</p>
+
+<p>Somebody was thoughtful; there was a high chair at the dining table.
+After a very satisfying meal, Welborn shoved back his chair. He found
+a piece of wrapping paper that he spread in front of Davy and drew a
+rough map.</p>
+
+<p>"We are near the line of two states," he said. "The Medicine Bow
+Mountains are here. Geologists point out that this range so
+interrupted the route of the Continental Divide that it turned it back
+to the north in a big curve and made it hard to find. We go through a
+pass in the range. On this side, we run into the little streams that
+form the Laramie River. On yon side is the North Platte. Both run
+north and both find sources in the North Park. Those who know, say
+that for beauty and grandeur no section of the world beats the North
+Park country. Personally I do not know, as my contacts have been
+limited. It is said, too, that this is the northern limits of gold. At
+this point, the mountains seemed to have changed their content, or
+else those to the north were made at a different era. All these things
+are speculative and have their exceptions, as I well know.</p>
+
+<p>"North Park, however, is a great grazing country. Its grass wealth may
+be greater than its mineral. The government owns the land, except
+tracts here and there suitable for farming. Our destination is the
+Silver Falls Project, a fine body of rolling land, suitable for either
+grazing or farming. It was laid out in convenient tracts for
+homesteads. Each parcel was a half section. If there was rough land
+adjoining a tract, that was included for good measure. It was <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">[33]</a></span>opened
+for settlers and many came, but none stayed. There was no central
+organization to hold them&mdash;no church to rally around&mdash;no one
+established a central trading post&mdash;no outstanding personage to
+collect and hold, as is always the case in community building in
+America. Then, too, there were no roads; therefore no market outlet.
+The road over which we are going, is the only inlet and there's no
+outlet. A half mile of blasting and building would have made an
+entrance to the Tranquil Meadows district and to trails and highways
+that led to market towns in two states, but the blasting and building
+was never done. The Silver Falls Project never grew big enough to make
+its decline noticeable.</p>
+
+<p>"Of those who came to try it out, only four stuck to a final deed. Two
+of these are at this end of the project. Carter runs a filling station
+at the forks of the road and Withrow, next to him, hunts, traps, and
+plays a fiddle. I acquired the two tracts at the far end of the
+project and Gillis, our enterprising neighbor, owns two parcels next
+to me and operates the abandoned tracts under grazing allotments. This
+is a real ranch; small, as compared to others, but modeled as a farm
+in the East, for Gillis is a real farmer. I make the guess that when
+you grow homesick and tired of the loneliness at my place you will
+headquarter at the Gillis place, in fact I have made that kind of
+arrangement with them. They have a telephone, a radio, a phonograph,
+and take plenty of newspapers and magazines, and, best of all, there
+is a kindly, enterprising woman there to manage, to cook and can the
+fruits and vegetables, and do the homey things that makes life fit to
+live.</p>
+
+<p>"They have cows, chickens, turkeys, pigs, and raise plenty of feed.
+But they are an oasis in a desert. Except for our place, they have no
+neighbors within fifteen miles. Mrs. Gillis is a worker and a planner.
+She sells pigs, turkeys and calves, in Laramie and Cheyenne, more than
+one hundred miles away; she has a working arrangement with the
+filling <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">[34]</a></span>station down at the roadside, whereby they sell quite a lot
+of her canned stuff and preserves. She's always got something to sell
+and sells it, market or no market.</p>
+
+<p>"I depend on them for almost everything. Even the car and trailer out
+there belongs to them. I bought a stock of chickens off of them, and I
+rent a cow and calf from them. Really, while you have come out here to
+my place, you will subsist for the most part off the Gillis family."</p>
+
+<p>"Well the outlook gets better and better each time you add a chapter,"
+said Davy as they walked out to the car. "How many in the Gillis
+family?"</p>
+
+<p>"Just two, Jim and his wife. But staying with them is Landy&mdash;Landy
+Spencer, Mrs. Gillis' brother. He's older, is an oldtime cow hand that
+has retired, when Mrs. Gillis will let him. He's been in the West
+since boyhood and knows the game, but doesn't play it. He just putters
+around, when Mrs. Gillis isn't after him to do something, and that's
+the reason he stays up at our place most of the time. You will like
+Landy. He is the one that located your horse over at Lough's B-line
+Ranch. I had told him of your wanting a little horse, and this week,
+while Gillis and I were blasting out the rock and setting the pump,
+Landy strayed over to Lough's and located the nag. Landy says as soon
+as he sees you, he can tell instantly if the horse will fit."</p>
+
+<p>"I've got a saddle in that keyster, and he can measure by that," said
+Davy, "and anyhow I don't want a little, low-headed, round-bellied
+hoss that can't go places. If he is a cowboy, he will know the kind."</p>
+
+<p>For five or more miles, the route led over a national highway. Then
+Welborn turned to the right, drove a few hundred feet and stopped.
+"Look out here to the left" he said. "See that big mound with its head
+in the clouds? That's Longs Peak, the highest in the country. On a
+clear day, it can be seen from Cheyenne. From here on, you are to see
+mountains and more mountains, but Longs Peak is the daddy of them
+all."</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">[35]</a></span>Now the roadway was not so good, but the ancient car labored on in
+full vigor. Fences had disappeared; the roadway no longer held to
+section lines but took the course of least resistance, generally
+following the stream bed which it crossed and re-crossed many times.
+The direction was generally west and up. Twice on the trip, Welborn
+took a bucket out of the car, dipped water from the stream, and cooled
+the heated engine. On one of these occasions, he washed his face in
+the cooling waters, explaining that he did this to overcome
+drowsiness.</p>
+
+<p>Davy saw everything. This was his country. Except for meeting a lone
+herder in charge of a band of sheep, they had not met a human being in
+the last fifty miles. Yet there was plenty of life. They were never
+out of sight of cattle&mdash;not the big herds as Davy thought it would
+be&mdash;just a few here and there. There were some horses around the
+little pole barns off the roadway. High up on distant hills, bands of
+sheep were grazing.</p>
+
+<p>Overhead, but not too high, hawks skimmed the levels or tilted over
+knolls and hills in search of a quarry; larks gathered in flights for
+a final powwow before beginning the long trip southward. Magpies
+flitted through the shrubbery of the creek banks. In crossing a little
+wooden bridge near a waterfall, Davy saw an object in the water, then
+in the air, and then in the water where the spray fell and where foam
+formed. Later, he was to know this little slate-colored bird as the
+water ouzel, a bird that was neither wader nor swimmer, yet took his
+subsistence from the foam and spray.</p>
+
+<p>"That road leads to Laramie," said Welborn pointing out a trail to the
+right. "Laramie is closer to our place, and one less mountain range to
+cross."</p>
+
+<p>"Why didn't we come that way?" asked Davy.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, the big circus didn't show in Laramie, and I had to get to
+Cheyenne for contact. There I met a fellow who freighted me down with
+pump tools and I had to take back some of the wrenches I borrowed.
+Then this fellow made <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">[36]</a></span>an appointment for Cheyenne, and I would not
+have missed the appointment for anything."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh yeah," said Davy, "I suppose out here, the matter of a few
+mountain ranges is all in a day's work. Anyhow, we are seeing some
+country, and the lizzie is going fine."</p>
+
+<p>For several miles it was downhill and around many hairpin turns. Then
+many small streams were crossed and followed. Several times the sun
+seemed to set, only to reappear again through a cleft in the hills.
+Where the terrain was level enough, hundreds of jack rabbits were
+seen. They were not the nervous, string-halt jacks of the prairies,
+but the smaller black-tailed variety.</p>
+
+<p>And then they came to a store and filling station. "Well of all the
+places for a filling station," exclaimed Davy. "Many times I've seen
+'em located at places where there was little business, but I never
+before saw one located where there was absolutely no business. What's
+the big idea?"</p>
+
+<p>"He is probably like another fellow I know," answered Welborn. "He
+wanted to get somewhere, where he wouldn't see anyone. But at that, he
+does some business, seemingly as much as he wants."</p>
+
+<p>More gas was taken on, and the reserve tank filled.</p>
+
+<p>"Adot is on ahead about eight miles, but we turn here for the final
+dash."</p>
+
+<p>The final dash was but a creep. Except for the bridge over Ripple
+Creek, the roadway was just a trail. The sun had gone down for good.
+The lights, none too good, revealed little of the hazards. It was a
+long, steady grind, mostly uphill. At last a light appeared ahead. A
+dog barked. A lantern shone. Welborn turned the car through a gate.
+"Gillis Station," he called out to the midget who had remained very
+quiet.</p>
+
+<p>"Have them drive up next to the house," a woman's voice called from
+within. "We will throw a canvas over the trailer. They will stay here
+tonight. It's too cold to stay in a house that has had no fire."</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">[37]</a></span>"There's your orders, Welborn. Drive right over here next to the
+chimney. Howdy, Mr. Lannarck, you and Welborn get out and limber up
+for there's prospect for a fine supper." It was Gillis speaking as he
+aided Davy out of the cab.</p>
+
+<p>"I am Davy to you folks," said the little man as he stamped around to
+limber up from the long confinement. "You are Mrs. Gillis, I know, and
+you are Landy, aren't you? Will I fit that hoss that the girl owns?"</p>
+
+<p>"You are about a half-hand short right now," the old man chuckled,
+"but after a few hikes up to Pinnacle Point, you should fit that
+little hoss jist like a clothespin fits the line."</p>
+
+<p>It was a fine supper. There was also a home-made high chair that just
+fit Davy's needs.</p>
+
+<p>"Before I go to bed," said Davy earnestly and firmly, "I am going to
+write down that supper menu and send it to poor old Lew and Jess, who
+are wearing out shoe leather trying to find a restaurant where the
+steaks aren't made out of saddle skirts and the potatoes and the
+candle grease have parted company. Lemme see, there was fried chicken
+and the best cream gravy I ever tasted, mashed potatoes, creamed peas,
+fluffier biscuits than those birds ever saw, two kinds of jelly,
+strawberry preserves, some other preserves, and apple pie with whipped
+cream on it.</p>
+
+<p>"A long time ago&mdash;it was my first year in vaudeville&mdash;Mr. Singer gave
+his midget performers a dinner at one of the celebrated New York
+restaurants, I think they called the place Shanley's, a swell place
+with a private dining-room, lots of waiters, food in courses. Well,
+that big feed would be a tramp's handout compared with this dinner
+tonight." Davy was either talking to himself or was trying to interest
+Welborn in the conversation as the two were undressing by the light of
+the kerosene lamp in Mrs. Gillis' spare room. Welborn seemed not
+interested. He was soon in bed and snoring.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">[38]</a></span>"Feathers, by golly," muttered Davy as he snuggled down deep in the
+bed.</p>
+
+<br />
+<br />
+<br />
+<br />
+<a name="Chapter_4" id="Chapter_4"></a><hr />
+<br />
+
+<h3>4<span class="totoc"><a href="#toc">ToC</a></span></h3>
+<br />
+
+<p>The Gillis menage was well managed. Mrs. Gillis saw to that. Jim, aged
+fifty, slim of build, sinewy, even-tempered, quiet, willing, was the
+farmer and handyman. Crops grew, orchards bloomed, vines bore a full
+vintage, and bushes yielded because he made them do so. Without
+splutter or fuss, he did his work, and liked to do it.</p>
+
+<p>The teamwork of Mrs. Gillis was equally effective. One could not say
+however that her work was done as quietly. Landy, the cow hand brother
+was wont to say&mdash;not in her presence however&mdash;that "as a child, Alice
+was sorta tongue-tied, and she has to ketch up somehow."</p>
+
+<p>And Landy&mdash;well, Landy made his contributions. As a young cowboy,
+Landy had had his fling. He came into the game as the cattle-sheep
+wars were at their peak and he played it strenuously. But with it all,
+Landy Spencer kept his moral slate fairly clean. Then as the sober
+days of manhood came, and Landy witnessed the finish of the
+improvident and foolish, he began to save and skimp. "Hit's the pore
+house fer a cow hand," was his terse aphorism on the subject, and
+Landy had never seen a "fitten" poor house.</p>
+
+<p>Landy was working for the Crazy-Q outfit, at the time the government
+proposed to open the Silver Falls Project. He looked it over and filed
+on two of the homesteads. One for himself and one for James Gillis.
+Then he went to Illinois where his younger sister and her husband were
+share-cropping.</p>
+
+<p>"Come out whar yu've got room, whar ye own it, whar you do it your
+way. I'll pay freight on yer car to Laramie, <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">[39]</a></span>and keep up the supplies
+for three years. Then if you're not satisfied, I'll move ye back."</p>
+
+<p>It was Landy too, that planned as to the cows and calves. He bought
+purebred cows from the B-line folks, and sold them the big, weaned
+calves. And in view of the fact that the calf sale in 1931 was larger
+than Alice's big turkey sale to the dealers in Laramie by fully two
+hundred dollars, Landy had a modicum of peace on finances. The Gillis
+menage was well managed. It made money in a depression.</p>
+
+<p>Davy was awakened by what he thought was gunfire. He bounded out of
+bed and ran to the window. Day was breaking. In the dawnlight he saw
+Welborn and Landy tinkering with the old model that had brought them
+so valiantly through the mountains. She was backfiring her protests
+but presently settled down to her accustomed smoothness. Davy hustled
+into his clothes. Mrs. Gillis knocked on the door. "There is a pan and
+water right here on the bench," she said. "I told them fellers not to
+monkey with the old car, but Mr. Welborn is anxious to git started, he
+thought he'd tune her up before breakfast."</p>
+
+<p>Gillis came from the barn with a brimming bucket of milk. "Howja rest,
+Davy?" he asked.</p>
+
+<p>"Fine! I hit the feathers and never moved until I heard this
+bombardment that I thought was an uprising of the Utes."</p>
+
+<p>"Breakfast is ready," called Mrs. Gillis. "How do you want your eggs,
+Davy?"</p>
+
+<p>"I want them the way you fix 'em," the little man replied promptly.
+"After that supper last night, I wouldn't have the nerve to tell you
+anything about cooking."</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Gillis beamed her appreciation. "I hope you will tell that to Jim
+and Landy. To hear them complain, you would think I was serving their
+grub raw or burnt. Didn't the circus people feed ye?"</p>
+
+<p>"A circus always hires good cooks. It buys the best meats in the local
+markets, and that's about as far as they can go. <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">[40]</a></span>The vegetables are
+out of cans, except the potatoes and cabbage, and the fruits are
+either dried or canned. Preserves and jellies are factory made, so it
+gets pretty monotonous. I had a good breakfast on the diner yesterday
+morning. We had a fine lunch out this side of Cheyenne, but the supper
+last night was far beyond anything I have ever enjoyed. I jotted down
+some of the menu and as soon as I unpack I am going to write to a
+couple of those old circus razorbacks and tell 'em what they have
+missed." Davy was talking and eating; the men were eating.</p>
+
+<p>"Now, Laddie, we are ready for the final dash," said Welborn, as he
+rose from the table. "The farther we go, the tougher it gets. And we
+are on the last leg."</p>
+
+<p>"Landy and I had better go along," said Gillis. "Ye might get stuck,
+and we will be needed to help unload."</p>
+
+<p>"You men come back here for dinner," called Mrs. Gillis from the
+doorway. "You will be too busy to stop and cook."</p>
+
+<p>The old machine described a big curve in getting out of the enclosure,
+but was again headed west. Gillis rode in the front seat with Welborn.
+Landy and Davy found room on the trailer. "I want to see everything,"
+said Davy as he climbed to a perilous perch on one of the trunks.</p>
+
+<p>The mountains towered in the west, south, and southwest. The terrain
+was fairly level, but a spirit level would have shown a marked tilt to
+the east. There was a fringe of timberland on every side. Landy
+pointed out places of interest. "That's Ripple Creek off to the left.
+Ye crossed hit last night on the bridge, and we meet hit agin right up
+by the house. That's Brushy Fork over at the right. They 'most come
+together up here. Right up that canyon about two mile is whar Welborn
+found the b'ar cubs. Way 'round that timber-covered nose to the right
+is the B-line Ranch&mdash;hit's about ten miles. Right down that draw, in
+the timber and brush, I killed two wolves last year. And if yer on a
+hoss, ye can foller a trail down to brushy fork and out on yon side.
+That's a short cut to the B-line, else ye'd have <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">[41]</a></span>to go cl'ar back to
+the fillin' station, then over to Adot and back across another bridge
+to git thar. It's twenty-five miles thataway. When ye git all settled,
+we'll sneak over to the B-line and take a squint at that little hoss."</p>
+
+<p>Landy continued to point out the places of interest. "Right along
+about here is Welborn's line. He's got two homesteads&mdash;bought 'em off
+a crazy bird that had bought out both homesteaders. That's one of the
+shacks over there and the other one he uses for a cowshed. En thar's
+yer home a-settin' up on that bench of land."</p>
+
+<p>Davy craned his neck as the trailer moved down hill. Perched up on a
+shelf, he saw a yellow dot against a gray wall that ran to the sky. As
+they neared the place he outlined a tiny cabin. Later it proved to be
+a two-roomed affair with a porch and lean to at the rear. This was to
+be his domicile&mdash;for how long, time would tell.</p>
+
+<p>The car described a big curve that took them to the brink of the
+Ripple Creek Canyon. In second gear it labored and twisted off to the
+right, and then left again, and came to a stop right at the front
+porch of the yellow-brown log cabin.</p>
+
+<p>Davy climbed down from his perch. He walked around the cabin,
+surveying it from three sides. "She's an Old Faithful," he announced
+at last. "Modeled, matched, and built by the man that built Old
+Faithful Inn. Why did he do it and when?"</p>
+
+<p>"It was built the summer before last and it took all summer,"
+explained Welborn. "The crazy galoot called himself the Count of Como.
+He came barging in here and bought out Clark and Stanley, the
+homesteaders, and brought in two men who had been building fancy
+cabins in Rocky Mountain Park and tourist camps. He left them here on
+the job while he drove the roads like a madman, in a big, black,
+powerful coupe to Laramie, to Cheyenne, to Denver, anywhere he could
+get whiskey and dope. He would come back, rave around, threaten
+everybody with a gun, but paid out <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">[42]</a></span>money like he had the mint back of
+him, and finally got it done. You notice that the logs are "treated,"
+stained or shellacked, to retain their first color. The mechanics did
+that, and the count was mightily pleased until he found out that it
+made the shack stand out so that it could be seen for a long distance,
+and then he threw a fit. He went wild, ran 'em off the job, then I
+came into the picture.</p>
+
+<p>"I was prospecting down Ripple Creek Canyon and living in that shack
+that you can see from the rim over there. I was trying to locate a
+claim, mining claim. But from the homestead lines, this cabin was off
+the reservation, built off the edge of Stanley's claim and on the
+government's land where I wanted to stake off a mineral right.</p>
+
+<p>"I came up out of the canyon on the day he had gotten the men back and
+explained the error and showed him his predicament and then bought him
+out...."</p>
+
+<p>"Ah, tell hit right," growled Landy. "Tell him like them scairt men
+told hit to me." Landy took up the recitation of how the home was
+acquired. "He made that greasy counterfeit eat his gun that he whipped
+out from under his left arm. He kicked him in the ribs, he did, after
+he'd knocked him down a coupla times. Made him go down thar and look
+at the old survey stakes, he did, then made him drive his crazy car
+over to Adot, and old Squire Landry made out the deed and he signed
+hit and Welborn here paid him in a sack of gold dust that they weighed
+on the grocery scales. That's how 'twas done. Tell hit right, so's
+Davy here will know the story."</p>
+
+<p>Welborn laughed at Landy's recitals. "No, I didn't intimidate him. I
+made him see the matter in the right light. The proposition to
+sell-out came from him. I didn't want to buy him out, I had nothing to
+buy with, but the dust that it took me all summer to acquire. Truth
+is, this drink-crazed madman was a hoodlum gunman from Chicago or
+Saint Louis, that had lost his nerve. A killer who couldn't take the
+finish that was due him. He had run from it, and <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">[43]</a></span>like an ostrich, he
+thought he was hidden up here. He didn't want me as a neighbor and
+when he found out that he had infringed on government land he was so
+scared that he would have given the place to me or anyone that wanted
+it. In fact, he didn't want to take the dust. He was afraid that the
+government would run him down for selling something that he didn't
+own, and maybe then find out about some of his killings back East. At
+any rate, he showed more speed in getting away from Adot than he had
+ever shown before, and that's saying a lot, for he surely burnt up the
+roads. We will unload your plunder right here on the porch, and we can
+place them as you want them later."</p>
+
+<p>Davy got his personal grip out of the car, but that was about as far
+as he could go in the matter of unloading the baggage. While the men
+were engaged in the task, he looked the house over carefully. One with
+artistic temperament would have turned his back to the house and
+looked on the tremendous spectacle that offered itself to view in the
+south, in the east, and north. A vast brown meadow, rimmed with the
+dark greenery of the ancient conifers; and high above, a blue arch
+that draped down curtains of white to hide the sombre shades of cliffs
+and hills and peaks innumerable. It was a wonderful sight.</p>
+
+<p>But Davy's eyes were on this house. He looked it over carefully. The
+general plan was as if a crib of logs had been built up to a square
+of, say, nine feet. Then another crib of logs built fifteen feet away.
+These were connected by a log structure in the center that allowed a
+recess in the porch at the front, and by a log extension enclosure
+that made a kitchen at the rear. It had been roofed with gray-green
+shingles and the porch ornamented by sturdy log columns, with rustic
+rails at the side. The logs had been closely fitted so that there was
+no space between that needed the chinking of the cabins of the
+pioneer.</p>
+
+<p>The floor was in narrow, rift-sawed planks. The walls and ceilings
+were covered with wallboard, properly paneled <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">[44]</a></span>and carefully and
+tastefully decorated. There was a big fireplace in the east room. The
+west room was heated by a stove that found vent in the kitchen
+chimney. Entrance to any room was from the porch. The general plan of
+the structure was the same as that of many cabins being built in
+public parks and dude ranches. Davy had not seen these. His
+comparisons were with the fine, substantial inn, built at Old
+Faithful. There was little furniture in the cabin.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, what's your reaction, Laddie?" asked Welborn kindly as he
+marked the serious look on Davy's face.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, I don't know whether to sit out there on the porch and have a
+good cry or go in the spare room and put up a small dance. For five
+years I have been dreaming about this place, and now it's a reality.
+Outside of dreaming about it, and in sober moments, I just knew that
+there couldn't be such a place, so I contented myself with plans for a
+little shack, maybe a teepee, or a tent where I could spread out and
+rest up. But here it is&mdash;just like the dream said."</p>
+
+<p>"Wal, jist wait till a good winter blizzard comes through here like
+they do," interrupted Landy. "Jist wait, ye'll be sorry that ye ever
+had a dream. Why, it's six thousand feet up here, and the wind don't
+monkey and dally around, hit gits right down to business. Last winter
+hit most took the leg off 'en one of them burros old Maddy brought in
+here, 'en mighty nigh whipped the fillin' outen his shirt."</p>
+
+<p>"Let her blow," retorted Davy. "I've been in two circus blow-downs,
+and we had to stake the elephants down to keep 'em from blowing over
+into Texas."</p>
+
+<p>Landy was a good loser. He grinned, and began wrestling the trunks.
+All of Davy's plunder was moved into the fireplace room.</p>
+
+<p>"We will live in here this winter, and when spring comes, we can
+expand into the other room or out on the porch," explained Welborn.
+"And now, before you begin to unpack, I want you to see what Jim and I
+have been doing this last week. Let's take a look at the pump and
+engine before a <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">[45]</a></span>snow comes and covers it all." Welborn led the way
+down near the brink of the canyon. "Over on the other side of the
+creek, you can see a shack. I headquartered there for several months
+and panned out some dust. From there I could see this opening here
+that looked like it had a floor, and maybe some prospects. Well, I
+climbed those trees down by the creek, but could not quite see what I
+wanted. As the madman was working over here, I climbed and slipped,
+and cut steps in the rock face of the cliff, on yon side. I wormed and
+twisted around until I got up to that coulee, and sure enough, it was
+what I thought. The floor of the old stream bed that had been thrown
+out of line and out of use, by some secondary action in
+mountain-making.</p>
+
+<p>"Ripple Creek has been noted for its placer workings. It has been
+panned and panned, many times, and always yields something. But here
+was a part of the stream bed that was virgin, that had never seen a
+miner or a pan. I walked over it and tested it. It stood the test.
+When it was the bed of the stream, gold was being ground out, washed
+out and carried down stream from the quartz-gold veins above. There it
+was! I couldn't get to it&mdash;couldn't work it without an entrance from
+this side of the creek. Landy has told you how I acquired the
+entrance, and a farm and a house with it." Still talking, Welborn led
+his guest back in the ravine back of the house, then through a tunnel
+in the razor-edge cliff, the party walked out on the floor of the old
+stream bed. "Jim and I made that tunnel. We dragged those logs through
+it, to make a foundation for the engine and pump. Now all we have to
+do, is blast out a sort of well-hole down at the creek so that the
+intake will be on the claim, and we are all set for production. We can
+do this today. Tomorrow, we will have water back on this old stream
+bed. Jim and I will take a hand drill, dynamite, fuse and caps into
+the gorge, and bust out a space about as big as a washtub, while you
+and Landy are unpacking your plunder. Build a fire, Landy, to take the
+chill off."</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">[46]</a></span>Unpacking suited Davy. While Landy brought in some pine knots and
+lighted a fire against the charred backlog, Davy wrestled the
+dufflebag open and began to take out the contents. It was a
+hodge-podge of parts of every old costume he had ever used. The trunks
+and suitcases yielded good property. "There," he pointed to a separate
+pile, "there is my notion of where I was going, without seeing the
+place. That's a sleeping bag and these are a pair of Hudson Bay
+blankets. You see, I didn't know if I was to sleep out of doors or
+sleep in a barn&mdash;surely, I didn't plan that it was a place like this!
+Here's my mackinaw, boots, and mittens, and here's my hardware." He
+produced a small rifle that had been packed between the blankets and
+handed it to Landy for his inspection. "She's a thirty caliber,
+carries two hundred yards at point blank and won't kick over a little
+fellow like me.</p>
+
+<p>"And this is what I want you to see in particular." Davy fumbled in
+the keyster and brought out a small saddle with a fair leather bridle,
+to match. It was not a pad saddle such as jockey's ride, nor yet a
+civilian outfit without horn and only one web. It was a genuine
+western, with high horn and high cantle and two cinches, but much
+reduced in every dimension. "Will that fit the pony you saw over at
+the B-line?"</p>
+
+<p>Landy looked the saddle over carefully. "Hit's made by a saddle-maker
+all right, and will fit that hoss to a tee. They used to have some
+fancy saddles back in the early days. I've seen 'em that cost a
+thousand&mdash;Chauchaua&mdash;made and covered with silver do dads, en maybe
+they'd have 'em flung on a hoss that wasn't wuth his feed. I mind the
+time when ole Lem Hawks made a right smart lot of change, a-sellin'
+ole saddles that he swore come out'n the Custer massacre. Lem finally
+got to believin' that he was a survivor of that carnage.</p>
+
+<p>"They finally caught up with Lem however. He had sold more saddles
+than Custer had men, and the old cow saddles <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">[47]</a></span>with their big horns and
+high cantles didn't look like an army saddle nohow. But Lem kept right
+on a-bein' a survivor&mdash;him en about a thousand others. Hit's like
+Lincoln's bodyguards&mdash;thar's been more of them folks died than Grant
+had in his whole army. Yer saddle is all right, son, and we shore ort
+to talk the B-line folks outa that little hoss."</p>
+
+<p>"I want to take the saddle over when we go," said Davy
+enthusiastically. "They could see how it fit, and that might influence
+their decision. I could put it on one of the burros and ride it over."</p>
+
+<p>Landy laughed uproarously. "Why son, ye wouldn't git thar by Febwary.
+A burro ain't geared to ride en go places. He will foller ye right up
+the side of a glacier, but he ain't mentally constructed to take the
+lead. Why, if ye was on one of 'em, backward, en paddlin' him with a
+clapboard, he'd back right up agin hit."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, what do they keep them for? Who do they belong to, anyhow?"</p>
+
+<p>"Them two a-roamin' around here, belong to ole Maddy, the ole miner
+gent. He left 'em here while he went romancin' around up Ripple Creek.
+He goes up thar, and has got a way out to the top. He goes in North
+Park, cl'ar over to Granby and Grand Lake. He swings 'round by
+Steamboat Springs and Hahns Peak, and comes a-driftin' back, mebbe
+from the north. He left 'em here three months ago. He'll git 'em when
+he gits 'em, en he won't lose much if he don't.</p>
+
+<p>"Ole Maddy has been in the hills&mdash;so hit's told&mdash;since the days of Jim
+Beck with and Bridger. Some say he was in Virginia Vale when Slade
+rubbed out Jules, the Frenchman. They say too, that he knew Carson,
+but that ain't so! Yit I do know that he pardnered with Will Drannon,
+the boy that ole Kit raised, because I heard Maddy tell a lot about
+Drannon, and later I read Drannon's book en right in the book, was ole
+Maddy. Oh, he's an oldster all right. He jist <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">[48]</a></span>projects around in the
+hills, pans a little gold en rambles around by himse'f. He's not 'gold
+mad,' he jist likes to roam. He's clean, don't talk much, en anybody
+will keep him until he gits ready to pull out."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, I am sure disappointed about that burro thing," said Davy
+regretfully. "I wanted to ride that saddle over there and maybe they
+could see that the saddle, the hoss, and the midget ought not be
+separated."</p>
+
+<p>"Don't worry. We'll lengthen the girths, en I'll put ye on ole Frosty.
+When they see ye, way up thar', they'll know by every law of
+mathematics en justice, that the boy and the saddle belong on the
+colt."</p>
+
+<p>A roar reverberated out of the canyon. "Well, that's that," said
+Landy, "en now the next big job is to git Welborn out of the coulee
+fer dinner. If you leave him alone, he'd stay right thar messin'
+around till dark. I git provoked at his ways, but after I heard them
+decorators tell how he beat the gunman to the draw and busted him on
+the jaw en kicked him till he squawked like an ole hen, then I grew
+more tolerant. Welborn's all right, but he works too hard."</p>
+
+<p>Presently Welborn and Jim came up from the coulee. The auto was
+started and headed for the Gillis place. The original Gillis cabin had
+been augmented by the addition of two rooms on the south, a porch on
+the west, and another and better cabin on the north. It was sufficient
+for the family needs. The farm was fenced for the most part, and the
+neighboring range was alloted by the grazing master to Gillis, Landy,
+and their co-homesteaders at the far limits of the tract. Except for a
+small forty-acre tract, the Gillis land was dry farmed. The forty was
+irrigated from a spring developed on the premises. It was in alfalfa.
+Other meadows raised timothy mixed with alsike. Even in unfavorable
+years, the ranch yielded more than a hundred and fifty tons of hay.
+Besides hay, a lot of oats and barley was produced.</p>
+
+<p>"But thar's Jim's patent," Landy was showing Davy over the premises.
+"Jim keeps everything offen that big medder, <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">[49]</a></span>en the grass comes on,
+en cures itse'f. Then hit snows, and the grass lays down like a
+carpet. Then hit blows the snow off en around, en stock can graze thar
+until near Christmas. Hit's a great savin' on hay. En a great saving
+on the hay feeder," Landy added with a grin.</p>
+
+<p>Besides three score cows with their calves, a dozen horses and colts,
+turkeys, chickens, ducks, and geese galore, the Gillis ranch had three
+dogs, two collies, and a short-tailed sheep dog. The dogs followed
+Davy around like they had found a friend.</p>
+
+<p>"They think I am a kid," Davy said. "Dogs sure like children."</p>
+
+<p>After another sumptuous meal, Welborn went out to tinker with the
+Ford. Mrs. Gillis called Davy to the kitchen. "I want you to speak to
+Welborn," she said. "He works too hard. From daylight to dark, he does
+two men's work at that old mine. He'll kill himself before he gets the
+money out of it. You can talk to him&mdash;he likes you. Why, he sat up all
+night, the night before he went to Cheyenne after you, pressing his
+pants, making your chair, tying his tie, tinkering on the Ford. He
+cautioned all of us not to talk about your being smaller than common,
+being a midget. He said you were coming out here to get away from "the
+mob," the people who stared and commented. He wanted everything here
+to be different. He likes you, would do anything for you, but he's got
+something pushing him, driving him, faster and harder than one man can
+stand. He'll break if he don't stop and take things easier. If you get
+a chance, talk to him, tame him down, make him rest, change his mind
+to something different. He's a fine man, big and rugged and a
+gentleman. He never hints at what's eating his life out, and we don't
+know. But it ought to stop."</p>
+
+<p>"I think you are right, Mrs. Gillis. Sam does work too hard and too
+long. I know nothing about his past, and I'll never ask him until he
+gets ready to tell it all. This I know, he's well educated, has
+trained in big business and is used <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">[50]</a></span>to good society. I think he is
+rather hot-headed and maybe stubborn, if he thinks he's right. It will
+be a delicate thing to do, to try to switch him off from what he's
+doing and the way he's doing it, but I'll try, because I think it
+ought to be done."</p>
+
+<p>Landy did not go in the return trip to "Pinnacle P'int" as he termed
+the mine and its environments. He had some "cipherin' around" to do.
+"With that pump a-goin' and the water a-flowin', hit don't resemble a
+place of rest to me," he said.</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Gillis brought a loaf of bread out to the car. "There's enough
+for your supper and breakfast, and you folks come back here for dinner
+tomorrow."</p>
+
+<p>"En say, Jim, you bring the kid's little saddle back with yer," called
+Landy. "I want to lengthen the cinches to fit old Frosty. Me en the
+kid are aimin' to do a lot of romancin' eround&mdash;mebbe tomorry."</p>
+
+<p>Arriving at the cabin, Welborn took a can of gasoline through the
+opening out to the pump. He tinkered with the engine and presently a
+steady "chug-chug-chug" reverberated down the valley. Mechanical
+mining was on at the Silver Falls Project.</p>
+
+<p>Welborn laid the hose at a favorable place on a gravel-bar and scooped
+up a pan of dirt and sand that he held under the stream while he
+whirled it around in the pan. The contents took up the motion and
+spilled over the pan-brim until there was little left. The miner
+examined the remainder and then gave it more water and more swirling
+around in the pan. This process he repeated several times. Presently
+he held the pan where Davy and Jim could see a fifth of a thimble full
+of tiny flakes and two small dots not much larger than pinheads.
+"That's the object of the meeting, gentlemen," Welborn said grimly.
+"That's gold.... Tomorrow," he added, "we will get the old rocker
+going, but just now, I want to 'sample around' for good locations."</p>
+
+<p>All this was nothing to Davy. He watched the men <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">[51]</a></span>awhile and went back
+to the cabin to arrange his personal belongings. Pinnacle Point was a
+place of sudden sunsets and prolonged twilights. At near five o'clock,
+Davy built a fire in the little cook-stove and put several slices of
+bacon on to fry. He "set the table" as best he could and broke several
+eggs in the bacon grease. He set out a jar of jam, sliced the bread.
+Then he went to the tunnel and called: "Supper."</p>
+
+<p>"Say, Laddie, I don't want you to do this," said Welborn as he
+surveyed the supper. "You are my guest, you know, and I'll do what
+cooking there's to be done. We'll eat our dinners at Gillis', we'll
+sleep here, and I will get breakfast and supper. The fine dinners will
+offset my poor cooking, and besides you ought to stay outdoors and
+look around as much as you can, before we get snowed in for the whole
+winter."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, I do plan to go with Landy over to see about that colt," said
+Davy, "and I thought maybe you would want to go along."</p>
+
+<p>Welborn laughed. "Not for me! If you and Landy can't skin those B-line
+people out of one little horse, you are no traders. I've got to get
+that rocker going tomorrow. Look what we did today!" Welborn showed a
+little canvas bag that he took out of his pocket. "There is fully an
+ounce of dust in there, and we didn't try, just sampled around. With
+the rocker going, I can take out ten ounces a day by myself. It's
+fairly well distributed all over the tract, but better if you can hit
+the potholes right in the old stream bed."</p>
+
+<p>"And when you get it all out, then what?"</p>
+
+<p>Welborn looked rather perplexed. He studied a moment. "Then what?" he
+asked slowly, "Why we'll stock that ranch, lay out a flying field, and
+visit a lot of places. Truly, I had never planned so far ahead as to
+get to the place where I wouldn't be doing anything excepting clipping
+coupons."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, the mine is a fine thing," Davy said earnestly. "Why, there is
+enough gold there to make a great fortune. But <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">[52]</a></span>what's the use in
+taking it all out at once? It will keep. You can work awhile, rest
+awhile, play awhile, and still be just as rich as if you had worked
+yourself to death. You are young, strong, and healthy, just right to
+enjoy life. Why work so hard now?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, I am healthy, feel pretty strong, but not so young. Right now, I
+would like to take a few thousand dollars out of that gulch before
+snow flies, for we are going to have a lot of enforced loafing. We are
+in good shape to loaf however, all bills are paid and I still have
+thirty-five dollars of your money!"</p>
+
+<p>"That's fine. I have been wondering how I would pay for the colt, in
+the event we bought him. The B-line folks might not want to take my
+check, and it might take more cash than I have on me."</p>
+
+<p>"Mrs. Gillis will take care of that, she has money, plenty of it. She
+will tell Landy what to do, and Landy's word is like a bond. They do a
+lot of trading with the B-line. Buy cows, sell calves, and trade paper
+back and forth. Mrs. Gillis is better than a bank. Since the banking
+situation went bad, she has been accumulating government bonds. She
+hardly ever comes back from town without at least a hundred-dollar
+bond. She's a wonder, that woman. She's not an isolated hill billy
+that goes to town on Saturdays and anchors herself in the doorway of
+the five-and-ten-cent store to visit and gawk around. She's full of
+business. Sells her stuff, buys what she needs, and hits the trail for
+home. I expect Mrs. Gillis has seven or eight thousand dollars in
+bonds and cash stowed around in their cabin."</p>
+
+<p>"Now that's my notion of living," cried Davy as he edged his chair
+back from the cracking sticks that Welborn had added to the
+smouldering embers in the fireplace. "Own a fine little ranch, a
+decent run of livestock and poultry, raise plenty of feed, and have
+something to sell right along. They don't have to meet a daily
+schedule, don't have to spread canvas in the rain or look at a mob
+tittering yokels all the <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">[53]</a></span>time. That's the life for me and the Gillis
+outfit is my pattern."</p>
+
+<p>"They are fine people," said Welborn. "We will keep in close contact
+with them. We need them now. The time may come when they will need
+us."</p>
+
+<br />
+<br />
+<br />
+<br />
+<a name="Chapter_5" id="Chapter_5"></a><hr />
+<br />
+
+<h3>5<span class="totoc"><a href="#toc">ToC</a></span></h3>
+<br />
+
+<p>"Jim stayed to milk the cows," Landy explained as he rode up to
+Pinnacle Point the next morning leading Frosty, a rangy bay with a
+diminutive new saddle on his back. "Alice don't like my milkin'
+methods. I jist turn the calves in with the cows and let nature take
+her course, so she lets Jim do the milkin'. Put on yer jacket, son,
+hit's crimpy around the edges, and let's git goin'."</p>
+
+<p>Seated on Ole Gravy, a sturdy gray horse, Landy Spencer was like a
+picture page out of the book of the old west. His stubby, gray
+mustache, standing out under an aquiline nose and squinting eyes,
+failed to conceal a mouth much given to smiles and laughter. He had
+cautioned the little man that it was cool, yet his blue shirt was open
+at the neck. He wore a slouch hat, dented and battered to
+unconventional shape, a dingy knitted waistcoat, unbuttoned of course,
+gray jeans, tucked into high boots with long, pointed heels, and spurs
+of ancient pattern. Hung to the horn of his old, but generous saddle
+was a lariat.</p>
+
+<p>The chuck-chuck-chuck of the gas engine told that Welborn was already
+on the job at the mine. Davy ran into the house and returned wearing
+his mackinaw and boots. "My, he's a giraffe," he said, as he looked
+over Frosty and his equipment.</p>
+
+<p>Landy dismounted and lifted Davy to his saddle. "Did ye ever ride a
+hoss, son?"</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">[54]</a></span>"Sure, I've ridden some of the big fat ring-horses, but I either had
+to lie down or stand up, they were too big around for my legs. Once I
+was to ride a shetland in the Grand Entry, but they had a monkey on
+another pony and I walked out on 'em." Davy picked up the reins and
+Frosty began tiptoeing around and arching his back.</p>
+
+<p>"Jist turn him loose, son," called Landy. "The old simpleton was
+expectin' some weight when ye got on, and he's disapp'inted."</p>
+
+<p>Landy led the way down the hill and Frosty followed like a pack horse.
+The sun had pushed above the clouds. Frost was flying in the air. It
+jeweled the grass of the table land and sparkled amid the green of the
+conifers along Ripple Creek. Farther down the indistinct path they met
+Jim in the car.</p>
+
+<p>"Are you fellers goin' to git back in time for dinner," he called to
+the horsemen.</p>
+
+<p>"Mebbe not," replied Landy. "We are aimin' to bring back that little
+hoss, en he may not want to come."</p>
+
+<p>Landy turned from the path and rode down a coulee that led to Brushy
+Fork. It was a winding way through brush and stunted hemlocks.
+Presently they came to the creek. "Thar's Steelheads en Rainbows up in
+them pools," said the leader. "These streams have been stocked en
+hit's good fishin', if ye know how."</p>
+
+<p>They followed down the stream bed for a distance and then Landy turned
+up a draw on the left bank, that finally led out to level land. At
+first it was a narrow way between the stream and foothill, but
+presently the landscape broadened to a meadow similar to that on the
+right bank of the creek. At one place, where the way was narrow, there
+was the crumbling remnant of rough walls of rock.</p>
+
+<p>"That's a relic of them ole wars in here, but I never could git the
+hang of the tale. Ole Jim Lough knows all about it but he's too
+shut-mouthed and contrary to tell the tale.</p>
+
+<p>"Ye see, I'm not a native son," explained Landy, as they <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">[55]</a></span>rode abreast
+on the widened road. "I got started in the cattle game over to the
+north on Crazy Woman Creek en the range betwixt that en Sun Dance on
+the Belle Fourche. I was romancin' round when Teddy Roosevelt made
+camp up thar. Teddy liked to listen in on some of them Paul Bunyans of
+the cattle game, en they shore told some tall ones. I think he
+encouraged 'em in their romancin' jist to git a line on their
+capacity. Ye see, we were located jist betwixt ole Fort Fetterman and
+the Little Big Horn, sorta betwixt Red Cloud en Sittin' Bull, en one
+massacre en another. Ours was a period jist follerin' these
+history-makin' times en every man had a right to tell hit his way as
+they were all unhampered by airy lick of facts.</p>
+
+<p>"Therefore, I didn't git up here in the headwaters of the Platte until
+years after, but from what I ketch they had some right stirrin' time
+in here, 'twixt cattle rustlin' and sheep crowdin'. Ole Jim knows the
+whole story, but he don't broadcast none." Topping a swell of the
+meadow lands another stream basin was encountered. "Hit's a little
+Ranty," explained Landy. "That's a dam downstream aways en the B-line
+waters a couple o' hundred acres." In these meadows there were
+cattle&mdash;cows and calves and some scrub yearlings. Crossing the Ranty,
+the horsemen mounted to the levels again. Here, there were fences.
+Farther on, stables, sheds, and a cluster of houses. The B-line ranch.</p>
+
+<p>Landy maneuvered the horses through the gates without dismounting and
+rode up to the central stable. "Whar's yer reception committee eround
+here?" he yelled. "Call out the guard en parade them colors," he
+commanded as he dismounted and assisted Davy down. He threw the reins
+over the horses' heads. A man came out of the stable-room, two more
+came from back of a shed.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, if it haint the ole buzzard from Ripple Creek, a sailin' around
+lookin' fer his dinner. Nothin' dead around here Landy," said the
+short, stubby man that came from the stable room.</p>
+
+<p>"Howdy, Potter. 'Lo, Flinthead. Howdy, Hickory. All <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">[56]</a></span>you cimarrons
+wipe yer hands real clean en shake with my friend Mister Lannarck. We
+jist took time outen our busy lives to come over here en watch you
+birds loaf eround," said Landy after introductions had been
+acknowledged. "En my pardner here has a broken handled knife that he
+would trade for a little hoss."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, it's a shame, Mister Lannarck," said Potter thoughtfully, "that
+ye have to carry sich a load as bein' introduced by sich a
+double-barreled, disreputable ole renegade of a crook like this. But
+we understand and will try to he'p ye live it down. Now, as to that
+little hoss. He belongs to Miss Adine. She's at the house. Flinthead,
+you move them hosses in here! Hickory, go tell Adine that the circus
+party that Landy told her about is here to see the colt."</p>
+
+<p>Both men set about their tasks. Flinthead led out a horse, mounted and
+rode down a lane, propping the gates open as he went. From a corral
+back of the stables came a drove of horses, mares, colts, and
+yearlings. Trotting, prancing, and snorting as they came down the
+lane, they settled down once they were in the stable lot.</p>
+
+<p>Davy was between two fires. He sought a safe place from being run down
+by the drove and yet he wanted to catch a glimpse of any kind of horse
+suitable to his size. He noted plenty of small ones but their short,
+bushy tails revealed colthood. The others were too large. As the drove
+settled down a colt came from out the center of the milling herd and
+walked up to Potter, extending his muzzle as if expecting something.</p>
+
+<p>"That's the one!" said Dave excitedly.</p>
+
+<p>He was a red sorrel with three white feet and legs and a flaxen mane
+and tail. Experts in such matters would have said he was nearly eleven
+hands high. Unlike his pony prototypes, his was a lengthy, arched
+neck, held high from narrowing withers and a short back. He was dirty.
+His mane and tail needed attention. Potter put out his hand. The colt
+walked near enough that he placed his arm over his neck <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">[57]</a></span>and led him
+to a post where a rope dangled. This, he secured around the colt's
+neck.</p>
+
+<p>"Good morning, everybody."</p>
+
+<p>The colt parley was thus interrupted. Landy's several gallon headpiece
+was off and he nearly swept the ground with it. "Why, howdy, Miss
+Adine. We was a-lookin' this little hoss over to see if he'd fit a
+pattern. Meet Mister Lannarck here. He's the pattern."</p>
+
+<p>"My name is Lannarck all right," said Davy, acknowledging the abrupt
+introduction. "But among homefolks, I would rather be called Davy, as
+I have always been sceptical of anyone calling me Mister, afraid he
+would want to sell me something I didn't want."</p>
+
+<p>The girl laughed. "I am troubled that way myself. If anyone calls me
+Miss Lough, I pay no attention, thinking they mean someone else. Won't
+you men come to the house? Father is in Omaha on business and Mother
+and I are changing things around for the winter. Grandaddy picked out
+this busy time for one of his visits, so we are all together. Grandad
+will want to see you Landy, so come up to the house. I want to tell
+you about that colt, and tell you why it is that I am not to sell
+him."</p>
+
+<p>There was little else for the mystified Landy and the now, heartbroken
+midget to do but to follow along, through the gate and along the
+well-kept bordered path to the immense porch. They loitered at the
+gate for parley.</p>
+
+<p>"... and he's the handsomest horse I ever saw," complained the little
+man, "and she said she was not to sell him. I suppose it's some
+parental promise she's made, or some skin-game buyer has been through
+here and threw a wrench in the gears. Why, Landy, this is a
+high-school horse! He's showy, fine color, fancy markings and anyone
+can see that he's smart. We've just got to work it out somehow. A
+high-school horse, pony size, he's worth a thousand."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, I ain't up on school classifications for hosses," said Landy
+dryly. "He may be a colleger fer all I know. But, <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">[58]</a></span>we're dealin' with
+a woman en thar's no accountin' fer what's the matter. Hit may be, yer
+complexion don't match, er she may be a-keepin' him to contrast with
+some letter paper she's goin' to buy. Ye jist can't tell a dern thing
+about hit till we hear her story. After that, well, we can tell if
+it's worthwhile to go on with the struggle."</p>
+
+<p>When first introduced, Davy was certain that Miss Adine Lough was
+about the handsomest girl he had ever seen. Surely not more than
+twenty years of age, of medium height, a peach complexion, tanned a
+little but fair to look at. She stood on the Colonial porch of the big
+Lough homestead, her hands in the pockets of her black horse-hide
+jacket awaiting the arrival of her reluctant guests.</p>
+
+<p>She ushered the two into the wide hallway. "You had better see
+Grandaddy first, Landy, he's camped in here by the fire. Then we'll go
+in the library and talk over our business."</p>
+
+<p>Jim Lough, ancient Nestor of the North Park district, was seated in a
+big Morris-chair in front of the smouldering fire. "Well, if it ain't
+ole Turkeyneck in person," he called in a high falsetto voice, as the
+two entered. "I've been wantin' to see you, Landy. I told the sheriff
+to bring you over the next time he had you in charge. I want to find
+somebody that can sing 'The Cowboy's Lament' and sing it right, as I
+am plannin' a funeral party and I want to work out all the details.
+Can you sing 'The Lament' so it's fitten to hear?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yer dern tootin' I can sing 'The Lament'," retorted Landy, "all
+forty-four verses of hit, en the chorus betwixt every verse. I'm a
+prima donna when it comes to singin' that ole favorite. I learned it
+off a master-singer, ole Anse Peters, up in God's country whar men are
+men&mdash;en the women are glad of it. But what's led ye off on that wagon
+track, Jim? Why don't ye git a saxophone en tune in on some jazz? Be
+modern, like the rest of us fellers. Here you are, slouchin' around
+without a dressin' jacket er slippers <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">[59]</a></span>en talkin' 'bout an ole song
+that's in the discard. Shame on ye! But before ye apologize, meet my
+friend here, Mister Lannarck, lightweight circus man, who's visitin'
+us here en lookin' around for relics en sich. That's why I brought him
+over."</p>
+
+<p>Old Jim took the extended hand of the little man and held it while he
+talked. "Thar's been a lot of people had their necks stretched up in
+this deestrict for being caught in bad company, young man. You're
+borderin' on that condition right now in runnin' around with ole
+turkeyneck here. If the Vigilance Committee finds it out, you are a
+goner.</p>
+
+<p>"Circus man, hey? I mind the time when a lot of us fellers rode to
+Cheyenne to see Barnum. Last man in had to pay all bills&mdash;it was some
+pay, by the time we got through. We saw the show all right and we saw
+Barnum. He was a fine man. But circus er no circus, ye ain't a goin'
+to sidetrack me out'n them funeral arrangements. If ye can sing 'The
+Lament,' yer engaged."</p>
+
+<p>"Why, who's dead, Jim?" asked Landy innocently. "Did ole Selim die, er
+is hit yer favorite hound dawg?"</p>
+
+<p>"None sich," replied the old man heatedly. "It's me&mdash;my funeral&mdash;en
+I'm aimin' to make a splendid time outen it. The boys on hosses,
+firin' salutes as they see it, a preacher sharp to give it dignity, en
+the 'Cowboy's Lament,' as sung by ole Landy Spencer. That's a fitten
+program, en you are engaged fer the job."</p>
+
+<p>"En about when do ye plan to stage this splendid event?" drawled
+Landy.</p>
+
+<p>"Why, when I die, ye idiot, mebbe now, mebbe later, jist whenever I
+bed down fer the last time. Here I am, over ninety years old. I can't
+go on livin'! It's agin nature. I want to make ready when it comes.
+I'm ready and I want everything else to be jist as ready as I am."</p>
+
+<p>Landy Spencer drummed his knotty fingers on the armchair and looked
+thoughtfully at the old Nestor seated at <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">[60]</a></span>his fireside. Ninety years
+old! Seventy years of activity in a territory where activity was
+enforced, if one were to live. Strange stories, legends now, were told
+of the doings of this gaunt, eagle-beaked, shaggy-browed old man who
+now, chatted complacently of death. Very true, none living was able to
+verify them. Those who had passed on told only fragments, and Jim
+Lough, neither verified nor denied.</p>
+
+<p>One legend persisted. Landy had heard it long before coming to the
+district. It related to the beginning days of the great cattle game of
+the grasslands&mdash;days before the coming of the vast herds and the
+problems they brought. It concerned the destinies of those who
+followed fast in the footsteps of the trailmakers and sought to
+establish a business where there was neither law nor precedent. Sordid
+days, these. The honest men were not yet organized; the dishonest and
+criminal were unrestrained by laws. Cattle and kine were taken
+furtively or openly to these very hills and vales where Jim Lough now
+lived in quietude and peace. Here they were held until a sufficient
+number was collected for the drive to the marches and markets that lay
+east of the Virginia Dale.</p>
+
+<p>Jim Lough was a youngster then, without ownership of herds or home,
+but he was not content to see the weak and unorganized robbed, without
+recourse. Alone, he made trips over the forbidden trails to the places
+of the illicit exchange; then back to the grasslands again he
+organized a posse of five and laid his trap. In a narrow pass this
+robber band was successfully ambushed and by effective gunfire,
+reduced from eight to three. The three surrendered. By every rule of
+the game, in a new land where there was neither law, nor courts nor
+sheriffs, the culprits must be hung, and hung on the spot where
+apprehended. But to this Jim Lough demurred. "We'll swing 'em where it
+counts," he announced grimly, and the cavalcade set out on the
+two-days' journey to the Skeel's cabin, the reputed hangout of the
+lawless and criminals of the new country. The <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">[61]</a></span>posse found the cabin
+deserted, except for the presence of a lame, old man who was reported
+as the cook for the outfit. He was loaded on a horse and headed
+northward out of the country. The rest of the livestock was turned
+from the corrals and the cabin and stables set afire. Then, as a
+fitting finish to the work of the hour, the three culprits were hung
+on extended limbs of trees bordering the ruins.</p>
+
+<p>"Now the skunks will have something to look at when they come back
+here to plan their stealing," Jim Lough had said as the posse
+dispersed.</p>
+
+<p>But "the skunks" never came back, and through the long winter and most
+of the following summer the ghastly mementos of early justice swayed
+and swung, until the ravens and winds made merciful disposition of the
+bodies.</p>
+
+<p>In the next few years there was peace in the grasslands, and the
+settlers prospered as others joined. But it was not always so. For
+with more settlers came greed and avarice. Laws were made, regulations
+were had, rules announced and they were not always fair. Greed,
+sometimes sat in the councils, and the avaricious bent the rules.
+Then, there were other wars in which justice and fairness ran not
+parallel with Greed-made law.</p>
+
+<p>Grassland remembered young Jim Lough and his stern and speedy methods
+and now as an older man, he was often called to council and to lead.</p>
+
+<p>But the problems were not of easy solution; the 'right side' of the
+controversy was not always obvious, but under Jim Lough's leadership
+the greedy must surrender self-appropriated water holes, odious fences
+were banished and grazing allotments went to the needy as well as the
+greedy. In these things, Jim Lough made enemies as well as friends,
+but cared as little for the one as he appreciated the other.</p>
+
+<p>Landy Spencer, drummed knotty fingers on the arm of his chair as he
+listened to Jim Lough's explanations of his arrangements for a
+splendid funeral. At last he spoke. "Jim, I used to think that ye'd
+make a fine gov'ner. I know ye <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">[62]</a></span>make a dandy good district marshal,
+but ye are slippin'&mdash;goin' addled 'bout this funeral business.
+A-settin' here tryin' to run things en you deceased, that-a-way. Ye
+know, well en' good, that the folks livin' will take charge of them
+obsequies; hit'll be about ten years from now, I figger; en yore plans
+will fit in about like a last-year's birdnest. Ye have jist about as
+much to do a-bossin' that party as ye'll have in selectin' yer harp en
+halo when ye git inside the pearly gates. Ten years from now, thar
+won't be a cow hand ner a gun outside a dude ranch er a rodeo. Singin'
+'The Lament' would be about as well understood as recitin' a Latin
+epic."</p>
+
+<p>"Pshaw, Jim, yer wastin' valuable time," said Landy, wanting to get a
+last word, before the old man had time for a reply. "Come over next
+week&mdash;Alice is to have a turkey dinner with all the fixin's&mdash;en we'll
+plan a funeral that's modern. Aryplanes, automobiles, jazz, en dancin'
+en sich. That's the kind I'm plannin' en I ort to kick-in long before
+you do."</p>
+
+<p>Landy backed out and crossed the hallway before the ancient could
+reply.</p>
+
+<br />
+<br />
+<br />
+<br />
+<a name="Chapter_6" id="Chapter_6"></a><hr />
+<br />
+
+<h3>6<span class="totoc"><a href="#toc">ToC</a></span></h3>
+<br />
+
+<p>Adine Lough ushered her guests across the hall into what seemed to be
+her workshop. Seated around a library table, Davy perched on a big
+dictionary, Landy at the end, drumming his fingers as usual, the girl
+plunged at once into the business at hand.</p>
+
+<p>"At the very start," she said in a serious manner, "I must tell some
+personal things. I've been going to school at Boulder. I am staying
+out this semester to work on my graduate thesis, 'Social Work in Rural
+Communities.' When <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">[63]</a></span>you consider my restricted field, it's a big job.
+But I like that kind of work&mdash;studying people, their individualities,
+their shortcomings, their accomplishments. From what I hear of you,
+David, you have an aversion for those things&mdash;in fact have run away
+from the mob. I like it. I would want nothing better than to stand
+along side of you on a platform at the circus opening and watch the
+general populace pass in review. Then and there, I could study all
+phases of humanity; classify them as they passed; and then investigate
+each case personally to see if I had made the right appraisals at
+first sight."</p>
+
+<p>"&mdash;And right there is where you would miss the trapeze bar by a foot,
+and no net under you," interrupted Davy disgustedly. "They are all
+alike, from Bangor to Los Angeles. You can throw 'em all into one of
+two groups: yokels and shilabers. They are either out with a skin game
+or else they are goats, about to lose their hide."</p>
+
+<p>Adine laughed. "Oh, you surely could subdivide the Yokels. Why in my
+observations they alone, could be classified under many heads. But to
+go on with my story. Adot, the town, and the neighboring ranches, is
+my limited field of research and I have gone over the field in detail.
+Last month, I had up the matter of the Methodist church in Adot. It
+was a-once-a-month affair, the minister living in Weldon and no chance
+to ride circuit in the winter months. No budget, no money, and worse,
+yet, no outlook.</p>
+
+<p>"Now, I didn't go into the matter to do church work and help them; my
+business was to appraise them as they were; but I got involved. The
+few members thought I was trying to do a bit of missionary work. The
+upshot of the affair was, that I found myself with a roster of the
+church membership and a list of names of nearly everybody else. I had
+my own figures as to needs, debts, and community possibilities. So,
+carrying the thing to a finish, I took up the matter of putting them
+on a budget and providing the funds.</p>
+
+<p>"First I made them elect Brother Peyton treasurer. He <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">[64]</a></span>wasn't doing
+anything except waiting for the bank to resume business. Then I
+canvassed all the names on the rosters and combed the neighboring
+ranches for small monthly contributions. I got enough subscriptions to
+pay the minister and paint the church house. But it was some job. It
+took two weeks. Two weeks of joy and rebuffs, of elations and disgust.
+I was tired. I planned to rest up a couple of weeks and wait for my
+halo, or wings, or whatever a Christian gets for doing his whole duty;
+when right on the heels of my labors, came the greatest catastrophe
+that could have happened."</p>
+
+<p>"Did the meetin' house burn down?" interrupted Landy, who had followed
+the recitals intently. "Did the preacher gent die, er did Brother
+Peyton jump the game, taking the jackpot with him?"</p>
+
+<p>"No, nothing like that. The Nazarenes moved in! You both know about
+the Nazarenes?"</p>
+
+<p>Davy did. He had noticed their meetings in cities. But with Landy, the
+subject was a blank page and he withheld comment. In later months he
+confessed that he thought that the Lough gal was nuts in tryin' to
+project the Saviour en some of his kin onto Adot.</p>
+
+<p>"The Nazarenes are new in this country," continued the girl, "and they
+have all the enthusiasm of the new convert. Really, they seem to have
+the early zeal that some of the churches have lost. And they are a
+stubborn lot. That the field seems barren, is nothing to them. They
+set up shop in a desert and carry on just the same. To them, poverty
+is an asset. Christ's admonition to the rich man, to give his
+substance away and follow Him, is a literal command to be obeyed.</p>
+
+<p>"In the week following my campaign for the Methodist, two Nazarenes, a
+young man and his wife, came barging into Adot and set up for
+business. She took up cooking and waiting table in Jode's restaurant
+for their board, and he went about the street preaching and about the
+house praying, <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">[65]</a></span>day and night. They were both good singers and he
+played an accordion. In that week they talked Joe Burns into letting
+them have the use of the old mercantile warehouse, and they set up
+meetings in that big, barn of a place. That same week they came out
+here, in a truck they had borrowed, to get me to help them as I had
+the Methodists.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, of all things, you just cannot say 'no' to such people. Why, I
+almost insulted them; told them Adot was a barren field, overworked
+and already supplied with their spiritual needs. But I failed to
+impress them. They even wanted to pray for me. Me, who thought I was
+already sainted for my work with the Methodists! Then I went on
+another tack; I explained that I had already exhausted my resources in
+my work with others; that I had canvassed everyone and could not,
+consistently, go over the field asking for subscriptions for another
+organization. That failed. They insisted that they wanted only a
+start, just a little influence; and that I should come and assist them
+some night!</p>
+
+<p>"They trapped me. To get rid of them, I half-way promised to aid in
+some sort of an entertainment to help them get their first money;
+after that, they were to be on their own resources. And while I was
+berating myself and wondering how to get out of it, or how to get in
+it, Landy here came with the news that a little showman was to visit
+us here on the plateau and that he wanted a horse. Right then and
+there the clouds lifted; the problem was solved."</p>
+
+<p>Adine let her voice fall, pushed her chair back from the conference
+table and folded her arms. Landy drummed on the table and looked
+thoughtful. Davy wiggled around on his high perch and nearly fell off
+the dictionary.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, that's a fine story, Miss Adine, and well told, but I don't get
+the connection as to why you are not to sell the little horse."</p>
+
+<p>The girl laughed. "Sure, I will not sell him, but I'll trade him.
+Trade him for that entertainment that I promised those impractical and
+improvident Nazarenes."</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">[66]</a></span>"Do you mean that me and Landy here must put on some sort of a show in
+Adot? Why&mdash;why, I don't know a soul here. I know nothing of the
+community's talent. Surely I am not a church entertainer; my dances
+and songs won't fit into a church entertainment. You can't preach or
+exhort, can you Landy?" asked Davy anxiously. "We've just got to have
+that horse. I will agree to go over to Adot and stand on my head, in
+some show-window if that gets him. But you wouldn't want to sponsor
+that kind of entertainment," the little man appealed to Adine. "What's
+needed is something half-way refined and where the patron would get
+his money's worth. And I can't produce that kind of a show."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, yes, you can," said Adine smiling, "and the patron would get his
+money's worth. Why you, yourself know that little people&mdash;or what
+shall I call them?"</p>
+
+<p>"Midgets," interposed Davy, "midgets is our classification, not
+dwarfs, nor gnomes, nor half-pints, just midgets."</p>
+
+<p>"Thanks, that helps, and you see how little I know about it and how
+anxious I am to learn. Well, midgets, as a class are attractive and a
+rarity too. Except for yourself, I do not know of another. People want
+to see them. They go to circuses and theaters just to see little
+people. I have no doubt, that in many cases, people are
+ill-mannered&mdash;stare and giggle&mdash;and say uncalled for things, but
+that's to be expected from the run of persons, yet the fact remains,
+midgets are attractive.</p>
+
+<p>"Now you've been before the public, know how to handle crowds and know
+what they want. You could supplement your appearance with a lecture or
+talk on midgets, your experience with them, and something of your
+travels with the circus and with the troopers of the theater. Why,
+it's just what the public wants."</p>
+
+<p>"That little hoss is sold," said Landy exultantly. "One speech fer one
+hoss. Fair enough!"</p>
+
+<p>"Now you hold on, Landy," Davy interrupted. "You are getting me out in
+deep water and no oars. I am a good <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">[67]</a></span>Presbyterian all right, but they
+wouldn't stand for my stuff in their church and these Nazarenes surely
+have the same standards of propriety. Now, Miss Adine, let me give you
+fifty or a hundred dollars for this colt and you give that to these
+needy Christians."</p>
+
+<p>"And leave me out as a promoter! Not much! Why, I want to see this
+show myself. I wouldn't miss it for anything."</p>
+
+<p>"Ner me," cried Landy in much glee. "Why me en Potter en Flinthead en
+Hickory and some of the boys from the Diamond-A, will git us front
+seats and cheer yer ev'ry utt'rance. Come to think of hit, we could
+hold a big afternoon parade, with a lot of yippin' around, and git up
+more excitement than they've had in that sleepy ole burg since the
+women swarmed down on Gatty's quart shop en wrecked hit."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, you and Mr. Potter and Mr. Flinthead just keep out of it," said
+Adine emphatically. "You would ruin everything."</p>
+
+<p>"No just let 'em come, I've been kidded by experts and their stuff
+might prove an added feature. But Adine, you had better let me hand
+you the cash...."</p>
+
+<p>"No, that would be a departure from what we are trying to do. The
+object of the affair is publicity, not cash. And besides, the colt
+isn't worth a dime to me&mdash;or anyone else but you. He's too little for
+anyone to ride, and he ought to be trained and made to be useful. As
+it is, he's just one in the drove and would remain so, until he died.</p>
+
+<p>"But you can take him, train him, and make a beautiful show-horse out
+of him. Why, I can see you riding, parading, and having him doing
+stunts such as are rarely seen in a circus.</p>
+
+<p>"Now I want you to ride him home today. The trade is made. You have
+the horse and are obligated to give an entertainment for the Nazarenes
+in Adot. I think we can arrange it for next Saturday night week. The
+little weekly <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">[68]</a></span>newspaper, the <i>Adot Avalanche</i>, comes out Thursday. I
+will run a display ad that a famous Midget and circus performer will
+give a lecture at the warehouse Saturday night under the auspices of
+the Nazarenes. The little paper goes all over the district and the
+town won't hold the people. It will be Adot's premier event.</p>
+
+<p>"So you come over here Saturday morning, Davy," continued Adine, "we
+will drive over to Adot in the afternoon in my roadster. We'll lay the
+top back and drive over the town so the public will know that you are
+there in person! It will be Adot's biggest day."</p>
+
+<p>Landy had been ready to get back to the stables for some time. He was
+standing, twirling his ancient headpiece, awaiting the word to start.
+In all his years of dealing in horseflesh, this trade interested him
+deeply. He wanted his little friend to have that horse.</p>
+
+<p>As the three walked down the path to the stables, Adine was insistent
+that Davy should ride the colt home. "He's not a range horse," she
+explained, "not a westerner, as they sometimes describe horses that
+are out of a drove. This colt doesn't need to be broken. He was sired
+by our Allan-a-Dale, a registered saddle horse; his mother is Janie,
+that I used to ride barebacked and without a bridle. He was her last
+colt and will be three years old this month."</p>
+
+<p>Davy was just a little skeptical about attempting his first riding of
+the colt in company. He would much rather have him over on his own
+range with no other company but Landy. He wondered, as they walked
+along, if Potter and the boys at the stables had framed a rodeo
+spectacle for themselves and were to witness some worm-fence bucking
+by midget contestants. He was much relieved as Landy took charge,
+transferred the saddle from lofty Frosty to the diminutive colt,
+fitted the cinches and shortened the stirrup leathers to what he
+thought was about the right length. Then he slipped the bit in the
+colt's mouth and took up the cheek leathers of the bridle. Before Davy
+realized what <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69">[69]</a></span>was going on, Landy had lifted him to the saddle,
+mounted Gravy, clucked to Frosty and the procession moved out the
+gate.</p>
+
+<p>"I'll see you all in Adot, Saturday," called Davy without turning his
+head.</p>
+
+<p>"Good luck and bon voyage," called Adine.</p>
+
+<br />
+<br />
+<br />
+<br />
+<a name="Chapter_7" id="Chapter_7"></a><hr />
+<br />
+
+<h3>7<span class="totoc"><a href="#toc">ToC</a></span></h3>
+<br />
+
+<p>On the way down to the Ranty, the colt behaved remarkably well. He
+followed closely in the wake of Frosty, occasionally shaking his head
+in an effort to throw the bit from his mouth. At the ford, Landy
+adjusted the bridle so as to withdraw the bit and allow the colt to
+drink his fill.</p>
+
+<p>It was a proud moment in the varied career of David Lannarck, midget
+and showman, as the little cavalcade gained the level land near
+Pinnacle Point after a strenuous half-hour on the hazardous trail that
+led up from Brushy Fork. He waved a cautious hand to a man and woman
+standing near a car parked in front of the cabin.</p>
+
+<p>Landy lifted Davy from his saddle, removed the bit from the colt's
+mouth, made an improvised halter out of his bridle and tied the reins
+to a sapling. The older horses were left standing with reins down.</p>
+
+<p>"Well! If it ain't my ole scatter-about-friend, James Madison Stark,
+in person!" cried Landy as he and Davy made their way to the car. "Now
+I know that winter is not two days away. Hi, Maddy! Howdy, Mis Carter!
+Must be big news in the wind, if you two hit Pinnacle Pint same time,
+same day. What's up?"</p>
+
+<p>"Maddy is anxious to see Mr. Welborn," Mrs. Carter replied gravely to
+Landy's facetious banter, "but I don't know how to get back to where
+that gas engine is chuffing. <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70">[70]</a></span>Welborn will have to come out here to
+Maddy, for the hoodlums over at Grand Lake have burnt his feet and
+tortured him until mind and body are a wreck."</p>
+
+<p>"Tell Sam to come out here," was Landy's command to Davy. "Well,
+somebody has shore mussed ye up a heap, en right in yer gaddin' about
+department," he added as he noted the bandaged feet and ankles of the
+old fellow. "Sandals and a crutch don't become ye at all, Oldtimer.
+Who's been disturbin' yer dogs that away?"</p>
+
+<p>"I got all that and a lot more, off the killer that built this cabin,"
+said the oldster firmly, "and I want to warn this newcomer as to his
+threats to come over here and kill him."</p>
+
+<p>Welborn, accompanied by Davy, came through the arch and approached the
+car. He had never seen the oldster but had heard, in full, the story
+of his idiosyncrasies, his wanderings, and persistent research for the
+hidden mineral wealth of a vast and varied district. In his life's
+story there were no paragraphs that old Maddy was a hoarder of gold or
+a promoter or exploiter of things found. His research yielded amply
+for his needs. It was known that he owned the filling station and that
+his summer accumulations of mineral wealth was more than sufficient to
+meet the annual upkeep of that establishment. James Madison Stark's
+pleasures had been the joys of solitude rather than the raptures of
+vast accumulations. He preferred that the mineral wealth of earth
+remain in the veins of its native rock rather than be taken out en
+masse, to be later hoarded, manipulated, and juggled to create
+distress and poverty and want.</p>
+
+<p>Old Maddy had not reduced his life's philosophy to writing, but the
+midget, David Lannarck, as he had heretofore heard the fragments of
+the stories of this long and varied career, wondered if he too was not
+in the same groove. His present-day problem was the life-story of the
+ancient Nestor who preferred solitude to the mob; who would leave
+nature's treasures to remain hidden and unclaimed, awaiting <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71">[71]</a></span>the
+investigations and industry of the generations to follow. Davy gazed
+in awe at the old man, who in general appearance resembled the
+accepted portrayals of Santa Claus, but whose face was now seamed with
+lines of pain.</p>
+
+<p>Landy made hasty introductions. Maddy proceeded with the business at
+hand. "I've come to warn you," he said to Welborn, "that the mobster
+who built this cabin says he is going to kill you. He's been hiding
+out at some of the resorts over in the Grand Lake district, but like
+others of his kind, he just couldn't keep his mental cussedness hidden
+and the better element over there is making it too hot for him. It's
+his next move and he's evidently going to make a big jump, leaving the
+state, maybe the nation. But before he goes, he swears he is coming
+over here and kill the only man that ever beat him to the draw&mdash;that
+ever knocked him down. So be on your guard, my friend. He's a fiend, a
+maniac, and that incident preys on him."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, I am certainly obliged to you for this warning," said Welborn
+quietly. "If I only knew the date of his proposed visit, we would
+provide him with a fitting welcome&mdash;a welcome that would add a climax
+to his book of hate."</p>
+
+<p>"When he's to come, or how, I don't know," Maddy replied. "It's been a
+week since I heard him make the threat, then he made it twice in one
+night, accompanied by all the profanity he could muster. He and his
+gang were dissolving partnership on account of recent publicity. Two
+of 'em would go over to Las Vegas to look over the new dam at Boulder,
+one was returning to Denver and this Count Como&mdash;he has several other
+names&mdash;was to come here, get his revenge, and seek another hideout."</p>
+
+<p>Pressed by Landy as to how he contacted the gangsters and received his
+injuries, the oldster related the story of his summer's wanderings. He
+had spent some time on the other side of the Divide in the Hahns Peak
+district, skirted Steamboat Springs on his way to Oak Creek. In his
+wanderings, he had panned the alluvium of many small streams and had
+<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72">[72]</a></span>recovered more than the usual amount of gold. Now he would work his
+way back home through the Middle Park and cross the tortuous windings
+of the Divide by the way of his secret pass.</p>
+
+<p>Approaching the Grand Lake district he encountered two men who said
+they were looking for lost sheep. Both were maudlin drunk and each was
+trying to impress the other with his wisdom, his repartee and
+boldness. Upon Maddy's refusal to accompany them, they seized him
+bodily, searched him, searched the burro to find the gold and then
+pushed, dragged, and drove him and the burro to a nearby cabin.</p>
+
+<p>Here, he was to encounter two other drunken fanatics whose maudlin
+quarrels were interrupted by the exhibition of the pouches of gold.
+Now, they would know the exact location of the find. The explanation
+of the aged wanderer that the dust and particles came from many
+sources, seemed to enrage them further. "Just where was this
+mother-lode?" They wanted to know. "Here was wealth aplenty-enough to
+buy everything."</p>
+
+<p>And they applied the third degree with all the fiendish deviltries of
+their distorted minds, to get the exact location of this rival of the
+Comstock lode. The aged man was tied hand and foot and beaten and
+abused the whole night long. In pushing splinters under his toenails,
+the lamp was upset, kerosene was spilled over his feet to catch fire.
+A quarrel ensued as to whether the fire should be extinguished or
+allowed to burn. A fist-fight developed and they abandoned the cabin,
+leaving Maddy to his fate.</p>
+
+<p>"It was young Byron Goff that found me," concluded the aged narrator.
+"I recognized his voice when I came to, the next day. He was looking
+for lost sheep and stopped to inquire. He took me to his home,
+doctored me, cared for me, and brought me home. I owe him my life, not
+only for the rescue, but for his kindly nursing. Due to him, my feet
+will be all right in a few days. While he would accept <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73">[73]</a></span>nothing from
+Mrs. Carter, we've got a plan to part-pay him for his kindness."</p>
+
+<p>The disclosures as made by Maddy, awakened much interest among the
+five dwellers of Pinnacle Point. Mrs. Gillis arranged for the evening
+meal at the Gillis home where plans could be made to thwart an
+invader. Landy and Davy rode their horses to the Gillis barn; Welborn
+and Gillis came later in the car. It was following the meal that the
+problem was talked over in detail.</p>
+
+<p>It was agreed by all that the invader would come in his car; there was
+no other way. He would have to come to the filling station to gain the
+roadway to Pinnacle Point. He would have to pass the Gillis cabin and
+a warning could be phoned if a wire was strung from the Gillis home to
+Welborn's cabin. But in that case the wire would have to be extended
+to reach the mine as Welborn was up in that canyon during the day. Jim
+proposed a fence across the road with an electric alarm on it when the
+gate was opened. Landy suggested felling a tree across the road at a
+narrow place and thus reduce the uses of the thoroughfare to journeys
+on horseback; Davy offered to keep watch at a favorable place where he
+could shoot the tires of the intruder's auto.</p>
+
+<p>Welborn took but little part in the discussions. As the conversation
+lagged he briefly summarized the situation. "This gangster is a killer
+all right and drink and dope may have overcome the usual cautions of
+the breed. All of 'em are cowards; they prefer unarmed victims that
+are hog-tied. Sometime in his career this buzzard was the killer for
+some liquor gang. He evidently double-crossed his associates in
+getting this money that he's spending. He hides from them as well as
+the law. There is little we can do except to keep alert. I'll keep my
+gun with me up at the canyon and a shot through his windshield would
+drive him frantic. He's liable to miss the bridge in his zeal to get
+away. He will have to come in the daytime and the folks at the filling
+station will warn us now that they know his intentions."</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74">[74]</a></span>However the matter of the proposed visit of the killer had an exciting
+and ludicrous interruption when, on the next morning, Mrs. Gillis
+heard the labored chugging of a car coming up the hill to the east.
+Landy and Davy were at the barn. They too heard the noise and saw a
+small ancient roadster turn into the driveway and stop. A young man
+got out of the car and came to the door. This was not the killer but
+it might be news of his plans. Landy and Davy entered the house by the
+back door.</p>
+
+<p>"Why, it's young Goff," said Landy, interrupting the introduction. "I
+met you last spring over at Rawlins. You were in a confab with some
+sheep men over there."</p>
+
+<p>The visitor laughed. "Yes, these Rawlins folks are big operators," the
+young man explained. "I have to visit 'em about once a year to let 'em
+know that I am still alive and still grazing a few head over east of
+their allotment. Why, my little band isn't big enough to make up their
+summer shortage. If one of their herders rambles over in my district
+and there is a mixup, I could easily lose a lot of grass and some
+sheep. I can't talk Spanish, and the herder says that he no savvy
+'Meriky' and it's up to me to sort and claim.</p>
+
+<p>"But they are a fine lot of fellows, these Rawlins operators, once
+they understand that you are on the square. I visit with them every
+spring when I sell my fur and pelts. Yes, I have to trap in the winter
+to get enough money to pay my grazing allotment, and in my contacts
+with these sheep owners, I find that they are always willing to
+cooperate."</p>
+
+<p>The young visitor had taken the proffered chair. Mrs. Gillis, Landy
+and Davy joined to complete the half-circle. It was apparent that he
+had a mission more important than reciting the details of herding and
+trapping. Landy had introduced Davy as a new-comer, "Wuth a lot more
+than his size would indicate."</p>
+
+<p>"I came over to Carter's last evening to buy some gas and see how old
+Maddy was getting along and to tell him how his friends, the
+gangsters, finished their orgy. I found <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75">[75]</a></span>the oldster was doing
+fine&mdash;would be fully recovered by next spring&mdash;but they wouldn't sell
+me any gas." The raconteur allowed an interval for the astonishing
+news to be absorbed. "No sir, not a spoonful would they sell me. They
+wanted to give it to me&mdash;by the tankful. And after I told my news of
+the gangster's finish and the complications incident thereto, Maddy
+and the Carters insisted that I take all the gas&mdash;that I come up here
+with the news, and the problem, and work out the solution.</p>
+
+<p>"You see, I was over to Northgate Saturday on the matter of trading
+some bucks with Andy Pelser and encountered the astonishing news that
+the whole gangster mob, those that stole Maddy's dust, were in jail.
+They had been arrested, and convicted, on about all the crimes in the
+book. Reckless driving, drunkeness, inciting a riot, possessing stolen
+property, and finally contempt of court, when they offered Judge
+Withers, Maddy's two sacks of dust if he would let 'em off. On this
+last charge the Judge added four months in jail. It was a grand finish
+of an awful mess.</p>
+
+<p>"I went over to the country seat to verify the news. It was no mere
+rumor, it was a fact. Sheriff Bill White had 'em all in hock; had the
+two bags of gold dust and their guns. He wants to get rid of the dust
+if he can find the true owner, and get a disclaimer of ownership from
+the gangsters. I told him it was Maddy's, and Bill wants Maddy to come
+and prove ownership and take the property. Maddy is willing, but
+there's a hitch to it. Just now, I want to see Mr. Gillis, or you
+Landy, and unhitch the hitch."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, Jim is up at Pinnacle Pint helpin' Welborn scrape the bottom of
+the canyon fer what dust he can find, en I'm shore busy gittin' this
+youngster acquainted with his new hoss," said Landy thoughtfully. "But
+we ort to take time out to recover Maddy's property. Let's go up to
+the canyon en sign Jim up fer the job. That dust up in the canyon
+won't run away. It will still be thar even if Jim knocks off work fer
+a couple a days."</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">[76]</a></span>The young visitor readily concurred in the plan, he wanted to see the
+house that the gangster had built anyhow. He started out to the car,
+but was detained by Landy. "You wait here," the veteran cautioned, "ye
+might git a bullet through yer windshield if ye drive up thar
+unannounced. My podner here and I will saddle up and ride ahead, to
+prevent accidents."</p>
+
+<p>Following his equestrian escort, the visitor presently reached the
+Point where introductions were made and the purpose of the visit
+explained. Jim asked many questions and for the most part the answers
+were satisfactory. Really, the judge and sheriff wanted to get rid of
+these malefactors if the serious charge of robbery was eliminated.
+They were a burden to the state and community. "I begrudge feeding the
+dirty skunks," was the sheriff's scornful comment. "Hanging 'em would
+terminate expense and trouble."</p>
+
+<p>But two problems hindered a quick solution; would these culprits leave
+the country if given a suspended sentence. Judge Withers was giving
+them a few days for reflection. Meanwhile Sheriff White was making
+their stay as uncomfortable as possible in order to hasten a favorable
+decision.</p>
+
+<p>"What's the other problem?" asked Gillis, casually.</p>
+
+<p>"Why, if the dust is recovered, old Maddy wants to give it to me, says
+that I earned it. And I'm not going to take it."</p>
+
+<p>During the interview, Welborn had been a quiet listener. On hearing
+this last declaration from the visitor, he straightened up to make a
+quick inquiry. "Why won't you take it?" he demanded.</p>
+
+<p>"I haven't done anything to earn it," replied young Goff in a low but
+firm tone.</p>
+
+<p>There was an interval of silence.</p>
+
+<p>"You see, Maddy is old," the visitor explained. "The awful experience
+he's gone through affected him. He wants to contrast the little
+service I gave him with what the gangsters did to him. His sentiment
+outruns his judgment. I <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77">[77]</a></span>didn't do anything out of the ordinary&mdash;just
+fed him and doctored him as best I could. I didn't do any more&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"Is your mother living?" interrupted Welborn. "She must be a gentle,
+thoughtful woman, well-grounded in the old fashioned ideas of kindness
+in social service, to have raised a son with such ideals. People,
+now-a-days, expect pay, even for their charities. You will have much
+trouble and many disappointments if you approach a sordid world with
+such sentiments."</p>
+
+<p>"Hold on Mister," said the younger man, with much spirit. "Old Maddy's
+case is different. His case was not a business transaction, it was a
+duty." The young visitor ducked his head to chuckle a little while he
+scraped the gravel with the toe of his shoe. "If you run into Andy
+Pelser, in about a month from now, you will know what I mean. Andy is
+young and bright, but old in the sheep game. I had no scruples in
+giving him a good cross-lifting in that sheep trade we made. But this
+Maddy case is different. I don't want pay for being neighborly, for
+doing my duty to oldsters."</p>
+
+<p>"Back the car out, Jim!" commanded Welborn. "This young man is
+irresistible. We had as well take a day off to do our part in this
+entanglement. Back the car out while I spruce up a little to meet the
+law as well as the law-breakers."</p>
+
+<p>Presently Welborn came out of the house, dressed as a man of business.
+His attitude was as one in authority. "I have a plan in mind that
+might work. It has about one chance in fifty of fitting the case, but
+we'll take that chance. But we must do two things if it is to
+succeed," cautioned Welborn. "We must not let the Judge see poor old
+Maddy in his present plight. It would infuriate the Judge to sentence
+those buzzards to the hoosegow for life. Then too, I must see this
+sheriff alone, if the plan is made to work. Drive on, my boy," he said
+to Goff, "and we'll try to keep in sight. See you tomorrow night,
+maybe," he called to Landy and Davy as the two cars got underway.</p>
+
+<br />
+<br />
+<br />
+<br />
+<a name="Chapter_8" id="Chapter_8"></a><hr />
+<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78">[78]</a></span><br />
+
+<h3>8<span class="totoc"><a href="#toc">ToC</a></span></h3>
+<br />
+
+<p>A busy little man was David Lannarck in the week that followed. With a
+horse to break and a speech to make, the time was fully occupied. The
+colt was quartered at the Gillis barn. Davy stayed with the colt. Of
+mornings, Landy assisted with the colt's grooming and education. His
+white mane and tail were washed and brushed and his red coat fairly
+shone from the attention given. Landy rasped his feet to evenness and
+cautioned that he would have to be shod if used on hard-surfaced
+roads. "Potter can shoe him all right," he explained, "but we'll have
+to send an order for a set of little shoes to fit."</p>
+
+<p>The morning rides were usually on the rather level roadway that led up
+to Pinnacle Point, but there were sidetrips down ill-defined paths to
+the little creeks. Landy sometimes went along to advise as to road
+gaits. The Gillis dogs were constant companions. In fact, since the
+night of Davy's arrival they waited around until he made his
+appearance and followed him constantly. Except for the fact that he
+was scheduled to make a public appearance at Adot next Saturday night,
+David Lannarck was now enjoying the rest and joys that he had dreamed
+of and planned when he was oppressed by the mob.</p>
+
+<p>"I am not writing out a speech," Davy explained to Mrs. Gillis as he
+bent over the pad of paper, pencil in hand. "I am just jotting down
+some incidents of circus life that the public might want to know. This
+girl over at the B-line&mdash;My, oh, my, but she's got a compelling line
+of chatter. If she would do the ballyhoo for a Kid Show, she would
+pack 'em in to bust down the sidewalls. Now this girl said I was to
+talk about midgets and circuses. What I know about midgets and
+circuses would fill two books. My problem is to leave out the
+commonplace routine and tell 'inside stuff.'"</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">[79]</a></span>Mrs. Gillis had cleared a side table where Davy, in his high chair,
+could jot down the items that he would use in his talk. It was while
+he was thus engaged of afternoons and evenings that Mrs. Gillis heard
+the life story of the only midget she had ever known.</p>
+
+<p>"My name wasn't always Lannarck," Davy explained one afternoon when
+Mrs. Gillis detailed something of her ancestry and early childhood.
+"My name was O'Rahan, and I was christened Daniel. I am Irish&mdash;both
+sides. My Dad was a young, happy-go-lucky Irish lad, a hard worker, a
+free liver, and surely improvident. Foot-loose and free he joined a
+party in the rush to the Klondike. Three years later he came back with
+enough money to fill a pad saddle. And they took it away from him as
+fast as he had accumulated it.</p>
+
+<p>"He met my mother, Ellen Monyhan, at a party, and he was as speedy at
+courting as he was at spending. They were married but a short while
+when the financial crash came. He was ashamed and humiliated but not
+beaten. He wanted another try at this fascinating game. He went back
+to the Klondike&mdash;and to his death at sea.</p>
+
+<p>"I was born in a hospital in Springfield. My young, heartbroken mother
+died there. There were no relatives nearer than cousins. In due time I
+was committed to an orphanage. I have no memory of either parent and
+my information concerning them is meager and second hand. Now this
+orphanage was well conducted, but it wasn't a home; it was an
+institution. With anywhere from thirty to sixty children to care for,
+it lacked the personal equation. It was mass production&mdash;you did
+things by rote, en-masse&mdash;no individuality. But I have no complaint.
+As a babe and child I was well-fed and clothed, in a uniform common to
+all.</p>
+
+<p>"And then I started to school along with all the others. But something
+was happening to me that did not happen to the others. I quit growing.
+Mentally I was like the others&mdash;kept up with my grades&mdash;but I never
+grew taller than <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80">[80]</a></span>thirty-two inches and never weighed more than
+thirty-eight pounds. Other children would shoot up like corn stalks,
+but I stayed right where I had been in the months and years past.</p>
+
+<p>"To me, it was a heart breaking disclosure. I wanted to play ball, to
+make the team, only to find that as the slow months crept on, I was
+assigned to the playground of the little kids, babes, toddlers. The
+balls, bats, mitts, and other playthings were too big for me. But I
+kept up with my classes in school and maybe the disappointments in
+sports urged me to win somewhere else. I won the eighth-grade prize in
+arithmetic and mechanical drawing. And then came high school, and the
+great disaster, quickly followed by an entrance into an Orphan's
+Heaven&mdash;a home in a private family. In the shifting personnel at the
+orphanage, there were fewer high-school pupils. We went to a different
+building over different streets. It was no doubt a singular sight to
+the residents to see a midget with six-footers, but it was just that
+way. And it must have been a singular sight to Loron Usark, a big
+childish lout that lived on Spruce Street. We would pass the end of
+the alley back of his house and he was out there every day to watch us
+go by. Now this Loron was too weak, mentally, for school. Ordered
+around by everybody and pestered and teased by many, the
+moronic-minded will seek a victim that he can abuse and bend to his
+own will, and this Loron party was on the lookout. One day he caught
+me tagging along behind the others. He grabbed me and would have
+beaten me, but my companions rescued me. After that, I had to be on
+the lookout. I was marked for slaughter by this fool.</p>
+
+<p>"Mrs. Gillis," Davy changed his tone of voice to a deeper bass, as was
+his wont when he desired to impress a listener. He shook his pencil at
+his deeply interested audience of one. "Mrs. Gillis, I've seen a lot
+of people in my time. Except for old-time circus people and theatrical
+troopers, I've seen a million more than my share. And you can set
+this <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">[81]</a></span>down on your mental calendar as an established truth: whenever
+you see a Big One taunting a Little One, you can set him down as a big
+coward. And, whenever you see a Dub kidding a Lout, you can be assured
+that the dub is trying to lift himself above a similar rating.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, this Loron lout finally got me," said Davy, resuming the thread
+of his life story. "I was on my way back to the orphanage for a book
+and as I passed the alley he swept me down. They were good sidewalks
+out there, else he would have broken them in bits as he pounded my
+head on 'em. He kicked when he could and struck as often as he cared.
+His exultant cries must have attracted attention, for I was past even
+an outcry. Finally a lady rushed out of the nearby house and came to
+the rescue. The lout ran, of course. I stayed put. I couldn't do
+anything else. The lady gathered me up, carried me into the house,
+laid me on a couch as I passed out entirely.</p>
+
+<p>"When I came to, a doctor had been there to patch me up and pass
+judgment on my chances. He had washed off a lot of blood, plastered my
+cheek, clipped my hair to plaster some more places, eased some body
+welts, and announced that no bones had been broken. I was in a bed,
+most of my clothing had been removed, and the lady was offering me a
+drink of water. I took it.</p>
+
+<p>"Mrs. Gillis," here Davy gave his voice its lowest pitch, "Mrs.
+Gillis, that woman was Mrs. Sarah Wentworth Lannarck, and I know you
+won't condemn me or be jealous when I say that she was the kindest,
+most considerate woman that ever drew the breath of life. There have
+been a lot of noble women on this troubled earth, doing what they
+could to ease pain, to keep down strife, and to make the world a
+better place in which to live. They are all worthy of our praise, but
+to me, Mrs. Lannarck is sainted, and apart from the rest. Well, the
+rest of the story is in happier settings and more readable chapters,"
+said Davy, as he noted that Mrs. Gillis was somewhat affected by the
+recital. "I really suspect <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82">[82]</a></span>that you would know more about these
+conditions than I. Personally, I think all women want to manage a
+home, want to boss the inmates. If there are no children, then they
+manage the men-folk, or the household pets. And I was Mrs. Lannarck's
+pet. She used me as a substitute for the children that never came into
+her life. I was little; I was injured; I was a fit object of her
+suppressed affections.</p>
+
+<p>"She telephoned Mrs. Philpott, matron at the orphanage, and when she
+called to see me, Mrs. Lannarck arranged to care for me until I was
+well. She explained the whole affair to Mr. Lannarck, when he came
+home to luncheon and that big, grave, silent man accepted her
+statements without comment. Sick as I was, I heard all this and I too,
+made some resolutions. I was not going to miss this chance of having a
+home, and a mother. The very next morning I offered to get up and help
+her do the dishes. She laughed like a girl, and vetoed my offer. In a
+day or two I limbered up enough to get into my clothes and I puttered
+around, offering to do things. My help was declined, but I could see
+that it had the right effect.</p>
+
+<p>"I didn't go to school for a few days. My face and head were still in
+bandages. The story of the attack was in the newspaper and the civil
+authorities committed the moron to an institution for the
+feeble-minded. Some of the orphan kids visited me and I got them to
+bring my little set of drawing tools. I was tinkering with these when
+Mister Lannarck came in. He looked at some of my sketches and asked if
+I could draft a plan in true proportions. I told him I thought I
+could, if I had the correct measurements. He put on his coat and left.</p>
+
+<p>"Now Mr. Lannarck was a carpenter-contractor. Not a big one, with an
+office and a draftsman, bookkeeper and such; just a carpenter with a
+desk in the front room where he kept his papers. He had little
+education but his figures were correct. He had built good buildings,
+but he specialized in repairs&mdash;in the upkeep of property&mdash;and he had
+many <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83">[83]</a></span>clients. He was honest and fair; he made money and saved it. He
+could read blueprints but he couldn't make 'em. His fingers were all
+thumbs when it came to outlining.</p>
+
+<p>"Presently he came back with some figures, and about the worst outline
+I had ever seen. He explained it was a church. It was to have an
+addition. There was a memorial window to be taken out and placed at
+the right place in the new part. He had the correct figures and he
+wanted a rough draft to show 'em. He gave me some big sheets to work
+on.</p>
+
+<p>"That night, Mrs. Lannarck had to order me to bed, I was that
+interested. The next morning I was up early. That evening I showed him
+my outline. He didn't say much. He took the drawings and his own
+figures to a meeting that night. When he came home he said he had
+closed the deal, that my outline was what had helped, said it would
+make money. My, oh, my, but there was a proud boy in a big bed at the
+Lannarck home that night. That was the first dollar I have ever
+earned. Of course, I didn't get the dollar, but I got much more.</p>
+
+<p>"It sounds sorta mushy, doesn't it, Mrs. Gillis," said Davy,
+interrupting the recital. "Kind of a Pollyanna tale with a Horatio
+Alger finish. But in none of his stories did Alger ever portray a
+tougher background or give it a bigger skyrocket finish. Just think of
+it, Mrs. Gillis! Here was a kid with the black thought that he was
+never to be a man; was never to do a man's work, never to win in any
+manly contest. Worse yet, he had never seen his father or felt a
+mother's caress. He never had had a place called home. Do you blame
+him for horning in?</p>
+
+<p>"Well, it worked out better than I hoped. The next day Mrs. Lannarck
+began moving the furniture in one of the bedrooms. She emptied dresser
+drawers, cleared out the closet and brought in other things. Then she
+invited me up there; told me that she had arranged every thing and
+this was to be my room, where I could put my things.</p>
+
+<p>"Things? Why, I had come into that home with a busted <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84">[84]</a></span>head and not a
+penny in my pocket. The very clothes that I wore belonged to the
+county. Except for the little drawing tools I had, you could have put
+all of my things in a thimble. Yet I was the richest man in
+Springfield.</p>
+
+<p>"I lived in that room four happy blessed years. They were years of few
+incidents and no friction. Mrs. Lannarck bought me a complete outfit
+of clothing, and she was as particular about the details as if it were
+a bride's trousseau. She even provided me with a weekly allowance,
+small, to be sure, but there was nothing I needed. I kept right on at
+school and helped around the house wherever I could. I kept Mr.
+Lannarck's books, made out his estimates, and drafted his plans. I
+checked up his payrolls, met his workmen, and his banker. I even met
+the judge of the court when they adopted me and changed my name.</p>
+
+<p>"I went to church with Mrs. Lannarck, went to Sunday School, and took
+part in the entertainments. They insisted I was a drawing card and
+they featured the appearance of a midget on the program. It was all
+right by me if it met the approval of the Lannarcks.</p>
+
+<p>"During the war, the committee featured me in the Bond Drives. There
+was a big fellow I teamed up with, named George Ruark. He was nearly a
+seven-footer and weighed three hundred. I could stand in his two hands
+as he held them in front of him and urged everybody to back up the war
+as strongly as I was backed. It made a hit; it got results.</p>
+
+<p>"And then inevitable but unwanted death stalked in, to ruin
+everything. Mister Lannarck died. He was older than I had thought. He
+was always careful and honest. He was putting a new roof on the
+Auditorium when he fell. Maybe it was a stroke. They took him to the
+hospital. He died on the third day after the fall.</p>
+
+<p>"This was the beginning of the end. A link was broken in the chain. It
+never mended. Mrs. Lannarck bore up bravely, but I could see that she
+had lost all earthly joys and <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85">[85]</a></span>simply awaited her summons. Mr.
+Lannarck's financial affairs were in good shape. He left quite an
+estate. The income was ample for our simple needs, but that was not
+enough. Mrs. Lannarck simply could not go on. She died in a little
+over a year following the death of her companion. For the second time
+in my life, I was an orphan.</p>
+
+<p>"But this time I was to have a guardian. I had been legally adopted. I
+was the heir. I was rich. In the first fifteen years of my life, I had
+never seen money, never a penny of my own. Now it was the other way.
+After the funeral I went down to the bank to consult with Mister
+Gaynor. He handed me a sealed envelope. It was a message from the
+dear, kind, motherly Mrs. Lannarck. It was a letter of kindly advice,
+personal and spiritual. She said that she never doubted but that I
+would walk in the right path, but she made this final appeal. If I
+never married, never had heirs or dependents, and if there was any of
+the Lannarck estate left at my death, would I make a will, leaving a
+portion of it to the Grace Avenue Presbyterian Church, in trust for
+its upkeep, and a portion to the county orphanage, for the occasional
+entertainment of its inmates.</p>
+
+<p>"Mrs. Gillis." Davy was the one now affected by the recitals. His
+voice was lower and slower. "Mrs. Gillis, after reading that message,
+I hadn't the tears out of my eyes nor my voice cleared up, until I was
+making that will. Gaynor did the work, he knew how, that was his
+business, and he made it read just as Mrs. Lannarck had requested. The
+Trust Department of the bank was made the trustee. One-half of all
+income from my estate was to be paid to the church, the other half for
+orphanage entertainment. It stands just that way yet, although the
+value of the estate has doubled.</p>
+
+<p>"The Lannarck estate was what the bank folks called Income Property.
+It included two suburban store rooms with apartments above. There were
+three very good residences, five shares of bank stock, bonds and notes
+and a considerable bank deposit. I made a resolution then and there,
+<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86">[86]</a></span>that I would never touch a penny of it, and that resolution has been
+kept. The income has piled up until it now nearly equals the
+principal. Poor old Gaynor, the next-best friend I ever had, keeps the
+income collected and invested, and if this depression would only let
+up and give him a chance, he could build those Presbyterians a new
+church and give the orphans a picture show every night.</p>
+
+<p>"Of course I've earned quite a lot of money, meanwhile, but Gaynor
+keeps that as a separate checking account; says circuses and
+vaudeville are not a dependable source of income and that I may go
+broke. This Ralph Gaynor is a wonder in his line, but it's not my kind
+of a line. He talks of interest, margins of safety, of unearned
+increments, corporate earnings, and things like that. His is not the
+big bank, with its long rows of figures. His is just a little
+'Dollar-Down' concern, and he owns it all. Just now, in this
+depression, the Big Fellows are running to him asking, 'What to do?'
+And he's telling 'em to trim sails and stay close to shore.</p>
+
+<p>"Ralph Gaynor is the second helpful man to come into my life, but when
+I grew sick and tired of being gawked at, during all my waking hours
+and resolved to duck away from the mob, I didn't go back to Ralph
+Gaynor for advice. He just wouldn't understand. The word 'recreation'
+is not in his vocabulary. Colts, dogs, kid-saddles, horseback riding,
+Landy's wisecracks, and my present-day joys have no listed values with
+Ralph Gaynor, and I passed him up. If it were Mrs. Lannarck, she would
+understand and give it sympathetic approval.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, that's something of the life story of one midget, Mrs. Gillis.
+Add to this, twelve long summers with circuses and the winters spent
+in vaudeville (both with their mobs and gawking crowds) and it's
+almost a completed volume. There is yet one chapter to be added and I
+want to talk about it to the public. One man, Baron Singer, did more
+for midgets&mdash;little people&mdash;than any other person, in all time. He
+lifted them out of the mediocre; gave them <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87">[87]</a></span>standing and personality.
+I never met the Baron, but I want the public to know what great work
+he did for an underprivileged group. And I will tell 'em Saturday
+night."</p>
+
+<br />
+<br />
+<br />
+<br />
+<a name="Chapter_9" id="Chapter_9"></a><hr />
+<br />
+
+<h3>9<span class="totoc"><a href="#toc">ToC</a></span></h3>
+<br />
+
+<p>Gillis and Welborn did not return from their mission the next day as
+they had planned. Sunday passed by without word of their whereabouts.
+The stay-at-homes wondered if it was to be peace or war with maudling
+gangsters. Did Welborn's fifty-to-one chance fail? Davy had planned to
+ride over to the B-line, and go over his speech-plans with his manager
+and promoter. Now, it seemed necessary that he and Landy ride down to
+the filling station seeking news of the missing ones. Monday noon, the
+faithful old Gillis car labored up the hill and came to a stop. Jim
+and Sam got out to inquire if dinner was ready.</p>
+
+<p>Little was said during the meal as to the outcome of their trip. Jim
+made a brief explanation that they had been as far as Rawlins,
+accompanying the sheriff in his disposition of his boarders. The
+sheriff explained that he wanted to take them past the penitentiary to
+show them what they missed, and where they would live if they ever
+came back to this section. He took them all to the railway station,
+loaded two on the east-bound train and two went west. The sheriff
+retained the count's car as security for advances made.</p>
+
+<p>That evening, however, after Davy had returned from delivering Welborn
+his supper, the four gathered in the Gillis sitting room and Jim gave
+more details. "This man Welborn musta been in the army," he declared.
+"Musta been a tough old top sergeant, er the general in command, the
+way he took charge. He managed every detail and managed it right.
+Everything worked out as planned.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88">[88]</a></span>"We kept old Maddy out of the judge's sight, 'en it was well enough
+that we did, for Judge Withers was pretty hostile towards these crazy
+galoots that invaded the community and disturbed the peace. He would
+enforce the sentence, but he listened to the sheriff's complaint that
+four such prisoners were too many for his cramped quarters, too costly
+for the results obtained. The judge agreed to suspend sentence on
+condition that the sheriff would deport 'em and keep 'em deported.</p>
+
+<p>"We didn't have any trouble establishing Maddy's claim to the two
+sacks of dust. Maddy easily identified 'em and I knew they were his,
+but what about these gangsters? Would the count surrender title to the
+damaged car to compensate for rail transportation? And would they
+agree to leave and never come back? The sheriff had had several
+interviews with 'em on these matters and had never gained assent to
+the plan, especially as to the count and his car. The sheriff was
+bothered, didn't believe it could be done.</p>
+
+<p>"Again it was Welborn who made the plan and gave orders. 'Bring that
+count in here,' he said, 'and leave me alone with him for about ten
+minutes. I'll find out if he wants to live or die.' And the sheriff
+did as Welborn said, and before the ten minutes were up, the count had
+readily and eagerly accepted all the conditions. We took all of 'em
+over to court, the judge repeated the sentence, suspended it if they
+stayed out of the court's jurisdiction. We had 'em in Rawlins and on
+their way by Sunday noon.</p>
+
+<p>"No, I don't know what Welborn said to the count," was Jim's reply to
+Davy's eager question. "It must have been potent and terrifying, the
+way that gangster wet his lips and swollered."</p>
+
+<p>"Did young Goff accept Maddy's gift of the gold dust?" Jim laughed.
+"That's another Welborn plan and order and it wasn't ignored. This
+young Goff is a fine fellow. He took good care of Maddy during the
+whole trip. When we got back to the filling station and Goff was to go
+on his way, <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89">[89]</a></span>Maddy offered him the dust and he refused it. Here
+Welborn stepped in. He shook a little out of one sack to make 'em
+equal; he handed one sack to Mrs. Carter and placed the other in
+Goff's car. 'You keep that,' he ordered. 'This old man will live
+longer, happier, more contented in knowing he has a neighbor that he
+can freely call on for help who will respond to his call. He's got a
+right to this comfort and satisfaction. You take it.' And young Goff
+took it."</p>
+
+<p>The next morning David Lannarck was up bright and early, intent on his
+plans to visit the B-line ranch, but Mrs. Gillis had beat him to the
+draw. Landy was directed to change the stock cattle over into the
+ravine pasture while Jim did the milking. Davy would take Welborn's
+breakfast to him and wait at the Point until Landy, and the dogs, had
+finished their job.</p>
+
+<p>Like the rest of the men folk at the Gillis ranch, Davy accepted his
+orders. He saddled the colt, maneuvered him up to the kitchen door for
+the basket of breakfast, and rode to the Point alone. Early as it was,
+he found Welborn up the ravine examining the gravel in a sheltered
+nook.</p>
+
+<p>"I can work this area this winter, when the rest of the valley is
+covered with snow," Welborn explained as they walked back to the cabin
+and the basket of breakfast.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, and if you had a dynamo and electric lights," retorted Davy,
+"you could work nights. What's all the rush? This stuff will keep."</p>
+
+<p>Welborn laughed, but he grew serious to explain: "I would like to take
+nine thousand dollars out of this hole by early spring, and as near as
+I estimate values, I've got the job about half done. There's nearly
+two hundred ounces in those little sacks. If my partner will be
+lenient in demanding his share, I think I can get it done this
+winter."</p>
+
+<p>"If I advance the nine thousand right now, say by the end of the week,
+will you let up on this drive-drive-drive stuff, and relax and be
+yourself?" Davy's question was a demand, earnestly stated.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90">[90]</a></span>Welborn gave an inquiring look to see if he was being scolded or
+kidded. He decided that it was neither of these. "Why would you want
+to do that, Laddie?" he asked in a subdued tone.</p>
+
+<p>"Just to keep a good man from worrying himself to death," retorted the
+midget. "I want to prevent a funeral, make an asset out of a
+liability. I want to get a big, fine man back to his normal self. If
+you will agree to let up on this push-drive-urge stuff; stop long
+enough to read a book, to laugh at Jiggs or Popeye or Dagwood, or any
+of the other funnies, go with me over to Adot where the mine-run folks
+can see what a big, fine upstanding partner I've got, why I'll have
+that little, old nine thousand in here by Saturday.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, I know that money is scarce, hard to get just now," Davy
+explained in response to Welborn's shake of the head, "but this money
+is idle, and there's plenty of security up in that ravine. It's not
+the loan, it's the results, I'm wanting. Of course, there's something
+eating you, some past catastrophe or mistake, that's got you down.
+You're worried, killing yourself trying to get it corrected. I don't
+know what it is, and don't want to know, until you are ready. Of
+course it will work out all right. There'll be a climax, a denouement,
+as old director Mecklin used to call the final act, and I want you to
+be right here, in person, in good health and spirits, to join with the
+rest of us in the applause and cheers."</p>
+
+<p>Welborn had walked over to the window, but not to look out. His head
+was down, he was taking punishment. Presently he lifted his shoulders
+and head. There was a smile on his face even if his voice was husky.
+"In all my varied years, Sonny Boy, I never heard finer compliments
+mixed up with some real truths. What you've said is worth more to me
+than your kindly offer of funds. I wouldn't take your money under any
+condition, it would add complications, but I am going to take your
+advice. From now on, I'll try to do as you say, try to save myself for
+the glorious finish that you picture."</p>
+
+<p>The arrival of Jim in the old car and Landy's clamorous calls broke up
+the conference. Davy hurried out to join his <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91">[91]</a></span>friend in their planned
+trip to the B-line ranch. He was very quiet in the hazards of Brushy
+Fork, but on arriving at the level stretch beyond he stopped Landy.
+"What am I going to name this colt, Landy? He's got to have a name, if
+he's to be taught to do things. Old Boss Fletcher had a name for every
+elephant in the herd, and they would step right out when their names
+were called. Horses, dogs, elephants, even the cats quickly learned
+their names and the short words like 'halt,' 'go,' 'kneel,' 'turn,'
+and the like. This colt is smart, wants to do things, if you're not
+too dumb in telling him what you want. But he's got to have a name."</p>
+
+<p>"Alice and I were talkin' about that the other night," replied the ex
+cow-hand. "She had some flossy ones: Emperor, Commander, President, en
+sich, but I vetoed that trash, the colt couldn't carry 'em and live. I
+suggested Red, er Monty, er some sich. Thar we adjourned and left the
+colt without a moniker. What's yer notion of a name fer this little
+hoss?"</p>
+
+<p>"I just can't think of the right one," said Davy resignedly. "It
+wouldn't do to name him after some of the folks around here, that
+would mix things up. The circus folks have worn out such names as
+Barnum, Ringling, Robinson, Bailey, Coles, Sells, Barnes, Wallace, and
+others and they don't fit a small hoss anyhow. I am in hopes that this
+fine, smart Adine girl at the B-line has some sort of a suggestion.
+Maybe, she's got a name that will do."</p>
+
+<p>At a favorable place on the narrow road where the travelers could gaze
+down on a bunch of the B-line cattle quietly grazing and where the
+morning sun splashed varied colors on the distant hills, Davy pushed
+his mount in front of old Gravy to halt the party. He flung his hand
+in a wide sweep to include everything in sight.</p>
+
+<p>"That's Paradise, Landy. It's what I've dreamed about for the last ten
+years. It's the wide open spaces filled with all the variations in old
+Nature's book of scenery. And best of all, there's no mob of nit-wits
+to titter and smirk. It's my Heaven.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92">[92]</a></span>"Just now, two things blur the picture; I want to get this speech
+thing off my hands, and I want to find a resister, a sass-back, a
+contrary cuss, that will argue back at me. I want to keep him nearby
+to remind me of old times. Why back two years ago, I used to visit old
+Polo Garrett, who had the concession in the menagerie tent, just to
+get cussed out. Polo's vocabulary was limited to sassing back. 'What's
+eatin' ya?,' 'Git outa here,' 'Who's a-running this dump?' 'Whar do ya
+git that stuff?' were his mildest phrases. When I got fed up on a
+bunch of simpering women and their, 'ain't he cute?' stuff, all I had
+to do was to barge in on Polo and get cussed out and learn that the
+world wasn't all gush and guff.</p>
+
+<p>"And particularly I need this 'argufyer' right out here now. I'm
+getting tired of having my own way. The people are too kind, too
+considerate, regard me as a child to be petted and pampered. There's
+too much mushy sentiment. A day or two ago, I told Mrs. Gillis my life
+history. It was mushy and without climax. She wanted to cry over it.
+This morning, before you came to the Point, I gave Welborn a big going
+over about his working all the time. And he never sassed back. He
+should have kicked me out. Instead of that, he agreed with me. Him, a
+big, strong man that had made a gangster eat his gun and ordered the
+judge and sheriff what to do! The idea! Him letting a midget order him
+around! What we need here is a good cusser-outer."</p>
+
+<p>"You're too late," said Landy dryly. "You've missed yer appointment by
+about forty years. We had a party up state wunst, that filled all yer
+requirements. Hit was a woman. She'd fuss at the sun fer comin' up, an
+cuss hit fer goin' down. She buried three husbands en was deserted by
+several more. At her death, en in honor of the happy event, they named
+a little crick after her. They called hit Crazy Woman's Crick.... Hi,
+Potter," Landy called, as they approached the stables of the B-line
+ranch. "Git that gate opened and throw out yer welcome rug."</p>
+
+<p>"Troubles never come single, they come in bunches," grumbled Potter as
+he complied. "Two hosses go lame this <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93">[93]</a></span>mornin', en Jim Finch, the
+grazing commissioner, comes from up on the Mad Trapper Fork a-callin'
+on us fer help to round up some of old Hull Barrow's misfits of horns,
+hoofs, and hides, en to add further miseries, here you arrive on the
+scene. Why, Peaches gave out strict orders, that if old Turkeyneck
+came prowlin' around, to say, that she wasn't at home at all en to
+tell the little gent to ride right into the house."</p>
+
+<p>"Who said that?" demanded Davy, with alacrity.</p>
+
+<p>"Why, Peaches, Miss Adine, she said if old Landy&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"Ye, Ho!" yelled Davy excitedly. "This colt is named. That's it!
+Peaches! Why didn't we think of that before, Landy?" Davy patted the
+colt's neck affectionately. "That's your name, old boy, Peaches!"</p>
+
+<p>Hearing the outcry, Adine Lough came out of the house, and down the
+graveled way. "Good morning," she called. "I was expecting you. My,
+but he's handsome," she exclaimed, examining the little horse that
+arched his neck in approval of the inspection. "You look like a
+gallant cavalier out of the old picture books."</p>
+
+<p>"We've just named him," said Davy proudly. "We named him after you.
+His name is Peaches."</p>
+
+<p>"Ah, pshaw," said the girl, laughing and blushing. "That's just a
+nickname that these men out here call me behind my back, of course,
+and the poor colt deserves a better fate. But come in, both of you, I
+have good news." The girl led the way into the hall. "You go in and
+visit with grandpa, Landy, while we talk shop in the library.</p>
+
+<p>"I talked with the Nazarene preacher and he's very enthusiastic over
+the plan and prospects," Adine explained after they were settled in
+the workshop. "I told him of the ad, that I was to run in the paper
+and he's somewhat of an artist and is putting up signs all over town.
+It augurs a good crowd, the biggest ever to assemble in Adot. He plays
+an accordion and his wife sings and they have arranged for a quartette
+of girls to sing a couple of numbers and then you are to talk. The
+meeting is to be held in Joe Burns's big <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94">[94]</a></span>warehouse and it won't hold
+the people. Now this is not a church meeting, it's an entertainment.
+You can laugh and applaud at will. You can tell funny stories about
+circuses or what-have-you, it's informal, go as far as you like!"</p>
+
+<p>"Well, here's how I had mapped out the talk. I'll tell 'em something
+about midgets," said Davy, "for midgets seem to be a forgotten subject
+in literature. If you will comb your college library down at Boulder,
+you'll not find a single book on the subject, and I am not sure that I
+know enough about 'em to fill out a talk on the subject."</p>
+
+<p>"That's the very subject you ought to talk on. Why I can hardly wait
+to hear it. Who better can tell it? If you are short of facts, just
+romance a little, that's allowable where facts are scarce. Tell 'em
+personal incidents and don't make 'em too solemn or pathetic. Make 'em
+laugh. Personally, I'm going to get a close-up seat, for in that big
+barn of a place I doubt if you can reach the outer fringes."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, if the preacher gent can make himself heard, I can too,"
+retorted Davy. "I practiced up on that stuff, there's where I
+specialized. You see, Miss Adine, when I joined up with the Singer
+Midgets at Saint Louis, I didn't have an act, a specialty, anything to
+give the public. I just joined up because Baron Singer was collecting
+midgets, showing 'em a good time, with no thought of making a profit.
+But it did make profit. The public wanted to see midgets.</p>
+
+<p>"It was my first contact with my clan. I noticed that midgets didn't
+change their voices when they reached maturity, still spoke in
+childish tones. Not having much to do, I practiced voice culture,
+deepened and strengthened my speech. I made my voice reach to the back
+seats. It earned me a job. I became the announcer; made the
+in-front-of-the-curtain talks. In the summer, with the Big Top, I
+often simulated the ringmaster to make announcements from the center
+ring. It was a feature all right, seeing a little guy doing a big
+man's job.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh I'll make 'em hear all right, but what they are to hear is the
+problem. To the midget stuff I thought I would <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95">[95]</a></span>add a few paragraphs
+about circus people, the different kinds and what they do. The general
+public never contacts the real circus people, just the ticket takers,
+ushers, and roustabouts. They never meet the managers and performers.
+And because grafters, shilabers, and skin-game artists follow
+circuses, the public thinks these are a part of it. It's only fair to
+circus people that this connection be denied."</p>
+
+<p>"Why, I didn't know that," exclaimed Adine, "I just supposed the
+grafters were a part of it. Here I am, learning a lot of things and
+school not yet started. Anyhow, I'm going to buy a ticket for Mrs.
+Carmody and inveigle her to the entertainment. She said circus people
+ought not be allowed to participate in a church benefit.</p>
+
+<p>"Now you are to come over here Saturday morning. Bring Landy with you,
+as we can all three ride to Adot in my roadster. There, we will lay
+the top back, and with you between us, sitting up on the back cushion,
+we'll parade the town. The door opens at seven o'clock. Performance
+begins at seven-thirty. Then we come back here for the night and you
+can ride home Sunday morning. You can talk for an hour if you want to,
+but you should speak for thirty minutes at least."</p>
+
+<br />
+<br />
+<br />
+<br />
+<a name="Chapter_10" id="Chapter_10"></a><hr />
+<br />
+
+<h3>10<span class="totoc"><a href="#toc">ToC</a></span></h3>
+<br />
+
+<p>"Are you going to live here always?" asked Davy as he slid down off
+the dictionary and chair at the end of the conference. "What I mean is
+this, Adine," he added, noting the girl's questioning look. "Are you
+going to spend your life out here in the sticks, with cattle, horses,
+and a few yokels that you have to ride miles and miles, before you see
+two of 'em together?"</p>
+
+<p>"Why, this is my home, I belong here, the same as other young people
+live with their folks," replied the girl, <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96">[96]</a></span>somewhat startled by the
+abruptness of the question. "I haven't planned to shift pastures, as
+grandaddy would say. Why are you asking such an abrupt, personal
+question?"</p>
+
+<p>"Well, it is sorta personal and rather abrupt," agreed the midget in
+an appeasing tone. "I should have made the approach with more finesse.
+Abruptness is one of my defects. But now that I've blundered in, I'd
+just as well finish. You don't belong out here in the wide open
+spaces, in these sparse settlements. You belong in the congested
+areas, where big things are being done, where there's planning,
+execution, accomplishment. Why, you've taken over both ends of a
+little hoss trade, laid out all the plans, details and ground work for
+a community entertainment, and did it with the ease of a big executive
+lighting a cigarette. You need a big job, in a big place. With your
+personality and head-work, you can climb up the ladder to the top
+rung."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, of all things!" said the girl, embarrassed at the unexpected
+drift, but laughing at the implications. "And this from a guy that has
+fled the mob and wants me to take his place. Now just what big job
+have you laid out for me? Running a circus? Managing a theater? Or
+maybe operating a railroad?"</p>
+
+<p>"You could make a success with any or all of 'em," retorted Davy. "But
+none of these were in my mind. Some women want a career. Some gain it
+by their own efforts and some climb to success on a ladder supported
+by others. Then there is the big majority&mdash;many of 'em brilliant and
+capable&mdash;that just settle down in the doldrums of marriage and let
+their talents rust out in negligence and inattention."</p>
+
+<p>"Then I'm not to marry?"</p>
+
+<p>"You ought to. A gal as attractive, vivacious, and clever as you are,
+would have to marry&mdash;in self-defense, if for no other reason. Marriage
+need not interfere. It might help. With that hazard and gamble out of
+the way, it would allow you to expand your talents in planning,
+executing, and managing in any line you choose."</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_97" id="Page_97">[97]</a></span>"And about when do you plan that this defense marriage&mdash;this shotgun
+wedding&mdash;is to take place?" questioned Adine scornfully. "And who's
+the victim?"</p>
+
+<p>"Now that's a candle-flame that I'll keep my fingers out of," said
+Davy hastily. "Judge Vane told me once a person who advises or mixes
+in on the marriage relations of others is liable in damages. And
+anyhow, sane people don't run matrimonial agencies. In that debacle,
+you're on your own. I'm promoting talent, not running a marriage
+bureau. And I don't want the side show to dim the performance in the
+big top. You've got talent, personality, ability to influence others,
+and whether you are solo in the orchestra or doubling in brass in the
+matrimonial band makes no difference. You ought to be directing the
+mob instead of listening to a lone midget."</p>
+
+<p>Adine Lough laughed, not at the text, but the homely comparisons of
+the little man that, standing hat in hand, was earnestly and seriously
+throwing bouquets of compliments and darts of poignant facts right in
+her face. And both the flowers and darts were coming from an
+unexpected source. With the delicate matrimonial problem swept
+completely aside, she felt that this new-found friend, in his
+nation-wide travels and a million contacts, was really sincere in some
+of his estimates and was trying to be helpful in his blunt, abrupt
+appraisals. Anyhow, she was reconciled to that view.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, I never had so many compliments in all my life! I didn't know
+that you were a student of sociology&mdash;could estimate capabilities and
+get everyone in their right groove. I should have been conferring with
+you, for I have an unsolved problem, bigger than any you've
+mentioned." Adine had ceased her scorning tones; now she was asking
+for an answer. She motioned Davy to a footstool.</p>
+
+<p>"Why, I didn't know that you had a care in the world. As Polo Garrett
+used to say, 'What's eatin' ya?'"</p>
+
+<p>"My problem is my family. I'm the only one left that is <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_98" id="Page_98">[98]</a></span>able to do
+things. There is little I can do to aid the ones that are sick and I
+am making no progress in keeping these two big, clumsy ranches out of
+bankruptcy.</p>
+
+<p>"Father, as you know, is in the hospital in Omaha and mother was
+called there three weeks ago. The trivial ulcers have developed into
+something worse. Daddy went to Omaha to be near the market that was
+tumbling, crashing, and bringing on bankruptcy to stock raisers. He
+hoped to find a solution, hoped to learn that the end of the disaster
+was in sight. He had been cutting production for four years; surely a
+period of scarcity was at hand, he wanted to be ready.</p>
+
+<p>"Meanwhile he consulted a specialist on a matter of stomach ulcers,
+only to encounter a more serious condition. A dozen years ago, in one
+season, he had sold eighty thousand dollars worth of livestock from
+these two ranches. Just now, he has sold breeding stock until there's
+little left. Now these recent sales were made not to get money, but to
+reduce the supply, to meet conditions. Money needs were not serious
+until both banks failed two years ago, and then it became a calamity.
+And now, my young counselor, adviser, flatterer, and friend, do you
+think I should seek a job in the congested areas?"</p>
+
+<p>"Well, it does appear that you are involved in a lot of
+responsibility, and surely have a big problem on your hands. You speak
+of two ranches. Where's the other one?"</p>
+
+<p>"Really, it's all one," the girl explained, "but Grandaddy keeps up
+the pretense of operating one of his own&mdash;wants to compete with Father
+in management&mdash;in livestock, in methods. It's the Old Pioneer versus
+the Progressive. Longhorn versus thoroughbred, and Daddy indulges and
+encourages him in the plan.</p>
+
+<p>"You see, Grandfather had settled on Grant's Fork (that's about four
+miles west); he had built a cabin and stables, long before the
+surveyors came. 'They surveyed me in,' was his frequent statement. And
+there he lived and carried on until Father grew up, married, and built
+this home. <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99">[99]</a></span>Grandfather registered his cattle brand as the Bowline. It
+is a bent bow with a taut string. Father carried the same brand, but
+folks began calling it the B-line and both ranches go by that name.
+And it's really one to the outsider. The difference in methods and in
+management is best illustrated by the fact that in the fall,
+Grandfather takes a week to drive his finished product to the pens at
+the railroad siding, while Father trucks a full carload over there in
+the early morning.</p>
+
+<p>"But in all these years there never was any distinction in ownership
+of property or chattels. If Grandfather wanted a stack of hay or a
+roll of fencing he came and got it. He would call on Daddy's men for
+help as freely as he would call his own. They paid each other's bills
+without any accounting and there was never any friction, until now.
+Now, the problem of all these past years is dumped right in my lap. I
+don't know how to handle it. I am desperate for advice, so desperate
+that I now seek the counsel of the Oracle of the Footlights, the
+Mystic of the Sawdust Ring. Wilt thou help me, Sire?" concluded Adine,
+as she bowed in mock distress to the little man squirming on the
+footstool.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, I don't see that you need help. You've done all that is needful
+and possible. You can't heal the sick, stop a financial depression, or
+retard old age, but you've left nothing undone. Your problem is
+already solved."</p>
+
+<p>"We haven't reached the insoluble part," said Adine gravely. "I've
+just given you the details leading up to it. I have shown that there
+were two ranches, two plans of management, an intermingling of assets,
+and never the least bit of friction. Yet there is one thing in which
+they are as far apart as the two poles: Father always banks his money,
+and Grandaddy never did. It doesn't seem possible for a person to live
+as long as Grandfather has and not use a bank. Back in the early days,
+he wore a money belt with gold in it. In later years he had what he
+calls a keyster, a metal box with lock and key where he keeps paper
+money. He is not a miser; he pays bills promptly and gives generously.
+The <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100">[100]</a></span>keyster was never hidden. It might be left on the table or mantel
+or, because of its weight, it might be used as a door prop. So far as
+I know, no one ever cheated him, and surely no one had the nerve to
+try to take it by force.</p>
+
+<p>"Grandmother died before I was born. After her death, and while Father
+was setting up business over here, the Craigs moved in with Grandaddy.
+They were young people, brother and sister, Joe and Myrah, and they
+have been there ever since. Now just who the Craigs are I do not know.
+There is an old rumor among the cow hands that Grandaddy was paying
+off some sort of an old romantic debt when he took them in. It must
+have been a far-flung romance, for the Craigs reputedly came from up
+in the Wind River district.</p>
+
+<p>"At any rate there they are. Myrah is a good housekeeper and has been
+a good caretaker of an aged man. Joe was never a cow man. He has a
+crippled hand. In his young days he roamed the country as a hunter and
+trapper. He cuts the wood, builds the fires, and runs the errands;
+just a lackey boy, and is still just that.</p>
+
+<p>"When Father came to Omaha this last time, Grandaddy came over here
+occasionally. He would bring the keyster and pay the bills. Finally,
+as Father's stay was prolonged, I persuaded Grandfather to headquarter
+over here. I fixed up the front room for his convenience. He seems
+contented with the fireplace and Morris chair. I could have gotten
+along all right but the matter of finances bothered me. With the banks
+closed, we have little money available. Even if we had a considerable
+sum, I wouldn't know where to keep it. A cupboard or desk seemed an
+insecure place and my financial experience has been limited to a
+little money purse with small change and probably only one bill. Just
+now, Grandfather's keyster is the Rock of Gibraltar, the financial
+prop that is sustaining the whole structure. But what about this prop?
+How strong is it? Will it outlast the depression? I don't know. I
+doubt if Father would know, if he were here. He <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101">[101]</a></span>and Grandaddy might
+exchange quips or gibes over the matter of sales or production but
+they didn't broadcast as to funds on hand.</p>
+
+<p>"Truly, I don't care to know how much money is in Grandaddy's keyster,
+that's his affair. But it's irksome and tragic not to know one's
+limitations. Tomorrow the whole structure may crumble and fall, for
+lack of another dollar.</p>
+
+<p>"My relations with Grandaddy are peculiar. He was sorely disappointed
+that I wasn't a boy. He tolerates me and that's about all. To him,
+women are a liability, not an asset. He regards them as a necessary
+evil. If anything important is to be done, it must be done by a man.
+If he is irritated by some woman's accomplishments he growls out: 'Men
+fought for and won the territory and women followed in to take
+possession.' And for this reason it was an easy matter to induce him
+to come over here with his keyster and take charge. He just couldn't
+conceive that a girl could manage a business.</p>
+
+<p>"But notwithstanding his disappointments and my timidity, we've gotten
+along very well. When I go away to school he always slips me a bill or
+two for spending money. I could feel that he resented my buying a car,
+yet he pays for my gasoline without complaint. His bias, prejudice,
+and vindictiveness doesn't apply to the members of his immediate
+family, but it does apply intensely and vigorously to others. It's
+this peculiarity that might wreck the works at this critical time.</p>
+
+<p>"It's a family tradition that Grandaddy never went in debt for
+anything. If he hadn't the cash to pay, he didn't buy. But just now,
+they are closing out the Bar-O ranch lands, cattle, chattels, and it's
+ill repute. If Grandaddy knew of this sale, he would spend every dime
+in that keyster of his, and go in debt as far as he could, in order to
+own this thing that has been a life's obsession. And if he were to
+spend this money, be it much or little, this B-line would be
+<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_102" id="Page_102">[102]</a></span>bankrupt. I have tried to keep the news of this sale away from
+Grandaddy just to avoid this catastrophe. If it comes, I am helpless."</p>
+
+<p>During this recital, Adine was seated facing Davy on the footstool.
+There were lines in her face that Davy had never seen, a near quaver
+in her voice that he had never heard. The Sir Galahad of the Sawdust
+Ring had surely found a maiden in dire distress. He wriggled on his
+seat, mustering comforting words.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, I don't want to offend by poo-pooing your troubles," said Davy
+as consolingly as he could. "Sickness is always bad, but everything is
+being done that's possible; your grandfather's acts couldn't work much
+harm. You don't owe anything to anybody; your needs are few; your
+expenses are at a minimum. There will be a moratorium on taxes and
+your few employees would readily accept a note in lieu of cash, and
+friends like Mrs. Gillis would gladly come to the rescue if quick
+funds are needed. Frankly, you are a long way from Trouble River and
+you should not worry about crossing it until you reach the brink.</p>
+
+<p>"And that's that," said the little man, brushing his hands as if the
+matter were fully settled. "Now tell me about this Bar-O thing. Is
+this the same affair that Mister Potter spoke of? What's the grazing
+master got to do, in folding up a ranch? Why would your grandfather
+get all het up if he heard about it? Where is this Bar-O property?
+Maybe in this tragic drama, there is a comedy part that I could play."</p>
+
+<p>"There's no comedy in this local drama," said Adine, resuming her
+challenging attitude. "And you brush the tragedies into the
+wastebasket like mere dross. A while ago, you were assigning me to big
+jobs in the congested areas while you were to idle around in the wide
+open spaces. Just now, I would put you back in some city as a public
+relations officer, a Mister Fixit, to diagnose and cure personal and
+community ills. You would fix 'em or discard 'em instantly.</p>
+
+<p>"But, badinage aside, I know very little of the Bar-O <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103">[103]</a></span>entanglements
+and complications. It's an old story. Grandaddy knows all about it but
+he doesn't talk. There are few facts and many rumors. For three
+generations it's been a sort of a gnaw-bone, to be dug up and chewed
+on when there's nothing else. It's a musty old tradition, a sort of a
+remnant of the old days, that present day newsmongers use as a
+yardstick for comparisons. If a modern domestic complication breaks
+out, the current gossip outmatches it by the entanglements in the
+Barrow family. If it's murder, robbery, or arson, some of the Barrows
+did worse and got away with it.</p>
+
+<p>"Just now, some current chapters are being written. Mister Logan, the
+receiver of the bank of Adot, has foreclosed a mortgage on the real
+estate and seeks possession. Mister Finch, the grazing master, always
+lenient and forebearing, is seeking to recover past due payments. This
+may be the final chapter. Grim facts are taking the place of hearsay."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, just where is this land of romantic tragedy and domestic
+infelicity?" questioned Davy. "How come that the movie people haven't
+taken it over to fit their verbiage: thrilling, stupendous, smashing,
+wondrous, and so forth?"</p>
+
+<p>"Well, if the movie people have as much trouble getting on the
+property as the sheriff and Mister Finch are having, they wouldn't get
+a very clear picture and the story would be limited to their own
+misfortunes. Up to now, old Hulls Barrow has stood 'em off with a gun.
+They don't want to kill him and they can't get possession.</p>
+
+<p>"Now this Bar-O ranch is just over the hogback, south of us. There is
+no road, just a trail over the ridge. The Barrows use the other road.
+I don't know how big it is. The surveys in these hills stay in the
+valleys; the lines run from point to promontory. The units are miles,
+not rods. Tranquil Meadows, a fine area of grassland, is just south of
+the Bar-O. Had the Silver Falls project been a success, the government
+would have done the same with the Meadows tract. A road blasted
+through the hills would have connected the two tracts.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_104" id="Page_104">[104]</a></span>"Old Matt Barrow was one of the early settlers. Grandfather's feud
+with him had early beginnings. I don't think it was personal, for they
+rarely met. Grandaddy was outstanding as a law enforcer and here was a
+petty offender right under his nose. Barrow had no cattle brand until
+they made him use one. He was uneducated, couldn't spell his own name,
+and his name, in the records, is spelled in several ways. He had no
+fences and would employ any misfit or doubtful that came along. He
+seemed to prey on one side of the ridge and sell on the other. But in
+all the years he escaped conviction of even a minor offense. In an
+early day, a lone prospector was missing. Everybody had ideas, but no
+evidence. Dan Hale's stacks were burned. No evidence. And so it ran
+through the years.</p>
+
+<p>"Barrow raised two boys. This Hulls, who is standing off the law with
+a gun, and Archie, who disappeared in about a year after Maizie came.
+The boys surely must have had a mother, but there is no record or
+rumor of a death or burial. The same is true of old Clemmy Pruitt, who
+went there to live. Old Matt Barrow must have maintained a private
+cemetery and conducted the funerals.</p>
+
+<p>"The boys, Hulls and Archie, grew up to be old bachelors. They carried
+on in about the same fashion as the old man. Maybe they visited the
+settlements and got drunk oftener than he did, but the Bar-O continued
+as a mystery and a sore spot in a neighborhood that was struggling up
+from primitive ways." Adine paused to chuckle a bit at the midget's
+interest in the recital. The little man's eyes were glued on the
+speaker, he missed never a word.</p>
+
+<p>"You are marveling how I know so much about a thing that is based on
+hearsay and rumors," continued the narrator as she pointed to a
+manuscript on the table. "There are my notes for my thesis, 'Social
+Work in Rural Communities.' It's full of notes and comments on the
+rumors and hearsay about the Barrow family. In every community the
+exception to the rule is played up as the feature story. In
+Pittsburgh <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_105" id="Page_105">[105]</a></span>it's steel; in Boston, the Back Bay district gets the
+headlines; in Charleston, it's the Colonial homes that are featured.
+The mine-run folks get no mention. Here in Henry County, it's the
+Barrow family. In my notes, I simply list 'em as rumors, letting the
+reader be the judge. And now, let's get along to the final chapter.</p>
+
+<p>"Maizie came to the Barrows about ten years ago. Where from, nobody
+knew, but there were many unconfirmed rumors. It was given out that
+her last name was Menardi. Whether this was her family name or
+acquired by marriage, was not stated. Maizie took over&mdash;house, corral,
+and ranch. She made but few changes in the material things, but the
+two old bachelors and the occasional cow hands were certainly speeded
+up. Old Jeff Stoups, who had been a retainer since the days of old
+Matt, quit. 'A woman boss is bad enough, but a hellion is wu's,' was
+Jeff's statement.</p>
+
+<p>"I have never seen Maizie in all these years. She is rarely away from
+the Bar-O. Her public appearances are limited to a few rare visits to
+the stores and a few days spent in court. Mr. Phillips, on her first
+visit to the drygoods store, described her as dazzling and imperious.
+Mrs. Phillips describes her as being near thirty years old, tall,
+rather graceful, regular features, a perpetual sneer, coal-black hair
+and a coppery skin never seen on another. Her dress was normal, with
+few adornments. She was bareheaded, wore mannish gloves, and sported
+large circlet earrings. She differed little in appearance from other
+women; her voice was low and deep; she could read. She bought books
+and magazines.</p>
+
+<p>"Our Charley Case (the comedians around the stables call him
+Flinthead) furnished the caricature of the lady. He was coming back
+from Grandaddy's south pasture and rode the trail past the Bar-O to
+see what he could see. He pictured Maizie as wearing overalls, a man's
+shirt with the tail out, a big slouch hat, and buckskin gloves. She
+was directing Jeff Stoups about digging a post hole.</p>
+
+<p>"And then came an added feature to the strange <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_106" id="Page_106">[106]</a></span>personnel. About a
+month after Maizie's arrival, a young man was occasionally seen around
+the Bar-O. He was neither cow hand nor laborer. His status was that of
+a constant visitor. He quartered with the family, if Hulls, Archie,
+and Maizie would be called a family, instead of living at the
+bunkhouse. Old Jeff referred to him as a dude, but the comment applied
+to mannerisms rather than clothes. He dressed as a townsman; he
+frequented the poolroom and Gatty's doggery. He announced his name as
+Steve Adams, said that he was Maizie's nephew. He played a fancy game
+of pool and drank in moderation.</p>
+
+<p>"Questioned by the curious, he talked freely but always about places
+and conditions elsewhere. He knew nothing about local affairs. That
+summer he made frequent trips. On his return he would report having
+been to Chicago, Kansas City, Denver. A later checkup revealed that he
+was telling the truth. And these truthful stories were exasperating.
+They explained nothing. The Bar-O, with its mixed up domestic
+complications, was still an isolated enigma.</p>
+
+<p>"That fall was the time of the great train robbery. The event occurred
+at the same time as the local raid on Gatty's Quart Shop. The world
+news was minimized by the local affair. We gave it little thought. In
+the week following, several cattle men headquartered here and at
+Grandaddy's. They inspected several herds to include the Bar-O outfit.
+And later still, they raided the Bar-O premises. They were railroad
+detectives, posing as cattle buyers. They were too late. They got
+nothing but some bits of evidence that the train robbers had used the
+Bar-O as a hangout. Maizie explained to the detectives and sheriff
+that the strangers represented themselves as mineral prospectors. They
+worked in the hills in the daytime. They left in the evening following
+the cattle inspection. She reported that her nephew, Steve Adams, was
+in Chicago, had been there for several weeks. A check up revealed that
+this was true.</p>
+
+<p>"A further check up revealed that these strangers had <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_107" id="Page_107">[107]</a></span>stayed all
+night at the Unicorn Ranch near Northgate. Abel Sneed, the Unicorn
+boss, as a matter of precaution went through their 'war bags' while
+they slept. He found nothing unusual, surely no money.</p>
+
+<p>"What became of this giant sum that was blasted out of the safe after
+wounding the messenger? Neither the detectives nor anyone else ever
+found a trace of it. But a further enigma was added to the mystery
+when a month later Archie Barrow, the younger brother, came to the
+Records office and made a deed of his undivided share in the Bar-O
+lands to his brother Hulls. Archie made the statement that he was
+through, was leaving for the Northwest, and that he would not return.</p>
+
+<p>"Hulls Barrow surely didn't get the Express Company's money. A year or
+two later Maizie brought him to town to give the bank a mortgage to
+secure funds to defend Steve Adams, charged with murdering Allie
+Garrett. Maizie hired a firm of Denver lawyers and the case went
+through all the complications of venue, trial, and appeal.</p>
+
+<p>"This trial was the community's biggest event, although it had origin
+in a barroom brawl. During its progress, business was suspended while
+the public swarmed in, hoping that the truth of the Barrow mysteries
+might be revealed. The public was disappointed. Steve Adams never took
+the witness stand, although many thought he had an even chance to
+convince a jury that he was not the aggressor. The prosecutor was
+materially aided in the case by Judge Griffith of Laramie. There was
+no record as to who paid Judge Griffith, but Grandaddy was highly
+gratified that the accused got a ten-year sentence. He was one man in
+the community that knew of Griffith's ability as a prosecutor.</p>
+
+<p>"And now that old mortgage is being foreclosed. The Bar-O is on the
+market at a forced sale. If Grandaddy knew about it, he wouldn't sleep
+until he owned it. If he were ten years younger he would go over there
+and shoot it out with Hulls Barrow for the possession. And he needs
+more land <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_108" id="Page_108">[108]</a></span>about as badly as he needs ten thumbs on one hand. He
+already owns all that joins his, his holdings envelope the Bar-O on
+three sides. He might covet the grazing rights in the Tranquil Meadows
+district, but two of our winter grazing meadows will lay idle this
+winter and our fifty ricks of hay are about four times more than we
+can use.</p>
+
+<p>"Really, Grandaddy doesn't want more land, wouldn't buy other
+adjoining land, but he would spend every available cent to get rid of
+the Barrows. I have two slender, lingering hopes. First, if he does
+find out about the sale and buys it, that there will still be money
+left in the keyster. And secondly, if he should buy it, I hope I can
+persuade him to sell it to some first class, reputable rancher.
+Someone with a family with whom we can be neighborly and the men folks
+can exchange work in the busy season."</p>
+
+<p>"How much is this mortgage thing?" questioned Davy, as the lengthy
+story seemed near the end. "What's due the grazing master? How many
+cattle are they running? When is this sale? Who can I see about the
+details? Maybe I could find somebody to take over. And anyhow, don't
+you worry about expense money. Mrs. Gillis has enough cash-on-hand to
+take care of all of us, unless this panic grows into a financial
+cyclone."</p>
+
+<p>"Mister Potter, out at the stables, knows most of the details. Mister
+Finch and a deputy sheriff were here this morning, talking it over
+with him. As I understand it, Mister Logan, the bank receiver, bought
+the land at the sale, but it seems that a bank receiver can't hold the
+land, he must sell it to make cash assets. Mister Logan has the bank's
+affairs in good shape, except for this item, and it's got him badly
+worried. Just now, he thinks it would have been better to have sold
+the note and mortgage to someone and let the buyer take the grief of
+getting possession. Anyhow, talk to Mister Potter, he has the answers
+to most of your questions. See him, by all means," urged Adine Lough
+as Davy prepared to join the impatient Landy standing at the door.</p>
+
+<br />
+<br />
+<br />
+<br />
+<a name="Chapter_11" id="Chapter_11"></a><hr />
+<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_109" id="Page_109">[109]</a></span><br />
+
+<h3>11<span class="totoc"><a href="#toc">ToC</a></span></h3>
+<br />
+
+<p>"We've got a lot of work cut out for us," said Davy as he and Landy
+walked down the drive to the stables. "I want to talk to Potter, but I
+don't want to show too much interest. I want to get some information
+about this Barrow resistance that's got 'em all stirred up. How big is
+this Bar-O ranch anyhow? How much money does this receiver gent need
+to have to get in the clear? How much is owed on the grazing
+allotment? And how come that a sheriff's posse can't depose one old
+man?"</p>
+
+<p>"Old Jim and I were jist talkin' about this same thing," said Landy as
+they paused at the yard gate.</p>
+
+<p>"Does Mr. Lough know about it?" exclaimed the astonished midget.
+"Adine didn't want him to know! Who tipped it off to him?"</p>
+
+<p>Landy chuckled as he fingered the gate latch. "Old Jim's been 'round a
+right smart time, en he don't confer with young women on business
+matters. He read the leetle fine print legal ad in the papers en he
+sent his handyman, Joe Craig, to Logan, the receiver gent, en got all
+the details."</p>
+
+<p>"Does he want the ranch?" questioned Davy.</p>
+
+<p>"Naw!" scorned Landy. "Old Jim says hit will be eight years before the
+ranchin' business can git back on hits feet, en by that time he'll be
+moulderin' dust en dry bones. Old Jim's still harpin' on that funeral
+business. Now he plans to hold a big barbecue en send out invitations.
+Jim's got the money all right, but he wants to spend hit on a big,
+spread-eagle funeral."</p>
+
+<p>"Adine should know about this. It will save her a lot of worry," said
+Davy, and he hastened back to the house. Presently he rejoined his
+companion, who was watching a party of horsemen coming down the lane
+back of the stables.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_110" id="Page_110">[110]</a></span>"Looks like a retreat," was Landy's comment. "I don't see eny scalps
+a-hangin' on their spears."</p>
+
+<p>"How big is this Bar-O affair, how many acres?" questioned the little
+man.</p>
+
+<p>"They don't measure in acres," said Landy, still watching the
+approaching party. "Old Jim says hit's about eight sections, four wide
+and two deep."</p>
+
+<p>"How big is this judgment? How much money would this receiver and
+grazing master have to have to get 'em in the clear? What's the
+friction that they can't get these resisting parties to see the
+inevitable?"</p>
+
+<p>"Thar's Logan en Finch, with Flinthead en Hickory," exclaimed Landy,
+as the horsemen approached the far gate. "She's a water-haul. Old
+Hulls has stood 'em off ag'in. Now about yer questions. If ya would
+put' em through the chute, one at a time, 'stead of pushin' 'em up in
+droves, I could answer better. On the money question, I git this from
+old Jim. He gits hit from Joe Craig, en he got hit from Logan, so I
+guess hit's right. The original note was three thousand dollars. They
+overdrew en added some. The int'rest en costs runs hit to forty-two
+hundred. The grass bill is less'n three hundred. The whole biz is near
+forty-five hundred."</p>
+
+<p>"Why, a little performing elephant is worth that!" scorned the midget.
+"The script of a good vaudeville act would sell for twice as much.
+What's the matter with the local moneychangers? What's the whole thing
+worth anyhow? Why doesn't some diplomat wheedle old Hulls off? And
+why&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"How much is yer little elephant earnin' now, eatin' his head off in
+winter quarters?" interrupted Landy dryly. "Whar would ye show yer
+vaudeville act with the show places all closed? Hit's the same here en
+all over.</p>
+
+<p>"Ef I was a young man, I'd take a fling at this thing," said Landy
+soberly. "She's wuth about ten times the amount asked. Alice has a
+leetle money, not that much maybe, en she's purty tight, yit hit might
+be done. Old Jim Lough is <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_111" id="Page_111">[111]</a></span>cautious and reliable, but he's set the
+date of the comeback too far off. Cattle is gittin' scarcer every day
+and people must eat. I'm too old to mess in, but a youngster could
+take over en double his money in five years. In ten years he'd be
+asking ten times the price he'd paid. But with the banks closed en
+investors in a financial stampede, five thousand dollars can't be
+picked outen the sage...."</p>
+
+<p>"Why, Landy! I can have five thousand dollars here in five days,"
+interrupted Davy. "If there was any way to move Hulls and Maizie out,
+I would deal with 'em before they dismounted." Davy waved his hand in
+the direction of the horsemen that had stopped at the farther corral
+to inspect the weaned calves.</p>
+
+<p>"Hulls en Maizie woulda been out long ago if they'd quit snoopin'
+around and let Hulls peddle a few cows to git money to travel on. I've
+got a musty but reliable tip Hulls is itchin' to go. Hit's too long a
+tale to tell without stim'lants, but Archie has sent fer Hulls en
+Maizie, wants 'em to come en he'p him with a roomin' house down in
+Arizony, whar they're a-buildin' a big dam, en things are boomin'.
+Hulls is shore plannin' a git-away. He thinks he can drive through en
+take some plunder with him. He's traded off his ridin' hosses fer
+harness critters. He's contracted Ike Steele fer a light spring wagon.
+With a little money in his pocket, Hulls is ready. You buy this thing,
+Son! Slip Hulls a hundred en he's out en gone.</p>
+
+<p>"Anyhow, let's listen to their talk. They've finished another failure
+en are worried. Sass 'em if ye want to, en kid 'em out of the hundred
+if ye can," was Landy's final caution as the party of horsemen
+dismounted and loitered to hear Potter and Landy's caustic comments
+before going to their car, parked outside the gate. Landy introduced
+Davy as a newcomer.</p>
+
+<p>"Ye should have had my podner here with ye this mornin'," badgered
+Landy. "His size en power mighta skeered Hulls en made him quit."</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_112" id="Page_112">[112]</a></span>Logan laughed as he pictured the midget in a contest with shaggy Hulls
+Barrow. "Maybe we could deal with Hulls," he said, "if we could get
+him away from the woman. If your young friend has a way with women,
+could lure Maizie out of hearing for a few moments, we could sure use
+him."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, I've never won any medals in contests for women's favors," said
+Davy, "but I've found that a bouquet of flattery sometimes helps. Have
+you tried the Rose-Chrysanthemum method?"</p>
+
+<p>"That's what we were trying today," said Logan resignedly, "but
+instead of roses and posies it turned out to be brickbats and
+cabbages. You see, we left the sheriff at home and took along the men
+from here, hoping to get past the guard line and count up what cattle
+is left on the place. But it was no use. The yard fence was the
+deadline. Maizie was right at Hull's elbow, commanding her one-man
+army to fire at will. Not being armed, we fell back to consolidate
+losses instead of gains. Have you any suggestions or plans?" Logan's
+reply and question was directed at Landy. Like others, in their first
+contact with midgets, he was giving Davy the status of a child. He
+could not credit him with experience or expect counsel from that
+source. Landy's reply was not comforting.</p>
+
+<p>"Wal, hit does look like a couple o' killin's en the expense of two
+funerals 'fore ye can git action. Old Matt, the daddy of 'em, is
+reported as havin' a private graveyard, scattered eround somewhar. Hit
+might come in handy in this emergency. In yer gaddin' around have ye
+ever seen enything like hit?" concluded Landy, turning to Davy.</p>
+
+<p>"I never did!" said the midget emphatically. "It's got more
+entanglements than the time Solly Monheim took the bankrupt law to
+escape bankruptcy. That's the way Solly explained it after his show
+went on the rocks at Lincoln. And anyhow," he added to Logan, "why
+don't you peddle the thing to someone else and let them take the grief
+and do the slaughtering?"</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_113" id="Page_113">[113]</a></span>"There's no slaughtering, as you call it, involved," said Logan with
+much dignity. "It's a lawful proceeding. If anyone is killed it will
+be done legally and in due process of enforcing the law."</p>
+
+<p>"So you left the law out of it, left the sheriff at home, and went
+prowling on your own. If the old belligerent had cut down on one of
+these cow hands this morning, everything would have been legal and
+orderly?"</p>
+
+<p>Davy's sarcasm struck home. Logan's face flushed. He realized that he
+was talking to an adult, not a child. He resented the criticism. But
+for the fact that the little man was a friend of Landy Spencer he
+would have made a harsh reply or ignored him entirely.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, just what is your interest in the matter?" he questioned. "I
+don't see your name on the list of bank stockholders. Maybe you are
+kin to the Barrows, sort of looking after their interests?"</p>
+
+<p>"No, I am not related to the Barrows. Never had the pleasure of ever
+seeing one of 'em. I don't know where they live, couldn't find the
+place without a guide. Wouldn't know how big it was after I'd seen it.
+I'm just an innocent bystander with big ears and a lot of curiosity.
+There is a rumor abroad that the ranch is in the hands of a receiver,
+that it's for sale, that the receiver is having some trouble about
+possession. If I could get just a few facts and find this receiver,
+I'd make him a proposition to buy it 'as is,' as the auctioneers
+sometimes say."</p>
+
+<p>"You have never seen the ranch?" questioned the astonished Logan. "You
+would bid sight-unseen for a property that you don't know where it's
+located&mdash;would accept a deed without possession? Young man, you need a
+guardian."</p>
+
+<p>"I had one once," retorted the midget, "and in the eight months of his
+management he turned over quite a lot of money to me, enough to gamble
+on, to buy a block of blue sky or a pig in a poke. Maybe there's
+enough to make a bid on a ranch, a property with a crazy man on it,
+armed with a gun and threatening to shoot intruders. If you are the
+<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_114" id="Page_114">[114]</a></span>receiver, I want to make a bid for the Bar-O ranch, as it is."</p>
+
+<p>"No bids are solicited," said Logan severely. "The judgment is for
+forty-two hundred dollars. I bid it in for that, and must account for
+that amount. Then there are expenses and costs being added from time
+to time&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"Now you've hit center," interrupted the midget. "You've pricked the
+sore spot. There are costs being added, and time being frittered, and
+nothing accomplished. It might run on this way for months, and you
+hoping to have the collection cleaned up and get the bank opened soon
+thereafter.</p>
+
+<p>"Now I'm wanting to help, wanting to get on the payroll. Here's how.
+Between now and next Thursday I'll pay you four thousand dollars for a
+deed to the Bar-O ranch. You make the consideration the full forty-two
+hundred and show, in your report, an expense of two hundred in getting
+possession. Then it's up to me to get old Shells, or Hulls, or what's
+his name, to move out. It might cost me the two hundred, it might cost
+a lot more; that's my lookout. Maybe the old guy won't move at all.
+But in any event, I shall not resort to law, won't call the sheriff to
+get killed or get action. With winter coming on and a woman mixed up
+in the case, it would be too bad to set 'em out in the snow without
+shelter or money."</p>
+
+<p>Adine Lough, more deeply interested in the outcome than any other
+person present, had come from the house to join the little party now
+congregated in front of Potter's little office building. She heard
+Davy's final proposition. She saw tough, seasoned old Landy Spencer
+furtively reach down and pat the little man on the back.</p>
+
+<p>"What about the cattle?" asked Finch, breaking the tension.</p>
+
+<p>"Are any cattle left, and how many?" Davy countered promptly.</p>
+
+<p>"I don't know," replied Finch sheepishly. "We didn't get to count 'em
+this morning. There's probably thirty or forty old cows with unweaned
+calves and a bull or two. Then <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_115" id="Page_115">[115]</a></span>there's a bunch of wild, unbranded
+yearlings, probably twenty or thirty, over on that pasture by the
+cliffs. He's got no feed, no hay put up, and has probably been selling
+off some of the better cows and calves."</p>
+
+<p>"How much are you set back in this debacle?" asked the midget,
+dropping his bantering tone.</p>
+
+<p>"The Bar-O ranch owes me, not the government; I have always advanced
+the money. Two hundred and eighty dollars. You see," Finch hastened to
+explain, "the government has an area in there that's rather
+inaccessible. They've been holding it for settlement. It's more than
+the Bar-O folks need, but there's no one else, unless I bring in sheep
+men and open up an old controversy. So, in the years past, I've
+haggled money out of the Barrows, just a little at a time, but we've
+kept friendly until now. Now, it looks like I'm up against the iron."</p>
+
+<p>"You're not so bad off," chuckled Davy, "you've had a fine lot of
+experience. Here's my proposition on your case. If the receiver
+accepts my offer of a deed without possession, I'll give you a hundred
+dollars. If I get possession in the next two years, and you allot me
+the grazing rights to that area, I'll pay you the balance. If I don't
+get possession in that time, you can charge off the balance due. Do I
+hear any takers?" said the little man, simulating the call of an
+auctioneer.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, I'm a taker," said Finch resignedly. "It's a rough road, but it
+seems the only way. What's your reaction, Logan? Are you a taker?"</p>
+
+<p>"I'm a taker, when there's anything to take. How are you to get the
+money in here?" he asked of Davy. "Without a bank, we can't handle
+checks or drafts. How do you plan the payment?"</p>
+
+<p>"Is there a telegraph station in Adot? No? Well, that's too bad. If
+there was a commercial pay station there, I could have the money here
+this afternoon. As it is, I suppose I would have to have the actual
+currency shipped by express <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_116" id="Page_116">[116]</a></span>to Laramie or Cheyenne. Where do you do
+banking?" he asked of Logan.</p>
+
+<p>"I have an account with the Guaranty at Laramie and with the First
+National at Cheyenne. I hope to have our bank here opened by the
+holidays."</p>
+
+<p>"The holidays would be too late. Hulls might kill somebody, or
+voluntarily move out and spoil the trade. Also, I'll have to have
+added money&mdash;have to open an account to get funds with which to
+appease Hulls or to live on, while I am working at it. I have never
+been in Laramie and I nearly got killed in Cheyenne, so I'll open an
+account at Cheyenne. If you say you'll trade, I'll get on the phone
+and have the cash or an acceptable draft in Cheyenne as soon as the
+mail can get it there."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, I guess I'll trade," said Logan resignedly. "This Barrow thing
+is the last outstanding debt due the bank. I hope the judge will
+approve my report of the matter, so that I can get the bank opened by
+Christmas. We will have to go to town and draw up a contract. Can you
+go today?"</p>
+
+<p>"Well, I will have to go somewhere to get on a long distance telephone
+about sending the money. Where to and how much. With the winter
+weather approaching, I may have to wallow through snowdrifts to get to
+Cheyenne, but that's a risk incident to the business."</p>
+
+<p>"We'll get you over to Cheyenne," interrupted Potter, who had shown
+deep interest in the conversation, "we'll get you over if we have to
+use a snow plow. Maybe you've got the magic to get this row settled.
+At any rate, it's worth a trial."</p>
+
+<p>"I have a telephone in my office at Adot," said Logan. "I am using the
+back room of the bank as an office. I've kept the phone."</p>
+
+<p>"Is there an extension on it?" asked Davy eagerly. "Yes? Fine. When I
+get this banker on the phone, I want you to listen in. It's an
+education to any man to hear Ralph Gaynor talk. He's the boss of the
+Dollar Savings Bank in Springfield. <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_117" id="Page_117">[117]</a></span>It isn't a big bank, just a stout
+one. And now all the others are looking to him for advice. Of course
+he'll razz me about making a venture in these hazardous times, but it
+will be worth your time to hear him do it."</p>
+
+<p>"How are we to get back from Adot?" asked the midget abruptly of
+Landy.</p>
+
+<p>"I'll take you over and bring you back," interposed Adine Lough. "I
+want to hear that man sass you over the phone, if he can get in a word
+edgewise, and you on the other end of the line."</p>
+
+<p>Davy laughed with the others. "Well, the parade starts promptly at
+eleven, the doors to the Big Show open at one, let's git goin'," said
+the little man, simulating a circus announcer.</p>
+
+<p>Adine went to the house for her hat. Potter maneuvered her roadster
+out to the driveway, after checking the gas and oil. Then a flushed
+girl, a midget man, and an aging Nestor of other days drove away on a
+mission that pleased them all.</p>
+
+<br />
+<br />
+<br />
+<br />
+<a name="Chapter_12" id="Chapter_12"></a><hr />
+<br />
+
+<h3>12<span class="totoc"><a href="#toc">ToC</a></span></h3>
+<br />
+
+<p>The State Bank of Adot had been an important institution in an
+unimportant community. It employed three people and enlarged its
+chartered rights to perform many services in the little community. In
+the prosperous days following the World War it added to its surplus
+and paid fair dividends to scattered owners of limited shares. Its
+service was appreciated by home folks; its prosperity attracted the
+attention of Aaron Logan.</p>
+
+<p>Logan, with limited capital and an alert mind, operated a petty loan
+business. He traded for what-have-you. In the early twenties, he
+exchanged his chips and whetstones for single shares of bank stock.
+Arriving at a favorable status, he <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_118" id="Page_118">[118]</a></span>persuaded the bank directors to
+enlarge the capital to absorb his petty loan business. In 1924, he
+quit the "street" to accept a cushioned chair in the rear room of the
+bank. His experience would add caution and prudence.</p>
+
+<p>For, just now, the cattle business was slipping; prices were falling
+below the cost of production. Home folks were not buying; the rescued
+European nations forgot, as usual, their benefactor and dickered for
+meager supplies of meats and grains at other marts. America's foreign
+trade sank to a new low. Her thousands of merchant craft rocked
+listlessly and rusted quickly in stagnant waters while the false
+prophets of Mammon urged idle capital to pyramid a luring stock market
+to a glorious peak and final crash.</p>
+
+<p>The banks of America were the first to feel the pinch. Some waited too
+long&mdash;waited to dole out to a frenzied public all available cash and
+close the doors too late for solvency. But not so with the Bank of
+Adot. Aaron Logan got his order for receivership before his public
+went frantic and while cash was yet available. Under court order he
+was proceeding to thaw out the frozen items of assets, and planned to
+open the institution to those who would limit their withdrawals to
+stated amounts. He made progress in these endeavors until he bumped
+into the stone wall of the Barrow loan. Really, it wasn't a giant sum,
+as such sums are rated in banking circles, but in the present instance
+it represented the difference between opening a bank or keeping it
+closed.</p>
+
+<p>Aaron Logan had given the matter of this Bar-O affair much thought. He
+had canvassed every available prospect. In all the community there
+wasn't a person that would give a thin dime for a property with a
+defiant oldster thereon, who would certainly kill or be killed if
+possession was to be gained. And a killing was bad advertisement, a
+poor prelude to opening a bank.</p>
+
+<p>But in the very hour he planned to execute this last resort, a rank
+outsider, an unknown and uncanvassed source, a little runt of a man
+with more confidence and assurance than his size would warrant, was
+offering to take over the <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_119" id="Page_119">[119]</a></span>ranch and assume the problem. Aaron Logan
+regarded it as a slender chance&mdash;could not believe that one so small
+could have earned so much&mdash;but he would take the chance. He headed his
+car up Willow Street to stop at the bank's rear door. He waved Adine
+to a favorable parking space.</p>
+
+<p>"I will call Mr. Limeledge, my lawyer, to draw up a contract," he said
+as the party of five were seated in the back room.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, that's hardly necessary," said Davy. "If you jot down a memo
+that you will make a deed to David Lannarck to the Bar-O ranch upon
+payment, on or before October 18th, 1932, of four thousand dollars in
+cash and a probable expenditure of two hundred dollars in getting
+possession, and sign it, I will also sign it and it will be an
+agreement. But before we do anything, I want to get on the phone to
+see if I can contact Ralph Gaynor. None of you folks really know me. I
+want you to listen in so that we can get acquainted. Here's the money
+for the long distance call," he added. "Tell the operator that it's
+OK."</p>
+
+<p>Aaron Logan didn't like being told what to do, especially by a little
+cocksure midget. But there was the matter of getting rid of a bad
+problem. He complied with Davy's request.</p>
+
+<p>"This is David Lannarck at phone fifty. I want to talk to Ralph
+Gaynor, at phone BA two hundred in the Dollar Savings Bank in
+Springfield. Yes, that's the state. I should have said so, for it's a
+grand old commonwealth. I'll be right here for an hour."</p>
+
+<p>In the lull of waiting, Aaron Logan wondered&mdash;wondered how one so
+small hoped to depose one so fierce and stubborn. He would find out.
+"Do you think you can get Hulls and Maizie out of there by
+Thanksgiving?" he inquired politely.</p>
+
+<p>"It doesn't really matter," said David languidly. "But I must try to
+get acquainted with 'em; make friends with 'em if I can."</p>
+
+<p>"Why do you hope to persuade 'em to get off?" <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_120" id="Page_120">[120]</a></span>exclaimed the
+astonished receiver. "I've seen 'em. They're impossible."</p>
+
+<p>"Maybe you didn't see 'em at their best," replied the midget quietly.
+"I've never seen either of them, but I've had several descriptions
+from others and this Maizie shows possibilities."</p>
+
+<p>"Possibilities for what?" snorted Logan. "That woman is a she-devil
+that would commit murder to gain her ends. She wouldn't listen to a
+governor granting her a reprieve. And anyhow, what are her
+possibilities?"</p>
+
+<p>"I understand, from descriptions, that she is of the gypsy type&mdash;dark,
+languid, glamorous. If she's all that, I can place her." Davy's reply
+was slow and indifferent. Now he brightened up to add: "Say, when I
+get on the phone, shall I tell him to send me a draft on a Denver bank
+or shall I tell him to ship the cold cash by express, or wire it to
+Cheyenne by Western Union?"</p>
+
+<p>"Cold cash is never out of place in paying a bill, but if you have a
+draft sent to the First National in Cheyenne, we can go there and make
+the transfer. I need to go to Cheyenne anyhow."</p>
+
+<p>"And I need some added cash," said Davy Lannarck. "I'll have 'em make
+the draft for five thousand. The First National can split it as we
+direct."</p>
+
+<p>Davy made much of jotting down notes; Landy Spencer sat quietly, his
+face immobile; Adine Lough went to the window ostensibly to dab on
+make-up, but really to suppress smiles and stifle laughter. A man of
+importance&mdash;a bank receiver, an arm of the court&mdash;was being kidded and
+he didn't know it.</p>
+
+<p>In the drive across country from the B-line ranch, the three in the
+roadster planned and outlined their conduct at this proposed
+conference at the bank. Landy related fully the incident as to why he
+knew that Hulls Barrow and Maizie planned a quick getaway. Landy had
+contacted Ike Steele only a day or two ago and Ike's story of the
+wagon <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_121" id="Page_121">[121]</a></span>trade unfolded the plot. Stripped of inconsequential details,
+Ike's story follows:</p>
+
+<p>Ugly Collins, a former resident, was back on important business. Ugly
+had left the country a decade ago, following his acquittal for petty
+thieving. In his driftings about, he landed in Las Vegas. There he
+contacted another former resident in the person of Archie Barrow.
+Archie was in the money. He was sole proprietor of a big rooming house
+in a community that was being congested with trainloads of steel,
+cement, derricks, and cluttered with humanity who had come to build,
+and were building, a great dam in the nearby Colorado River. Archie
+needed help to carry on a business that had increased a hundredfold.
+He recalled his brother Hulls, who might be useful, but he
+particularly recalled the executive capacities of Maizie. She was
+badly needed to prod the Mexican women in their labors of making beds
+and sweeping rooms that were occupied twice daily.</p>
+
+<p>But Archie knew it would be useless to write to a brother that never
+went to the post office and was remote from rural deliveries. He was
+happy to contact Ugly Collins. And just now, Ugly had two objectives:
+one, to get away from a place where work was paramount; the other, to
+get back to Adot and look after a possible inheritance. He understood
+that his mother had died, leaving the little homestead that surely
+should have sold for more than mere funeral expenses.</p>
+
+<p>A deal was quickly made. Archie would pay train fare and Ugly would
+contact Hulls and Maizie; would move the bankrupts out of trouble and
+poverty to an Eldorado of prosperity. For once in his varied and
+useless career Ugly performed a successful mission. Hulls and Maizie
+readily agreed to the plan. They would drive through&mdash;taking with them
+needed and useful plunder. Having seen Maizie, Ugly decided he would
+travel back with them. All details for the trip were now completed,
+except that a little more expense money was badly needed.</p>
+
+<p>Landy cautioned Ike Steele not to disclose the proposed <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_122" id="Page_122">[122]</a></span>move to
+anyone else. Vaguely, Landy entertained the hope that someone&mdash;just
+who, he had not planned&mdash;would buy the Bar-O. Acting on a hunch, he
+"touched" his sister Alice for a hundred. On the drive-in, Adine
+stopped the car while Davy invoiced his available cash at sixty-five
+dollars. These conspirators now planned that immediately after a
+contract was signed, Landy would search out Ike Steele, give him the
+hundred dollars, to be given to Ugly Collins when the party was loaded
+and on their way. Ike would be paid a personal ten, if he got it done.</p>
+
+<p>And these conspirators made other plans. Knowing that in the interval
+of getting phone connections they would be beset with furtive
+questions from a curious executive. What was he going to do with the
+ranch? how did he plan to get the resisters off? and other pertinent
+questions, they planned for evasive answers.</p>
+
+<p>"Leave that to me," said Mr. Lannarck. "I think I can parry every
+thrust, can lead him through a mystic maze of information that will
+pile up a lot of useless knowledge." And the little man was getting
+along very well with his assignment, as Adine polished her nose at the
+window and Landy Spencer sat quietly, seeming uninterested in mere
+worldly affairs.</p>
+
+<p>"You were speaking of employment awhile ago," said the persistent
+Logan. "You spoke of 'placing' Maizie. Do you conduct that kind of an
+agency?"</p>
+
+<p>"No," said Davy, still busy with his notes. "In Maizie's case, I would
+have to buy out the business, plan the details of her dress and
+appearance, and 'plant' her as a 'front'&mdash;a 'come-on'&mdash;for the
+suckers' money."</p>
+
+<p>The bewildered receiver had let the craft of conversation drift into
+strange waters. Was he dealing with a moron or a maniac? Except that
+this was the only bid he had ever had&mdash;the only prospect in sight&mdash;for
+a deal that would open a bank, he would take the phone, cancel the
+call and dismiss the conference. In desperation he would make another
+try.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_123" id="Page_123">[123]</a></span>"Well, I don't know what you are talking about, but I do know this
+Maizie woman. If these places you speak of call for a stubborn
+hellion, then you've got the right party. But I would like to know
+just where she could be made into a useful thing?"</p>
+
+<p>"I wasn't thinking of her temperament," said Davy as he folded up his
+memorandum. "She's described as the gypsy type. Such a type is
+valuable when properly placed. Were you ever at Coney Island?" he
+asked abruptly. "No? Well, it's a resort, a playground, down New York
+way. Henry Hudson landed here, and many another Dutchman has been
+'landed' and made regrettable discoveries right on this same spot. It
+has a bathing beach where the gals show what they've got and fat men
+flounder and cavort far beyond their capacities. Up from the beach is
+the midway proper&mdash;a carnival or street fair, with bandstands and
+dance platforms, peep shows, free shows, and legits. At the proper
+season these places are alive with spenders. They bring in carloads of
+money and take away nothing more tangible than experience. Why, Mister
+Logan, a man of your talents could spend profitable days at Coney
+Island in the study of financial circulation, could write a book,
+entitled 'The Slippery Dollar; Its Origin, Its Travels, Its
+Destination'! Some of these dollars have origin in work and sweat and
+some stem from blood and tears, but all&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"And just where in this mess would this Maizie woman belong?"
+interrupted Logan desperately. "Your recital is interesting, but it
+doesn't get to the point. Where and why would you place her?"</p>
+
+<p>"Why, I'd place her as a 'front' down at the fortune-teller's booth,"
+replied Davy quickly. "I'd either buy out&mdash;or buy in&mdash;with Tony Garci,
+who has a concession, and plant Maizie right at the tent-flap as a
+'come-on.' Her name would have to be Madame Tousan, or Princess
+Caraza, or some such, and she would have to dress the part. Black and
+red, maybe, with plastered hair and a coppery skin. A quart of <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_124" id="Page_124">[124]</a></span>rings
+and bracelets on each hand and arm, horseshoe earrings, and a big
+ostrich fan. Never a word of English, mind you! She'd just wave the
+fan to the entrance and inner glories where Tulu Garrat, Tony's wife,
+would read palms, or the crystal ball, and take the money."</p>
+
+<p>Davy, too, was getting a bit anxious. He was running out of details.
+He glanced at the phone, hoping for relief. None came. He rambled on.</p>
+
+<p>"If I ran this fortune-telling dump, I'd lift it out of the
+ten-twent'-thirt' class, to an even smacker&mdash;maybe two. I'd give 'em a
+written reading with 'a hunch' in it. They all play hunches down
+there. Hoss racing, stock market, numbers rackets, and such. They'd
+play my hunches. If they win, I'd have wide advertisement; if they
+lose, nothing said.</p>
+
+<p>"Off hand, I'd say the racket was good for a 'grand' a week. Maizie
+would get fifty, Tony and his wife a hundred smackers, another fifty
+for the concession. In ten weeks, I could pay for the Bar-O and
+have&mdash;" The telephone rang. "If that's for me," said the little man to
+Aaron Logan, "get on that extension and listen to the story of a
+misspent life, for I'll try to get him to tell it."</p>
+
+<p>As the conversation was both spoken and heard, both are here given.</p>
+
+<p>"Hello, hello. Yes, this is David Lannarck. Hello, Ralph. This is your
+midget friend Davy. I'm in Adot&mdash;yes, that's what I said&mdash;what they
+all say.... A dot on what? It's out of Cheyenne&mdash;a good ways out. But
+I want to do business as of Cheyenne. I want you to send a Denver
+draft to The First National Bank at Cheyenne for five thousand
+dollars, to arrive there before the eighteenth of October."</p>
+
+<p>The phone was working splendidly; even those without an earpiece could
+hear the over-production.</p>
+
+<p>"This is a fine time to separate a bank from assets. What are you
+buying? Blue sky or a phony gold mine?"</p>
+
+<p>"Neither one," said Davy promptly. "It's a ranch&mdash;with an old man on
+it&mdash;with a gun, defying all comers."</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_125" id="Page_125">[125]</a></span>"Why, I thought the old cattle wars were all over," came the reply. "I
+suppose, on account of your size, you hope to slip through the guard
+line."</p>
+
+<p>"Naw," replied Davy, "it really doesn't matter whether the old man
+gets off or stays on. It's ten sections. If things brighten up a bit,
+it looks worth the money."</p>
+
+<p>"Ten sections?" came the astonished inquiry. "How will you ever see it
+all&mdash;you with short legs?"</p>
+
+<p>"Why, I've got a hoss," said Davy proudly, "I've got the finest hoss
+west of the Big River. He can do tricks too. By spring I can have him
+doing stunts that will make Bill Reviere's act look like a practice
+stunt."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, God help poor sailors on a night like this, and midgets too.
+But at that, I think you are in the right groove. Things will loosen
+up; they've got to. Have your title examined carefully. See that your
+grantor is responsible."</p>
+
+<p>"I'm buying it from a bank receiver. It's a part of the frozen
+assets," interrupted Davy. "The bank is to reopen when this is
+settled."</p>
+
+<p>"Now let me get this right. You want a Denver draft, sent to you, care
+of the First National Bank in Cheyenne, Wyoming, for five thousand
+dollars." The words were slowly said as if a memorandum was being
+made. "All right. The item will go out this evening. Good luck and a
+prosperous investment."</p>
+
+<p>"Hold on, Ralph, just a minute. I'm in that bank that's to reopen. The
+phone here has an extension. The fellow with whom I am dealing is on
+that extension. No one out here knows me&mdash;I need an introduction. Will
+you briefly tell 'em who I am?"</p>
+
+<p>"Well, that's bad," came a laughing reply. "It might ruin everything.
+But here goes. Mister Receiver, David Lannarck, with whom I am
+talking, is a midget&mdash;nearly forty inches tall and about thirty years
+of age. He was born here, inherited a comfortable estate that we
+manage&mdash;collect his rents, pay his taxes and repair bills. We also pay
+his <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_126" id="Page_126">[126]</a></span>generous church contributions and charity donations. He has never
+drawn a cent from the accumulations. For the last decade I have seen
+little of him. He travels extensively&mdash;in vaudeville, with circuses.
+He comes back about once a year to deposit his earnings. These we keep
+separately because that's the way he wants it. He writes no checks.
+Simply tells us what to do, and we do it. Only once before this has he
+called on us. That was a train wreck and an injury that interrupted
+his routine. He phoned for us to pay bills and we paid 'em, as we are
+paying this one.</p>
+
+<p>"He's affable, charitable to those he likes, talks the jargon of the
+circus people, and is, with all, a truthful, likeable chap. Is there
+anything else, Mister Receiver?"</p>
+
+<p>"Thank you, Ralph, and good-by," said Davy as he hung up.</p>
+
+<p>Hastily Aaron Logan prepared a memo stating the terms of the sale.
+Adine Lough made a copy. Both were signed by both interested parties,
+then Davy paid Finch fifty dollars on his contract and the meeting
+adjourned. Davy and Adine went to Jode's restaurant for a bite to eat.
+Landy went in search of Ike Steele to post a deposit for a quick
+getaway and, strange as it may seem, Aaron Logan sought the same
+person and with a similar purpose.</p>
+
+<br />
+<br />
+<br />
+<br />
+<a name="Chapter_13" id="Chapter_13"></a><hr />
+<br />
+
+<h3>13<span class="totoc"><a href="#toc">ToC</a></span></h3>
+<br />
+
+<p>Adine Lough had high rating in the community affairs of Adot. Her zeal
+for higher education, her church work, and her general deportment gave
+her contact with the better element that was trying to modernize&mdash;trying
+to lift a community up and out of the rawness of frontier days. But if
+the critics, the estimators of social standing, had seen her and her
+associates on this fine October afternoon, they would have moved her
+down several rungs on the social ladder.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_127" id="Page_127">[127]</a></span>She was in close conference with a midget, an ex-circus man, out of
+work and advertised widely to give a talk at the warehouse Saturday
+night! (They would hear this talk before making a final estimate.) And
+Adine's other conferee was old Landy Spencer, a notorious resister of
+progress, who spoke in the language of other days, whose
+appearance&mdash;from battered hat to narrow bootheels&mdash;simply pictured the
+undesirable past; his associates, when he came to town, were of the
+rabble&mdash;the lower stratum. Very true, in other days, the bank had
+given him a rating as not needing endorsers if he sought a loan. Very
+true, Judge Sample had stated publicly that he would accept Landy
+Spencer's word without the formalities of being sworn, but as a social
+factor in the community, Landy didn't know where the social ladder was
+located, let alone about reaching the lower rung. And all afternoon
+Adine Lough was in close conference with such as these!</p>
+
+<p>Landy returned to Jode's place sooner than he was expected. There was
+a sheepish grin on his weathered face. "They beat me to hit," he said
+in a low voice as Jode went back to the stove for his steak and
+potatoes. (His companions were munching wafers and drinking chocolate
+milk.) "Ike had already been en done hit."</p>
+
+<p>Being served, and with Jode in the kitchen, the aged courier disclosed
+the results of his mission. "Ye don't tell Ike what's on yer mind;
+jist give him rope, git him started, en he'll come from under cover. I
+went to his shop en he wasn't workin'. Seemed to be waitin'. I prodded
+in, en he unfolded that he was waitin' for Logan. Our Logan, ye
+understand. Hit whetted my int'rest; I prodded ag'in, en with results.
+Ike said that Logan came to his shop Tuesday. He'd seen Ugly Collins
+a-hangin' 'round Ike's place, en he wanted a quick move by Ugly. He
+slipped Ike two new twenty-dollar bills en told him to loan 'em to
+Ugly if he made a quick git-away. Ike did as d'rected. Ugly come en
+got the wagon this atternoon. Promised that he'd load tonight en be on
+the road by midnight.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_128" id="Page_128">[128]</a></span>"Well! That settled the coffee! I didn't keer to hang eround eny more.
+But I did want a whit more information. Did Logan know that old Hulls
+en Maizie were included? 'Naw,' scorned Ike, 'Logan didn't even know
+that Ugly knew 'em&mdash;didn't know that Ugly had ever been at the Bar-O.
+Logan didn't know about the wagon. Thought the forty was about right
+for train fare. He jist wanted Ugly out of the country en I got hit
+done,' says Ike.</p>
+
+<p>"I didn't keer to meet Logan&mdash;then. I remembered that I had some boots
+at Billy's fer half solin', en I slipped Ike a five spot with the
+caution that he was to say nothin' in his report to Logan about who
+was in Ugly's party. Ike wanted me to stay en listen to his ideas as
+to why Logan wanted a quick move by Ugly, but I already had my notions
+about that. I slipped away fast. But in comin' here I remembered that
+I hadn't left eny boots with Billy."</p>
+
+<p>Landy finished his steak and story about the same time.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, do you think they will get away tonight?" asked Davy eagerly.
+"Is there any way that we can hang around and find out? Why would
+Logan want this Ugly party to get out of the country? Why can't we&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"Thar ye go! Crowdin' the question-chute. Son, ye orta number 'em, en
+I could answer by number. Anyhow, let's git goin'! Hit's a long ways
+home&mdash;with a change of cars at the B-line, en the last lap ain't fit
+fer night ridin'. We can talk while we ride. Out thar, Jode won't be
+hangin' around, shufflin' the dishes en tryin' to get an earful. Let's
+go."</p>
+
+<p>On the way home, Adine Lough was the happy one of the trio. The
+revealing incidents of the day had cleared away the threatening dark
+financial cloud. Now if her father could only be brought home with the
+assurance of his getting well, her cup of happiness would be
+overflowing. Just now, she was planning an added chapter to her
+thesis, "Welfare Work in Rural Communities." She would touch on the
+subject of "Aid from Unexpected Sources," for she had experienced just
+that! In the events of the day, it was revealed that a little, unknown
+midget of a man, with a <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_129" id="Page_129">[129]</a></span>doubtful background, was indeed a man,
+mentally, morally, and financially. Back of his cynicism&mdash;often
+expressed in the jargon of the underworld&mdash;was an alert mind that
+could lead an inquisitor into a maze of unaccomplishments.</p>
+
+<p>Too, in said thesis, she would make some radical changes in the
+paragraphs touching on "influences of pioneer habits and traits in
+community upbuilding, etc." The recent conduct and tactful
+accomplishments of Landy Spencer were the reasons for such a change.
+Heretofore, she had welcomed old Landy as a visitor to the B-line for
+the reason that Grandaddy liked him, wanted to confab and badger about
+the old days. She had casually learned that Landy had had to work as a
+boy, as a youth, and as a young man, that he had accumulated enough so
+that he could now enjoy the play-days once denied him. Yes, she would
+change her notes to say: "uncouth verbiage and slatternly dress are
+often assets in gaining information and are no hindrance in granting
+loyalty and devotion."</p>
+
+<p>The journey home, despite the uncertainties pending, was a joy-ride
+for the two. Landy, as was his wont, clutched the armrest of the car
+and said nothing. Time was, when safe in a saddle, he had thrown reins
+to the wind "en allowed that critter a spell of fancy worm-fence
+buckin', but a-ridin' a auto wuz dangerous business."</p>
+
+<p>Arriving at the B-line stables, the party paused for a final
+conference. Tomorrow would be Friday. In the early hours Davy and
+Landy would make a furtive visit to the Bar-O ranch to see if Ugly
+Collins had carried out his plans to evacuate the resisters. "Maybe
+they set fire to the house or poisoned the cattle," suggested Davy.
+Landy poo-pooed the idea.</p>
+
+<p>"They're on a slow train," he explained. "In that outfit they can't do
+over six miles an hour. A fire would announce their malice, en a
+sheriff would overtake 'em before they reached North Gate. They don't
+know about cattle-pizen&mdash;thar's no loco weed around here."</p>
+
+<p>Saturday was the date of the entertainment in Adot. <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_130" id="Page_130">[130]</a></span>Davy and Landy
+would ride over to the B-line and go to town in Adine's roadster. In
+Adot, Davy would again contact Logan and fix the date to meet him in
+Cheyenne on Monday. "That check&mdash;the draft thing&mdash;will be there by
+that time," was Davy's opinion. "I hope I can pry Welborn loose from
+his digging and delving long enough to take me over that road again."</p>
+
+<p>"You don't have to do that," interposed Adine. "I'll drive you to
+Cheyenne. I'm as anxious as anyone to get this thing settled. This
+Bar-O thing has been a neighborhood problem, an obsession, a thorn in
+the flesh, ever since Grandaddy was a young man. I want to be a party
+in removing the thorn. I'll have Joe and Myrah to look after
+Grandaddy, and I'll have Mister Potter to look after Joe and Myrah and
+everything will be all right.</p>
+
+<p>"But you'll have to meet me at Carter's filling station," she
+cautioned. "I'll have to drive through Adot and around that way. I
+can't drive across the valleys and ridges as you horsemen ride them.
+So we'll meet at the filling station at seven-thirty. We will be in
+Cheyenne long before noon."</p>
+
+<p>"Hi ya, Potter," called Landy as they were saddling the horses. "I
+want you to order a set of shoes for this colt."</p>
+
+<p>"I've got a set. I tried 'em; they fit. But he won't need shoes this
+winter; he's better off without 'em. If a bunglin' mechanic over thar
+will leave his feet alone he'll be all right till spring."</p>
+
+<p>Landy regarded the gibe as irrelevant. The saddle invited. Once aboard
+and before they reached the Ranty he was detailing answers to some of
+Davy's questions.</p>
+
+<p>"This Logan party ain't exactly crooked but thar's some noticeable
+bends in his career. When they baptized him they ought to have given
+him another dip. 'Course, he gits his money by pinchin' en scrougin'
+en this Ugly Collins affair goes a leetle beyond the limit.</p>
+
+<p>"This Ugly was borned here. His right name is Clarence, but early
+someone branded him Ugly, en because he resented <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_131" id="Page_131">[131]</a></span>hit, the name stuck.
+He wasn't so ugly&mdash;jist ornery. His daddy died; his mother lived on a
+little place in town, up-crick from the bridge. Ugly wasn't a roarin'
+success as a producer&mdash;jist idled and fuddled until he got to be a
+man. Then he got indicted with others fer robbin' a little tannery
+that was operatin' down the crick. This tannery was mostly out of
+doors. They was charged with stealin' leather, but in the testimony it
+showed that Ugly didn't steal leather&mdash;jist knives en other plunder.
+He was flung loose. He left the country. That was twelve years ago. In
+all these years, no one in Adot was compelled to look on Ugly Collins.
+Not till last week did the public know he was alive. Even then thar
+was no gineral rejoicin'&mdash;nobody killed a fatted calf.</p>
+
+<p>"Now Ugly's mother died three years ago. A dear, uncomplainin' old
+soul, the funeral was conducted by Romine, the undertaker, and was
+attended by many. Of course Romine would have to be paid. He got Logan
+to administer the estate. He had had Logan to do this in other cases.
+They understood each other very well.</p>
+
+<p>"They found but little personal property. Although Ann Griggs, a
+neighbor, said the old lady Collins had been savin' funeral money fer
+years&mdash;had it hidden in a fruit jar, no sich fund was found. The real
+estate would have to be sold to pay the claim.</p>
+
+<p>"Except fer Ugly, they was no heirs, en Ugly didn't answer roll-call.
+By order of the court, Ugly was pronounced dead. Simmy Gordon, the
+village cut-up, said hit was a cheap funeral fer Ugly en good
+riddance. But Simmy was wrong, as usual. The home was sold&mdash;by fine
+print&mdash;hit was bid in by Romine fer about the price of his bill and
+the costs. Later Romine deeded hit to another, who in turn deeded hit
+to Logan, who now owns hit, en the yearly income would pay a funeral
+bill&mdash;with flowers.</p>
+
+<p>"Ugly's return at this critical time rather upset Logan's plans. Hit
+would interfere with his gittin' a bank opened and himself back on the
+payroll. If Ugly had been flush with <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_132" id="Page_132">[132]</a></span>funds, had employed lawyer
+Gregory to git Ugly's death-order rescinded, en pried into the details
+of the old lady's estate, hit would have blowed the lid off. Hit would
+have shore been bricks and cabbages fer Logan, right when he's
+plannin' a posie shower.</p>
+
+<p>"Forty dollars was none too big to fend off the disaster. But where
+Logan missed the gap in the fence was that he didn't inquire as to
+details. He knew Ugly come in by train. He thought the forty would be
+expended in the same way."</p>
+
+<p>The two reached the Gillis home as the lady was lighting the lamp and
+setting out the evening meal. "Why, you and that girl must be
+preparing a lengthy address," she said to Davy jestingly.</p>
+
+<p>"That gal and I have surely had a busy day. We've certainly upset some
+precedents, broken some rules, and maybe some laws. Your brother here
+was a full participant, a co-conspirator, and was awarded the Medal of
+Intrigue by Mister Potter, when the meeting closed. But excuse me,"
+said the now jovial midget as he walked away. "I just can't look at
+those baking-powder biscuits without grabbing one; I'm that wolfish."</p>
+
+<p>During the meal, Davy invited Landy to tell of the day's happenings.
+"Yer new boarder here bought the Bar-O ranch&mdash;trouble en all," said
+Landy quietly. "En he's plannin' to promote the circus business by
+raisin' a lot more lions, tigers, hyenas, en sich. He's got a good
+start now, en he plans a glorious finish."</p>
+
+<p>The news electrified the Gillises. It provoked much discussion and
+required many explanations. It allowed Davy time to eat a hearty meal.
+Finishing, he pushed back his chair to state some final conditions.</p>
+
+<p>"And I'll not complete the final contract, not pay down a cent and
+throw up the whole thing, unless Mister Landy Spencer, here seated,
+pledges that he will join in with me in working the thing out to a
+final victory. No, I don't mean that he's to pay out anything, I'll
+pay all, but he's to say that <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_133" id="Page_133">[133]</a></span>he will stay with me, that he'll manage
+the thing, plan production, hire the help, and get things going. And
+we'll divide the profits. This depression can't last. Already the wise
+ones are hearing the death rattle and last gasp. But it will take some
+time to recover and we must be ready when the bulge comes. Maybe there
+are some old cows over there that Landy says are dear at ten dollars a
+head. There are some unweaned calves, and a few unbranded yearlings
+that will just about pay the cost of their roundup. But that's the
+foundation on which we are to build. What do you say, podner? Are you
+with me?"</p>
+
+<p>"In yer listin' of assets, ye haven't invoiced Maizie," said Landy.
+"Early this afternoon, I heard ye pricin' her to Logan at a thousand
+dollars a week. En ye haven't catalogued Hulls en the bulls, mebbe
+they're wuth more than all the rest. Shore I'll he'p ye. Hit'll be a
+pleasure to hear ye try to mesmerize Maizie like ye did Logan, tellin'
+her of this Coony Island place en the fortune tellers. We'll go over
+thar in the mornin' early en I'll watch ye hypnotize her en Hulls,
+like ye did Logan. 'Course, if they're gone, that's our loss. We'll
+invoice the remnants en leavin's, en take a fresh start."</p>
+
+<p>Davy was early to bed but his rest was broken in trying to picture the
+probable conduct of two persons he had never seen. In his dreams, old
+Hulls and his threatening gun was a commonplace figure. But back of
+him, and in command, was the garish image of a black-haired,
+copper-complexioned virago, whose imperious death-dealing edicts
+recalled his early readings of Sir Walter and his vivid picturings of
+Helen, wife of Rob Roy, in her judgments of the fate of a common
+enemy. He was glad that daylight came to dispel the mental mirage.</p>
+
+<p>"I never saw Landy so interested," said Mrs. Gillis, as she placed
+Davy's high chair at the table. "He was out feeding the horses long
+before Jim did the milking, and that's unusual. Landy likes you&mdash;likes
+to do the things you plan. Of course Landy has earned a rest, but
+there's too many that <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_134" id="Page_134">[134]</a></span>rust out when they rest up. Landy is that kind.
+He needs to be interested in something. He's had a lot of experience
+in the cattle business, and with your energy and planning and his
+experience, you ought to make a lot of money when this depression is
+over."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, I'm not so interested in the money-making as I am in making a
+success out of this liability. Of course I want it to pay its own way,
+pay for improved livestock, buildings, fencing, and the like. But I'm
+not much interested in piling up useless money in a resisting bank. Of
+course, when Ralph Gaynor comes out to visit us&mdash;he's the gent that
+introduced me over the phone&mdash;when Ralph comes out, he'd like to see a
+fat bank account and talk woozy stuff of safety margins, earned
+increments and that crazy rot, but I yearn to show him a going
+concern, a likeable thing, prideful of its upbuilding.</p>
+
+<p>"Landy and I will get along all right. He's the only one of you that
+sasses back, offers objections, overrules plans. He won't like it at
+all if I'm out with the colt and a couple of beagle hounds chasing
+jack rabbits when there's hay to put up, but that's the way we'll get
+along.</p>
+
+<p>"Landy will fuss if we can introduce electricity on the ranch, but he
+will weaken a little when he finds that it grinds the feed,
+refrigerates a whole beef, and cooks a meal without splitting
+kindling. And if a little surplus money accumulates, he would totally
+veto the plan of laying out a Spanish patio enclosing fine white
+buildings with red tile roofs and fancy grilles&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"Why, that would be fine!" exclaimed the listener. "Would you do
+that?"</p>
+
+<p>"Naw," said the midget, "but if the occasion arises, I will introduce
+the subject just to see my old mentor paw around and fling dirt. It
+will keep him from rusting out, as you call it."</p>
+
+<p>"Do you plan moving over there&mdash;if you get possession?"</p>
+
+<p>"No, I will live, or rather headquarter, with Welborn as <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_135" id="Page_135">[135]</a></span>long as he
+lets me. Landy says that a rough, hazardous trail just back of our
+house leads directly to the near corner of the property. It's the
+route of the old proposed road to the Tranquil Meadows. We're to try
+that trail this morning, and I will have to stop and tell Welborn what
+I am doing. He will be surprised, but not interested. Welborn is
+self-centered on getting some 'quick' money. When he gets that done
+he's going to be busy using it, either to straighten out his own
+financial affairs or to down or suppress some financier that has
+busted in on his plans. In either event, we will lose him. Welborn
+doesn't belong out here. He belongs in the jam, the crush, the mob,
+where they strive only for personal gain&mdash;either in bulking up a lot
+of money or acquiring personal rank or status. He's young, industrious
+and impetuous; he might get it done. It's a great game, I'm told; it
+engenders some joy and a lot of grief. Personally, I'd rather put in
+the time handling a pup or growing a clutch of chickens."</p>
+
+<p>Landy's appearance with the saddled horses interrupted the discussion.</p>
+
+<br />
+<br />
+<br />
+<br />
+<a name="Chapter_14" id="Chapter_14"></a><hr />
+<br />
+
+<h3>14<span class="totoc"><a href="#toc">ToC</a></span></h3>
+<br />
+
+<p>The path over which Landy guided his little partner may have been an
+animal trail before the days of the intrusion of the white men. It had
+its beginnings in a little unnoticeable niche at the Welborn cabin. It
+wound a narrow way along the face of the cliff and led down and around
+to cross a quick-flowing brook that farther down was to take the name
+"Mad Trapper's Fork." Halfway down, Landy pointed out that some
+blasting here and a bridge there would make a serviceable
+thoroughfare. Davy was fairly busy in retaining his saddle-seat as
+Peaches followed old Frosty around the <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_136" id="Page_136">[136]</a></span>dangerous turns. At the halt,
+and during Landy's remarks, he gazed at the towering peaks on the one
+side and the yawning ravine on the other, and suggested that he,
+Landy, could no doubt construct the proposed improvement some
+afternoon when he was resting from his strenuous work in the hay
+field.</p>
+
+<p>The sarcasm was ignored. Landy searched out a convenient crossing of
+the little stream. Once out of the stream bed the party was to
+encounter a vast tableland of grazing ground that seemed bounded by
+hills and peaks on all sides&mdash;the Tranquil Meadows.</p>
+
+<p>It was Davy's time to halt the procession. As was his custom, he rode
+Peaches in front of Frosty and stopped for an extended inspection.</p>
+
+<div class="poem"><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0">"A Jug of Wine, a Loaf of Bread&mdash;and Thou<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Beside me, singing in the Wilderness&mdash;Oh,<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Wilderness were Paradise enow!"<br /></span>
+</div></div>
+
+<p class="noin">chanted the little man as he gazed from peak to pinnacle. "Say, Landy!
+I once dreamed of this place, and I didn't leave out a detail. I was
+waiting for a delayed train at Peru for a jump to Buffalo to join up a
+Keith circuit. At the station there was a pestering drunk with his
+'how-come' stuff and two simpering women with their 'ain't-he-cute'
+rot. I was tired. I'd had a tough season. That summer, there was a big
+crop of gawks and I had encountered all of 'em. I wanted to quit the
+game&mdash;wanted to hide out. On the sleeper, I dreamed of this place. I
+was on a horse&mdash;a big, fat ring-horse, with a pad. I rode right
+through a bunch of cattle. I held on with more zeal than did old
+Fisheye Gleason when he fell on the back of the hippopotamus at the
+start of the Grand Entry.... Say," the midget interrupted his reverie,
+"just about how far away from this Paradise Bowl is this Bar-O
+hangout?"</p>
+
+<p>"The Bar-O is the lid to yer Gravy Bowl," replied the <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_137" id="Page_137">[137]</a></span>Nestor. "Hit's
+that line of hills to the no'th, en winds up in this crumpled mess of
+hills here at the east end. This last section is called The Cliffs. If
+thar's any loose yearlin's left, they'll be thar. We'll edge around
+that away en then swing over to where old Matt laid out a path to the
+southern settlements."</p>
+
+<p>On the way to the Cliffs, Landy recounted much local history. "They
+wuz wild cattle in these ravines long before the surveyors surrounded
+old Matt with their lines. No one knew whar they come from nor to who
+they belonged. Old Matt simply absorbed 'em, as he did anything else
+that was loose. They were his foundation stock. That's why there are
+so many yaller-hammers en pennariles among 'em. Once er twice old Matt
+forgot to put up hay en his livestock wintered in them ravines en
+pawed in the snow fer what grass they got. Hit wasn't so bad. A
+cow-brute won't thrive in close quarters; they're better off with jist
+a wind-break en rain-shelter. But look out when hit's calvin' time! A
+cow will pick out the night of the big snow en drop her calf right in
+hit. I've often wondered if the colleges that teach farmin' en sich,
+ever tackled en solved that heavy problem: 'Is hit better to fret en
+worry a cow by pennin' her up in a clean box-stall, er allowin' her in
+cheerful contentment to go off by herse'f en have her calf in the
+fringe of a mudhole at the far away corner?'"</p>
+
+<p>Davy was looking about as he listened. Here was the tremendous
+spectacle of which he had dreamed. It was a spoken drama in
+technicolor.</p>
+
+<p>Frosty pricked up his ears. Landy veered the course to the right. A
+bunch of yellowish red calves were startled out of a willow clump and
+turned to watch the intruders. As the horsemen rode around to the east
+and north they resumed their grazing. Near the mouth of another ravine
+a few more were encountered.</p>
+
+<p>"There're thirty-seven of 'em," said Landy, as the party completed the
+circle, "en that's about twice as many as I <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_138" id="Page_138">[138]</a></span>expected. They're in good
+flesh. With plenty of hay this winter en a mite of grain, they would
+do for quick feeders next fall."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, you couldn't feed 'em away off out here, could you?" demanded
+Davy.</p>
+
+<p>"Shore!" said the expert. "There's more shelter out here than in them
+propped-up stables at the Bar-O. The B-line's got about five times as
+much hay as they need. We ought to be able to wheedle that gal out of
+a few stacks. But haulin' hay in breast-deep snow is some job. Hit
+ought to be under way right now. If old Hulls has quit out, en we git
+action, I'll talk to Potter en them loafers at the B-line en try to
+git a few ricks tucked away in here before snow comes. A few blocks of
+salt, scattered around, will keep 'em from diggin' dirt er huntin' a
+lick."</p>
+
+<p>And now the inspectors turned west to follow cattle paths over an
+undulating terrain for at least two miles. Here a double trail was
+encountered. Landy rode for a distance in both directions looking
+intently for signs.</p>
+
+<p>"Ugly Collins has either lost his time-card er has traded his wagon
+fer a airyplane," said the mentor. "Mebbe Maizie has delayed the
+take-off to finish her war with Logan. At any rate, they haven't left
+a wagon track. Let's go by the house. I'll introduce ye as a circus
+man from Springfield that's visitin' en lookin'. If ya can interest
+Maizie so I kin talk to Hulls private, hit will he'p a lot."</p>
+
+<p>"Not me!" interposed the little man hastily, "just leave me out of
+this local war. I've got a date with some church folks tomorrow night.
+But I don't want to be carried in feet foremost and hear the preacher
+talk about 'the many mansions and green pastures.' Isn't there some
+way that we can by-pass this Maizie and her orders 'to kill on
+sight'?"</p>
+
+<p>"Why, I thought ya wanted to meet Maizie," chuckled Landy, "thought ye
+wanted to contract her fer fortune tellin' down at that island place?
+Anyhow," continued the raconteur in a serious vein, "there's no chance
+fer a row. I know Hulls, <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_139" id="Page_139">[139]</a></span>I knew his daddy, old Matt. He knows I'm no
+sheriff a lookin' fer trouble. He'll talk to me like a friend. I'm
+jist out here a-showin' my circus friend the scenery. He'll talk to me
+all friendly like, en Maizie will be tickled at yer size en talk about
+circuses en sich. Speak up to her. Tell her that she belongs in this
+fortune-tellin' business. Cut up a few of yer dance capers&mdash;git her
+interested&mdash;en I'll find out why they ain't on the road to a getaway."</p>
+
+<p>Landy turned into the double track that led north followed by a
+reluctant midget. He watched the paths for signs of recent travel but
+continued his recitations of local history.</p>
+
+<p>"These Barrow folks ain't bad&mdash;jist ornery. Hit's due to breedin' en
+custom, fer they are part Injun. Old Matt told me so, one time when I
+was over here a-lookin' fer lost horses. Matt said his mother was a
+Ute&mdash;full-blooded en tribe-raised. Now, Injuns don't have much regard
+fer personal property. Except fer their arms en blanket all else is
+jist common plunder fer anyone. The deer in the thicket, the fish in
+the streams, and the birds in the air belong to the feller that gits
+'em. 'Course, Matt absorbed the wild cattle, en any other cattle he
+found on the loose. He didn't want any cattle brand&mdash;jist play the
+game his fashion, 'finders are takers,' same as fish er wild ducks.</p>
+
+<p>"Sich a plan didn't set well with the white settlers that was tryin'
+to put down cattle thefts. Old Matt got a bad reputation en he didn't
+try to correct hit. He matched Injun cunnin' agin the 'white laws' en
+got ostracized. He raised his boys by the same standards. This Hulls
+is jist dumb en ornery but Archie was smart. He l'arned to read, en
+when Maizie came, he l'arned to write en cipher after he was a grown
+man. If Archie got the express company's money&mdash;en hit sorta looks
+like he did&mdash;he was smart enough to 'duck out' with hit. Maizie knows
+that Archie is smart. She wants&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Look thar!" he interrupted to point at wagon tracks in the dust. "Hit
+looks like a getaway had been vetoed. Changed their minds," he added
+as he pointed to a sharp turn in the <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_140" id="Page_140">[140]</a></span>tracks and a return to the
+beaten way farther along to the north. "Now hit's anybody's guess as
+to what's happened." Landy was about to dismount for a closer
+examination when he again interrupted. "They went back to git a fresh
+start," he exclaimed as he pointed to a two-horse wagon approaching
+from between the low hills.</p>
+
+<p>"Now jist keep yer shirt on," he cautioned Davy. "Yer a circuser, out
+here on a visit. I'm a-showin' ye the neighborhood. Let's keep ridin'
+en be surprised like." The two rode the double trail to turn out when
+the wagon stopped. "Howdy, folks," was Landy's greeting.</p>
+
+<p>Ugly Collins was driving. Hulls Barrow was in the seat beside him with
+a rifle across his knees. Maizie was on a low chair in the rear,
+surrounded by bedding, boxes, tables, chairs, and all manner of
+household wares that piled high, were held in place by stakes and
+stout ropes.</p>
+
+<p>"Why, hit's old Landy Spencer," said Hulls as he returned the gun to
+its place on his knees. "What's got ye outen the bed so early?"</p>
+
+<p>"I was harassed outa bed by this pesterin' friend of mine who left the
+circus at Cheyenne to come out fer a visit en to view the scenery. I
+want ye to meet him, en he'p me answer his questions. Folks, meet
+Mister Davy Lannarck, a circuser, that's curious to see how en whar we
+live. Davy, that's my old friend Mister Hulls Barrow, en that's Mister
+Collins, en you are Miss Maizie, I take hit," Landy added as Maizie
+stood up to see what was going on. "My young friend here was cut down
+to a boy's size in heft en stature but he shore makes up the
+difference in askin' questions en in gaddin' about. When he roused me
+out this mornin' to go gaddin', I planned to swing around this way en
+let you all he'p me. But from the looks of things, you folks musta got
+word that we were comin' en are makin' a hasty move to avoid sich a
+visit."</p>
+
+<p>The men may have smiled at Landy's quip but Maizie laughed aloud.
+"It's the other way," she said. "You put off <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_141" id="Page_141">[141]</a></span>your visit until you saw
+that we were moving; then you come, expecting to be entertained. Had
+you come two weeks ago we could have helped."</p>
+
+<p>"I wasn't here two weeks ago," interposed Davy. "Then we were in the
+Northwest, looking for a town with enough money to pay the feed bills
+and freight on a lot of circus animals. In fact, we had put in the
+summer looking for such a place and never did find it."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, we're going to where there's money&mdash;plenty of it," said Maizie.</p>
+
+<p>"Take me along," pleaded the midget. "I haven't seen 'loose money'
+since we opened the ticket wagon at Grand Park in April."</p>
+
+<p>"What's this, Hulls!" demanded Landy. "Are ye shiftin' pastures?"</p>
+
+<p>"I shore am!" replied Hulls emphatically. "I'm gittin' outa the
+thistles en sage to whar thar's decent folks. I'm a-leavin' these
+hellions to rot in their tracks while I have a few days of peace en
+quiet. But don't say anything, Landy, until we git goin' en outa the
+country."</p>
+
+<p>"Shore I won't!" pledged Landy. "That's your business&mdash;not theirs.
+Have ye laid out a considerable trip?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, we're goin' to Nevady, down whar they're buildin' a big
+water-dam. Archie's down thar; makin' money a-plenty. There's a big
+stir on down thar. Everybody's a-workin' en Archie wants our he'p."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, I'm sorry yer a-leavin' but I'm glad fer this chance. I've
+wanted to see Archie ever since he he'ped me git them cattle across
+the Ranty that time. I owe him and now I've got a chance to pay." Here
+Landy searched a bill out of his billfold and handed it to Hulls.</p>
+
+<p>"Tell Archie that that ought to take keer of debt en int'rest. Ye see,
+I didn't have any money with me that day, en anyhow, Archie poo-pooed
+the idee of pay at the time, but I always want to pay for he'p
+thataway. But I never saw Archie again en I'm glad of this chance to
+ease my mind."</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_142" id="Page_142">[142]</a></span>Hulls folded the bill and put it in his pocket. He looked at the sun.
+"I expect that we'd better git goin'; we've put in the whole night
+a-loadin' up, en we got down here a piece en found out that we forgot
+the dog en we had to go back. En say, Landy," he called as the wagon
+started, "I forgot to turn them bulls out to worter. If ye go out that
+way, will ye open the gate en let 'em out?"</p>
+
+<p>The rattle of the wagon repressed the eager reply.</p>
+
+<p>Landy resumed the way to the north; Davy waited to watch the wagon and
+its little cloud of dust disappear over a distant swell. When he
+rejoined his friend he rode in front of Frosty to halt for a
+conference.</p>
+
+<p>"You've made the right estimate, Landy, they're not bad people. As
+hurried as they were, they had time to go back a mile or two for the
+dog. People that do that sort of things are not bad. I feel sorry for
+'em."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, yer sorrow is sorta misplaced; they're havin' the time of their
+young lives. Hulls is a-gettin' out of a mess that had no other
+outlet; Maizie is to see a lot of new scenery en will git to he'p
+Archie spend the money; Ugly is a-gittin' to hang around Maizie while
+he eats at least two steady meals a day. I was jist figgerin', Hulls
+has got more money in his pocket than he ever had in all his born
+days. He's evidently sold off about ten cows en calves to Mooney
+Whitset of the Diamond outfit; he's got the forty&mdash;if Ugly give hit to
+him, en the five I jist handed him&mdash;that Archie will never see&mdash;so,
+all told, they are in clover. Hit will take 'em about two weeks to
+make the trip, en with all that plunder aboard Archie will give 'em a
+royal welcome.</p>
+
+<p>"Ye see, son, old Matt&mdash;ner the boys&mdash;ever made a dime out of this
+place&mdash;never wanted to. Jist fiddled around, huntin', fishin' en
+loafin'. The whole thing wasn't any bigger an asset than a job as a
+section hand on the U P. Their sales of scrawny cattle jist about paid
+the taxes en bought their salt en terbacker.</p>
+
+<p>"Now, son, ye are on the Bar-O. The line runs from <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_143" id="Page_143">[143]</a></span>them peaks in the
+Cliffs to a bend in the crick at that fringe of trees. Then add two
+sections of rough land around the Cliffs, en that's hit. The Barrows
+never did much fencin'. Jist a bresh fence around the truck patch en a
+fairly good corral at the stables is about all. The cows are down thar
+by the spring. We'll turn the bulls out en go down en count 'em."</p>
+
+<p>While Landy was engaged in the requested task Davy took hasty survey
+of the surroundings. The stables and house were of the same
+architecture: rambling log structures that seemed to have been erected
+after many an afterthought. The front door of the house was open.
+Landy closed it, and circled the house to see that all other openings
+were closed. He then mounted and motioned Davy to follow the bulls to
+water. Here, Landy circled the cows and calves. "Thar's twenty-six of
+'em," he commented, "en ye owe Finch the full amount of his claim.</p>
+
+<p>"Now," commented the aged Nestor, "we'll not go over by the B-line.
+What they don't know won't hurt 'em. We'll jist slip back home the way
+we come. Tomorry will be plenty of time to go over the hay-he'p
+matter, en on Monday we must cinch the deal."</p>
+
+<br />
+<br />
+<br />
+<br />
+<a name="Chapter_15" id="Chapter_15"></a><hr />
+<br />
+
+<h3>15<span class="totoc"><a href="#toc">ToC</a></span></h3>
+<br />
+
+<p>The great Burns warehouse in Adot was built back in the impulsive days
+following the construction of the Union Pacific Railroad.
+Notwithstanding the fact that the young nation was engaged in a civil
+war that challenged its existence, there was faith that right would
+prevail, hope in the future of national expansion, and charity assumed
+her wonted place. In 1862 Congress incorporated the road, borrowed the
+funds to build, and bonused the enterprise with <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_144" id="Page_144">[144]</a></span>grants of
+land&mdash;greater in area than the State of Pennsylvania.</p>
+
+<p>And there was need for national expansion and the development of the
+vast empire west of the Mississippi. At the close of the Civil War,
+more than a million soldiers were discharged to seek new homes in an
+uncongested area. A million immigrants came from impoverished Europe
+in the four succeeding years, begging for freedom and a place to live.
+These millions too were given bonuses of grants of land, and soon the
+uninhabited West was dotted with primitive homesteads and scattered
+ranches that must be served. Food, in all its varieties, is a primal
+necessity. Warehouses, clumsy predecessors of modern stores, must be
+constructed at advantageous points to shelter foods and make
+distribution to remote sections. Some called them trading posts.</p>
+
+<p>And so, back in the colorful days of the building of the fast-growing
+West, young Isaac Burns constructed his warehouse. It was high and
+wide, if not handsome. It had a driveway through it&mdash;handy for the
+four or six teams that came to unload flour, sugar, salt, spices,
+bolts of fabrics, farm implements, or what-have you. Handy, too, for
+the rancher or miner that came to buy at retail (but in wholesale
+quantities) a full year's supply of merchandise and food.</p>
+
+<p>But in the changing economies of a fast-growing republic, the
+warehouse plan was to take its place with the ox yoke, the spinning
+wheel, the mustache cup, and the Prince Albert coat. Hard roads and
+bridges took the place of ill-defined trails, and gasoline brought the
+rancher to trading marts daily, instead of once a year.</p>
+
+<p>Young Jethro Burns added a corral to the now useless warehouse and
+traded in livestock. Joe Burns, of the next generation, closed off one
+side of the driveway to make a storage room. But notwithstanding its
+favorable location in the center of town, the room remained idle.
+Except as a repository for a few odds and ends and its occasional uses
+on election days, the old warehouse rested in its past glories. It was
+an easy conquest for the persuasive, zealous Paul Curtis, <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_145" id="Page_145">[145]</a></span>the newly
+arrived Nazarene minister, to gain permission for its use for church
+purposes. Seemingly easy it was to commandeer many of the community's
+extra chairs, benches, settees, and kegs to accommodate the limited
+but growing congregation. A small platform was built at one end,
+lights were added. And now, exhortations and songs of praise filled
+the air that was once vibrant with the bawling of restless calves and
+the bleating of timid lambs.</p>
+
+<p>In the week preceding the event, a great muslin banner hung across the
+warehouse front proclaiming:</p>
+
+<br />
+
+<h4 style="font-family: arial, sans-serif">UNIQUE ENTERTAINMENT!<br/>
+Saturday Eve, 7:30</h4>
+
+<h4 style="font-family: arial, sans-serif">CIRCUS-SHOW MIDGET<br />
+WILL RELATE EXPERIENCES</h4>
+
+<h4 style="font-family: arial, sans-serif">Songs and Music<br />
+Admission&mdash;Free Will Offering.</h4>
+
+<h3 style="font-family: arial, sans-serif">C&nbsp;O&nbsp;M&nbsp;E!</h3>
+
+<br />
+
+<p>David Lannarck was up bright and early Saturday morning. After feeding
+and brushing Peaches, he dressed himself in his best clothes. Landy,
+too, sensing the importance of coming events, improved his appearance
+by buttoning up his shirt-front. The ride to the B-line was
+unimportant. Adine Lough was ready with the roadster. By ten or eleven
+o'clock the party was in Adot.</p>
+
+<p>At the bridge they stopped to lay back the top. Adine drove slowly up
+Main Street; Davy stood in the middle with his hand on Landy's
+shoulder. There were but few persons on the street as the car passed
+but on its return, everybody in the stores was out on the sidewalk.</p>
+
+<p>"Take off that old barn-door hat, Landy, so we can see what ye got,"
+called someone from the walk. Landy complied with the request. Davy
+waved his greetings to the curious. <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_146" id="Page_146">[146]</a></span>The party halted at Jode's hotel
+and restaurant. A woman came out.</p>
+
+<p>Presently a young fellow, coatless and hatless, came running from the
+old warehouse. "We should have had a band to head the parade," he
+exclaimed apologetically, "but you are surely welcome. I have been
+adding more camp chairs to our seating capacity. We'll need them all."
+It was the young preacher. Adine made the introductions.</p>
+
+<p>"Do you want another parade this afternoon?" asked Davy. "Getting out
+the Standing Room Only sign is always an asset for future
+entertainments."</p>
+
+<p>"And will you be with us again?" asked the young minister quickly.</p>
+
+<p>"No, this is my last public appearance," said Davy firmly. "In this
+matter, I am fulfilling an agreement. I want to give all I've got;
+because I got just what I wanted. But if Adine is willing, we'll
+parade this afternoon."</p>
+
+<p>And parade they did, at three o'clock. Davy insisted that Landy
+participate. The aged Nestor&mdash;a perfect representative of other
+days&mdash;held grimly to his seat as the car, driven by a very handsome
+and smiling young lady, moved slowly up and down the thoroughfare,
+packed with people who had come to see&mdash;a midget!</p>
+
+<p>Adine, Davy, and Landy were joined in the evening meal by Mr. and Mrs.
+Charles Gillis and Welborn, who had come in Jim's car, via the Carter
+filling station. The Silver Falls project was well represented. On the
+way over, Welborn figured he could have taken fully an ounce of dust
+from the company holdings, but he was loyal to his friend&mdash;and
+promise.</p>
+
+<p>The audience that assembled for the entertainment at the Burns
+warehouse exceeded the young minister's estimates. The standing
+audience was greater than the number that found seats. A few
+venturesome lads who had never seen a midget climbed up to the braces
+that held sill to pillar to get a better view. But withal it was a
+quiet, orderly <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_147" id="Page_147">[147]</a></span>gathering of the men, women, and children of the
+little city and its far-reaching suburbs.</p>
+
+<p>While the crowd was assembling young Paul Curtis, the preacher, acted
+as usher. He seated Adine Lough and her party of five on the platform.
+Occasionally he consulted with Brother Peyton, the doorkeeper. And
+finally, as capacity was reached, he came to the rostrum.</p>
+
+<p>"Friends and neighbors," he said, "it's too bad that our program must
+be preceded by an apology. As a stranger in your midst, I did not
+properly estimate your interest and enthusiasm. I accept the blame for
+not providing a larger auditorium and I want, at this time, to give
+credit to Miss Adine Lough, of the B-line ranch, for her zeal in
+providing the feature of the entertainment and giving it the wide
+publicity it deserves. Make yourselves as comfortable as you can and
+we will proceed with our offerings."</p>
+
+<p>The young minister was a real artist with an accordion. He played
+several popular numbers, interspersed with old-time classics such as
+"The Flower Song," "The Blue Danube," and others. It was good music,
+well played, and received generous applause. These were followed by a
+solo and encore by the minister's wife and then a quartette of young
+girls sang a couple of popular selections.</p>
+
+<p>Paul Curtis had preceded each number by a brief statement as to what
+it was to be. Now he came to the rostrum. "We are now at the feature
+number of our program," he announced. "I understand it had its
+beginnings in a horse trade. Back in other days, a horse trade was
+often tinged with fraud and chicanery. This one has ended in a great
+good; really, it's the most fortuitous happening in my brief career as
+a minister of the Gospel. It has given me a quick and hearty contact
+with all the people where I am to work. It goes to show that a great
+good can spring from lowly origins. The Saviour of men, you know, was
+from lowly Nazareth and born in a manger.</p>
+
+<p>"But we will let the next speaker tell of the hoss trade, <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_148" id="Page_148">[148]</a></span>although he
+is scheduled to talk about midgets and tell us something about life
+with a circus-show. Both of these topics interest me deeply, as I know
+nothing about either, and am anxious to learn about them.</p>
+
+<p>"Folks, neighbors, and friends of Adot and community, allow me to
+introduce my new-found young friend and our near-neighbor, Mister
+David Lannarck, lately a feature with the Great International Circus,
+and now a resident of the Silver Falls neighborhood. Mister Lannarck."</p>
+
+<p>Davy slid down from an uncomfortable chair and climbed up on the
+little platform that had been placed at the side of the pulpit proper.</p>
+
+<p>"Howdy, folks, and thank you, Brother Curtis, for the kindly
+introduction. Calling me your young friend is a compliment I hardly
+deserve. Yet it's a form of praise encountered by midgets. I recall
+that a white-haired, gray-whiskered employee of the hotel in
+Philadelphia, where we were quartered, persistently called Admiral
+Blair, our leading midget, 'Sonny Boy.' When comparisons were made,
+the Admiral was ten years the older. I am not very adept in guessing
+the ages of either grown persons or midgets, but I suspect, Brother
+Curtis, that I was in the fourth grade in school about the time you
+were born; and that when you arrived at the fourth grade, I was doing
+a man's job on the Keith vaudeville circuit. Such things occur to
+midgets.</p>
+
+<p>"But let's get the Side-Show out of the way before we start the
+performance in the Big Top&mdash;let's clear up the hoss trade first. In
+that transaction I was simply the innocent bystander. The principals
+in that event are with us tonight. Acting as Master of Ceremonies of
+this Floor Show, let me introduce them." Turning to his guests of the
+evening, the speaker cautioned: "Stand up, folks, and take your bow as
+your name is called.</p>
+
+<p>"First, I want to present the party who contributed the Hoss, who made
+all the plans, and who through the untiring labors of this young
+minister is largely, if not wholly responsible for this splendid
+gathering, Miss Adine Lough."</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_149" id="Page_149">[149]</a></span>The applause was generous and lasting. Blushing, smiling, and
+embarrassed, Adine took her bow and resumed her seat.</p>
+
+<p>"And the next principal in the transaction&mdash;the man who discovered the
+hoss and led me to it&mdash;my friend, mentor, guide, and boon companion,
+Mister Landy Spencer." The applause was generous but more boisterous.
+It was evident that Mister Spencer had many boon companions in the
+audience. Landy's bow was a mixture of bends at the waist, neck, and
+knees.</p>
+
+<p>"And the next two, while not direct parties to the hoss trade, are
+responsible for my upkeep, who shelter and feed me&mdash;and the hoss,
+Mister and Mistress James Gillis." Again the applause was generous and
+hearty.</p>
+
+<p>"And last, but not least, is the man who came to me in my greatest
+hour of distress&mdash;of disgust with the mob and a fixed determination to
+get away from it all; the man who came to me when the circus was about
+to fold up, and I was yearning for quiet and peace but didn't know
+where to find it, and he found it for me. Right where I wanted to be,
+the place I had dreamed of, but never could find, the man who as my
+podner does the easy manual labor, while I do the hard thinking, the
+man who owned it all and staked me out a half interest, Mister Sam
+Welborn." Again the applause was generous.</p>
+
+<p>"And that completes the hoss trade episode, my friends. I got the best
+little horse west of the Mississippi River, and Miss Lough got nothing
+but the satisfaction of having planned and promoted a worthy
+enterprise in which all of you are participants. Now, let's get on to
+the main event in the Big Top; let's talk about midgets and circuses."</p>
+
+<p>Earlier, Davy had asked Paul Curtis to find if his voice was reaching
+the remote fringes of the audience. Being assured by a friendly nod
+that he was making himself heard, he placed his elbows on the pulpit
+and rested his chin in his cupped hands to gaze at the curious.</p>
+
+<p>"I wish I knew something of my subject other than my <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_150" id="Page_150">[150]</a></span>own personal
+experiences," he said in a slow, lowered voice. "General literature is
+silent on the classification and accomplishments of midgets. Except
+for Dean Swift's recitals of the Lilliputians&mdash;which is pure fiction
+and the limited paragraphs in the encyclopedias on dwarfs&mdash;which is
+the wrong name for the subject&mdash;in literature the midget is the
+forgotten man.</p>
+
+<p>"Even the Bible, in its wide comprehension of all classes of man, to
+include the race of giants, before the flood, the stalwart sons of
+Anak, and the giant adversary of little David, makes no mention of the
+little people except in the third book of Mosaic writings, the
+'Crookbackt' or dwarfs are warned not to come nigh the altar-fires
+where sacrifices are offered. A severe banishment, truly, but as a
+good Presbyterian, I attribute the severity of such a decree to the
+grudging envy of the jealous old 'kettle-tender' who maybe scorched
+the stew; and I get my solace in the comforting words of the Master
+who pledges that 'the meek, the merciful, the pure in heart and the
+peacemakers&mdash;large or small&mdash;shall be called the children of God.'</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, there's confusion in literature&mdash;even in dictionaries&mdash;as to the
+proper classification of midgets. Their status is better established
+by elimination&mdash;by stating what they are not. Midgets are neither
+dwarfs, runts, pygmies, nor Lilliputians. Dwarfs may have normal
+bodies but with either short legs or arms, or both; a runt is a small
+specimen in a litter or drove; pygmies were a mythical creation of the
+Greeks, but the name was later given to a tribe in South Africa, whose
+stature was considerably less than their neighbors; and Lilliputians
+were the creation of a mind that was later to go haywire&mdash;but not over
+midgets, mind you&mdash;it was that other enigma in human life: the
+beckoning lure of two women, and the great creator of 'Gulliver and
+His Travels' went nuts in trying to decide which way to go."</p>
+
+<p>A wave of stillness blanketed the audience that had come to see&mdash;and
+maybe laugh at&mdash;the antics of a midget. Up to <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_151" id="Page_151">[151]</a></span>now, the address was
+not in the expected pitch. It was far afield from the anticipated
+humor of frivolous incidents. Dissertations on literature, science,
+and philosophy came as an unexpected jolt. Davy Lannarck, who had
+spent his adult life in facing the public, now knew that he had 'em
+mesmerized.</p>
+
+<p>"Who, then, composes this exclusive class in the human family? Who are
+midgets?" Davy gave the question its full emphasis to include the
+dramatic pause. "Well, I've lived the life of one for more than a
+quarter of a century. If literature, dictionaries, encyclopedias, and
+Holy Writ fail to sort us into the proper herd, why, I'll heat my own
+runnin' iron and brand the ones I think are eligible.</p>
+
+<p>"Midgets are people. Out of a million or more of babies born one, at
+least, is destined not to reach adult stature. Normal in every way and
+perfectly proportioned, this millionth babe stops growing, while yet a
+babe, and thereafter not an inch is added to his stature and very
+little to his Weight. 'Arrested development' the scientist terms it;
+'a malfunctioning of the pituitary gland' is the doctor's diagnosis of
+the disaster.</p>
+
+<p>"So, one out of a million or more babies born is destined to go
+through life bumping his head against other people's knees. If it's a
+boy, he can never bust one over the fence for a home run, never look
+squarely into the face of the receiving teller at the bank or of the
+room clerk at the hotel. He is never to referee a prize fight or run
+for president. If he wants a drink at the public fountain, he must ask
+someone to get it for him. If he goes to school, church, or a public
+meeting he must either get a front seat or he'll get a back view. On
+trains, busses, and Pullmans he pays the same adult fare as the
+two-hundred-pounder across the aisle.</p>
+
+<p>"In the meager information about midgets, one writer, in an excellent
+article, estimates one midget to every million of population. He must
+have lived in New York City, as the little people flock to that
+metropolis, seeking employment in theaters and museums. My personal
+estimate of the ratio is <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_152" id="Page_152">[152]</a></span>that not one babe in two million is destined
+to go through life looking through the wrong end of opera glasses. In
+my brief career I have never seen more than twenty-two midgets in one
+group, and that only after Baron Singer had combed the civilized world
+in an effort to get 'em all in one assemblage.</p>
+
+<p>"I have said that literature is almost silent concerning midgets and
+their activities. Yet, if one would compile all the scattered
+paragraphs of the ages past, it might be a sizeable volume. Back in
+the days when chivalry ran parallel with human bondage, midgets were
+rated as personal property. Kings and emperors called them to court
+for amusement purposes; offered them as gifts to appease the powerful
+or seduce the weak. And at courtly banquets, when the liquor was
+potent enough to inspire adventuresome bravery, midgets were tossed
+like medicine balls, from guest to guest, to provide entertainment for
+the ladies and gallants there present. However, the meager paragraphs
+failed to reveal if the ball was dribbled or if free throws were
+allowed in the event of fouls being made on the brave participants.</p>
+
+<p>"Midgets marry same as other people, and strange to relate, fully half
+of them wed full grown adults. Just why this is I do not know. While I
+have acted the part of Dan Cupid in several stage productions, I've
+had no actual experience with the attachments and jealousies of
+humans&mdash;big or little. Midgets do have love-longings and jealousies,
+and love-making is carried on with all the zeal of modern warfare.
+Also, it has some of the elements of modern international diplomacy in
+its double-talk and duplicity. I witnessed one of these incidents as
+an innocent bystander.</p>
+
+<p>"Andr&eacute;, a very competent juggler, had come to America with the Singer
+Midgets. He was a Frenchman and spoke not a word of English. In
+America, the Singer Company was rallying to its organization all the
+little people it could induce to join up in a tour of the big circuit.
+Among the new arrivals was Lorette Sanford, a beautiful little trick
+of a girl. <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_153" id="Page_153">[153]</a></span>Andr&eacute; was much impressed with her beauty and vivacity.
+Here was his soulmate! But he just couldn't tell her of his undying
+affection on account of the language handicap. Lorette knew not a word
+of French.</p>
+
+<p>"But love laughs at locksmiths and Cupid has many assistants. Andr&eacute;
+sought out Jimmy Quick, who had toured France and could make himself
+understood. Jimmy was commissioned to anglicize a proper proposal and
+Andr&eacute; spent hours in repeating the verbiage as taught. At the proper
+moment, he met the object of his adoration back of the scenes and
+fired his volley of transposed endearments. It had a tremendous effect
+all right, but it was in reverse gear. Lorette screamed and ran, but
+quickly returned to slap Andr&eacute;'s face, kick his shins, and push him
+sprawling into a mess of paint cans and brushes. Surely a disastrous
+ending for a well meant intention.</p>
+
+<p>"Of course it turned out that Jimmy Quick, who secretly had notions of
+his own as to the beauty and desirability of the object of Andr&eacute;'s
+affections, had composed a proposal of all the vile and abusive words
+in the English language. Jimmy was too big for Andr&eacute; to chastise, but
+as the rumor of the incident spread and the comedians began to quote
+freely some of the indecent phrases of the hoax, Andr&eacute; fled the scene
+of torment. He left the company at Buffalo and went to Quebec where
+English was in limited use, and the story unknown.</p>
+
+<p>"But Andr&eacute;'s juggling act was invaluable among so many amateurs. The
+manager went to Canada to urge his return. But by the time he
+succeeded, Jimmy Quick had eloped with the fair Lorette and had joined
+up with Cairstair's Congress of Living Wonders. And to give the matter
+a modern and adult finish, it turned out that Andr&eacute; already had a wife
+and child in France.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, midgets&mdash;small in size and few in number&mdash;marry and raise
+families in about the same proportions as 'the big ones.' It is a
+matter of record that Mrs. Judith Skinner, <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_154" id="Page_154">[154]</a></span>herself a midget, gave
+birth to fourteen children. They were all of normal size. In fact, the
+mystery of midget existence is further complicated by the added truth
+that no midget ever gave birth to a midget.</p>
+
+<p>"Midgets never grow bald and are usually vain in the matter of dress,
+probably due to the fact that in the past they were attach&eacute;s of
+royalty. A midget is usually suave in manners and not easily
+embarrassed in public. Several instances are related that midgets,
+back in the conspiring and deceitful days of royalty, gave their
+patrons much information of enemy intrigues and adverse plottings
+against the crown.</p>
+
+<p>"This story is told of a midget's participation in imperial intrigue.
+Richebourg, only twenty-three inches tall, was an attach&eacute; of the royal
+family of Orleans, deeply involved in the French Revolution. Swaddled
+in baby garments, he was allowed to be carried through enemy lines by
+an ignorant maid, bearing vital messages to friends of imprisoned
+royalty.</p>
+
+<p>"But notwithstanding their limitations in size and number, midgets
+have made material contributions in science, art, and invention. Many
+of the present day comforts and much of our current beauty in art came
+from these Lilliputians. And set this down to the credit of the midget
+populace: few midgets, or maybe none at all, are ever convicted of the
+major crimes of murder, mayhem, arson, or theft. If the 'big ones'
+were as law-abiding as the 'little ones' there would be little need
+for criminal courts and jails.</p>
+
+<p>"It was the establishment of democracies that gave midgets a status as
+a citizen. In the dark ages of the past, he had been a creature of
+derision, a thing to be bandied about in trade or gift. And it was in
+our own blessed United States of America that he began taking his
+proper place as a communal asset. Our own Tom Thumb and his genial
+wife, Lavinna Warren, traveled extensively over the world to prove
+that midgets were intelligent and companionable people. Later came
+Admiral Dot, Commodore Nutt, and others of <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_155" id="Page_155">[155]</a></span>the fraternity, to travel
+widely over the country, and by contact prove the worth of midgets.</p>
+
+<p>"But it was Baron Leopold von Singer, an Austrian citizen and a man of
+great wealth, who lifted midgets out of the mental mire of being
+regarded as children and gave them their rightful place. The story is
+told that the baron became interested in little people through the
+pleadings of an invalid daughter. He invited several midgets to his
+home. Finding them agreeable and companionable, he founded a midget
+city with all the conveniences and accessories of a municipality to
+include a theater where much talent was revealed.</p>
+
+<p>"In the midst of these activities Austria became a center of strife in
+the World War. The baron hastily moved his theatrical activities to
+London, and later to the United States where he toured all the larger
+cities to exhibit his little troupers and their talents.</p>
+
+<p>"Really, the baron never planned this tour of the Singer Midgets as a
+money making venture. He had learned to love the little people and
+took keen pleasure and joy in the development of their genius to
+entertain the public. He paid good salaries with no thought of
+commercialism. But the enterprise did make money. It was a major means
+of revealing to the public that midgets have talents. And best of all,
+it furnished a wide field of employment to little people. The public
+wants to see midgets and fully fifty percent of these are now engaged
+in some form of show business.</p>
+
+<p>"My personal contact with show business was made through the Singer
+Midgets. As a youngster I had planned to study architecture, as I had
+developed some talent at the drawing board. But the death of my
+parents interrupted my home life. I sought diversion. I visited the
+Singer Show at St. Louis. I had no specialty&mdash;no act&mdash;that would amuse
+the public, but the manager signed me up, hoping to develop something
+useful. And I did develop. On account of my <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_156" id="Page_156">[156]</a></span>voice being in the right
+pitch, I expanded into a spieler, a front man, the person who makes
+the announcements in front of the curtain, that does the ballyhoo for
+the side show or bawls out, from the center ring, the features of the
+concert 'that will immediately fallaawftah this pawfo'mance.'</p>
+
+<p>"And for twelve years, winter and summer, night and day, I have
+traveled about to see our dear America at its best and its worst. In
+that time, I have looked into the faces of half the people of the
+nation and, as a corollary, I was the object of their scrutiny and
+comment. I got tired of the job. I wanted to get out where I could
+meet them, one at a time, to tell jokes, hear the news, complain about
+the depression, cuss Congress, and sympathize with those in distress.</p>
+
+<p>"But please do not think that my aversion of the public extends to a
+meeting such as we have here tonight. Here, I feel happy in being
+permitted to meet my neighbors and grateful for the opportunity to
+give such publicity as I can to the accomplishments of the little
+people who for centuries were held in a bondage of ridicule and
+derision, but who now, by industry and mental accomplishments, stand
+side by side with all who seek to make this a better world.</p>
+
+<p>"And now let's go to the circus where&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>Davy's further remarks were interrupted by applause. Led by the young
+minister, the seated audience rose to cheer his simple, earnest story
+of midget life and accomplishments.</p>
+
+<p>"Now, I am doubly paid," said the little speaker, showing his first
+signs of embarrassment. "Maybe the double pay is for overtime; maybe
+you are glad that I am nearing the end of the story. At any rate,
+let's go out to the circus lot, even if we do not get inside the Big
+Top. That will shorten the program.</p>
+
+<p>"I love the circus. Inside the ring of its glamorous pageantry is a
+circle of closely knit friendships and sociability not found in any
+other organization. From management to roustabout there are common
+ties of interest. And because a destination must be reached on the
+hour, and a pageant <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_157" id="Page_157">[157]</a></span>presented, there is teamwork such as I have never
+seen elsewhere. Personally, I think circuses, in their precision of
+movement and volume of property handled, have been used as models for
+our great United States' Armies in their muster of men and equipment
+and in the accuracy of transportation.</p>
+
+<p>"Think of it! A big circus, in property and personnel, is the equal of
+a small city. On Monday, this city sets up shop in a Des Moines suburb
+to give two exhibitions. Tuesday it shows in Omaha; Wednesday, in
+Kansas City. It sets up and tears down, the same day. It changes
+location while you sleep. All details, from elephants to tent stakes,
+from kid-show banners to the great arena that shelters and seats ten
+thousand patrons, all must be torn down, transported, and set up
+between sunset and sunrise. I know of no other private enterprise that
+so truly represents the skill, aptitude, and energy of American
+genius.</p>
+
+<p>"But pshaw! All of you have been to circuses! Yet there are erroneous
+impressions abroad that should be corrected. Circuses are, for the
+most part, privately owned and have grown up from small beginnings.
+The owners are business men such as you meet in other industries. They
+employ the best talent available in each department. They try to get
+young bank employees to handle bookkeeping and finances. Surely the
+man on the ticket wagon must be a wizard to handle the volume of
+business done within the limited time; and the boss canvasman, to lay
+out and erect a circus city in two hours, must know his men and
+property in every detail.</p>
+
+<p>"But the important part of the circus business is transacted in the
+winter months and in remote and strange places. What are we to exhibit
+in the coming season? The entire world is scouted to find new and
+sensational features and spectacles. Not only are the jungles combed
+for the little known and strange creatures of earth, but the highly
+civilized quarters of the world should yield new accomplishments in
+the acrobatic field and in the latest achievements <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_158" id="Page_158">[158]</a></span>of science and
+art. And in these later years, all history is carefully explored for
+the dramatic incident that can be portrayed in glamorous pageantry for
+the amusement and education of those who come to the circus.</p>
+
+<p>"And then comes the gravest problem of all. Where will we exhibit this
+planned program? Routing a circus is a technical matter. Every feature
+of the locale must be studied. Stock markets and boards of trade must
+be consulted as to the financial outlook. Crop estimates, factory
+production, and foreign markets are big factors in the planning.
+Droughts, floods, crop failures, labor troubles, and great fires are
+some of the many things to be avoided in the routings. All this must
+be planned before a pitch is made.</p>
+
+<p>"Aside from the management the personnel of a circus naturally divides
+itself into three groups: the ring performers, the animal trainers,
+and the roustabouts. The first named, consisting of acrobats,
+tumblers, jugglers, aerial artists, and equestrians, are an exclusive
+class that eat at the same table and use the same Pullmans. They are
+not 'snooty,' just reserved. There are many foreigners among them. In
+some acts the entire family takes part. They are a sober lot. Hard
+liquor has no place on the refreshment list of a class whose life is
+dependent on a clear brain and a sure hand and foot. Many of them are
+good church folk. We could always tell when Sunday morning came by the
+bustle and stir to attend early Mass.</p>
+
+<p>"Roustabouts, the labor battalion of the circus army, join up out of
+curiosity and quit when satiated. A wise boss never fixes a specific
+payday or else, on the day following, not enough of 'em would be left
+to light the cook's fire. They are the first to be rousted out in the
+morning and never go to bed. They are supposed to catch naps during
+the afternoon performance and of evenings before the menagerie is torn
+down for another move. However, these naps are canceled if they can
+contact the public for a 'touch' or gain an audience for their weird,
+fantastic tales of personal heroism in their life with the circus.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_159" id="Page_159">[159]</a></span>"And because Mister John Q. Public contacts these ne'er-do-wells and
+romancers, he forms wrong estimates of the business. Mister Public is
+further deceived in believing that the 'con man' who has a pitch
+nearby is connected with the enterprise. Circuses are widely
+advertised to appear at a certain place on a fixed date. The skin-game
+artists and shilabers, cheaters, flimflammers, and medicine men flock
+to these gatherings as flies to a picnic. They are as barnacles on a
+fast-moving ship, flies in the ointment of circus management. Happily
+much of this odium has been erased. By close cooperation with local
+authorities, the con man and shilaber is moved out before he starts.
+Unhappily the stigma of past incidents still persists.</p>
+
+<p>"And now, you are happy that I am approaching the end of the chapter,
+and I am happy to say a final word in behalf of my favorites among the
+circus folks, the animal trainers. To me, these patient, hard workers
+are the cream of the crop. Whenever I had time to spare I was a
+visitor in their schools. We marvel that we can communicate by
+telephone and radio, but animal trainers not only make themselves
+understood, but they must first teach their subjects the language in
+which they speak. At these training schools I've seen horses, dogs,
+elephants, seals, and birds told in pantomime what certain words mean;
+they are then told to execute the exact meaning of the word. Those who
+teach young humans have an easy task as compared with these patient
+teachers of dumb, but brainy brutes.</p>
+
+<p>"Animal trainers are born with the 'gift.' None, so far as I know,
+would shine in educational circles and none are dilettanti in the arts
+and sciences, yet they have that mysterious 'it' of influence and
+command. I've seen a great herd of elephants move in unison at a
+whispered word, and a dog will venture to death's door if a little,
+old ragged master bids him to do so. A queer relationship this! It has
+always fascinated me.</p>
+
+<p>"But, I want you to understand, my admiration for the game does not
+extend to the cat family. I always turn my <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_160" id="Page_160">[160]</a></span>back and walk away when I
+see Beatty walk into a cage of tigers, leopards, lions, or cougars. I
+admire his pluck but condemn his judgment. I cannot join the general
+public in admiring the sinuous majesty of the cats. I was always glad
+to hear the final slam of the gate and to wonder if the latch caught
+as Clyde backed out.</p>
+
+<p>"But with the rest of the trainees I am in good standing. I love to
+ramble around in the menagerie and hear the big talk of the gang in
+charge. Elephants like children and midgets. Old Mom always had a
+friendly greeting for me and knew in which pocket I had parked the
+peanuts. Seals know a lot more than they let on. However, they are a
+jealous set. They sulk and pout, worse than humans, if one act wins
+more applause than another.</p>
+
+<p>"As a sort of a summary of my happy hours spent with animal trainers,
+I offer the opinion that dogs, because of their centuries of contact
+with man, are the most faithful creatures of the animal kingdom; that
+horses are the most useful, for this great western empire would still
+be a desert or a roaring wilderness had it not been for the horse.
+Elephants are smarter than many of the other creatures. They can
+reason from cause to effect. This I know, for one dark, rainy night
+when we were stuck in the mud trying to get off the lot at Columbus,
+old Canhead Fortney was using two of the smaller Asiatics to shove the
+big cages out of the mire. Jerry Quiggle had six horses on a chain and
+was surging away to get the wagons out to the pavement. Canhead moved
+the little elephants around back of the big rhinoceros cage and fixed
+the head-pads for the big shove. But they didn't shove. Canhead bawled
+and fussed around in the dark and thought he had a mutiny on his
+hands. Presently he heard Jerry, up in front, hooking on the chain and
+clucking to the horses. Then the little Asiatics, without further
+orders, bent to their task and the big cage rolled out to the hard
+surface. Canhead apologized for his error. He stopped at a hydrant and
+washed the mud off the elephants' legs and gave 'em an extra feed.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_161" id="Page_161">[161]</a></span>"But of all the animals under training, I think seals are the
+smartest. They are uncanny in their reasoning. They do unexpected
+things. When seals are associated with human beings as long as dogs
+they will speak our language and do it correctly. I think seals like
+to tour the country in the hope that some day they can go back to the
+ocean, to the rocks and cliffs and slides, to tell the other seals
+just how dumb we humans are.</p>
+
+<p>"And that's about all, my friends. I realize that my rambling remarks
+are poor pay for the splendid little horse I got. Really, if my time
+and talk is the value of exchange, I would be here for a week, telling
+of the tragedies and comedies I've seen in this vast, fast-moving
+business. I could tell of the big blow-down we had in Texas; of the
+train wreck in the Carolinas; of the near elephant stampede we had
+when the woman raised her parasol as the parade was forming in
+Frankfort. And to show how closely tragedy and comedy are interwoven,
+I'll ring down the final curtain by telling this incident.</p>
+
+<p>"At Toledo, the Grand Entry was forming for the night performance. In
+the menagerie tent the animals, chariots, Roman soldiers, and
+attendants were being lined up for the Grand March. In the lineup were
+two hippopotamuses. It was a new feature, having these big brutes free
+and unrestrained in a parade. Just as the march started, old Fisheye
+Gleason, a seasoned old retainer who cleaned out cages, fed the
+animals, and who claimed he was with Noah when he landed his animal
+collection on Mount Ararat; old Fisheye was climbing down from the top
+of a cage when he stumbled and fell right on the back of a hippo. Now
+a hippo isn't classed with the smart animals. He makes up in bulk what
+he lacks in brains. He is billed as being the 'Blood-Sweating Behemoth
+of Holy Writ.'</p>
+
+<p>"But it was Fisheye that did the sweating. He didn't want to fall off
+to be run over by the chariots and it was hard to stick on the round,
+fat hippo. And the poor, scared hippo <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_162" id="Page_162">[162]</a></span>ran through the band,
+scattering musicians and horns, ran round the arena with Fisheye
+aboard, and finally scrambled up about four tiers in the reserved
+seats to an entangling stop. So far as I know, this was the only
+parade that Fisheye ever headed, and Toledo was the only city to
+witness such a Grand Entry.</p>
+
+<p>"Thank you, one and all, for your kindly indulgence."</p>
+
+<p>Again the young minister headed the prolonged applause, but he
+motioned for the audience to remain seated for a final word.</p>
+
+<p>"This is one of the happy events of my life," he said
+enthusiastically. "I have been well entertained, and have gained much
+valuable information on two subjects that I knew little about. And now
+that I am to add a further paragraph as to our material gains, I hope
+our guest and entertainer will understand our deep appreciation of his
+presence with us and his thoughtful remarks.</p>
+
+<p>"Brother Peyton informs me that the receipts of the evening amount to
+four hundred and seventy-one dollars. This is a giant sum to be
+collected voluntarily, in a small community, in a time of depression
+and for an entertainment that was wholly home talent and given at
+little expense.</p>
+
+<p>"Our parent church provides for loans to be made, to match sums
+donated for building purposes. I am making application for such a
+loan. I have contracted for the purchase of the old Hartman home at
+the corner of Laramie Street. It needs a new roof and new paint. If a
+partition is torn out it will be ample for our church needs just now.
+Tomorrow I will canvass the community for volunteers to do this work.
+I have already made some inquiry on this matter and feel sure that we
+can get donations of three hundred manpower hours for this task.</p>
+
+<p>"So what you two have accomplished this night," said the youthful
+preacher in closing, "will be shown in our church records. It will be
+recorded that a handsome, enthusiastic young girl and a former circus
+performer made the initial contributions that established a church in
+a <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_163" id="Page_163">[163]</a></span>community where it was said that such a thing was impossible. I
+thank you all for your presence here, for your labors, and your
+contributions."</p>
+
+<br />
+<br />
+<br />
+<br />
+<a name="Chapter_16" id="Chapter_16"></a><hr />
+<br />
+
+<h3>16<span class="totoc"><a href="#toc">ToC</a></span></h3>
+<br />
+
+<p>Sunday was a quiet day at the Gillis home. It was freighted with both
+doubt and hope. Landy and Davy were out of bed at four o'clock Monday
+morning. At five they were in the saddle; at six-thirty they were at
+the Carter filling station. Adine had just arrived and had introduced
+herself to old Maddy, seated on the porch. She heard a brief recital
+as to the cause of his injuries and as Landy and Davy rode up she
+invited the invalid to accompany the party.</p>
+
+<p>"It will do you good," she explained, "for after the snows come you
+must stay in the house for a long time. We three ride the front seat
+but there is a long, narrow seat at the rear where you can prop up
+your injured feet and view the scenery."</p>
+
+<p>Maddy laughed. "I've seen too much scenery already. I feel more like
+resting than I do gadding. I am, however, deeply interested in your
+project. If you take over that Barrow ranch and get Hulls out of the
+country, I want to recommend a tenant&mdash;a companionable fellow and a
+hard worker that will make a good neighbor and bring decency out of
+that disgrace. It's young Goff, who saved my life. He lives over the
+state line; raises sheep and cattle; has no family, and needs
+expansion. He would make that Tranquil Meadow area bloom like a rose."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, I'm not the buyer," cautioned Adine, "but I will certainly use
+my influence. Your benefactor has already proven his worth as a
+citizen, and we need that kind of folks to live down the past. I will
+do my best."</p>
+
+<p>Landy and Davy had parked their horses in the Carter <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_164" id="Page_164">[164]</a></span>corral to take
+their place in the awaiting car. At near the noon hour they parked in
+front of the National Bank in Cheyenne.</p>
+
+<p>"What's your birthday?" inquired the gentlemanly cashier, as Davy made
+inquiry as to the receipt of the draft.</p>
+
+<p>"May thirtieth," responded Davy promptly.</p>
+
+<p>The cashier laughed as he produced the expected document. "Your
+sending party seems to know you very well, and know how to solve our
+problem of identification. Do you want to open an account?"</p>
+
+<p>"Well, I suppose that's the way it should be handled. I want to pay
+the most of it to Mr. Logan, if he's prepared to accept it. I want to
+pay Mr. Spencer here one hundred dollars and he wants to add that to
+the account of Mrs. Gillis and I should add fully fifty dollars to
+that account to keep sweet with the best cook I ever encountered.
+Then, too, I should pay Mr. Finch fifty dollars. After that, if there
+is any left, I hope you can keep it for me until I can add it up to a
+profitable figure."</p>
+
+<p>"Ah! here's Mr. Logan," interrupted the cashier. "You gentlemen just
+come into the customers' room and we will work out the details."</p>
+
+<p>"You are prompt. I thought I would beat you here," said Logan to Davy
+and his party. "Saturday I had a deed prepared to the Barrow ranch and
+had the judge approve the sale with the conditions of possession as
+stated agreed. I have it here and ready for delivery."</p>
+
+<p>It was Mr. Gore, the courteous cashier, who took charge of the
+business. He secured the endorsement of Davy's draft, took his
+verified signature, drew the required checks, saw them signed and
+exchanged. The entire transaction was completed in a few minutes.</p>
+
+<p>"You will see Mr. Finch before I do," said Davy to Logan. "Will you
+please hand him this check for fifty which completes my obligations to
+him and tell him that I am having the cattle remaining on the ranch
+appraised. If the appraisal <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_165" id="Page_165">[165]</a></span>warrants, I will pay the balance of his
+bill and send the remainder to Hulls Barrow."</p>
+
+<p>"Appraised! Bosh!" snorted the bank receiver. "You'll not get close to
+see any part of the ranch, let alone counting the scrub cattle. I've
+been up against old Hulls and his gun, and I know what I'm talking
+about."</p>
+
+<p>"The cattle have already been counted," said Davy quietly, "and I had my
+first view of the Bar-O Friday. The cattle seem in good flesh but the
+general property needs a lot of repair. I was very sorry to see Mr.
+Barrow leave; I could have used a man of his firm determination...."</p>
+
+<p>"Leave?" demanded Logan. "Is Hulls gone?"</p>
+
+<p>"Left Friday morning early, taking with him his gun, dog, chickens,
+household plunder, and worst of all, Maizie. And that woman was the
+exact type I needed."</p>
+
+<p>"Where did they go?" questioned the astonished receiver.</p>
+
+<p>"Except for the coop of chickens and the household goods, it looked
+like a picnic. However, their guide, mentor, and boss had a faraway
+look in his eye&mdash;seemed impatient to get going. Who was he? Well, I
+don't know the folks hereabouts." Turning to Landy, Davy drawled, "Who
+was that fellow that was driving?"</p>
+
+<p>"Hit was Collins, Ugly Collins, en from the way he was bossin' en
+pushin' along, he was tryin' to make hit to Denver by nightfall."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, he certainly upset my plans," said Davy resignedly. "But that's
+what one encounters in making trades, Mr. Logan. You plan out what you
+are going to do, only to find out that others also make plans.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, folks," said Davy, picking up the new account book and pad of
+checks, "where is that famous restaurant that you've been talking
+about? Landy's breakfasts have no stretch in 'em, don't last. I'm
+wolfish. Well, good-by, Mister Logan, and good-by, Mister Gore. I hope
+we have pleasant relations. Good-by all." And Davy ushered his party
+to the street.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_166" id="Page_166">[166]</a></span>Seated in the Little Gem, awaiting service, it was Adine Lough that
+opened the conversation. "I hardly know how I am to get home," she
+said. "I don't like driving alone, but I certainly don't want to be
+found in the company of two heartless comedians who seek to inject
+their comedy into staid business transactions. I thought Mr. Logan's
+lower jaw would drop off when you fastened the blame of the entire
+move on his friend Ugly Collins. I could hardly repress my tears in
+your great loss of Maizie's services. I think Mr. Logan was affected
+too. Shame on both of you for being so heartless."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, Logan kinda got his fingers bruised in his own b'ar trap," said
+Landy thoughtfully. "I hope his bankin' efforts won't git tangled up
+in some of his deep plannin'. Logan will git his bank started all
+right; but when this depression lifts en things git goin' Adot will
+still need a bank; this one will turn out to be 'Logan's Tradin' Post'
+er 'Logan's Deadfall.' Ye can revive a bank by man-made laws, but hit
+takes more than a slicker to keep hit goin'. Have you two settled the
+hay trade?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," said Adine, "you are to have all the stacks and ricks in the
+south field. I think Mr. Potter estimated it at near one hundred tons.
+You can have the use of one of our trucks for hauling, but you will
+probably have to hire help to move it. Our folks have never exchanged
+work with the Bar-O. Our help will probably want to wait to see if the
+new management is any improvement on the former control." The raillery
+of the youngest and happiest of the trio was seemingly lost on the
+two, now immersed in heavy responsibilities.</p>
+
+<p>Davy returned to the car; Adine Lough would telephone a school friend
+and window shop while Landy went to the hardware store to buy some
+needed kitchen accessories as directed in a brief note that he had
+crumpled in a deep pocket. Before two o'clock the party was well on
+the way to Carter's.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_167" id="Page_167">[167]</a></span>Less than a month ago David Lannarck had traveled this same road. Then
+he was amazed at the shifting changes, the glory of its loneliness,
+and the utter absence of the curious and gawking. In his decade of
+travel he never encountered the land of his dreams, the wide open
+spaces that reached from here to the horizon and free of human beings.
+His business led him to the congested spots on the earth. If and when
+he traveled with a circus he spent his spare hours in the animal tent.
+Here he was not taunted with verbal gibes. Maybe this was his reason
+for liking animals. Always, he dreamed of the day when he could own
+dogs, horses, or any living thing that didn't smirk or titter.</p>
+
+<p>And now, on this fine October afternoon, all past hopes and dreams had
+come true; his foot was in the doorway to an earthly heaven. He was
+the owner of a ranch (maybe Ralph Gaynor would condemn the investment)
+and it had length and breadth and the desirable loneliness. He was the
+owner of a grand little horse (maybe Jess and the gang of the circus
+would scorn his size and color). He was the sole owner of a herd of
+cattle (surely the experts and maybe the general public would classify
+them as scrubs and yellow-hammers) and best of all, he had acquired a
+few understanding friends, true and loyal. During the time of the long
+trip back to their horses he was in deep thought. His meditations did
+not concern finances, nor that other pressing question: when will this
+depression end? Truly he was trying to muster arguments and reasons
+whereby he could persuade his mentor to move the scrub yearlings, now
+quartered at the Cliffs, up to the stables and corrals with the rest
+of the cattle.</p>
+
+<p>For this midget, David Lannarck, was very human. Possessed of an alert
+and active mind, he had, throughout adulthood, ever been classified as
+a child. He would use his recent accomplishments and present status to
+frustrate that persistent impression. Secretly but in all details he
+planned the coup.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_168" id="Page_168">[168]</a></span>First, he would persuade Landy to round up those yearlings in a group
+with the rest of the cattle; second, on the basis that a general
+picture of the enterprise was sorely needed to bolster his financial
+standing, he would have a photographer present, taking views of all
+phases of the adventure; thirdly, and most important, he, Davy, would
+be astride Peaches, mingling with the several cow hands against a
+background of milling cattle, either in the wide open spaces or in the
+corrals at the stables. Copies of these pictures he would send to all
+his old associates in vaudeville or in the circus business.
+Particularly, he would send several copies to Ralph Gaynor, president
+of the Dollar Savings, hoping that one of them might be displayed
+where the general public could see that a midget, a former resident,
+was active with other adults in the most fascinating business in
+America. He was not seeking to establish financial credit; that he
+had, in substantial deposits and other well known securities, but he
+wanted to get away from the persistent notion of classifying midgets
+as children.</p>
+
+<p>Meanwhile Adine and Landy, having exhausted merry quips and scornful
+comparisons of the past and future management of the Bar-O, now gave
+serious exchanges of opinions as to who would make a suitable tenant
+for the property that was to be built up to a going concern. Landy
+mentioned the names of a dozen old-time cattle men, now unemployed and
+surely available. None of these suited the notions of the young lady
+whose persistent idea was building up the neighborhood. She, too,
+mentioned the names of many, few of them known to the old timer.
+Finally the girl mentioned the name of Maddy's benefactor, young Goff,
+now residing across the state line. "He's in cramped quarters over
+there, I understand," said the girl casually.</p>
+
+<p>"He's the best man in the deestrict," said Landy thoughtfully. "But
+he's got the same problems we have. He's got critters to feed, en he
+can't run two places when the snow <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_169" id="Page_169">[169]</a></span>is here. I hope, however, that
+Davy here can make him a permanent offer that will move him at once.</p>
+
+<p>"But we've got to git them yearlin's outa the Cliffs en up to the
+stables," Landy announced emphatically. "We can't haul hay, wean
+calves, en be traipsin' all over ten sections to feed a few critters.
+We've got to bunch 'em en show 'em that we mean business."</p>
+
+<p>"That's right, Landy," was Davy's prompt approval. "Can we get that
+young Goff tomorrow? Is there a good photographer in Adot? When can we
+haul the hay?"</p>
+
+<p>"Thar ye go crowdin' the question chute," complained Landy as the
+party arrived at the filling station. "Tomorry we've got to be in
+Adot. We've got a deed to record; got to buy some ground feed, if them
+calves are to be weaned; got to hire a lot of exter hay hands en
+enough he'p to corral them yearlin's. En besides all that," he
+cautioned, "we've got to go to the register's office en git a
+substitute brand, fer old Hulls has shorely carried off the old irons
+outa pure cussedness. Kin ye he'p us tomorry?" His question was
+directed to Adine Lough as the two got out of the car.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, I've enlisted for the duration. I am anxious to learn if the new
+management is an improvement over the old. Recent happenings have
+created doubts. Come over in the morning; I want to see the finish."</p>
+
+<br />
+<br />
+<br />
+<br />
+<a name="Chapter_17" id="Chapter_17"></a><hr />
+<br />
+
+<h3>17<span class="totoc"><a href="#toc">ToC</a></span></h3>
+<br />
+
+<p>A veteran cow hand or a frequenter of the modern rodeo would have
+walked out on the roundup of the scattered kine of the Bar-O ranch on
+this gray October day. There was scarcely a thrill in the entire
+performance.</p>
+
+<p>At Welborn's insistence, Davy invited young Byron Goff <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_170" id="Page_170">[170]</a></span>to help out in
+the work to be done. "I may not be here always," explained Welborn,
+"and Landy won't be here forever. Young Goff is your bet. He's a
+square shooter, a good worker, and his sheep and your cattle are too
+few to awaken the old-time cattle and sheep wars. Tie in with Goff."</p>
+
+<p>And Goff came to look the place over and make a tentative contract. A
+day or two before the general roundup Landy and Flinthead had turned
+out the gentle cattle that stayed around the barns and sheds to mingle
+with nervous yearlings that headquartered at the Cliffs. On the
+morning of the roundup young Goff and Flinthead made a wide detour to
+appear at the easternmost side. The startled kine moved west, and kept
+moving west as they found scattered riders on either side. At the
+gate, where trouble was expected, a few "yip-yips" and a hurried push
+sent the entire herd through the gates to a safe enclosure.</p>
+
+<p>To David Lannarck, this was the climax of his varied career. He had a
+photographer present to take many successful shots, although the day
+was raw and gray. His circus friends may not have been impressed as
+they viewed the pictures but Davy spent happy hours in looking them
+over, especially the one where he, mounted on Peaches, was heading off
+an obstinate calf.</p>
+
+<p>The hay hauling from the B-line was interrupted by a snow storm that
+persisted for several days. Davy had to stay at home to train Peaches
+in many fancy tricks and to keep a path open to the Gillis home.
+Welborn, however, took no part in these activities. He continued his
+work at the ravine and expressed joy that a heavy snow would prevent a
+deep freeze of the gravel. In fact, much of his time was consumed in
+insulating the pumps, the waterpipes and the area where he was to
+work. He was often delayed by the severity of the weather but as the
+dreary weeks passed the heap of little sacks that contained his
+gleanings grew to a considerable pile.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_171" id="Page_171">[171]</a></span>And in these monotonous months of near-solitude Davy Lannarck found
+the satisfaction and contentment of his former dreams. In five months
+he saw less than a half score of people. In his waking hours his time
+was spent in training Peaches and playing with the Gillis dogs. Most
+of the time he kept the way open to the Gillis demesne, but on two
+occasions at least, he was denied that privilege; the heavy, swirling
+snows that swept over this mountain region were too much for a midget
+man and a midget horse. It was Landy Spencer and the larger horses
+that conquered the big drifts and made a passable thoroughfare between
+the Point and the Gillis home. But spring came as is its wont; the
+great snowdrifts yielded to the demands of the sun and southern winds
+and the returning flights of birds heralded the change of seasons.</p>
+
+<p>But the big change in conduct and occupation was in Sam Welborn. In
+the short, dark, snowy days he labored in the recesses of the canyon
+from early dawn to nightfall, but as the days lengthened and
+brightened, he puttered about the house sorting and packing some of
+his personal effects, pressing his limited supply of clothing,
+constructing a strong box to contain his gleanings, and losing no
+chance to learn of the conditions of the roads to Cheyenne and points
+beyond. It was apparent to his few acquaintances that he was now
+prepared to overcome some past adversities that had hindered his
+progress in other fields.</p>
+
+<p>One evening after supper at the Gillis home Welborn made a limited
+disclosure of his future plans. "As soon as the roads are fit, I want
+to go to the assay office in Denver and cash up on past efforts," was
+his opening statement. "I hope Jim can take time out to drive me there
+and bring the car back, for I want to make a trip back East to be gone
+for a week or two. After I have finished up my business in that area I
+want to come back here and loaf around a spell and get acquainted with
+my neighbors and benefactors. As Davy <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_172" id="Page_172">[172]</a></span>has often said, 'The gold up in
+the ravine will keep.' The claims are registered in our names, and we
+can, from time to time, work 'em to keep 'em alive.</p>
+
+<p>"At the assay office," Welborn continued, "I will cash in the little
+dab that I had accumulated before Davy advanced the money to buy the
+pump and accessories; the rest is partnership funds to be divided and
+depos&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"Hold on!" interrupted Davy. "You've sheltered me, fed me&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"&mdash;with grub bought with your money," interposed Welborn. "You can't
+avoid past contributions by present-day denials, Laddie. Without your
+help it would have taken me ten years to do what I've now done in six
+months. And speed was and is the important requirement. In addition to
+all you've done in the past months I've still got another problem for
+you to work on."</p>
+
+<p>Welborn paused, seemingly embarrassed as to how to proceed. His little
+audience waited breathlessly. "Folks, I am not a criminal!" he said
+after a prolonged pause. "But I did get involved with gangsters.
+Although I made a temporary clean-up on some of them, domestic affairs
+and financial disasters made it impossible to stay on. It seemed
+cowardly to quit but there was no other way. I had no plans, no trade,
+no profession. I simply stumbled in on this method of financial
+recovery, and thanks to your kindly indulgence I am prepared to go
+back and make good some financial matters that were not of my making.</p>
+
+<p>"But in going back," Welborn continued, "I would like to know
+something about conditions there before they know who I am. There
+seems to be two ways to do this. One would be to camp nearby and send
+someone to investigate and report back as to conditions; the other
+would be for me to disguise myself and loaf around as a laborer,
+unemployed and looking for work.</p>
+
+<p>"You know something about make-up and disguises, <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_173" id="Page_173">[173]</a></span>Laddie; could I be
+made up as a laborer or a village loafer so I could sit around and
+listen in?"</p>
+
+<p>"You would have to let them shoulders down and pad a hump in your
+back," replied the little man. "Appearances can be radically changed
+but size is a handicap. There is a woman in Denver by the name of
+Wallace that can make you up to look like either an angel or a tramp.
+She used to be in vaudeville with costumes and makeup, now she's
+settled down in the legit&mdash;furnishes costumes for plays, charades, and
+the like. She's on one of those little side streets near the business
+district. She'll clip your head, deck you out in scraggy iron-gray
+hair and whiskers until a bank clerk would turn you down, even if you
+were identified. She'll tell you about your clothing; that's her
+specialty. Your ragged coat ought to have a hump in the back to offset
+erectness and if you carry a cane, you should use it&mdash;not twirl it
+like a baton.</p>
+
+<p>"But there's one of your assets, or weaknesses, that she will not be
+able to disguise," said Davy earnestly. "I take a chance in wrecking a
+fine friendship, to tell you about it."</p>
+
+<p>"Go right on, Sonny Boy," said Welborn, "you couldn't wreck our
+friendship if you were to spit in my face."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, we folks here know nothing about your past. We don't want to
+know until you release it, but I'll bet my interest in the Bar-O
+against a thin dime that you've served in the army and were a tough
+old 'top-kick' at that. You want things done your way. You resist
+being told. You want to correct the other fellow if he's wrong; even
+if disguised, you would interrupt and correct and maybe jam the whole
+works. Of course we want you to win but you've got to be careful&mdash;even
+if it hurts."</p>
+
+<p>Welborn's face flushed but he laughed sheepishly as he pondered the
+charges made. "You've got me dead-to-rights, Laddie; I am impatient
+and domineering, but I think I still have control. Just now I need
+information. I want to know if I am classed as a criminal or a citizen
+back in my home <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_174" id="Page_174">[174]</a></span>town. Personally, I would like to go back there, loaf
+around and listen in.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, it can be done," said Davy emphatically, "and I think I ought
+to be an assistant. You saved my life, now I want to be a party to
+saving your reputation. You are not a criminal; you couldn't be one if
+you tried. Just tell me the name of your home town and I will go there
+as the advance man for Lannarck's Congress of Living Wonders. I'll be
+seeking a site to assemble the company and plan the rehearsals. While
+there I will want the history of the town and the chamber of commerce
+will give it to me. In that history, your affair in all its details
+will be recited. Later on, you can stumble in as a laborer, seeking
+work. I will be quartered at the leading hotel, and you at a boarding
+house out by the junction. But we will meet at the picture show or at
+a local poolroom and I will hire you to take care of the baggage and
+the accessories as they come in. It won't take us long to get your
+status, pay your fine, or get the judge to suspend your sentence.</p>
+
+<p>"Let's get going, podner," said Davy, as he clambered down from his
+chair. "We'll both go to Cheyenne; you go to Denver to cash up and
+fade out; I'll go to your town to pay out and horn in."</p>
+
+<p>Welborn smiled as he listened to Davy's enthusiasm and slang. He
+drummed his fingers on the table as he considered his proposals. "I
+hadn't thought of involving any of our home-folks in my troubles,"
+said he thoughtfully, "but maybe your assistance and plan will be the
+thing that's needed. I want information. People will stare at and talk
+to a midget and they will pay little attention to the badly dressed
+old gent with whom he associates. Anyhow, it won't hurt to try it
+out."</p>
+
+<p>Davy insisted that the party should start for Cheyenne the very next
+morning. James Gillis, who was to do the driving, would wait until he
+learned of road conditions. Welborn occupied much of the time in
+fitting himself with <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_175" id="Page_175">[175]</a></span>old shoes, overalls, hickory shirts, and a
+slouch hat. On Monday, Jim learned that the nearby trails were fit for
+travel to the paved highway and on Tuesday morning the party of three
+loaded the little car with boxes of metal, bundles of clothing, and
+the like, and started for Cheyenne.</p>
+
+<p>During the long drive, Welborn took up much of the time in instructing
+Davy as to his destination and duties. "Bransford, a near suburb of
+Chicago, is your destination," he explained, "and the man who insulted
+the better element of the community by his insistence that the
+prevailing lawlessness was wholly due to their negligence was named
+Shirley Wells. And this same Wells, when he found that gangsters had
+taken over the management of the old family bank and brought disrepute
+to an honored name, staged a battle with these invaders that sent two
+of 'em to the hospital and maybe resulted in the death of one or both.
+Was he indicted? Did a mob form? He did not wait to see. With the
+family estate squandered, this Wells boarded a night freight train to
+avoid present responsibilities and to seek a new start in life. His
+linen and underwear was marked S.W. He changed his name to Samuel
+Welborn. You know the rest of the story, Davy, but there is a lost
+chapter in the tale. What's the present-day status of Shirley Wells in
+his home town?</p>
+
+<p>"In Bransford, you will headquarter at the Grand Union Hotel.
+Following your 'broadcast' about establishing a training ground for
+the Kid Show, you must quietly go to the office of Fred Townsend for
+information. He's a lawyer. If he's alive, I've got a chance; if he's
+dead, Shirley Wells is still Sam Welborn and the Silver Falls district
+must continue as his hideout.</p>
+
+<p>"In your contact with Townsend, tell him that I sent you&mdash;that you are
+my A.Z.&mdash;and he will understand. What you tell him is casual; your
+objective is to find out all about the standing of Shirley Wells.
+Shirley is surely a bankrupt, but is he a murderer? Are indictments
+pending? Can he be <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_176" id="Page_176">[176]</a></span>cleared of these charges? And what about the Wells
+National Bank? And where is Carson Wells? These are the things we must
+know if I am to live as a citizen or a criminal.</p>
+
+<p>"I will be in Denver for a few days. We surely have more than sixty
+thousand dollars' worth of metal in those containers. Some of it may
+be in bad shape. Some of it may have to be rectified, as they term it,
+and that will cause delay. Then, too, I am not certain if your lady
+friend in Denver can do her job effectively. I wouldn't want to be
+caught in a disguise. At any rate, I will be in Chicago or Bransford
+some day next week."</p>
+
+<p>At the railway station Jim Gillis maneuvered the ancient model to
+unload the metal and clothing at the Denver platform. Davy purchased a
+ticket for Chicago. Welborn's read "to Denver and return."</p>
+
+<br />
+<br />
+<br />
+<br />
+<a name="Chapter_18" id="Chapter_18"></a><hr />
+<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_177" id="Page_177">[177]</a></span><br />
+<br />
+<br />
+<br />
+
+
+<h2>PART TWO</h2>
+<br />
+<br />
+<br />
+<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_178" id="Page_178">[178]</a></span><br />
+<hr />
+<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_179" id="Page_179">[179]</a></span><br />
+
+<h3>18<span class="totoc"><a href="#toc">ToC</a></span></h3>
+<br />
+
+<p>Because of duties in maintaining peace along the uncertain boundary
+lines that divided a defeated people from those who had triumphed,
+Captain Shirley Wells was detained in the border lands of France and
+Germany long after his badly reduced regiment had returned to their
+homeland. Wells had been the first sergeant of a company that became
+noted for its discipline within and its activities afield. His
+promotion to a commission had been earned.</p>
+
+<p>Shirley had entered the service as an enthusiastic youth. In a few
+brief years he had grown to a serious-minded man. A six-footer,
+deep-chested, broad of shoulders, he had the physical ability to
+enforce the decrees and orders of his superiors while the general
+terms of boundaries were being formulated. Patiently and firmly he
+worked with the peasantry of any district where he was assigned to
+gain their confidence and earn the praise of his superiors. On July
+2nd, 1921, his nation and the others interested having completed the
+general terms of boundaries and occupation, the service by regulatory
+groups was ended. Shirley Wells had been gratified in earning a
+commission, now he was happy indeed to know that he was to return to
+civilian pursuits, for he might have to work out some peace terms in
+his home town.</p>
+
+<p>More than eighteen months ago, while his regiment was resting after an
+effective foray against the enemy in the vicinity of Lyons, he
+received a letter informing him of the death of his father and
+indicating that a telegram had been sent. He never received the
+telegram, and judging by a lack of replies to his letters, he doubted
+that one had been sent.</p>
+
+<p>Now he was an orphan. In letters from friends he learned that his
+elder brother, Carson, was in charge of the family bank at Bransford,
+a suburb of Chicago, and that he was connected with active interests
+in that city. He learned, too, <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_180" id="Page_180">[180]</a></span>that Carson now lived in the ancient
+but beautiful home formerly occupied by his parents. What about the
+boys and girls with whom he was associated in school days? Was Loretta
+Young married? Was the strong little bank, the pride of two
+generations, still rendering the service that had made it famous? And
+what of the other family assets? This returning soldier was deeply
+involved in the complications that come to all veterans who are
+hastily transferred back to civilian duties and are to encounter the
+radical changes that have been made to maintain a vast fighting force
+in distant lands.</p>
+
+<p>However, Shirley Wells noted little difference in conditions in the
+cities of Washington and Chicago as he hastened homeward. Buildings
+and streets appeared about as usual but the general populace appeared
+indifferent and unconcerned. Unemployment prevailed, but he seemed to
+contact more women in business places than he did in former days.</p>
+
+<p>At Chicago he transferred to the morning local for Bransford. He was
+disappointed that he found no old-time acquaintances among those who
+were bound for the suburbs. The first person to recognize him was the
+station agent at Bransford and his greeting was casual as he trundled
+the truck of empty milk cans to the far end of the platform. "Maybe
+these London tweeds are taboo in this central zone," he grumbled as he
+made his way up the shaded street to the business district.</p>
+
+<p>At the bank, he planned to walk right up to the receiver's window and
+ask old Powell if this was Tellson's bank and was Mr. Tellson in? As a
+schoolboy he had often kidded the aged cashier as to the close
+resemblance of these quarters to the little, gloomy, narrow affair
+described by author Dickens as being located at Temple Bar in the city
+of London. But the aged cashier's place was occupied by an alert young
+man who asked to be of service and Shirley could only inquire if
+Carson was in.</p>
+
+<p>The aged woman working at a filing cabinet turned <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_181" id="Page_181">[181]</a></span>quickly when she
+heard the voice of the inquirer. She walked to the counter to get a
+better view. "Why, it's Shirley!" she cried as she ran out in the
+corridor. "It's Shirley!&mdash;twice as big!" She made ineffective attempts
+to hug and caress the big man, who laughingly lifted her up to plant a
+kiss on either cheek. "That's the first&mdash;and best&mdash;welcome I've had
+since I landed in America, Aunt Carrie," said he. "Now I feel that I
+am home."</p>
+
+<p>Carson Wells came from the little private room at the rear. The
+greetings of the brothers were not so effusive. Shirley was invited to
+the private room by his brother.</p>
+
+<p>"I want to loaf around for a week or two," the veteran explained. "I
+want to hunt up a few old friends and hear 'em detail the awful
+experiences they suffered during the war. If you can find me a
+temporary hangout where I can store some keepsakes while I get myself
+oriented, it will be quite all right."</p>
+
+<p>"The housing situation is a little tight just now," said Carson, "but
+we should be able to find quarters somewhere. The Grand Union is badly
+congested of weekends and rooming houses are full up. I live in the
+three west rooms of our old home and Mr. Breen and his family occupy
+the rest. However, there's plenty of room at the farmhouse, and Davis,
+the tenant, certainly needs a lot of personal supervision, the way
+things have been going lately. At times I have felt that I should
+share the big house at the farm but my wife protests&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"Are you married?" interrupted Shirley. "And who is the fortunate
+lady?"</p>
+
+<p>"Why, sure I'm married. Didn't you get our announcement? I married
+Loretta Young a year ago last April."</p>
+
+<p>Shirley Wells occupied quarters at the family farmhome for nearly four
+years. In the first few weeks he drove an ancient model back and forth
+to the little city to renew acquaintances. The American Legion,
+quartered in a small room over a meat market, was one of his hangouts.
+Here, <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_182" id="Page_182">[182]</a></span>two or three of the unimportant members were in constant
+attendance quibbling and complaining that the general public did not
+plan and build for their uses the ornate structure they had in mind.
+For a week or two he frequented the local movies, but compared with
+past experiences he failed to find the production up to the
+announcements that the portrayals were stupendous and thrilling.
+Social affairs in the community seemed confined to "groups." Luncheon
+clubs, such as Rotary, Kiwanis, and Lions seemed to dominate
+commercial activities while the Dramatic Club and P.T.A. organizations
+took care of other community gatherings.</p>
+
+<p>But to Shirley Wells, the one big change from old-time conditions was
+in the liquor business. The saloons that flourished in the days before
+his enlistment were not now operating. Of the seven places where
+liquor was sold only one maintained a resemblance to former
+conditions. Dinty O'Neal's place, across the tracks, appeared about as
+disreputable as it was in former days. Some of the young sports
+laughingly insisted that Dinty's home-brew was in a fair way of making
+the city famous.</p>
+
+<p>Two of the uptown places continued to operate a few pool tables and
+sell soft drinks. One room, formerly occupied by a saloon, was now the
+office of a trucking company with headquarters in Chicago. Shirley was
+later to learn that young Anzio, the new bank employee, was a nephew
+of the manager of the trucking company.</p>
+
+<p>Shirley gave little attention to the affairs at the bank. Carson
+seemed unwilling to share the responsibilities of a business that was
+severely affected by the growing depression. As a youngster Shirley
+knew much of the details of the business but he realized that he had
+no present-day knowledge of credits and loans. He made no effort to
+intrude.</p>
+
+<p>Knowing that he must rely on his own efforts to earn a living, Shirley
+secured desk-room in the elaborate offices of Fred Townsend, a
+personal friend and a leading lawyer in the community. Here he acted
+as a receiver in several <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_183" id="Page_183">[183]</a></span>complicated cases and was often busy in
+securing evidence. This employment occupied much of his time and gave
+opportunity to note the trend in community affairs.</p>
+
+<p>Meanwhile, Carson found a customer for the family farm. "The Model
+Trucking Company wants the place for storage," he explained, "and they
+are the only concern on our books that has a growing account." Shirley
+moved into town to an apartment over the Banner office.</p>
+
+<p>Indeed, the trucking company was an active concern. Trucks grew in
+number. Night shipping was a principal activity. Local "night hawks"
+were to learn that coal and corn composed most of the incoming loads,
+and the finished product went to Chicago. Local distributors were
+supplied only from that central city.</p>
+
+<p>As is usually the case, revulsion follows negligence. Now sober-minded
+but financially distressed citizens would correct the prevailing evil.
+The eighteenth amendment must be repealed. The people of the nation
+were voting to undo what had been done.</p>
+
+<p>Locally, Reverend James Branch of the Fourth Avenue Church called a
+meeting of ministers and church officials to discuss the probable loss
+of the amendment that was to have been the cure for liquor evils. The
+call to the meeting was announced in the local newspapers.</p>
+
+<p>Shirley Wells had not been specifically invited to the conference. He
+was curious to learn, however, if there was a cure for this festering
+ailment that afflicted the nation other than the repeal of the
+amendment. He quietly took a back seat at the small but select
+gathering in the church parlors to listen to the protests and
+complaints. And there was little else in the several talks&mdash;protests
+against the lack of law enforcement; complaints that Chicago gangsters
+were broadening their sphere of activity to include adjacent cities
+and suburbs in the distribution and sale of raw alcohol and needled
+beer. In these discussions no speaker offered a solution to the
+problem.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_184" id="Page_184">[184]</a></span>The Reverend Branch presided. Following the several talks he
+recognized Shirley Wells and in an elaborate introduction, reciting
+his war service, he asked Shirley if he had a solution for the problem
+now under discussion.</p>
+
+<p>"I came here seeking information," said Shirley quietly. "I surely
+must be the most ignorant one present. I wasn't in the States when the
+amendment was passed and have had limited opportunity to note the
+effects. It is apparent, however, that there is something wrong,
+radically wrong, with the whole population&mdash;both the criminal and the
+law-abiding."</p>
+
+<p>"Why! what's wrong with the better element?" demanded the chairman
+quickly. "It was the law-abiding citizen that planned and urged and
+voted for the eighteenth amendment to the Constitution. Our planning
+and work was effective. And now, they would nullify our past labors."</p>
+
+<p>"And then, what did you do?" demanded Shirley as he rose to his feet
+to emphasize what was to follow. "You, figuratively, folded fat hands
+across pudgy stomachs and left the enforcement of your edict to the
+officers who were friends of the bootleggers. Your failure to act
+causes this repeal."</p>
+
+<p>"Is it your idea that the better element of a community must quit
+their business to take up the matter of law enforcement?" the chairman
+asked in scornful tones.</p>
+
+<p>"It's my idea," retorted Shirley as he advanced from the rear to the
+center of the gathered group, "it's my idea that anyone who launches a
+new, untried craft in unexplored waters had better stay at the helm
+instead of leaving the management of the boat to those who deride the
+plan. It wouldn't have taken much of your time, Doctor Branch, to have
+organized an enforcement committee to assist the policeman who was a
+friendly acquaintance of the former liquor man, who has now turned
+bootlegger. Policemen are selected because of their acquaintance with
+the underworld and they are very human. Void of any contacts with the
+better element of the community, they allow their friends to run wild
+in lawlessness until the affair gets beyond control. <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_185" id="Page_185">[185]</a></span>That's what
+happened in Bransford; that's what happened everywhere. Lawless greed
+flourishes in the atmosphere of negligence.</p>
+
+<p>"But I didn't come here to quarrel with the better element of my home
+town," concluded Shirley as he reached for his hat. "I had hoped that
+you had a solution, a plan, to meet the oncoming conditions. Just now
+the States are voting to repeal the amendment. It seems certain that
+it will be repealed and within the next year or two, the old saloon
+will be functioning as in former days. It will pay a tax to the
+government on the product sold, it will pay a tax to the city, it will
+furnish a bond to operate legally and at stated hours, and its return
+will be welcomed by many. But remember that the greedy and grasping
+back of it all will overdo, as always, and the amendment will be
+re-enacted. This time, if it has the support of a well-organized
+enforcement committee, it will function despite the efforts of the
+greedy."</p>
+
+<br />
+<br />
+<br />
+<br />
+<a name="Chapter_19" id="Chapter_19"></a><hr />
+<br />
+
+<h3>19<span class="totoc"><a href="#toc">ToC</a></span></h3>
+<br />
+
+<p>The Bransford Morning Herald contained no account of the meeting at
+the Fourth Avenue Church. News of the rebuff as administered to the
+better element by a rank outsider was slow in gaining circulation. But
+the incident was not wholly suppressed. Judge Parker, who had been
+present, chuckled the incident to a few friends; Holstroff, the
+merchant, recited the details to a few customers as they discussed the
+probable outcome of the state elections now being held; and Joe
+Dansford, the church janitor, told the incident of how the meeting
+ended in a general row, without the formality of a motion to adjourn.
+Lacking a correct account, the general public of the little city
+elaborated the story to include fisticuffs and swear words.</p>
+
+<p>Carson Wells, of the Wells National, heard the story <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_186" id="Page_186">[186]</a></span>and was much
+concerned. It affected his leading customer. Just now, banks were
+closing in increasing numbers, local factories were shut down,
+retailing limited to bare necessities, and only one concern in the
+community earned money. Carson, as well as the managers of the Model
+Trucking Company, realized that in the event of the repeal of the
+amendment, ruin was inevitable. It was Carson's problem to stop such
+publicity. Shirley must be silenced. He was found at the public
+library and was invited to come to the bank after three o'clock.</p>
+
+<p>"That vindictive speech you made at the church meeting is proving very
+costly," said Carson as the brothers seated themselves in the little
+consultation room in the rear of the bank. "It affects your own
+personal affairs, and seeks to wreck the only concern in the city that
+is functioning and making money. Your interest in this bank demands a
+retraction of what you said at that meeting."</p>
+
+<p>"Why, I didn't know I had an interest in this bank," said Shirley in
+even tones. "In the years past, I have been shunted around from pillar
+to post, living on the few small fees received from receiverships and
+bankruptcy petitions. And I didn't think that I had banking interests.
+I certainly am an object of personal negligence, but hereafter the
+matter will have my attention."</p>
+
+<p>Carson was nonplused at both the answer and attitude. He had planned
+his remarks, however, and he proceeded along prepared lines.</p>
+
+<p>"Your remarks at that meeting were uncalled for. Your insistence
+created enemies. No one at the meeting was in favor of repealing the
+amendment and restoring the unwanted saloon. Yours was the attitude of
+the drinking ne'er-do-wells of the underworld. Two of those present at
+that meeting have withdrawn their account, others will do the same.
+You were simply undermining your own foundations."</p>
+
+<p>"And just what sort of a structure stands on my foundations?" drawled
+Shirley. "I am a sort of a misfit in the community structure. I do not
+live in my family home, am <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_187" id="Page_187">[187]</a></span>not employed in my family bank, was moved
+away from my family's farm, have never been consulted on business or
+social affairs since my parents died. Really, I have no foundations
+that could be undermined."</p>
+
+<p>Carson's face reddened as he listened to the truth. He walked to the
+water-cooler, took a drink, and returned to his seat. "In some things
+you are right," he confessed. "When you came home from France, I hoped
+you would seek a professional career&mdash;would turn to politics and make
+a name for yourself and the family. It seemed my business to work hard
+and aid in building that career, but you didn't go the way I hoped."</p>
+
+<p>"Just what aid did you render in building such a career? It takes
+money to acquire a profession. How much did you contribute?"</p>
+
+<p>Again Carson was unable to make a specific answer to the cutting,
+personal questions. He cleared his throat. "I didn't make any
+contributions. I wasn't asked. I was...."</p>
+
+<p>"Do you have to ask for your own property, in this day and age?"
+demanded Shirley. "When Father died, I was an heir to one half of what
+he possessed: home, farm, bank, bonds, and money on hand. Very
+properly, in the absence of the other heir, you took charge of the
+property and managed the business. But on the return of the other heir
+you made no accounting. In fact, you resented his interest in anything
+connected with the business."</p>
+
+<p>"When you returned from the war," said Carson, "we were approaching a
+depression that grew to disastrous proportions. Banks are the first to
+feel such a calamity. My whole time has been devoted to
+curtailment&mdash;to restricting loans and seeking deposits. Truly, we
+haven't earned a cent since the war ended."</p>
+
+<p>"So that's the reason you bought the fancy, high-priced limousine and
+gave several parties at the country club! That's the reason why you
+maintain those luxurious quarters in Chicago! You were wanting to show
+the public that...."</p>
+
+<p>"Never mind what I was doing," interrupted Carson <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_188" id="Page_188">[188]</a></span>angrily. "It's what
+you have done that is the matter under discussion, and we are getting
+nowhere. We might as well adjourn."</p>
+
+<p>"Not yet," demanded Shirley hastily. "Keep your seat. The show has now
+reached the second act. Let's sit it out." It was Shirley who stood up
+as Carson resumed his seat.</p>
+
+<p>"Our family was always reticent. We avoided publicity; didn't want
+Mister John Q. to know about our affairs. You surely remember how
+reluctant our father was when it was found that his private bank must
+be nationalized. One little share was issued to Aunt Carrie, one to
+John Powell, his old, trusted employee, and he held the rest. He
+didn't want the public to know about his private affairs.</p>
+
+<p>"I think I inherited most of his secretive qualities," Shirley
+continued. "I listened to a lot of rumors and then I began to
+investigate. My findings lead to but one conclusion: you allied
+yourself with gangsters in the hope of participating in their enormous
+gains only to find that you are the biggest sucker on their list."</p>
+
+<p>"I didn't favor anybody," said Carson hotly. "Our relations were
+simply that of banker and customer."</p>
+
+<p>"And to maintain cordial relations you deeded to them a fine but
+isolated farm where, uninterrupted, they could produce 'rotgut' to
+supply the entire Chicago area. Have you been out there lately? Father
+used to call it Forest Home. The Hereford cattle that he reared topped
+the market. It's different now. The gates are locked. A thug stands
+out in the roadway to divert traffic. In the night, truckloads of corn
+and coal arrive to produce the 'hell-fire' that is bottled, labeled,
+and distributed over the district."</p>
+
+<p>In the midst of this recital Carson dropped his head down on his arms,
+folded on the table.</p>
+
+<p>"I don't know a thing about the conditions here at the bank," Shirley
+continued in softer tones, "but there are public records that tell an
+incriminating story. The records at the courthouse show a mortgage to
+the Reliable Insurance <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_189" id="Page_189">[189]</a></span>Company on our home here in the city. My
+signature on such a mortgage was forged. I didn't know about this
+until I was forced into this investigation. You, and your bank, must
+have needed money very badly and you committed forgery to get it.
+Based on this fact alone, one has a right to believe that you are
+fooling the busy bank examiners with forged securities. It's just a
+question as to what hour you will be uncovered and convicted."</p>
+
+<p>Carson still reclined his head on folded arms. Shirley was preparing
+to leave. "We are broke, Carson. I haven't a dime and you have less.
+But I am not going to stay in Bransford and be a party to your
+downfall. My word alone would prove your guilt. I don't know where I
+am going, but I intend hiding out until this thing blows over. But
+before I go, Carson, I want an interview with your criminal friends to
+tell 'em what a set of dirty, crooks they are."</p>
+
+<p>Late in the afternoon, as Shirley was busy in clearing his desk of
+unneeded papers, his friend Townsend dropped in to confer on some
+pending matters.</p>
+
+<p>"I am sorry, Fred, to tell you I am leaving," said Shirley as he
+closed the desk. "I don't know where I am going and I don't want the
+public to know where I am located. If you have the time, I would like
+to tell you the cause of it all and put you wise to some incidents
+that seem sure to happen."</p>
+
+<p>"I think you are going to confirm some suspicions I had formed in
+connection with the Larwell estate. The account at the Wells Bank
+didn't conform to the little credit slips as issued."</p>
+
+<p>"You are on the right road, oldtimer," said Shirley, and he proceeded
+to relate what was said in his recent conference with Carson. He cited
+the incident of the forged deed and detailed conditions at the farm.
+"The Wells National is not only broke," he added, "but Carson is
+involved in several criminal activities. I don't want to be present
+when the crash comes; I don't want my evidence to convict him. I am
+<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_190" id="Page_190">[190]</a></span>going to hide out where a summons-server cannot find me."</p>
+
+<p>"Maybe you are right," said Townsend thoughtfully, "but there are some
+things you should do before you leave. The crash will come, no doubt;
+Carson's share of the estate will be charged with his criminal
+actions; yours is not involved. Before you go, you should give to
+someone a full power of attorney to take care of your interests. In
+the midst of juggled accounts and forgeries, there may be something
+left, and anyhow, the receivership cannot be closed without your
+consent."</p>
+
+<p>"You are right, as always, Fred, and you are the very person to have
+that power. Let's get it done right away. I have another thing on hand
+that must be taken care of after supper."</p>
+
+<p>"When are you leaving, and have you enough money to get you out of
+town?" asked Townsend as the two returned from across the hall where
+the instrument had been notarized.</p>
+
+<p>"I think I will leave tonight. The bubble may not burst for a while. I
+want the public to become accustomed to my absence. As for money, when
+I pay for my supper, I may have as much as forty cents left."</p>
+
+<p>"You are braver than I thought and as stubborn as I suspected," said
+Townsend as he searched his pocketbook. "Here's a twenty. That may get
+you across the river and on your way. You will make your way all
+right, but if your case becomes desperate draw on me under the name
+A.Z., and I will understand. Your financial affairs are in desperate
+condition but the case is not hopeless. You are young and healthy but
+you lack a definite plan of life. If someone will throw you a line
+while you are floundering in this slough you will come out all right.
+Now what's this thing you are to do after the evening meal?"</p>
+
+<p>"I've made a phone date to tell Anzio and his set of crooks what a
+rotten set of gangsters they are. It won't take me long to tell 'em
+and then I am ready to leave."</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_191" id="Page_191">[191]</a></span>"You might not be able to make a get-away from those mobsters. Taking
+an enemy for a final 'ride' is one of their favorite pastimes. And
+anyhow, you can't tell 'em anything that they don't already know. You
+have no right to do such an uncalled for thing."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, yes I have," said Shirley as he took his hat preparing to leave.
+"My visit might precipitate an incident. Anyhow, I'm on my way."</p>
+
+<p>Shirley left the office. Townsend went to the telephone in the front
+room.</p>
+
+<br />
+<br />
+<br />
+<br />
+<a name="Chapter_20" id="Chapter_20"></a><hr />
+<br />
+
+<h3>20<span class="totoc"><a href="#toc">ToC</a></span></h3>
+<br />
+
+<p>Shirley had delayed his evening meal to fit his appointment at the
+Model Trucking Company. Near eight o'clock he crossed the street to go
+up the alley to Cherry Street. At the crossing of the dark alley he
+encountered a policeman and was greeted casually by that officer. In
+front of the lighted office he accosted another officer, standing in a
+darkened area near a car parked in front. "Maybe this is a warning,"
+he thought, as he stepped into the well-lighted office.</p>
+
+<p>He was greeted cordially by Anzio and was introduced to the two others
+present. "This is Don Carlin, our custodian here, and this is Jan
+Damino, our most trusted employee." Carlin was a slight young man, but
+his companion differed much in size and considerably in age. Damino,
+aging to baldness, was a commanding figure. Thick-chested, with arms
+and legs of considerable size, his seamed face revealed a ragged scar
+from temple to chin. Both nodded acknowledgment of the introduction
+and Carlin brought a chair for the visitor.</p>
+
+<p>"I'm glad you've come," said Anzio in pleasing tones. "Your brother
+reports that you have been badly informed as <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_192" id="Page_192">[192]</a></span>to what this company is
+doing. We want to correct any such wrong ideas."</p>
+
+<p>"No one has given me any information about you," said Shirley
+scornfully. "I was out to the old farm and saw with my own eyes just
+what's going on."</p>
+
+<p>"Ah! You paid us a visit and we didn't know it. Somebody has been
+negligent."</p>
+
+<p>"That's right! Your carefully guarded distillery had a visitor. I used
+to live out there. Knowing about your locked gates and posted guard, I
+went on the farm from the rear. I edged up to see your still in
+operation in the old shed. I saw your bottling plant in the big barn.
+It recalls the old adage: 'You can't fool all the people all the
+time.'"</p>
+
+<p>Anzio's face clouded as he planned a reply. "You didn't go in close
+enough to see what was being bottled and labeled? You are willing to
+spread a false report without having the facts?</p>
+
+<p>"What you glimpsed in your casual snooping was the details of the one
+business in this community that is prospering. Out in your family's
+old farm, Doctor David Allen, formerly of St. Louis, is preparing,
+mixing, bottling, and labeling 'Allen's Stomach Bitters' that has been
+famous in the South and Southwest for many years. He is now pushing
+sales in the North and East. Because of its vegetable content, just a
+small amount of alcohol is a part of the mixture.</p>
+
+<p>"You saw only the sidelines in your snooping and you are putting out a
+lot of misinformation," concluded Anzio, "and to set you right, I have
+arranged for our trusted employee, Damino, to take you out there and
+show you the whole works. The night shift is on and I want 'em to show
+you every detail of the business."</p>
+
+<p>"Will Damino furnish a round trip ticket?" asked Shirley, as he arose
+from his chair.</p>
+
+<p>"I don't quite know what you mean," countered Anzio.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, yes you do," said Shirley emphatically. "Damino here is a
+'one-way' man. It's his business to destroy <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_193" id="Page_193">[193]</a></span>opposition. I wouldn't
+ride with him down State Street, let alone a country road. With him at
+the wheel, we couldn't get past that thicket down by the bridge."</p>
+
+<p>"Get him out of here," roared Anzio as he waved to Damino to obey his
+commands.</p>
+
+<p>Damino approached his quarry cautiously. With his right hand he
+fingered an inside pocket of his coat; withdrew the hand to place it
+on Shirley's shoulder. "Let's git goin'," he said as he shoved Shirley
+toward the door.</p>
+
+<p>Shirley had seen a move that he thought important. He grabbed the
+extended right arm to give it a jujitsu move up and to the back of the
+body. It made the assailant grunt and his left knee buckled in its
+uncertain stance. Quickly Shirley reached in the inside pocket to
+withdraw a lengthy Colt revolver. Shifting the weapon to his right
+hand, he brought it down in a mighty blow on the temple of his
+assailant. Damino fell to the floor. Carlin fled the room by the back
+door. Shirley turned to find Anzio frantically searching the contents
+of a drawer in the nearby cabinet. Placing the gun in his pocket,
+Shirley seized a tall, steel-legged stool to bring it down on Anzio's
+unprotected head. Anzio joined Damino on the floor. Shirley walked out
+the front door.</p>
+
+<p>On the sidewalk Shirley encountered the policeman. "What's going on in
+there?" he demanded.</p>
+
+<p>"Not much, just now," was the reply, "but I was certainly busy for a
+short time. Why are you here?"</p>
+
+<p>"Your friend, Fred Townsend, is responsible. Fred is seemingly not in
+touch with our present city administration, but he sure has a strong
+pull with our chief. Fred phoned him to send two or three of the force
+down here to see that you were not killed or taken for a ride. We
+don't know what it's all about, but we're here. Ah, here's company,"
+the officer added as another policeman came out of the alley, shoving
+Carlin in front of him.</p>
+
+<p>"Is this the finish?" inquired the alley officer. "This fellow,"
+pointing to Carlin, "came out of the back door rather <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_194" id="Page_194">[194]</a></span>hurriedly and
+began searching in a pile of junk. I thought that was a part of that
+play. What's it all about anyway?"</p>
+
+<p>"This is the finish, my friends, and I am very much obliged for your
+presence," said Shirley as he prepared to leave. "But there's a couple
+in there that may need first aid. Go right in; give what assistance
+you can, and call me if I'm needed."</p>
+
+<p>Shirley watched the perplexed officers as they went into the front
+office. Then he walked leisurely up the alley to Oak Street. Nearing
+the railroad, he heard a freight train slowing down at the water-tank.
+Now he hurried to pass down the train to a boxcar with an open door.
+He crawled in. As the train pulled out, he went to a front corner, sat
+down to pull off his shoe and place a neatly folded twenty-dollar bill
+on the inner sole.</p>
+
+<p>Whatever his future was to be, Shirley Wells was on his way.</p>
+
+<br />
+<br />
+<br />
+<br />
+<a name="Chapter_21" id="Chapter_21"></a><hr />
+<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_195" id="Page_195">[195]</a></span><br />
+<br />
+<br />
+<br />
+
+<h2>PART THREE</h2>
+<br />
+<br />
+<br />
+<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_196" id="Page_196">[196]</a></span><br />
+<hr />
+<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_197" id="Page_197">[197]</a></span><br />
+
+<h3>21<span class="totoc"><a href="#toc">ToC</a></span></h3>
+<br />
+
+<p>David Lannarck arrived in Chicago in the late afternoon. Wanting to
+see Bransford in the daylight hours, he stayed the night with a friend
+at the Miami Patio to take a morning train to his destination. He had
+never been in Bransford and he preferred to take an open cab to the
+Grand Union so that he might look around. At the hotel he was assigned
+the parlor suite with telephone and bath, probably because the clerk
+had never before registered a three-footer with the face and voice of
+an adult.</p>
+
+<p>Davy was not yet ready to announce his plans for rehearsals. He wanted
+to know more of local conditions. He phoned the Fred Townsend office.
+"Mr. Townsend is in court this morning," the secretary reported, "but
+he will be available this afternoon."</p>
+
+<p>"Save me the first hour," said Davy. "It's important to both of us."</p>
+
+<p>After luncheon Davy tipped the bellhop to accompany him. "I could
+probably find the place," he explained, "but I go better if I am
+haltered and led to the spot." As the caller hoped, Townsend was in.
+The secretary ushered Davy into the private office.</p>
+
+<p>"I was sent here by a Mister Sam Welborn," Davy explained. "He wants
+to learn of the legal status and community standing of a former
+resident by the name of Shirley Wells."</p>
+
+<p>"Shirley Wells! Do you know Shirley Wells?" Townsend sprang to his
+feet and walked around the desk. "Is Shirley Wells alive? Available?
+Can I get in touch with him right away?"</p>
+
+<p>"Say, Mister Townsend, out in my blessed locality, where men are men,
+and the women are glad of it, they accuse me of asking eight or ten
+questions before the first one is <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_198" id="Page_198">[198]</a></span>answered. I want to take you out
+there to show 'em I am an amateur. For a year or more I have been
+associated with an upstanding gent who gave out his name as Sam
+Welborn. In all my public career I've never met a person more honest
+in business or more fearless with thugs and undesirables. Ten devils
+couldn't stop him if he thought he was right and even a midget could,
+and did, shame him out of some of his atrocious efforts. When he
+reached a certain goal in his persistent activities he disclosed to us
+four at the home where he headquartered that he was going back to his
+old home town to find out just where he stood&mdash;criminal or citizen. He
+planned to go back there in disguise; to listen in, to read old
+newspaper files, and to learn the truth.</p>
+
+<p>"And then I horned in. This man Welborn had saved my life; he got me
+planted where I wanted to be; I owed him everything. I didn't ask&mdash;I
+just told him&mdash;that I would go to his town and, under the pretext of
+rehearsing a midget show, I would get the needed dope. He fell right
+in with my proposal. He disclosed that his name was Shirley Wells,
+that his home town was Bransford, and here I am."</p>
+
+<p>Townsend went to the door of the office. "I will be busy for the next
+hour," he said to the secretary as he closed the door.</p>
+
+<p>"Just where, and how soon, can I contact this Shirley Wells?" Townsend
+asked as he seated himself alongside of Davy. "This is really the only
+time I've needed him since he left. Where is he? I'll send him all the
+funds needed to get him home."</p>
+
+<p>"He's in Denver, just temporarily. I do not have his address, but he
+will be in this Chicago vicinity by the end of this week. Maybe he
+will be disguised, but I hope not. He will phone me at the Grand Union
+to know how he stands in his home town. That's what I've come here to
+find out. Is he under indictment? Will he have to serve time? How much
+money is needed to clean his slate? Will a mob form if he shows up on
+your city streets? What was it he did, anyhow?"</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_199" id="Page_199">[199]</a></span>Fred Townsend laughed quietly. "We are both so anxious to get
+information that our cross-questioning is confusing. However, when you
+described your man as honest, persistent, and fearless in dealing with
+crooks and thugs, I would have known that you were talking about
+Shirley Wells, even if you had omitted the name. He's just that!</p>
+
+<p>"Shirley Wells is not under indictment, and when he returns the
+general public will give him a hearty welcome. In fact, had he stayed
+here for a day or two after the incident he would have been a hero.
+Would have been carried at the head of the mob of women that paraded
+the streets of our city in protest of conditions. He would have been a
+part of the orderly crowd of men that went out to the old farm to
+destroy the offending distillery. Shirley Wells started the clean-up
+here, and it spread to all affected localities. This is the story."</p>
+
+<p>Then Fred Townsend told the story, to include the history of the Wells
+bank, of Shirley's army service, of Carson's banking relations with
+the Chicago mobsters. "For nearly a decade this Shirley Wells was a
+silent do-nothing. He seemingly hesitated to claim his property rights
+and yet had nerve to invade the stronghold of these gangsters and tell
+'em the truth. He nearly killed two of 'em and the other disappeared."</p>
+
+<p>And then Townsend detailed what followed as the morning paper gave big
+headlines of the desperate adventure. It not only recited that the two
+were hospitalized in a critical condition but it gave inside
+information as to the illegal business being conducted at the farm.
+"That evening, nearly a thousand women paraded our streets to the
+mayor's office, with banners flying, to insist that there be a
+clean-up of the entire illegal business.</p>
+
+<p>"The next day, fully fifty automobiles assembled at Fifth and Cedar
+Streets to drive out to the farm and burn down the old shed where the
+still was located. I was in that party and I easily persuaded them to
+allow the house and big barn to remain unharmed, but all bottles,
+labels, cans of liquids, <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_200" id="Page_200">[200]</a></span>crates, and containers were thrown in the
+fire. The house-furnishings revealed that it was the headquarters for
+the many employees, but none were present, either to welcome or
+protest.</p>
+
+<p>"On returning to town it was learned that Carson Wells had committed
+suicide. His worthy wife was not at home, was not present at the
+funeral. She is reported as living in Chicago, a housemother at a
+sorority of one of the universities.</p>
+
+<p>"The Wells National Bank was of course closed. I was appointed the
+receiver. Things were in a terrible mess; negligence and forgeries
+caused a lot of added work, but the bank had a valuable asset in that
+the stock was held in one family&mdash;wasn't scattered to cause
+contentions and delays. I recovered the farm, held on to the bank
+building, and charged the forgeries and shortages to Carson's account.
+Shirley is possessed of the remainder, but it's not enough to do
+what's required.</p>
+
+<p>"This city needs a bank. The nation is recovering from the depression
+and very soon business will be back to normal. The Wells National must
+be restored to service and Shirley Wells, the man who started the
+clean-up, must be connected with it. His service in cleaning out those
+crooks was, and is, the big asset.</p>
+
+<p>"Here in my office I have prepared a list of names of those who can,
+and should, take stock in a bank. With Shirley here, we can canvass
+this list for the needed subscriptions. Surely we can...."</p>
+
+<p>"Just how much money will it take to revive a bank?" asked Davy
+quietly.</p>
+
+<p>"Forty or fifty thousand dollars will be required to complete the
+subscriptions and show a small surplus and I think we can&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"Why, Shirley will have that much, and more, in his upper vest pocket
+when he arrives," and then Davy told his lengthy story to an eager
+listener.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_201" id="Page_201">[201]</a></span>"I have known him for nearly two years," said Davy in concluding his
+lengthy recital, "and in that time he worked hard&mdash;too hard. I
+upbraided him for it. Now, knowing why he was so continuously busy,
+working to restore his family name and credit in his home town, I
+should have kept my mouth shut."</p>
+
+<p>"Do you think he will consent to taking charge of the restored family
+bank?" asked Townsend. "Will he apply the money to that end?"</p>
+
+<p>"I'll see that he puts up the money. He says that half of it is mine,
+but he may balk on taking charge. And that's our present job. I have a
+friend in Springfield that's the greatest little banker the world ever
+produced. I'll get him here, or send Welborn&mdash;I mean Shirley&mdash;to him
+to learn the game."</p>
+
+<p>"This has certainly been my lucky day," said Townsend as the party
+broke up. "This morning the judge approved my settlement of the
+long-standing Norris case, I received a letter containing a draft of
+an outstanding debt, and now the important Wells bank receivership
+settles itself. Let me know the minute Shirley arrives."</p>
+
+<p>Davy's hours of impatience were interrupted on Saturday morning by a
+telephone call from Chicago. The booth at the Grand Union afforded the
+privacy needed.</p>
+
+<p>"If you are in your own clothes...."</p>
+
+<p>Davy's directive was interrupted by a hearty laugh, and a prompt
+inquiry: "Am I under indictment?"</p>
+
+<p>"Naw! You're not under anything. You're at the top of the heap. Your
+scrap started things. Get out here on the first train&mdash;there's a lot
+to do and I've pledged you to carry out all the plans as proposed by
+your friend Townsend. There's lots to do. Get here at once."</p>
+
+<p>And Shirley Wells of the East, Sam Welborn of the West, did as he was
+directed. He arrived in Bransford shortly after the noon hour. And the
+rest of the afternoon he was listening to Davy's story and Davy's
+plans. Sunday morning, at the <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_202" id="Page_202">[202]</a></span>Fourth Avenue Church, he was cordially
+greeted by many, some of whom he had ridiculed at a former session.
+Monday, the full day was spent in the office of his friend Townsend.
+Tuesday, Ralph Gaynor of Springfield arrived in Bransford in response
+to Davy's telegram, wherein it was suggested that "one carfare was
+cheaper than two."</p>
+
+<p>Shirley Wells admired Ralph Gaynor but he marveled at his methods.
+Instead of taking him down to the bank building to review the former
+methods of conducting the business, Gaynor persisted in interviewing
+any and all with whom he came in contact: business and professional
+men, farmers and laborers, women clerks and housewives. His questions
+were casual, the extended answers were his reward. That evening, in
+Townsend's office, he delivered his estimates and opinion.</p>
+
+<p>"Banking service is badly needed in your city. Your present plans are
+timely. A news story should go out tomorrow that the organization is
+formed and will be functioning next week&mdash;this to prevent others from
+invading this fine prospect. You have present opportunity to secure
+the services of young Nelson, down at the Wide-Awake, as a receiving
+teller. He is fast and accurate in money matters. The young lady that
+compiled Mr. Townsend's reports can, and should, take care of the
+growing bookkeeping. You will not make a great deal of money in this
+first year of operation. After that, you will have the best banking
+investment I know of."</p>
+
+<p>"But what about our new cashier, Shirley Wells?" inquired Townsend.
+"What's his job? He and his little friend here own practically all the
+stock."</p>
+
+<p>"The banking business," said Gaynor, "has its peculiarities. Back of
+the counter, it's simply a matter of accuracy. In front of the
+counter, however, it's a question of diplomacy and good judgment.
+Shirley Wells is an asset. His business is in front of the counter,
+greeting the trade and broadening the field for service. A bank must
+have assets if it is to make loans."</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_203" id="Page_203">[203]</a></span>The Wells National Bank, with its tidy and growing millions of assets,
+is functioning at 201 North Oak Street, Bransford, U.S.A.</p>
+
+<p>Just where should these ramblings end? A tragedy ends at the death of
+any or all; a comedy ends with one of the revived jokes of former
+years; a biography should terminate at the grave, and a romance
+finishes as the groom carries his hard-won prize across the threshold
+of the cottage or palace. What's the finish here?</p>
+
+<p>A start was made to tell the life story of a midget, but complications
+arose that could not be avoided. Instead of traveling the infrequent
+paths of the Lilliputians the journey has, in many instances, swept
+down the traffic-filled thoroughfare of the big adults. But midgets
+are few in number, they have few contacts with each other. In most
+every instance, their employment is to exhibit themselves to the
+thousands and thousands who come to see and comment.</p>
+
+<p>Midgets do not go to war, cannot win a prize fight, or bust one over
+the right field fence for a home run. Their field for service is
+limited to public exhibitions; their contacts wholly with the
+questioning adult. The tragedies of a midget are of the lighter sort,
+comedies prevail only in a minor degree, romance is a limited factor,
+and in this particular instance, these ramblings cannot be classed as
+biography&mdash;the principal characters are still alive.</p>
+
+<p>And because they are still alive and functioning, the reader is
+invited out to the Adot vicinity to see&mdash;and maybe participate&mdash;in the
+continuing story.</p>
+
+<br />
+<hr />
+<br />
+
+<div class="tr">
+<p class="cen"><a name="TN" id="TN"></a>Typographical errors corrected in text:</p>
+<br />
+Page &nbsp; 42: &nbsp;&nbsp;ditsance replaced with distance<br />
+Page &nbsp; 54: &nbsp;&nbsp;expained replaced with explained<br />
+Page &nbsp; 68: &nbsp;&nbsp;insistant replaced with insistent<br />
+Page &nbsp; 71: &nbsp;&nbsp;hastry replaced with hasty<br />
+Page &nbsp; 94: &nbsp;&nbsp;'wth' replaced with 'with'<br />
+Page 157: &nbsp;&nbsp;bookeeping replaced with bookkeeping<br />
+</div>
+
+<br />
+<hr />
+<br />
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+<pre>
+
+
+
+
+
+End of Project Gutenberg's David Lannarck, Midget, by George S. Harney
+
+*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK DAVID LANNARCK, MIDGET ***
+
+***** This file should be named 20384-h.htm or 20384-h.zip *****
+This and all associated files of various formats will be found in:
+        http://www.gutenberg.org/2/0/3/8/20384/
+
+Produced by David Starner, Dave Morgan, Jeannie Howse and
+the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at
+http://www.pgdp.net
+
+
+Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions
+will be renamed.
+
+Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no
+one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation
+(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without
+permission and without paying copyright royalties.  Special rules,
+set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to
+copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to
+protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark.  Project
+Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you
+charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission.  If you
+do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the
+rules is very easy.  You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose
+such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and
+research.  They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do
+practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks.  Redistribution is
+subject to the trademark license, especially commercial
+redistribution.
+
+
+
+*** START: FULL LICENSE ***
+
+THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE
+PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK
+
+To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free
+distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work
+(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project
+Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project
+Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at
+http://gutenberg.org/license).
+
+
+Section 1.  General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm
+electronic works
+
+1.A.  By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm
+electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to
+and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property
+(trademark/copyright) agreement.  If you do not agree to abide by all
+the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy
+all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession.
+If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the
+terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or
+entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8.
+
+1.B.  "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark.  It may only be
+used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who
+agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement.  There are a few
+things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works
+even without complying with the full terms of this agreement.  See
+paragraph 1.C below.  There are a lot of things you can do with Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement
+and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic
+works.  See paragraph 1.E below.
+
+1.C.  The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation"
+or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic works.  Nearly all the individual works in the
+collection are in the public domain in the United States.  If an
+individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are
+located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from
+copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative
+works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg
+are removed.  Of course, we hope that you will support the Project
+Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by
+freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of
+this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with
+the work.  You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by
+keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project
+Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others.
+
+1.D.  The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern
+what you can do with this work.  Copyright laws in most countries are in
+a constant state of change.  If you are outside the United States, check
+the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement
+before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or
+creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project
+Gutenberg-tm work.  The Foundation makes no representations concerning
+the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United
+States.
+
+1.E.  Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg:
+
+1.E.1.  The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate
+access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently
+whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the
+phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project
+Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed,
+copied or distributed:
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+1.E.2.  If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived
+from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is
+posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied
+and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees
+or charges.  If you are redistributing or providing access to a work
+with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the
+work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1
+through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the
+Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or
+1.E.9.
+
+1.E.3.  If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted
+with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution
+must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional
+terms imposed by the copyright holder.  Additional terms will be linked
+to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the
+permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work.
+
+1.E.4.  Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm
+License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this
+work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm.
+
+1.E.5.  Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this
+electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without
+prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with
+active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project
+Gutenberg-tm License.
+
+1.E.6.  You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary,
+compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any
+word processing or hypertext form.  However, if you provide access to or
+distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than
+"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version
+posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org),
+you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a
+copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon
+request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other
+form.  Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm
+License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1.
+
+1.E.7.  Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying,
+performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works
+unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9.
+
+1.E.8.  You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing
+access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided
+that
+
+- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from
+     the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method
+     you already use to calculate your applicable taxes.  The fee is
+     owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he
+     has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the
+     Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation.  Royalty payments
+     must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you
+     prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax
+     returns.  Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and
+     sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the
+     address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to
+     the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation."
+
+- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies
+     you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he
+     does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm
+     License.  You must require such a user to return or
+     destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium
+     and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of
+     Project Gutenberg-tm works.
+
+- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any
+     money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the
+     electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days
+     of receipt of the work.
+
+- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free
+     distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works.
+
+1.E.9.  If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm
+electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set
+forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from
+both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael
+Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark.  Contact the
+Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below.
+
+1.F.
+
+1.F.1.  Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable
+effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread
+public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm
+collection.  Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic
+works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain
+"Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or
+corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual
+property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a
+computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by
+your equipment.
+
+1.F.2.  LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right
+of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project
+Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project
+Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all
+liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal
+fees.  YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT
+LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE
+PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH F3.  YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE
+TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE
+LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR
+INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH
+DAMAGE.
+
+1.F.3.  LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a
+defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can
+receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a
+written explanation to the person you received the work from.  If you
+received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with
+your written explanation.  The person or entity that provided you with
+the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a
+refund.  If you received the work electronically, the person or entity
+providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to
+receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund.  If the second copy
+is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further
+opportunities to fix the problem.
+
+1.F.4.  Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth
+in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER
+WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO
+WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE.
+
+1.F.5.  Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied
+warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages.
+If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the
+law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be
+interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by
+the applicable state law.  The invalidity or unenforceability of any
+provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions.
+
+1.F.6.  INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the
+trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone
+providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance
+with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production,
+promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works,
+harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees,
+that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do
+or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm
+work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any
+Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause.
+
+
+Section  2.  Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm
+
+Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of
+electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers
+including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers.  It exists
+because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from
+people in all walks of life.
+
+Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the
+assistance they need, is critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's
+goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will
+remain freely available for generations to come.  In 2001, the Project
+Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure
+and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations.
+To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation
+and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4
+and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org.
+
+
+Section 3.  Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive
+Foundation
+
+The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit
+501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the
+state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal
+Revenue Service.  The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification
+number is 64-6221541.  Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at
+http://pglaf.org/fundraising.  Contributions to the Project Gutenberg
+Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent
+permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws.
+
+The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S.
+Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered
+throughout numerous locations.  Its business office is located at
+809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email
+business@pglaf.org.  Email contact links and up to date contact
+information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official
+page at http://pglaf.org
+
+For additional contact information:
+     Dr. Gregory B. Newby
+     Chief Executive and Director
+     gbnewby@pglaf.org
+
+
+Section 4.  Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg
+Literary Archive Foundation
+
+Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide
+spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of
+increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be
+freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest
+array of equipment including outdated equipment.  Many small donations
+($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt
+status with the IRS.
+
+The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating
+charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United
+States.  Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a
+considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up
+with these requirements.  We do not solicit donations in locations
+where we have not received written confirmation of compliance.  To
+SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any
+particular state visit http://pglaf.org
+
+While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we
+have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition
+against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who
+approach us with offers to donate.
+
+International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make
+any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from
+outside the United States.  U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff.
+
+Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation
+methods and addresses.  Donations are accepted in a number of other
+ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations.
+To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate
+
+
+Section 5.  General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic
+works.
+
+Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm
+concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared
+with anyone.  For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project
+Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support.
+
+
+Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed
+editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S.
+unless a copyright notice is included.  Thus, we do not necessarily
+keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition.
+
+
+Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility:
+
+     http://www.gutenberg.org
+
+This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm,
+including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary
+Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to
+subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks.
+
+
+</pre>
+
+</body>
+</html>
diff --git a/20384.txt b/20384.txt
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..4caf341
--- /dev/null
+++ b/20384.txt
@@ -0,0 +1,7402 @@
+The Project Gutenberg EBook of David Lannarck, Midget, by George S. Harney
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: David Lannarck, Midget
+       An Adventure Story
+
+Author: George S. Harney
+
+Release Date: January 16, 2007 [EBook #20384]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ASCII
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK DAVID LANNARCK, MIDGET ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by David Starner, Dave Morgan, Jeannie Howse and
+the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at
+http://www.pgdp.net
+
+
+
+
+
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+    +-----------------------------------------------------------+
+    | Transcriber's Note:                                       |
+    |                                                           |
+    | Inconsistent hyphenation in the original document has     |
+    | been preserved.                                           |
+    |                                                           |
+    | Dialect and unusual spelling have been retained in this   |
+    | document.                                                 |
+    |                                                           |
+    | Obvious typographical errors have been corrected in this  |
+    | text. For a complete list, please see the end of this     |
+    | document.                                                 |
+    |                                                           |
+    +-----------------------------------------------------------+
+
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+       +----------------------------------------------+
+       |            David Lannarck, Midget            |
+       |             _An Adventure Story_             |
+       |              by GEORGE S. HARNEY             |
+       |                                              |
+       |                                              |
+       |   _David was small, but Oh my!_              |
+       |                                              |
+       |   Circus life was exciting enough, but       |
+       |   young David Lannarck was tired of being    |
+       |   stared at and bullied because of his       |
+       |   small size. So when a tall Westerner       |
+       |   saved his life in Cheyenne, and David      |
+       |   and he became friends, why, the circus     |
+       |   midget decided to make his home in the     |
+       |   wide open space.                           |
+       |                                              |
+       |   With big, rangy Sam Welborn, David         |
+       |   started out to become a rancher and live   |
+       |   out his days in peace and quiet. But       |
+       |   excitement seemed to follow the circus     |
+       |   midget wherever he went. The big man and   |
+       |   the little one ran into gunman, thieves    |
+       |   and rustlers, and where big Sam's          |
+       |   strength was not enough, David's wit had   |
+       |   to get them out alive.                     |
+       |                                              |
+       |   Circus life and Western adventure are a    |
+       |   highly unusual as well as a delightful     |
+       |   combination, but the author George S.      |
+       |   Harney has a first-hand authentic          |
+       |   knowledge of both. As a young man in       |
+       |   Indiana, he was a personal friend of Lew   |
+       |   Graham, the circus announcer for the Big   |
+       |   Show, Barnam & Bailey's Circus. Lew        |
+       |   Graham, handsomely dressed, told the big   |
+       |   audience what came next on the program.    |
+       |   During the long winter lay-ups, they       |
+       |   would swap yarns in the unique circus      |
+       |   lingo, which Harney has recorded in        |
+       |   _David Lannarck, Midget_.                  |
+       |                                              |
+       |   Later, Mr. Harney served in the            |
+       |   Spanish-American War. After the war,       |
+       |   "Cap" Harney became active in the          |
+       |   development of southern Idaho, and         |
+       |   although he sold his holdings there        |
+       |   1945, he confesses that he is still        |
+       |   "haunted by the wild isolation of that     |
+       |   district west of Cheyenne."                |
+       |                                              |
+       |   Mr. Harney is a native Hoosier, a          |
+       |   resident of Crawfordsville, Indiana.       |
+       +----------------------------------------------+
+
+
+
+
+                       David Lannarck,
+                            Midget
+
+
+                     _AN ADVENTURE STORY_
+
+                     by GEORGE S. HARNEY
+
+
+
+
+
+                  EXPOSITION PRESS . NEW YORK
+
+
+
+
+             Copyright, 1951, by George S. Harney
+
+                    _All rights reserved
+             including the right of reproduction
+             in whole or in part in any form_
+
+
+
+
+            Published by the Exposition Press Inc.
+             386 Fourth Avenue, New York 16, N.Y.
+         Manufactured in the United States of America
+              Consolidated Book Producers, Inc.
+                 Designed by Morry M. Gropper
+
+
+
+
+
+         _It is very true, that the small things in
+         life are sometimes the most important._
+                               --CHURCHILL
+
+
+
+
+PART ONE
+
+
+
+
+1
+
+
+In all her days of presenting the spectacular, Cheyenne had never
+witnessed a more even contest than was now being staged this day in
+the early autumn of 1932, at the circus grounds in the city's suburbs.
+It was a race between a midget and a lout.
+
+The little man ducked under the garish banners portraying the wonders
+of the Kid Show, raced the interval to the "big top" of the Great
+International, then back again, closely followed by a lanky oaf whose
+longer strides evened the contest.
+
+"I'll cut yer ears off," the pursuer snarled, as the midget swung
+around the pole supporting the snake banner, thus gaining a distance
+on his enemy. "En I'll cut yer heart out," the big one yelled as he
+stumbled and almost fell.
+
+As evidence that he would make good his terrifying threat, the lout
+flourished a clasp-knife in his right hand; with his left, he made
+futile grabs at the midget's coat tail.
+
+The crowd that watched this contest was not of the circus. It was a
+gathering of those who came to the lot at an early hour to watch the
+Circus City set up shop for the one-day stand in this western
+metropolis. Some of the onlookers were railroad men, off duty; some
+were cow hands from nearby ranches; a few Indians from the reservation
+beyond the willow-fringed Lodgepole Creek, lent their stoical
+presence, while several soldiers from the newly christened Fort Warren
+with or without official sanction, were on hand to witness the setup.
+
+It was the accepted judgment of those present that the midget and the
+lout were staging a ballyhoo--a "come-on"--preliminary to the opening
+of the Kid Show. There was no applause as the little man outwitted his
+follower by an adroit dodge under the ticket wagon. No one tripped
+the lout as the race led through the assembled crowd. If the contest
+was a part of the day's program, no spectator seemed willing to play
+"stooge" in this preliminary performance.
+
+Some distance to the north where the two great tents of the main show
+came together, a group of workmen were operating a stake driver. In
+this gang the midget knew he would find understanding friends. If he
+could gain sufficient distance to undertake this straightaway, he
+would find help. He dived between a spectator's legs, turned to the
+right, and ran for this haven of hope.
+
+Two things interrupted his plans. A ramshackle auto moved across his
+path. To avoid collision, the midget veered his course to step in a
+hole and fall sprawling at the feet of the man clambering out of the
+machine. His pursuer was on him in an instant. "I tole ye I would cut
+yer heart out," he panted as he brandished the knife. But before he
+could execute the threat, the knife was struck from his uplifted hand.
+
+The lout screamed with pain as he grabbed his wrist. "Yu've broke my
+arm," he shouted as he danced around the big man. "Why don't ye pick
+on one of yer size?" The stranger took in the situation at a glance.
+The slanting forehead and the evil though childish face revealed a
+moron with whom words of reason would have little effect. He said
+nothing.
+
+It was the midget who took charge. He scrambled to his feet, took a
+few deep breaths, brushed the dust off his coat, and ordered the moron
+back to the side show. "Go back to your mother," he commanded. "Go
+right back to Mamie and tell her what you've been doing, and tell her
+all of it. Don't look for your knife; I'll get that for you when you
+get over your tantrum."
+
+The midget watched the retreating figure. "His mother is a fine
+woman," he explained to the stranger. "Has charge of costumes and
+assists in makeup. That dunce is with her on a few days vacation from
+a school for the feeble-minded.
+
+"And now, Mister, I want to thank you for your timely help. You
+probably saved my life, for you can't tell what a half-wit will do,
+when in a tantrum and armed with a knife. All my life I've had the
+enmity of half-wits. The big ones tease 'em and they take it out on
+the little fellow.
+
+"Well, that's that, as dear Marie Dressler says. I certainly am
+indebted to you, Mister. What's your name, Mister? I surely ought to
+know the name of the man that probably saved my life."
+
+"My name is Welborn, Sam Welborn. I live quite a distance back in the
+hills."
+
+"And my name is David Lannarck, and I've got a score of other names
+besides, to include Shorty, Prince, Runt, Half-Pint, and others. I'm
+with the Kid Show. I was getting my stuff in shape for the opening
+when Alfred decided to work on me with that knife. And he about got it
+done, because there were none of the show people around to take him
+off me. The spectators thought it was some sort of a pre-exhibition.
+
+"And now, Mr. Welborn, let's go down to the cook tent and get a cup of
+coffee, and then you can look around the lot until the shows open. I
+want you to be my guest for the day. I feel that I can never repay you
+for what you have done. If you ever want any help or aid that a little
+fellow like me can give, call on me; there are a few things that I can
+do."
+
+"Well I do need some help, right now," said Welborn. "I want to
+dispose of a couple of bears."
+
+"Bears? What kind of bears?"
+
+"Two black bear cubs, fat and fine and just ready to be trained. I
+caught them up in the hills, and find that I have about as much use
+for them as I would have for a yacht, or a case of smallpox. I've
+tried turning them loose, but they won't go. Knowing that the show was
+to be here today, I brought them down in the trailer, hoping some one
+wanted two healthy cubs to fit into an act or exhibition."
+
+"Bears, bears," mused the midget. "Truth is, Mr. Welborn, I'm not
+posted on the bear market. Offhand, I would say that they were not
+worth much to a show that was losing money by the bale. You see, this
+good old year of '32 is a bust. A depression hits a circus first and
+hardest. Just now, we are cutting the season and have planned a
+straightaway back to winter quarters. Instead of going down through
+Fort Collins, Greeley, Denver, Pueblo, with a swing through Texas, we
+have canceled everything. We play this Union Pacific right through to
+Omaha and thence back home by direct rails. So a pair of bear cubs
+wouldn't be much of an asset right now."
+
+"Anyhow, let's look 'em over while I think up a plan." The midget
+recovered Alfred's knife from the dust and walked over to the trailer
+that he noted had a wooden coop of slats aboard. He climbed up on the
+wheel where he could see two black, wooly objects, scarcely a foot
+high, and nearly that size in length and breadth.
+
+"They do look fat and in good fur," he commented, "and from the way
+they are working on the slat on yon side, you won't have them long.
+They would be out of the pen in another half-hour."
+
+"That's the point to the whole matter. You just can't keep 'em penned
+in, and you can't keep 'em barred out. They have reached the pest
+stage and are incorrigible. Now I didn't expect to get much out of
+them anyhow," continued Welborn. "If I could find a home for them,
+where they would earn their keep, I would be willing to give them to
+such a party. Oh, I know it sounds sort of mushy," he hastened to
+explain as he noted the questioning look on David's countenance, "but
+I killed their mother for raiding our truckpatch and hogpen and I
+found these little fellows up near the den, starving and unable to
+fend for themselves. I took them home, fed them milk and bread and
+sugar and brought them up to where they are. But they have reached the
+stage where something must be done. As you see, they are hard to pen
+up and it's worse to turn them loose. Life to them is one continuous
+round of wrestling, scrapping, knocking over anything that's loose,
+and tearing up anything in reach. Whipping them does no good. They cry
+and beg until you are sorry and then it's to do all over again. I just
+couldn't kill them; it would be like killing a pet dog. So I just
+thought that if I could find someone to take them and care for them,
+it would be good riddance and give me time to go back to my work."
+
+"Well, that solves the problem," said the midget, gleefully. "I've got
+your party. He's old Fisheye Gleason right here with the show. We can
+deal with that old buzzard as freely and as profitably as if we were
+in a cutthroat pawnshop. Hey, you fellows," he called to some passing
+laborers, "have any of you seen old Fisheye in the last hour?"
+
+"Fisheye is linin' up the wagons in the menag," said one of the men.
+
+"Er he may be up at the marquee tellin' the boss where to route the
+show," said another. "Maybe he's got Beatty cornered, tellin' him a
+new plan fer workin' the cats this afternoon," leered another. The
+leader pointed to the far end of the big animal tent.
+
+"I've got him located," said David. "Now you fix that slat so the
+bears won't leave for the next hour and we'll work on Fisheye. He has
+been with this plant ever since Uncle Ben took it out as a wagon show.
+Hear him tell it, he set Barnum up in business and loaned the Ringling
+boys their first money. Fisheye is a romancer, unhampered by facts.
+But he's a wise old man at that.
+
+"Fisheye Gleason still has his first dollar. He wears the same
+corduroy pants that Uncle Ben gave him on his twenty-first birthday.
+If we had the time he would tell us his personal experiences with
+every celebrity in the circus world. We haven't the time, and we've
+got to work fast and cautious.
+
+"Now Fisheye would balk and walk away on us if we offered him these
+bears for nothing; he just wouldn't understand it. He dickers in
+animals a little; trains 'em and has 'em doing things right away. He
+likes 'em and they like old Fisheye. Why, he can take these little
+bears and have 'em turning somersaults, dancing, and climbing to their
+perches in no time. Then he sells 'em into some big act.
+
+"Fisheye is our meat for this play, but don't sell out too quick."
+
+Leaving the cubs to the further destruction of their cage, the
+prospective salesmen wended their way through a maze of sidewalls,
+poles, unplaced wagons, cages. On past the refreshment booth that was
+setting up in the central area; past a score of elephants, swaying in
+contentment over the morning hay; past camels, llamas, zebras, and
+other luminaries, to the far end of the big tent where a group of
+laborers were aiding two elephants to line up the last of the cages
+and vans in a proper circle around the enclosure.
+
+It was all confusing enough to the big Westerner, but the little man
+knew where to go. He pressed forward to where a little, old, dried up
+"razorback" was regaling two of the workmen with words of experience
+if not wisdom.
+
+"'En I told Shako," he declared with emphasis, "that he never could
+win back old Mom's confidence, till he got a big armload of sugarcane
+en doled hit out to her. En shore enough when we got to Little Rock
+and Shako got holt of some sugarcane, he win that old elephant's
+respect instanter. En that ain't all! When we got to Memphis en hit
+into that big storm, why ole Mom--" But the audience died away to one
+man as the midget's voice interrupted.
+
+"Say, Fisheye, I want you to meet a friend of mine, Mr. Welborn. Meet
+Mr. Welborn, Mr. Gleason. Mr. Welborn here dickers a little in native
+animals and has a couple of the slickest, fattest, neatest bear cubs
+I've seen in years. He's got too much business to give any time to
+training them and I told him of your success with animals and he wants
+to make a deal with you."
+
+"What kind of a deal? And where's yer bars?" Fisheye was alert to the
+business up to knowing the full import of the deal.
+
+"They are out here in a coop--on a trailer. He brought them down out
+of the mountains this morning."
+
+"Did ye ketch 'em this mornin'?" queried Fisheye as he followed the
+two salesmen to the truck.
+
+"Naw, he's had 'em in training for two months. Best of all, he knows
+how to take care of their hair, how to feed 'em. Look, there they are,
+alike as two peas and ready to climb a pole or turn a somersault."
+
+Fisheye was peering through the slats. "I wish we had 'em out whar I
+could see 'em better. Now what's yer deal, Prince? Ye said somethin'
+about a deal?"
+
+"Well, it's like this, Fisheye. Mr. Welborn could go right on training
+these bruins and peddle them through an ad in _Billboard_ for a sure
+two hundred smackers, surely by Thanksgiving--"
+
+"Two hundred nothin's," retorted the wary Fisheye, who was not to let
+a fancy price go by without protest. "Thar's no bar in the world wuth
+a hundred dollars. Why up in the Yallerstone, they offer to give 'em
+away!"
+
+"Sure they do, or did last year. They are the old mangy bears that
+bother tourists, Jesse James bears, that they want to get rid of. But
+they wouldn't sell you a cub for love or money. Bears are scarce this
+year. They hint of a bear famine up there.
+
+"And anyhow, you didn't let me finish. Why if you owned these bears
+and had 'em climbing an injun ladder right up to their perch in the
+animal act, had 'em dancing, turning somersaults, you would ask a half
+grand for them and never bat an eye. They would be worth it, and you
+know it. But rather than go through the work of getting them ready,
+Mr. Welborn is willing to take an even hundred for the two. Better
+still, he'll let you make a note for the hundred due in ninety
+days--or say Christmas. By that time you've got the bears sold and
+your note paid, and jingling the difference."
+
+Fisheye was squinting through the slats. "I wish we had 'em out whar a
+man could see what he's buying."
+
+"Haven't you got an empty cage where we could turn them out in the
+daylight?" asked the sales manager.
+
+"Shore I have. I jist got pie Rip's cage all cleaned out an ready fer
+what come."
+
+"Well, get it open. Cut loose the trailer, Mr. Welborn, and we will
+back it in by hand. Here, Happy, you and Joe help push this trailer in
+to where Fisheye shows you. These cubs need initiating anyhow."
+
+The trailer was unhooked and carefully backed in through a passage
+laid out by the versatile Fisheye. A door was opened in one of the
+unplaced cages and the little bears pushed out into a new world. They
+scrambled to a far corner, faced about, and waited for the next move.
+
+"There they are," cried the midget enthusiastically, "black as
+midnight, fat as butterballs and ready for work." To be sure, the
+little salesman could not see up to the level of the cage floor, but
+his sales talk never ceased. "How much am I offered, men," he called
+out in a voice simulating an auctioneer. "How much for the two?"
+
+"Now you jist cut out yer comedy until I can squint 'em over," said
+Fisheye impatiently. "Kin ye move 'em around a little, Mister?"
+
+Welborn reached his hand through the bars and clucked to the little
+scared bruins. Hesitatingly they crept up to the extended hand and
+then sat up. They were surely butterballs as the midget proclaimed.
+
+"You can't tell which is Amos and which is Andy. Can you, Fisheye?"
+challenged the salesman.
+
+"Naw! I don't know 'em by name but that un is the oldest. In twins or
+even litters thar's one that's oldest. That un is the oldest, he
+starts to doin things fust. Now you jist tell me all over again,
+what's yer proposition about me owning these little b'ars?"
+
+"Well, it is as I said. Mr. Welborn here will take your note for an
+even hundred for both bears. The note will be due Christmas. We can go
+right over to the ticket wagon and have Lew draw the note, payable at
+the Wabash Valley Trust Company for an even hundred, and the cubs are
+yours. And here's another thing," David motioned Fisheye over to
+another wagon and out of Mr. Welborn's hearing. "Here's the rest of
+the plan. I am going to offer this man Welborn ninety dollars for your
+note. He won't be bothered by having to send it to the bank, and he'll
+take my offer. There's where I come in; I make a ten spot without any
+investment."
+
+"How come?" squawked the amazed Fisheye. "Ye don't own no bars, ye
+ain't out no cash, en ye draw a sawbuck. Now jist why can't this
+mountain man take ninety dollars in folding money offen me and cut out
+all this bankin' stuff. I don't want any note at the Wabash Valley
+nohow. They'd jist harass me into payin' it. Jist cut all that out and
+let him take the foldin' money."
+
+"Well, maybe he will," sighed the super salesman. "But I thought as
+cheap as they were, I ought to have a ten spot out of it. But I resign
+in your favor. It's all among us folks anyhow. Just you go over and
+spot him the ninety and see if you win."
+
+Fisheye went back of a neighboring cage to search himself for the
+needed cash. The salesman turned to Welborn who in the whole deal had
+said never a word. "It worked out all right," chuckled the midget.
+"Fisheye is saying spells over his bankroll and is kissing some of the
+tens and twenties a fond and reluctant farewell. He will offer you
+ninety dollars and you take it. It's better than I'd hoped. You see,
+Fisheye has his money sewed to him and it makes it hard to acquire.
+Some of it will be plastered together, for Fisheye hasn't taken a bath
+since part of the Barnum-Jenny Lind Special went off the bridge at
+Wheeling. The little bears will always know their Fisheye, day or
+night."
+
+At this juncture Fisheye returned and counted down the cash. Two of
+the twenties and one ten, were printed in the early twenties.
+
+"And now, Mister Welborn, we will have that cup of coffee and I must
+go to work. I want you to see the Kid Show and the Big Show as my
+guest. I'll have the boys park your machine and trailer right back of
+our show where it will be safe until you want it. After the main
+performance we will have dinner, say about four o'clock and we will
+call it a day."
+
+"I think you should have this money," said Welborn as they drank their
+coffee. He handed Fisheye's keepsakes to David. "I did not expect
+anything and I am satisfied that the bears are in good hands."
+
+"Not a cent," said David, waving the money aside. "I still owe you
+more than I can ever repay. Besides all this, we've done Fisheye a
+good turn. He'll have those cubs doing things before snow flies."
+
+"He has always wanted a Happy Family Act, and now he's got a start.
+From time to time he will add native animals like foxes, raccoons,
+badgers, and maybe a porky or two and label them 'Native Americans'
+and sell them to someone, cage and all, before next season."
+
+"Fisheye is versatile. Every winter he has a bunch of misfit dogs, and
+out of the outfit he'll get some smart ones that will train well. He
+is good, too, on a dog and pony act. Once a zebra got its leg broke in
+swinging one of the big poles in place. It looked like there was
+nothing to do but shoot it. But Fisheye salvaged the cripple; he
+taught it to get up and down with the leg in splints; cured him,
+except for a slight limp, and finally sold the beast as the only zebra
+that was ever broken to harness. Fisheye is a grand old liar but he's
+a fine animal man."
+
+
+
+
+2
+
+
+Circuses--the big ones, with menageries--have a tradition: "the show
+must go on." Storms, fires, rail disasters, major accidents--even
+death--shall not deter. The show _must_ go on. The Great International
+had lived fully up to this tradition. In all of its growing years, it
+had met and overcome any and all obstacles that might hinder its
+progress and promises. In the years past, a versatile routing agent
+could and did avoid many minor financial losses by routing the show to
+other fields. If a mine strike prevailed in one section, that district
+was missed by careful routings; if the boll weevil prevailed, the
+cotton belt was a closed field; if wheat failed in the Northwest, or
+mills were closed in Gary, the bookings were deflected to other marts.
+
+But the year 1932 was different; fertile fields there were not. It was
+not a case of dodging; it was a plain case of trying to hit. And there
+was no place.
+
+The Great International was making a brave effort to stem the tide of
+depression. Its great spread of canvas billowed over many new and
+novel attractions. It boasted of the largest herd of tame elephants in
+all the world. Its aerial acts were new to the circus lovers of
+America. Its grand opening was a riot of splendid colorings and
+beauty, never surpassed in all pageantry. Yet old Depression was
+winning at every stand. Historic Cheyenne, with its years of
+background in gathering humanity to its playdays, was little better
+than the rest. Business prudence dictated the routings from here on,
+and the route led to winter quarters. It was as David Lannarck said:
+"We play the U.P. to Omaha and then home."
+
+Sam Welborn, the man from the mountains, enjoyed the Kid Show,
+immensely. The trained cockatoos, the big snakes, the many freak
+people, the brief but snappy minstrel show, were some of the varied
+features. But best of all, Welborn watched the antics of his little
+friend of the morning adventure. He came on the little stage, first as
+a swaggering general, then as an admiral, last as a real doughboy of
+the United States Army. Dancing, bowing, and waving the flag, he won
+generous applause. Later, he came on as Cupid with bow and arrow, and
+made some fine shots into a target representing a heart. His song
+number was appropriate to this act.
+
+Following this performance, David conducted his friend to the marquee
+of the Big Show and passed him in to greater glories. "I will see you
+before the performance is over," he said in parting.
+
+The Big Show was not cut or curtailed. From the grand opening to the
+closing number the full production was given without a hitch. Sam
+Welborn, seated in the reserve section was back to boyhood days. He
+watched the many features of the bewildering panorama with childish
+enthusiasm. It was a great show. Just before the finale, he was joined
+by his little friend.
+
+"Our next stop will be the dining car," said Davy as they followed the
+crowd out the main entrance. "I have something I want to talk over
+with one of you Westerners and I think you are the man."
+
+"Maybe I am not a Westerner," said Welborn quietly.
+
+"Why you live out here, don't you?" retorted Davy.
+
+"Yes, I live out here, a great ways out, clear out to the rim of
+things. If it wasn't for the mountains hemming the horizon, our 'wide
+open spaces' would be without limit. I live beyond the Medicine Bow
+Mountains over next to North Park. My nearest neighbor is two miles
+away. I am fifteen miles from a filling station."
+
+"Why, I didn't know there was a place in America that was fifteen
+miles from a filling station. The oil companies are surely overlooking
+a bet. Anyhow, every word you speak confirms my opinion that you live
+at the right place." The two had arrived at the dining tent where a
+head waiter was assigning the guests to their places among the many
+tables.
+
+"We'll sit here, Tony, if you don't mind," said Davy as he ushered his
+guest to a table apart from the rest. He carried a high chair from
+another table and signaled a waiter. "This is what I have in mind, Mr.
+Welborn; I want to run away--run away from the yaps and yokels and the
+gawkers and get out where nobody can see me and where I can act just
+like a man. I am twenty-nine years old. For fifteen years I have been
+the 'objective' of the gawking squad. I'm sick of it. I want to run
+away when I see a crowd coming. When I am on the platform, I see
+nothing but dumb faces; if I am on the ground, I see nothing but legs.
+It's too tough a lifetime assignment. You understand I am not
+complaining of my lot as a midget, but I am fed up on the role. I want
+a rest--a change. And just now, is a good time to make the change from
+a game where I've grown stale. My financial affairs are in good shape,
+thanks to one of the finest men in all America, and I want to lay off
+this freak business until I can look on it without vomiting.
+
+"Two things woo me to this country: your wide open spaces, where
+seeing a human being is reduced to the very lowest limit; and second,
+I find that in playing vaudeville houses in the winter time, I develop
+a sinus trouble that sticks with me until I get back here to the
+mountains where it disappears entirely. Yes sir! When I hit the table
+lands of Denver, Pocatello, Casper, Rawling, Laramie, or this town,
+old Sinus passes right out of the system. For the last five years I
+have been planning to come to these Highlands and dig in--where
+humanity is the scarcest. Just awhile ago, you described the exact
+spot of my dreams. Now what's your reaction? Can I do it?"
+
+"Do you mean that you would want to spend the winter with me, back in
+the hills?" The big man's question was quietly put but he stopped
+eating, awaiting the answer.
+
+"Sure, that's what I mean. Next winter, next summer, and then some. I
+want to get away from this," waving his hand in a circle to include
+the showgrounds. "And get to that," and he pointed west. "I want to
+get out where I can wear overalls; have a dog--or maybe five dogs--out
+where I can ride a hoss and chaw scrap-tobacco and spit like a man. I
+want to get away from being gawked at during all my waking hours. This
+thing here, is getting on my nerves. I feel like I want to commit
+murder when a simpering Jane looks at me, snickers and says, 'ain't he
+cute?' I want a ball bat to club every country jake doctor that looks
+me over and asks about my pituitary gland. Gee, gosh, but I do want to
+get away from that. I want to exchange these human nitwits for cows,
+calves, sheep, hosses,--broncho hosses, pintos--but not little
+round-bellied shetlands. I want to boss around among chickens, geese,
+turkeys, pigs--"
+
+"How about a couple of burros?" interrupted the listener.
+
+"That's it! Burros! I hadn't thought of burros--me on one of
+'em--slapping with my hat to get two miles to the gallon! That's it,
+burros! Two of them is better!"
+
+"And how about snows? There may be a snow yet this month that is
+deeper than you are tall."
+
+"Whoopee for the snow!" yelled the midget. "Me with a mackinaw and
+boots, and mittens and a shovel. Snow! Clean white snow! I love it!
+But I haven't seen any clean snow for years. All that you ever see now
+is the dirty slush that they scrape off the streetcar tracks. I sure
+would be disappointed, Mister Welborn, if you didn't have a lot of
+clean snow. And you have some sort of a shack, don't you? And we can
+cut a lot of wood, and have plenty of blankets--en books and
+magazines. And we can haul out a lot of grub, and a first-aid kit and
+such. And you don't have a big family, do you, Mister Welborn, and I
+wouldn't be much in the way, would I?"
+
+"No, I am all alone," said Welborn trying as best he could to answer
+the many questions. "I have no family and I do have a shack that is
+very comfortable. It has a fireplace and a stove. I have plenty of
+blankets and wood and grub. But what about sickness--home-sickness!
+What about the terrors of loneliness that sometimes drive people mad!
+The wide open spaces have their handicaps, as I well know. For a year
+or more I have had just that experience. I have suffered, along with
+the joys of being wholly alone. Truly, I went into it with a bigger
+aversion to human society than you have, and I have not escaped.
+
+"Yes, I have a shack, a good one, and a few score acres, but it's not
+a ranch. It's not stocked, has no barn or stables, and no crop but the
+native grass. It was a dreamer's plaything and I bought it with scant
+savings that should have been spent on another project. But it looked
+like I just had to own it in order to carry on."
+
+"What's your other project?" asked Davy, curious to know why a man
+with a ranch would not be ranching.
+
+"Mining," replied Welborn. "Placer mining back in a canyon or gulch
+that never felt a human footfall before I stumbled into it. It's a
+limited thing--limited to this ravine that is not more than fifty feet
+wide and a half a mile long. It was probably the old stream bed back
+before the Tertiary ages, but when the troubled mountain took another
+surge, it was left high and dry, twenty feet above water. I was
+working it this summer but the little bear cubs took most of my time.
+It takes a full day to lug enough water up to the canyon levels to
+wash out a pan of gravel. It takes the big part of the day to lower a
+sack of gravel down to the water, but at that, I have made wages. Now,
+I have an old rocker that was abandoned in the stream bed, but I need
+a pump so I can use the rocker right on the gravel bar. As it is a
+one-man job, it should be a force pump with a gasoline engine. All
+this costs money and it takes a long time to pan out enough dust to
+pay the bill. Really I had the money, but I just had to spend it in
+buying the cabin and land that was the only entrance to the placer
+bed. I just couldn't work the one without owning the other. Then too,
+I will have to blast a hole in the rock wall to get the pump located,
+after that, one year is all I want. One year's work will clean up all
+that one man ought to have. Of course I have practically lost this
+summer on account of the bear cub capers, and winter is at hand, but
+the outlook is better, thanks to your diplomacy and aid. With the
+money, I can live this winter and accomplish many things. By spring, I
+should be under full production."
+
+"But you wouldn't stay up there in that solitude with no person around
+but an old grouch that probably would not have a word to say for days
+at a time?"
+
+"Yes I think I would," said Davy slowly but firmly. "I think I can
+risk my case as to care and friendship with a man who is considerate
+to little bears."
+
+Some of the circus people had finished the meal and were filing out of
+the tent, but Davy stayed, grimly determined to win his point. "About
+what would be the cost of this proposed mine equipment, and could I do
+some ranching around there while this was going on?"
+
+"I figure it will take three hundred dollars to buy the pump,
+pump-jack and engine; these, with a few lengths of hose and some
+dynamite, are all that's required. Of course there will be some labor
+costs in getting the pump installed, but three hundred will pay all
+bills."
+
+"Is that all? Why we can get that amount from Lew up at the ticket
+wagon. He will cash my check for that amount and be glad to do it.
+Holdups, you know, pass up checks. Therefore, Lew likes checks. When
+do you want it? Let's get it now while there is a lull in business,
+and you can take the pump and pipe and other gadgets right back with
+you in the truck."
+
+"Do you mean that you will go with me--now--on the truck? It's more
+than a hundred miles to Carter's filling station and fully twenty
+miles more over the roughest roads--or rather no roads--to the Gillis
+place and then two miles more. Why, it's an all-night trip if we were
+to start right now!"
+
+"No, I am to stick with the show to Omaha. We are to be in North Bend,
+tomorrow; Grand Island, Friday; Omaha, Saturday; and then the payoff.
+I will have some things to do in Omaha. I want to telephone home and
+ask about some friends; I will talk to my financial boss and learn if
+he is still weathering the financial storm and then I am ready for the
+big jump out to your place. Can you meet me here with this
+truck-trailer outfit, say about Wednesday? I will have about three
+hundred pounds of baggage, and we must stock up with grub against
+getting snowed in. Can you meet me here Wednesday? Or, if you are too
+busy, can you send someone?"
+
+"Why sure I'll meet you--Wednesday or any other day--here or any other
+place you say." The man of the mountains was absorbing some of the
+little man's enthusiasm. "Sure I'll meet you, but you work so fast and
+drive right through that I can hardly keep up. Why, we hardly drive
+through with one thing until you have another. If I seem indifferent
+and not very responsive, it's because I haven't caught up yet. Think
+of it! Ten hours ago I was coming out of the hills with a serious
+problem that was hindering my work. Now, I am rid of the problem, have
+ninety dollars in cash; have the offer of all the funds I need, and
+prospects of a fine companion all through the dreaded winter. The
+change from poverty to riches has been so rapid that it's more like a
+dream than a reality. And here's the worst feature of the whole
+business," continued Welborn as the two made their way to the ticket
+wagon. "Here's the fly in the ointment. My side of the equation has
+been nothing but plus, plus. I am fearful that yours will be more than
+minus. You are tired of the mob; you want to get away from the crowds.
+You have a mental picture of the ranching business; horses, cattle,
+cowboys, knee-deep grass billowing through the great open spaces. It's
+your dream to land right in the midst of such surroundings, and your
+disappointments will be terrible to endure. I have no such ranch and
+there's none nearer than ten miles of my place. Most of the cattle
+nowadays are purebred; the cowboys are cow hands, feeders, and
+care-takers--without a mount--and many of them never saw a pair of
+chaps and few wear ten gallon hats like the picture books show. That
+stuff belongs to the rodeos and dude ranches. Why the Diamond A Ranch
+over on Mad Trapper Fork is a model for any manufacturing plant. It
+has bookkeepers, salesmen, feeders from 'aggy' schools. You won't like
+that; it's not up to the standards of your dream. Of course you will
+like old Jim Lough of the B-line Ranch. He's ninety and used to be a
+tough hombre of the old school. But now he's out of the picture, his
+son Larry runs the ranch, and he is soon to give way to a young
+college girl who is up on foreign markets and the like.
+
+"My fears are that what you see and experience will not be the picture
+of beauty and action that you had dreamed about. My poor little place,
+without livestock or feed--or action--will be a terrible
+disappointment."
+
+"Well we will make a ranch out of it. The building of a ranch will be
+more pleasure than the possession of the finished product," rejoined
+Davy stoutly. "We will raise some feed, buy a few sheep and from there
+on, watch us grow! But early in this venture, I must get me a pony--a
+pinto, preferably--small enough for me to ride and big enough to go
+places. Then I'm all set. Hi, Lew!" The midget had climbed up on the
+wheel of the ticket wagon and was tapping on the window. "Cash my
+check for three hundred dollars and meet my podner, Mister Welborn."
+
+"Your partner in what?" queried the accommodating Lew, as he slid back
+the window and began to count out the cash. "What's your racket now,
+Prince? Have you hooked up with Ben-a-Mundi in that Crystal Readings
+graft, or is it a short-change racket?" Lew aided Davy up to the shelf
+where he could sign the check. "Better look out, Mister Welborn, your
+partner here is a slicker--a regular city grafter. He skins his
+friends just to keep in practice. Paying you this little lump is just
+a bait. Later, he'll spring the trap for the big money." Lew slipped a
+rubber band around the money and handed it to Davy.
+
+"You had better look 'em over for counterfeit bills," retorted Davy as
+he handed the money to Welborn. "This bird puts out more counterfeit
+money than he does genuine. And say, Lew, you and Jess think of me
+when you are huddled around the stove this winter with a lot of
+razorbacks--me out in the great open spaces feeling fine, and clear of
+mobs and nitwits. You fellows will have the razorbacks throw another
+basket of cobs in the old smoky stove, and I and Mr. Welborn here,
+will be toasting our feet before a log fire in the big fireplace--"
+
+"Oh ho, it's that ranch thing that you have been chinning about for
+the last five years," chuckled the treasurer of the Great
+International. "How many calves will you brand next year? And where's
+your chaps and your spurs? And say, that three hundred won't buy your
+bridle, let alone a ranch and a hoss. You remember Carter, don't you,
+Prince? The broncho-buster that we had in the grand opening last year.
+Why his saddle cost an even grand and he paid fifty per for his
+Stetsons. Where's your outfit, kid?"
+
+"Why my outfit is still in the supply house in Omaha," countered the
+midget. "I am to take it out when you and Jess come back through here
+with the Adkins-Helstrom Great Congress of Living Wonders. I'll meet
+you here on that date in my full regalia. Anyhow, much obliged, Lew,
+and Mr. Welborn I will help you out with the car and trailer so that
+you can load out tonight." Down at the edge of the lot where the city
+streets pointed to the business district of the city, the ancient
+model paused for the final conference between the new partners.
+
+"Now what's your address, Mr. Welborn?" asked Davy, searching about
+for pencil and paper. "If any of our plans go haywire, I would want to
+let you know."
+
+"And that's just another inconvenience in the business," replied
+Welborn in a cautious manner. "My mail address is Adot. I get--"
+
+"Adot? Adot? Where? What?" interposed the midget. "A dot on what?"
+"The post office is Adot," replied the miner. "Capital _A-d-o-t_,
+Adot. It was probably so named from its importance on the map. It's
+just a wide spot in the road and a dirt road. We get mail twice a week
+and I am fifteen miles away. Neither will the telegraph lines help;
+there's no station nearer than this town. I have no telephone. The
+only way I could be reached, would be for you to go to the
+broadcasting station in Omaha and put through an S.O.S. on Tuesday
+night, as I have a radio. But you would have to put the call in early
+as I am going to be in this town bright and early Wednesday morning."
+
+"That's the spirit," crowed the little man. "Both of us, right here in
+Cheyenne, Wednesday morning. I will be here unless this Union Pacific
+folds up and quits. Why when you come to think of it, I wouldn't want
+to be where there was mail deliveries, telephones, and such; that's
+what I am running away from, that and the mob. Good-by, Sam," he
+called out, as the car took the green lights. "I'll meet you here on
+the A-Dot."
+
+"Good-by, Prince," said the big man as the car got under way.
+
+That night, an ancient model T followed by a ramshackle, home-made
+trailer, pulled away from the shipping platforms of the Cheyenne
+Outfitting & Supply Company loaded to the guards with pump, pump jack,
+pipe, lag-screws, wrenches, hand drills, dynamite, fuses and caps, and
+a hundredweight of groceries. Cramped under the wheel, driving as
+carefully as his cargo would warrant, sat Sam Welborn, the second
+happiest man west of the Missouri. The happiest man west of the big
+river was flouncing around in his berth on the third section of the
+Great International Circus trains bound for North Bend, Nebraska,
+planning his outfit to be purchased in a few days at Omaha.
+
+
+
+
+3
+
+
+An hour in advance of the arrival of the Pacific Limited, Sam Welborn
+paced the platform of the Union Pacific passenger station at Cheyenne,
+awaiting the arrival of his little partner from Omaha. He was a
+different man in appearance from the one who, the week before, had
+come down from the mountains in charge of two obstreperous bear cubs.
+On that occasion, he had worn overalls, a sheepskin jacket, heavy,
+clumsy shoes, and an eared cap of ancient vintage. On the day of his
+appointment, he was dressed as the ordinary business man about to take
+the train for Ogden or points west. His fairly well-worn, black,
+pin-striped suit, neatly pressed, fitted his six-foot-two frame as if
+built by a professional clothier; a rolled-collar shirt, a blue polka
+dot tie, freshly shined shoes, and a soft crush hat completed the
+outfit. Over his arm he carried an overcoat. Other prospective
+travelers wore their topcoats, but Sam Welborn was of the outdoors.
+
+He had parked the Ford with its trailer attachment at the west end of
+the platform. If his partner's impedimentia was not too bulky, the
+ancient model was ready for another trek to the hills. Back and forth
+along the long brick platform he strode in the bright autumn sun. It
+was no sloven's gait. An observer would have said that somewhere,
+sometime, in his career of maybe thirty years, he had faced a
+hardboiled old topper who insisted with piratical invectives that
+"heads up, shoulders back, stomachs in" was the proper posture for
+humans who were eating government grub and drawing government pay.
+
+Very true, Welborn was not in immediate need of exercise. In the last
+week he had worked, and worked hard, during every daylight hour. He
+had not slept in the last thirty hours. But these were figments,
+incidents, to be disregarded now that success was just back of the
+curtain. Now he was to meet the little man who had made this prospect
+of success possible. Now his greetings must be cordial and
+appreciative. Nothing should be left undone to overcome the
+disappointments the midget must endure. In his first meeting with
+Davy, Welborn had tried to discourage the plan of "holing up" in a
+remote section, far removed from the things to which he was
+accustomed. He pictured himself as an old grouch, soured on the world,
+and surely uncompanionable. He dwelt on the lonely hours, the big
+snows, and other bad features but it was of no avail. Davy was on his
+way. In other days, in vastly different surroundings, Sam Welborn had
+known the tactful duties of a genial host; now he would revert to that
+role.
+
+David Lannarck was the first passenger to alight as number twenty-one
+came thundering in from the east. The porter helped with his grips.
+Davy searched the platform for his friend.
+
+"Why, why, I didn't know you! You look like another fellow!" he
+exclaimed, as Welborn reached for his grips. "You are younger, better
+looking, different."
+
+"I am younger, but not different," chuckled Welborn. "I've been taking
+a tonic--the tonic of hard work. I've nearly completed my big job, and
+I've located your horse for you."
+
+"Hurray!" yelled Davy, "And can I get him right away?"
+
+"There you go, jumping the gun again. Why that little horse is a
+hundred miles from here. He's not broken to ride. He might not suit
+your fancy, and it might take a lot of diplomacy to get him. He
+belongs to a girl."
+
+The baggage--two trunks, a showman's keyster, two suitcases, a big
+duffle bag and handbags--was loaded on trailer and backseat. "Well, I
+don't see much room for groceries," said Davy, as he climbed in.
+"We've got to have pickles and beans, and plenty of vitamins and
+calories to balance the ration. Really, before starting, I should have
+consulted Admiral Byrd on outfitting a polar expedition. Aren't we to
+stock up on food--here--or somewhere?" He questioned, as he noted
+that Welborn drove across the tracks and away from the city.
+
+"The eating question is practically solved," said Welborn. "Solved
+through the providence and frugality of good neighbors. They are
+overstocked and it's up to us to reduce the surplus. I took out rice,
+sugar, salt, and a lot of extras on my last trip, and with their
+surplus of meat, fish, fowl, flour, fruits--canned and preserved,
+vegetables--canned and raw, we should live like pigs at a full trough.
+However, if you need tobacco, chewing gum, toothpaste, any special
+kind of medicine, we can get that at the Last Chance, further down the
+road."
+
+"No, I'll not need any such sidelines for many a week, but I thought
+you said we did not have any neighbors? Who runs this fine market and
+canning factory out in the wide open spaces?"
+
+Welborn laughed. "Wait till we get out of this traffic and on a
+straightaway; there's much to tell and we've got a lot of time. I have
+arranged for dinner about twenty miles down this road, and we will
+push things pretty hard this afternoon so that we can eat a late
+supper right at this Market and then you will understand.
+
+"You see, this old car, loaded like she is, and pulling a trailer, can
+do about twenty-five miles per, on this federal road, but it's not all
+federal road, and the last fifteen miles will take a lot of good luck
+and fully two hours to make the grade. I would like to get home in
+daylight."
+
+The general direction of the national roadway, was west. The traffic
+to and from Cheyenne at this noon hour was not heavy. Tourists were
+still touring, notwithstanding the fact that this section of the
+country might be snowed under at any time; truckloads of livestock,
+were encountered, and far down the highway, where the traffic thinned
+down, the partners met a big band of sheep that required care and
+diplomacy in passing. Presently, Welborn turned the car into a
+driveway at a neat farm home.
+
+"Hungry?" he asked.
+
+"Yes, I am always hungry, although I had breakfast somewhere this side
+of Julesburg."
+
+"Well, I arranged for dinner here, and we will also stock up on gas
+and oil for the long trek. Of course I carry an extra five gallons in
+the can on the running board, but this is about our last place to
+stock up on eats."
+
+A woman came to the door. "You are right on time," she said. "I hope
+you have brought your appetites, as the lunch is just ready."
+
+Somebody was thoughtful; there was a high chair at the dining table.
+After a very satisfying meal, Welborn shoved back his chair. He found
+a piece of wrapping paper that he spread in front of Davy and drew a
+rough map.
+
+"We are near the line of two states," he said. "The Medicine Bow
+Mountains are here. Geologists point out that this range so
+interrupted the route of the Continental Divide that it turned it back
+to the north in a big curve and made it hard to find. We go through a
+pass in the range. On this side, we run into the little streams that
+form the Laramie River. On yon side is the North Platte. Both run
+north and both find sources in the North Park. Those who know, say
+that for beauty and grandeur no section of the world beats the North
+Park country. Personally I do not know, as my contacts have been
+limited. It is said, too, that this is the northern limits of gold. At
+this point, the mountains seemed to have changed their content, or
+else those to the north were made at a different era. All these things
+are speculative and have their exceptions, as I well know.
+
+"North Park, however, is a great grazing country. Its grass wealth may
+be greater than its mineral. The government owns the land, except
+tracts here and there suitable for farming. Our destination is the
+Silver Falls Project, a fine body of rolling land, suitable for either
+grazing or farming. It was laid out in convenient tracts for
+homesteads. Each parcel was a half section. If there was rough land
+adjoining a tract, that was included for good measure. It was opened
+for settlers and many came, but none stayed. There was no central
+organization to hold them--no church to rally around--no one
+established a central trading post--no outstanding personage to
+collect and hold, as is always the case in community building in
+America. Then, too, there were no roads; therefore no market outlet.
+The road over which we are going, is the only inlet and there's no
+outlet. A half mile of blasting and building would have made an
+entrance to the Tranquil Meadows district and to trails and highways
+that led to market towns in two states, but the blasting and building
+was never done. The Silver Falls Project never grew big enough to make
+its decline noticeable.
+
+"Of those who came to try it out, only four stuck to a final deed. Two
+of these are at this end of the project. Carter runs a filling station
+at the forks of the road and Withrow, next to him, hunts, traps, and
+plays a fiddle. I acquired the two tracts at the far end of the
+project and Gillis, our enterprising neighbor, owns two parcels next
+to me and operates the abandoned tracts under grazing allotments. This
+is a real ranch; small, as compared to others, but modeled as a farm
+in the East, for Gillis is a real farmer. I make the guess that when
+you grow homesick and tired of the loneliness at my place you will
+headquarter at the Gillis place, in fact I have made that kind of
+arrangement with them. They have a telephone, a radio, a phonograph,
+and take plenty of newspapers and magazines, and, best of all, there
+is a kindly, enterprising woman there to manage, to cook and can the
+fruits and vegetables, and do the homey things that makes life fit to
+live.
+
+"They have cows, chickens, turkeys, pigs, and raise plenty of feed.
+But they are an oasis in a desert. Except for our place, they have no
+neighbors within fifteen miles. Mrs. Gillis is a worker and a planner.
+She sells pigs, turkeys and calves, in Laramie and Cheyenne, more than
+one hundred miles away; she has a working arrangement with the
+filling station down at the roadside, whereby they sell quite a lot
+of her canned stuff and preserves. She's always got something to sell
+and sells it, market or no market.
+
+"I depend on them for almost everything. Even the car and trailer out
+there belongs to them. I bought a stock of chickens off of them, and I
+rent a cow and calf from them. Really, while you have come out here to
+my place, you will subsist for the most part off the Gillis family."
+
+"Well the outlook gets better and better each time you add a chapter,"
+said Davy as they walked out to the car. "How many in the Gillis
+family?"
+
+"Just two, Jim and his wife. But staying with them is Landy--Landy
+Spencer, Mrs. Gillis' brother. He's older, is an oldtime cow hand that
+has retired, when Mrs. Gillis will let him. He's been in the West
+since boyhood and knows the game, but doesn't play it. He just putters
+around, when Mrs. Gillis isn't after him to do something, and that's
+the reason he stays up at our place most of the time. You will like
+Landy. He is the one that located your horse over at Lough's B-line
+Ranch. I had told him of your wanting a little horse, and this week,
+while Gillis and I were blasting out the rock and setting the pump,
+Landy strayed over to Lough's and located the nag. Landy says as soon
+as he sees you, he can tell instantly if the horse will fit."
+
+"I've got a saddle in that keyster, and he can measure by that," said
+Davy, "and anyhow I don't want a little, low-headed, round-bellied
+hoss that can't go places. If he is a cowboy, he will know the kind."
+
+For five or more miles, the route led over a national highway. Then
+Welborn turned to the right, drove a few hundred feet and stopped.
+"Look out here to the left" he said. "See that big mound with its head
+in the clouds? That's Longs Peak, the highest in the country. On a
+clear day, it can be seen from Cheyenne. From here on, you are to see
+mountains and more mountains, but Longs Peak is the daddy of them
+all."
+
+Now the roadway was not so good, but the ancient car labored on in
+full vigor. Fences had disappeared; the roadway no longer held to
+section lines but took the course of least resistance, generally
+following the stream bed which it crossed and re-crossed many times.
+The direction was generally west and up. Twice on the trip, Welborn
+took a bucket out of the car, dipped water from the stream, and cooled
+the heated engine. On one of these occasions, he washed his face in
+the cooling waters, explaining that he did this to overcome
+drowsiness.
+
+Davy saw everything. This was his country. Except for meeting a lone
+herder in charge of a band of sheep, they had not met a human being in
+the last fifty miles. Yet there was plenty of life. They were never
+out of sight of cattle--not the big herds as Davy thought it would
+be--just a few here and there. There were some horses around the
+little pole barns off the roadway. High up on distant hills, bands of
+sheep were grazing.
+
+Overhead, but not too high, hawks skimmed the levels or tilted over
+knolls and hills in search of a quarry; larks gathered in flights for
+a final powwow before beginning the long trip southward. Magpies
+flitted through the shrubbery of the creek banks. In crossing a little
+wooden bridge near a waterfall, Davy saw an object in the water, then
+in the air, and then in the water where the spray fell and where foam
+formed. Later, he was to know this little slate-colored bird as the
+water ouzel, a bird that was neither wader nor swimmer, yet took his
+subsistence from the foam and spray.
+
+"That road leads to Laramie," said Welborn pointing out a trail to the
+right. "Laramie is closer to our place, and one less mountain range to
+cross."
+
+"Why didn't we come that way?" asked Davy.
+
+"Well, the big circus didn't show in Laramie, and I had to get to
+Cheyenne for contact. There I met a fellow who freighted me down with
+pump tools and I had to take back some of the wrenches I borrowed.
+Then this fellow made an appointment for Cheyenne, and I would not
+have missed the appointment for anything."
+
+"Oh yeah," said Davy, "I suppose out here, the matter of a few
+mountain ranges is all in a day's work. Anyhow, we are seeing some
+country, and the lizzie is going fine."
+
+For several miles it was downhill and around many hairpin turns. Then
+many small streams were crossed and followed. Several times the sun
+seemed to set, only to reappear again through a cleft in the hills.
+Where the terrain was level enough, hundreds of jack rabbits were
+seen. They were not the nervous, string-halt jacks of the prairies,
+but the smaller black-tailed variety.
+
+And then they came to a store and filling station. "Well of all the
+places for a filling station," exclaimed Davy. "Many times I've seen
+'em located at places where there was little business, but I never
+before saw one located where there was absolutely no business. What's
+the big idea?"
+
+"He is probably like another fellow I know," answered Welborn. "He
+wanted to get somewhere, where he wouldn't see anyone. But at that, he
+does some business, seemingly as much as he wants."
+
+More gas was taken on, and the reserve tank filled.
+
+"Adot is on ahead about eight miles, but we turn here for the final
+dash."
+
+The final dash was but a creep. Except for the bridge over Ripple
+Creek, the roadway was just a trail. The sun had gone down for good.
+The lights, none too good, revealed little of the hazards. It was a
+long, steady grind, mostly uphill. At last a light appeared ahead. A
+dog barked. A lantern shone. Welborn turned the car through a gate.
+"Gillis Station," he called out to the midget who had remained very
+quiet.
+
+"Have them drive up next to the house," a woman's voice called from
+within. "We will throw a canvas over the trailer. They will stay here
+tonight. It's too cold to stay in a house that has had no fire."
+
+"There's your orders, Welborn. Drive right over here next to the
+chimney. Howdy, Mr. Lannarck, you and Welborn get out and limber up
+for there's prospect for a fine supper." It was Gillis speaking as he
+aided Davy out of the cab.
+
+"I am Davy to you folks," said the little man as he stamped around to
+limber up from the long confinement. "You are Mrs. Gillis, I know, and
+you are Landy, aren't you? Will I fit that hoss that the girl owns?"
+
+"You are about a half-hand short right now," the old man chuckled,
+"but after a few hikes up to Pinnacle Point, you should fit that
+little hoss jist like a clothespin fits the line."
+
+It was a fine supper. There was also a home-made high chair that just
+fit Davy's needs.
+
+"Before I go to bed," said Davy earnestly and firmly, "I am going to
+write down that supper menu and send it to poor old Lew and Jess, who
+are wearing out shoe leather trying to find a restaurant where the
+steaks aren't made out of saddle skirts and the potatoes and the
+candle grease have parted company. Lemme see, there was fried chicken
+and the best cream gravy I ever tasted, mashed potatoes, creamed peas,
+fluffier biscuits than those birds ever saw, two kinds of jelly,
+strawberry preserves, some other preserves, and apple pie with whipped
+cream on it.
+
+"A long time ago--it was my first year in vaudeville--Mr. Singer gave
+his midget performers a dinner at one of the celebrated New York
+restaurants, I think they called the place Shanley's, a swell place
+with a private dining-room, lots of waiters, food in courses. Well,
+that big feed would be a tramp's handout compared with this dinner
+tonight." Davy was either talking to himself or was trying to interest
+Welborn in the conversation as the two were undressing by the light of
+the kerosene lamp in Mrs. Gillis' spare room. Welborn seemed not
+interested. He was soon in bed and snoring.
+
+"Feathers, by golly," muttered Davy as he snuggled down deep in the
+bed.
+
+
+
+
+4
+
+
+The Gillis menage was well managed. Mrs. Gillis saw to that. Jim, aged
+fifty, slim of build, sinewy, even-tempered, quiet, willing, was the
+farmer and handyman. Crops grew, orchards bloomed, vines bore a full
+vintage, and bushes yielded because he made them do so. Without
+splutter or fuss, he did his work, and liked to do it.
+
+The teamwork of Mrs. Gillis was equally effective. One could not say
+however that her work was done as quietly. Landy, the cow hand brother
+was wont to say--not in her presence however--that "as a child, Alice
+was sorta tongue-tied, and she has to ketch up somehow."
+
+And Landy--well, Landy made his contributions. As a young cowboy,
+Landy had had his fling. He came into the game as the cattle-sheep
+wars were at their peak and he played it strenuously. But with it all,
+Landy Spencer kept his moral slate fairly clean. Then as the sober
+days of manhood came, and Landy witnessed the finish of the
+improvident and foolish, he began to save and skimp. "Hit's the pore
+house fer a cow hand," was his terse aphorism on the subject, and
+Landy had never seen a "fitten" poor house.
+
+Landy was working for the Crazy-Q outfit, at the time the government
+proposed to open the Silver Falls Project. He looked it over and filed
+on two of the homesteads. One for himself and one for James Gillis.
+Then he went to Illinois where his younger sister and her husband were
+share-cropping.
+
+"Come out whar yu've got room, whar ye own it, whar you do it your
+way. I'll pay freight on yer car to Laramie, and keep up the supplies
+for three years. Then if you're not satisfied, I'll move ye back."
+
+It was Landy too, that planned as to the cows and calves. He bought
+purebred cows from the B-line folks, and sold them the big, weaned
+calves. And in view of the fact that the calf sale in 1931 was larger
+than Alice's big turkey sale to the dealers in Laramie by fully two
+hundred dollars, Landy had a modicum of peace on finances. The Gillis
+menage was well managed. It made money in a depression.
+
+Davy was awakened by what he thought was gunfire. He bounded out of
+bed and ran to the window. Day was breaking. In the dawnlight he saw
+Welborn and Landy tinkering with the old model that had brought them
+so valiantly through the mountains. She was backfiring her protests
+but presently settled down to her accustomed smoothness. Davy hustled
+into his clothes. Mrs. Gillis knocked on the door. "There is a pan and
+water right here on the bench," she said. "I told them fellers not to
+monkey with the old car, but Mr. Welborn is anxious to git started, he
+thought he'd tune her up before breakfast."
+
+Gillis came from the barn with a brimming bucket of milk. "Howja rest,
+Davy?" he asked.
+
+"Fine! I hit the feathers and never moved until I heard this
+bombardment that I thought was an uprising of the Utes."
+
+"Breakfast is ready," called Mrs. Gillis. "How do you want your eggs,
+Davy?"
+
+"I want them the way you fix 'em," the little man replied promptly.
+"After that supper last night, I wouldn't have the nerve to tell you
+anything about cooking."
+
+Mrs. Gillis beamed her appreciation. "I hope you will tell that to Jim
+and Landy. To hear them complain, you would think I was serving their
+grub raw or burnt. Didn't the circus people feed ye?"
+
+"A circus always hires good cooks. It buys the best meats in the local
+markets, and that's about as far as they can go. The vegetables are
+out of cans, except the potatoes and cabbage, and the fruits are
+either dried or canned. Preserves and jellies are factory made, so it
+gets pretty monotonous. I had a good breakfast on the diner yesterday
+morning. We had a fine lunch out this side of Cheyenne, but the supper
+last night was far beyond anything I have ever enjoyed. I jotted down
+some of the menu and as soon as I unpack I am going to write to a
+couple of those old circus razorbacks and tell 'em what they have
+missed." Davy was talking and eating; the men were eating.
+
+"Now, Laddie, we are ready for the final dash," said Welborn, as he
+rose from the table. "The farther we go, the tougher it gets. And we
+are on the last leg."
+
+"Landy and I had better go along," said Gillis. "Ye might get stuck,
+and we will be needed to help unload."
+
+"You men come back here for dinner," called Mrs. Gillis from the
+doorway. "You will be too busy to stop and cook."
+
+The old machine described a big curve in getting out of the enclosure,
+but was again headed west. Gillis rode in the front seat with Welborn.
+Landy and Davy found room on the trailer. "I want to see everything,"
+said Davy as he climbed to a perilous perch on one of the trunks.
+
+The mountains towered in the west, south, and southwest. The terrain
+was fairly level, but a spirit level would have shown a marked tilt to
+the east. There was a fringe of timberland on every side. Landy
+pointed out places of interest. "That's Ripple Creek off to the left.
+Ye crossed hit last night on the bridge, and we meet hit agin right up
+by the house. That's Brushy Fork over at the right. They 'most come
+together up here. Right up that canyon about two mile is whar Welborn
+found the b'ar cubs. Way 'round that timber-covered nose to the right
+is the B-line Ranch--hit's about ten miles. Right down that draw, in
+the timber and brush, I killed two wolves last year. And if yer on a
+hoss, ye can foller a trail down to brushy fork and out on yon side.
+That's a short cut to the B-line, else ye'd have to go cl'ar back to
+the fillin' station, then over to Adot and back across another bridge
+to git thar. It's twenty-five miles thataway. When ye git all settled,
+we'll sneak over to the B-line and take a squint at that little hoss."
+
+Landy continued to point out the places of interest. "Right along
+about here is Welborn's line. He's got two homesteads--bought 'em off
+a crazy bird that had bought out both homesteaders. That's one of the
+shacks over there and the other one he uses for a cowshed. En thar's
+yer home a-settin' up on that bench of land."
+
+Davy craned his neck as the trailer moved down hill. Perched up on a
+shelf, he saw a yellow dot against a gray wall that ran to the sky. As
+they neared the place he outlined a tiny cabin. Later it proved to be
+a two-roomed affair with a porch and lean to at the rear. This was to
+be his domicile--for how long, time would tell.
+
+The car described a big curve that took them to the brink of the
+Ripple Creek Canyon. In second gear it labored and twisted off to the
+right, and then left again, and came to a stop right at the front
+porch of the yellow-brown log cabin.
+
+Davy climbed down from his perch. He walked around the cabin,
+surveying it from three sides. "She's an Old Faithful," he announced
+at last. "Modeled, matched, and built by the man that built Old
+Faithful Inn. Why did he do it and when?"
+
+"It was built the summer before last and it took all summer,"
+explained Welborn. "The crazy galoot called himself the Count of Como.
+He came barging in here and bought out Clark and Stanley, the
+homesteaders, and brought in two men who had been building fancy
+cabins in Rocky Mountain Park and tourist camps. He left them here on
+the job while he drove the roads like a madman, in a big, black,
+powerful coupe to Laramie, to Cheyenne, to Denver, anywhere he could
+get whiskey and dope. He would come back, rave around, threaten
+everybody with a gun, but paid out money like he had the mint back of
+him, and finally got it done. You notice that the logs are "treated,"
+stained or shellacked, to retain their first color. The mechanics did
+that, and the count was mightily pleased until he found out that it
+made the shack stand out so that it could be seen for a long distance,
+and then he threw a fit. He went wild, ran 'em off the job, then I
+came into the picture.
+
+"I was prospecting down Ripple Creek Canyon and living in that shack
+that you can see from the rim over there. I was trying to locate a
+claim, mining claim. But from the homestead lines, this cabin was off
+the reservation, built off the edge of Stanley's claim and on the
+government's land where I wanted to stake off a mineral right.
+
+"I came up out of the canyon on the day he had gotten the men back and
+explained the error and showed him his predicament and then bought him
+out...."
+
+"Ah, tell hit right," growled Landy. "Tell him like them scairt men
+told hit to me." Landy took up the recitation of how the home was
+acquired. "He made that greasy counterfeit eat his gun that he whipped
+out from under his left arm. He kicked him in the ribs, he did, after
+he'd knocked him down a coupla times. Made him go down thar and look
+at the old survey stakes, he did, then made him drive his crazy car
+over to Adot, and old Squire Landry made out the deed and he signed
+hit and Welborn here paid him in a sack of gold dust that they weighed
+on the grocery scales. That's how 'twas done. Tell hit right, so's
+Davy here will know the story."
+
+Welborn laughed at Landy's recitals. "No, I didn't intimidate him. I
+made him see the matter in the right light. The proposition to
+sell-out came from him. I didn't want to buy him out, I had nothing to
+buy with, but the dust that it took me all summer to acquire. Truth
+is, this drink-crazed madman was a hoodlum gunman from Chicago or
+Saint Louis, that had lost his nerve. A killer who couldn't take the
+finish that was due him. He had run from it, and like an ostrich, he
+thought he was hidden up here. He didn't want me as a neighbor and
+when he found out that he had infringed on government land he was so
+scared that he would have given the place to me or anyone that wanted
+it. In fact, he didn't want to take the dust. He was afraid that the
+government would run him down for selling something that he didn't
+own, and maybe then find out about some of his killings back East. At
+any rate, he showed more speed in getting away from Adot than he had
+ever shown before, and that's saying a lot, for he surely burnt up the
+roads. We will unload your plunder right here on the porch, and we can
+place them as you want them later."
+
+Davy got his personal grip out of the car, but that was about as far
+as he could go in the matter of unloading the baggage. While the men
+were engaged in the task, he looked the house over carefully. One with
+artistic temperament would have turned his back to the house and
+looked on the tremendous spectacle that offered itself to view in the
+south, in the east, and north. A vast brown meadow, rimmed with the
+dark greenery of the ancient conifers; and high above, a blue arch
+that draped down curtains of white to hide the sombre shades of cliffs
+and hills and peaks innumerable. It was a wonderful sight.
+
+But Davy's eyes were on this house. He looked it over carefully. The
+general plan was as if a crib of logs had been built up to a square
+of, say, nine feet. Then another crib of logs built fifteen feet away.
+These were connected by a log structure in the center that allowed a
+recess in the porch at the front, and by a log extension enclosure
+that made a kitchen at the rear. It had been roofed with gray-green
+shingles and the porch ornamented by sturdy log columns, with rustic
+rails at the side. The logs had been closely fitted so that there was
+no space between that needed the chinking of the cabins of the
+pioneer.
+
+The floor was in narrow, rift-sawed planks. The walls and ceilings
+were covered with wallboard, properly paneled and carefully and
+tastefully decorated. There was a big fireplace in the east room. The
+west room was heated by a stove that found vent in the kitchen
+chimney. Entrance to any room was from the porch. The general plan of
+the structure was the same as that of many cabins being built in
+public parks and dude ranches. Davy had not seen these. His
+comparisons were with the fine, substantial inn, built at Old
+Faithful. There was little furniture in the cabin.
+
+"Well, what's your reaction, Laddie?" asked Welborn kindly as he
+marked the serious look on Davy's face.
+
+"Well, I don't know whether to sit out there on the porch and have a
+good cry or go in the spare room and put up a small dance. For five
+years I have been dreaming about this place, and now it's a reality.
+Outside of dreaming about it, and in sober moments, I just knew that
+there couldn't be such a place, so I contented myself with plans for a
+little shack, maybe a teepee, or a tent where I could spread out and
+rest up. But here it is--just like the dream said."
+
+"Wal, jist wait till a good winter blizzard comes through here like
+they do," interrupted Landy. "Jist wait, ye'll be sorry that ye ever
+had a dream. Why, it's six thousand feet up here, and the wind don't
+monkey and dally around, hit gits right down to business. Last winter
+hit most took the leg off 'en one of them burros old Maddy brought in
+here, 'en mighty nigh whipped the fillin' outen his shirt."
+
+"Let her blow," retorted Davy. "I've been in two circus blow-downs,
+and we had to stake the elephants down to keep 'em from blowing over
+into Texas."
+
+Landy was a good loser. He grinned, and began wrestling the trunks.
+All of Davy's plunder was moved into the fireplace room.
+
+"We will live in here this winter, and when spring comes, we can
+expand into the other room or out on the porch," explained Welborn.
+"And now, before you begin to unpack, I want you to see what Jim and I
+have been doing this last week. Let's take a look at the pump and
+engine before a snow comes and covers it all." Welborn led the way
+down near the brink of the canyon. "Over on the other side of the
+creek, you can see a shack. I headquartered there for several months
+and panned out some dust. From there I could see this opening here
+that looked like it had a floor, and maybe some prospects. Well, I
+climbed those trees down by the creek, but could not quite see what I
+wanted. As the madman was working over here, I climbed and slipped,
+and cut steps in the rock face of the cliff, on yon side. I wormed and
+twisted around until I got up to that coulee, and sure enough, it was
+what I thought. The floor of the old stream bed that had been thrown
+out of line and out of use, by some secondary action in
+mountain-making.
+
+"Ripple Creek has been noted for its placer workings. It has been
+panned and panned, many times, and always yields something. But here
+was a part of the stream bed that was virgin, that had never seen a
+miner or a pan. I walked over it and tested it. It stood the test.
+When it was the bed of the stream, gold was being ground out, washed
+out and carried down stream from the quartz-gold veins above. There it
+was! I couldn't get to it--couldn't work it without an entrance from
+this side of the creek. Landy has told you how I acquired the
+entrance, and a farm and a house with it." Still talking, Welborn led
+his guest back in the ravine back of the house, then through a tunnel
+in the razor-edge cliff, the party walked out on the floor of the old
+stream bed. "Jim and I made that tunnel. We dragged those logs through
+it, to make a foundation for the engine and pump. Now all we have to
+do, is blast out a sort of well-hole down at the creek so that the
+intake will be on the claim, and we are all set for production. We can
+do this today. Tomorrow, we will have water back on this old stream
+bed. Jim and I will take a hand drill, dynamite, fuse and caps into
+the gorge, and bust out a space about as big as a washtub, while you
+and Landy are unpacking your plunder. Build a fire, Landy, to take the
+chill off."
+
+Unpacking suited Davy. While Landy brought in some pine knots and
+lighted a fire against the charred backlog, Davy wrestled the
+dufflebag open and began to take out the contents. It was a
+hodge-podge of parts of every old costume he had ever used. The trunks
+and suitcases yielded good property. "There," he pointed to a separate
+pile, "there is my notion of where I was going, without seeing the
+place. That's a sleeping bag and these are a pair of Hudson Bay
+blankets. You see, I didn't know if I was to sleep out of doors or
+sleep in a barn--surely, I didn't plan that it was a place like this!
+Here's my mackinaw, boots, and mittens, and here's my hardware." He
+produced a small rifle that had been packed between the blankets and
+handed it to Landy for his inspection. "She's a thirty caliber,
+carries two hundred yards at point blank and won't kick over a little
+fellow like me.
+
+"And this is what I want you to see in particular." Davy fumbled in
+the keyster and brought out a small saddle with a fair leather bridle,
+to match. It was not a pad saddle such as jockey's ride, nor yet a
+civilian outfit without horn and only one web. It was a genuine
+western, with high horn and high cantle and two cinches, but much
+reduced in every dimension. "Will that fit the pony you saw over at
+the B-line?"
+
+Landy looked the saddle over carefully. "Hit's made by a saddle-maker
+all right, and will fit that hoss to a tee. They used to have some
+fancy saddles back in the early days. I've seen 'em that cost a
+thousand--Chauchaua--made and covered with silver do dads, en maybe
+they'd have 'em flung on a hoss that wasn't wuth his feed. I mind the
+time when ole Lem Hawks made a right smart lot of change, a-sellin'
+ole saddles that he swore come out'n the Custer massacre. Lem finally
+got to believin' that he was a survivor of that carnage.
+
+"They finally caught up with Lem however. He had sold more saddles
+than Custer had men, and the old cow saddles with their big horns and
+high cantles didn't look like an army saddle nohow. But Lem kept right
+on a-bein' a survivor--him en about a thousand others. Hit's like
+Lincoln's bodyguards--thar's been more of them folks died than Grant
+had in his whole army. Yer saddle is all right, son, and we shore ort
+to talk the B-line folks outa that little hoss."
+
+"I want to take the saddle over when we go," said Davy
+enthusiastically. "They could see how it fit, and that might influence
+their decision. I could put it on one of the burros and ride it over."
+
+Landy laughed uproarously. "Why son, ye wouldn't git thar by Febwary.
+A burro ain't geared to ride en go places. He will foller ye right up
+the side of a glacier, but he ain't mentally constructed to take the
+lead. Why, if ye was on one of 'em, backward, en paddlin' him with a
+clapboard, he'd back right up agin hit."
+
+"Well, what do they keep them for? Who do they belong to, anyhow?"
+
+"Them two a-roamin' around here, belong to ole Maddy, the ole miner
+gent. He left 'em here while he went romancin' around up Ripple Creek.
+He goes up thar, and has got a way out to the top. He goes in North
+Park, cl'ar over to Granby and Grand Lake. He swings 'round by
+Steamboat Springs and Hahns Peak, and comes a-driftin' back, mebbe
+from the north. He left 'em here three months ago. He'll git 'em when
+he gits 'em, en he won't lose much if he don't.
+
+"Ole Maddy has been in the hills--so hit's told--since the days of Jim
+Beck with and Bridger. Some say he was in Virginia Vale when Slade
+rubbed out Jules, the Frenchman. They say too, that he knew Carson,
+but that ain't so! Yit I do know that he pardnered with Will Drannon,
+the boy that ole Kit raised, because I heard Maddy tell a lot about
+Drannon, and later I read Drannon's book en right in the book, was ole
+Maddy. Oh, he's an oldster all right. He jist projects around in the
+hills, pans a little gold en rambles around by himse'f. He's not 'gold
+mad,' he jist likes to roam. He's clean, don't talk much, en anybody
+will keep him until he gits ready to pull out."
+
+"Well, I am sure disappointed about that burro thing," said Davy
+regretfully. "I wanted to ride that saddle over there and maybe they
+could see that the saddle, the hoss, and the midget ought not be
+separated."
+
+"Don't worry. We'll lengthen the girths, en I'll put ye on ole Frosty.
+When they see ye, way up thar', they'll know by every law of
+mathematics en justice, that the boy and the saddle belong on the
+colt."
+
+A roar reverberated out of the canyon. "Well, that's that," said
+Landy, "en now the next big job is to git Welborn out of the coulee
+fer dinner. If you leave him alone, he'd stay right thar messin'
+around till dark. I git provoked at his ways, but after I heard them
+decorators tell how he beat the gunman to the draw and busted him on
+the jaw en kicked him till he squawked like an ole hen, then I grew
+more tolerant. Welborn's all right, but he works too hard."
+
+Presently Welborn and Jim came up from the coulee. The auto was
+started and headed for the Gillis place. The original Gillis cabin had
+been augmented by the addition of two rooms on the south, a porch on
+the west, and another and better cabin on the north. It was sufficient
+for the family needs. The farm was fenced for the most part, and the
+neighboring range was alloted by the grazing master to Gillis, Landy,
+and their co-homesteaders at the far limits of the tract. Except for a
+small forty-acre tract, the Gillis land was dry farmed. The forty was
+irrigated from a spring developed on the premises. It was in alfalfa.
+Other meadows raised timothy mixed with alsike. Even in unfavorable
+years, the ranch yielded more than a hundred and fifty tons of hay.
+Besides hay, a lot of oats and barley was produced.
+
+"But thar's Jim's patent," Landy was showing Davy over the premises.
+"Jim keeps everything offen that big medder, en the grass comes on,
+en cures itse'f. Then hit snows, and the grass lays down like a
+carpet. Then hit blows the snow off en around, en stock can graze thar
+until near Christmas. Hit's a great savin' on hay. En a great saving
+on the hay feeder," Landy added with a grin.
+
+Besides three score cows with their calves, a dozen horses and colts,
+turkeys, chickens, ducks, and geese galore, the Gillis ranch had three
+dogs, two collies, and a short-tailed sheep dog. The dogs followed
+Davy around like they had found a friend.
+
+"They think I am a kid," Davy said. "Dogs sure like children."
+
+After another sumptuous meal, Welborn went out to tinker with the
+Ford. Mrs. Gillis called Davy to the kitchen. "I want you to speak to
+Welborn," she said. "He works too hard. From daylight to dark, he does
+two men's work at that old mine. He'll kill himself before he gets the
+money out of it. You can talk to him--he likes you. Why, he sat up all
+night, the night before he went to Cheyenne after you, pressing his
+pants, making your chair, tying his tie, tinkering on the Ford. He
+cautioned all of us not to talk about your being smaller than common,
+being a midget. He said you were coming out here to get away from "the
+mob," the people who stared and commented. He wanted everything here
+to be different. He likes you, would do anything for you, but he's got
+something pushing him, driving him, faster and harder than one man can
+stand. He'll break if he don't stop and take things easier. If you get
+a chance, talk to him, tame him down, make him rest, change his mind
+to something different. He's a fine man, big and rugged and a
+gentleman. He never hints at what's eating his life out, and we don't
+know. But it ought to stop."
+
+"I think you are right, Mrs. Gillis. Sam does work too hard and too
+long. I know nothing about his past, and I'll never ask him until he
+gets ready to tell it all. This I know, he's well educated, has
+trained in big business and is used to good society. I think he is
+rather hot-headed and maybe stubborn, if he thinks he's right. It will
+be a delicate thing to do, to try to switch him off from what he's
+doing and the way he's doing it, but I'll try, because I think it
+ought to be done."
+
+Landy did not go in the return trip to "Pinnacle P'int" as he termed
+the mine and its environments. He had some "cipherin' around" to do.
+"With that pump a-goin' and the water a-flowin', hit don't resemble a
+place of rest to me," he said.
+
+Mrs. Gillis brought a loaf of bread out to the car. "There's enough
+for your supper and breakfast, and you folks come back here for dinner
+tomorrow."
+
+"En say, Jim, you bring the kid's little saddle back with yer," called
+Landy. "I want to lengthen the cinches to fit old Frosty. Me en the
+kid are aimin' to do a lot of romancin' eround--mebbe tomorry."
+
+Arriving at the cabin, Welborn took a can of gasoline through the
+opening out to the pump. He tinkered with the engine and presently a
+steady "chug-chug-chug" reverberated down the valley. Mechanical
+mining was on at the Silver Falls Project.
+
+Welborn laid the hose at a favorable place on a gravel-bar and scooped
+up a pan of dirt and sand that he held under the stream while he
+whirled it around in the pan. The contents took up the motion and
+spilled over the pan-brim until there was little left. The miner
+examined the remainder and then gave it more water and more swirling
+around in the pan. This process he repeated several times. Presently
+he held the pan where Davy and Jim could see a fifth of a thimble full
+of tiny flakes and two small dots not much larger than pinheads.
+"That's the object of the meeting, gentlemen," Welborn said grimly.
+"That's gold.... Tomorrow," he added, "we will get the old rocker
+going, but just now, I want to 'sample around' for good locations."
+
+All this was nothing to Davy. He watched the men awhile and went back
+to the cabin to arrange his personal belongings. Pinnacle Point was a
+place of sudden sunsets and prolonged twilights. At near five o'clock,
+Davy built a fire in the little cook-stove and put several slices of
+bacon on to fry. He "set the table" as best he could and broke several
+eggs in the bacon grease. He set out a jar of jam, sliced the bread.
+Then he went to the tunnel and called: "Supper."
+
+"Say, Laddie, I don't want you to do this," said Welborn as he
+surveyed the supper. "You are my guest, you know, and I'll do what
+cooking there's to be done. We'll eat our dinners at Gillis', we'll
+sleep here, and I will get breakfast and supper. The fine dinners will
+offset my poor cooking, and besides you ought to stay outdoors and
+look around as much as you can, before we get snowed in for the whole
+winter."
+
+"Well, I do plan to go with Landy over to see about that colt," said
+Davy, "and I thought maybe you would want to go along."
+
+Welborn laughed. "Not for me! If you and Landy can't skin those B-line
+people out of one little horse, you are no traders. I've got to get
+that rocker going tomorrow. Look what we did today!" Welborn showed a
+little canvas bag that he took out of his pocket. "There is fully an
+ounce of dust in there, and we didn't try, just sampled around. With
+the rocker going, I can take out ten ounces a day by myself. It's
+fairly well distributed all over the tract, but better if you can hit
+the potholes right in the old stream bed."
+
+"And when you get it all out, then what?"
+
+Welborn looked rather perplexed. He studied a moment. "Then what?" he
+asked slowly, "Why we'll stock that ranch, lay out a flying field, and
+visit a lot of places. Truly, I had never planned so far ahead as to
+get to the place where I wouldn't be doing anything excepting clipping
+coupons."
+
+"Yes, the mine is a fine thing," Davy said earnestly. "Why, there is
+enough gold there to make a great fortune. But what's the use in
+taking it all out at once? It will keep. You can work awhile, rest
+awhile, play awhile, and still be just as rich as if you had worked
+yourself to death. You are young, strong, and healthy, just right to
+enjoy life. Why work so hard now?"
+
+"Yes, I am healthy, feel pretty strong, but not so young. Right now, I
+would like to take a few thousand dollars out of that gulch before
+snow flies, for we are going to have a lot of enforced loafing. We are
+in good shape to loaf however, all bills are paid and I still have
+thirty-five dollars of your money!"
+
+"That's fine. I have been wondering how I would pay for the colt, in
+the event we bought him. The B-line folks might not want to take my
+check, and it might take more cash than I have on me."
+
+"Mrs. Gillis will take care of that, she has money, plenty of it. She
+will tell Landy what to do, and Landy's word is like a bond. They do a
+lot of trading with the B-line. Buy cows, sell calves, and trade paper
+back and forth. Mrs. Gillis is better than a bank. Since the banking
+situation went bad, she has been accumulating government bonds. She
+hardly ever comes back from town without at least a hundred-dollar
+bond. She's a wonder, that woman. She's not an isolated hill billy
+that goes to town on Saturdays and anchors herself in the doorway of
+the five-and-ten-cent store to visit and gawk around. She's full of
+business. Sells her stuff, buys what she needs, and hits the trail for
+home. I expect Mrs. Gillis has seven or eight thousand dollars in
+bonds and cash stowed around in their cabin."
+
+"Now that's my notion of living," cried Davy as he edged his chair
+back from the cracking sticks that Welborn had added to the
+smouldering embers in the fireplace. "Own a fine little ranch, a
+decent run of livestock and poultry, raise plenty of feed, and have
+something to sell right along. They don't have to meet a daily
+schedule, don't have to spread canvas in the rain or look at a mob
+tittering yokels all the time. That's the life for me and the Gillis
+outfit is my pattern."
+
+"They are fine people," said Welborn. "We will keep in close contact
+with them. We need them now. The time may come when they will need
+us."
+
+
+
+
+5
+
+
+"Jim stayed to milk the cows," Landy explained as he rode up to
+Pinnacle Point the next morning leading Frosty, a rangy bay with a
+diminutive new saddle on his back. "Alice don't like my milkin'
+methods. I jist turn the calves in with the cows and let nature take
+her course, so she lets Jim do the milkin'. Put on yer jacket, son,
+hit's crimpy around the edges, and let's git goin'."
+
+Seated on Ole Gravy, a sturdy gray horse, Landy Spencer was like a
+picture page out of the book of the old west. His stubby, gray
+mustache, standing out under an aquiline nose and squinting eyes,
+failed to conceal a mouth much given to smiles and laughter. He had
+cautioned the little man that it was cool, yet his blue shirt was open
+at the neck. He wore a slouch hat, dented and battered to
+unconventional shape, a dingy knitted waistcoat, unbuttoned of course,
+gray jeans, tucked into high boots with long, pointed heels, and spurs
+of ancient pattern. Hung to the horn of his old, but generous saddle
+was a lariat.
+
+The chuck-chuck-chuck of the gas engine told that Welborn was already
+on the job at the mine. Davy ran into the house and returned wearing
+his mackinaw and boots. "My, he's a giraffe," he said, as he looked
+over Frosty and his equipment.
+
+Landy dismounted and lifted Davy to his saddle. "Did ye ever ride a
+hoss, son?"
+
+"Sure, I've ridden some of the big fat ring-horses, but I either had
+to lie down or stand up, they were too big around for my legs. Once I
+was to ride a shetland in the Grand Entry, but they had a monkey on
+another pony and I walked out on 'em." Davy picked up the reins and
+Frosty began tiptoeing around and arching his back.
+
+"Jist turn him loose, son," called Landy. "The old simpleton was
+expectin' some weight when ye got on, and he's disapp'inted."
+
+Landy led the way down the hill and Frosty followed like a pack horse.
+The sun had pushed above the clouds. Frost was flying in the air. It
+jeweled the grass of the table land and sparkled amid the green of the
+conifers along Ripple Creek. Farther down the indistinct path they met
+Jim in the car.
+
+"Are you fellers goin' to git back in time for dinner," he called to
+the horsemen.
+
+"Mebbe not," replied Landy. "We are aimin' to bring back that little
+hoss, en he may not want to come."
+
+Landy turned from the path and rode down a coulee that led to Brushy
+Fork. It was a winding way through brush and stunted hemlocks.
+Presently they came to the creek. "Thar's Steelheads en Rainbows up in
+them pools," said the leader. "These streams have been stocked en
+hit's good fishin', if ye know how."
+
+They followed down the stream bed for a distance and then Landy turned
+up a draw on the left bank, that finally led out to level land. At
+first it was a narrow way between the stream and foothill, but
+presently the landscape broadened to a meadow similar to that on the
+right bank of the creek. At one place, where the way was narrow, there
+was the crumbling remnant of rough walls of rock.
+
+"That's a relic of them ole wars in here, but I never could git the
+hang of the tale. Ole Jim Lough knows all about it but he's too
+shut-mouthed and contrary to tell the tale.
+
+"Ye see, I'm not a native son," explained Landy, as they rode abreast
+on the widened road. "I got started in the cattle game over to the
+north on Crazy Woman Creek en the range betwixt that en Sun Dance on
+the Belle Fourche. I was romancin' round when Teddy Roosevelt made
+camp up thar. Teddy liked to listen in on some of them Paul Bunyans of
+the cattle game, en they shore told some tall ones. I think he
+encouraged 'em in their romancin' jist to git a line on their
+capacity. Ye see, we were located jist betwixt ole Fort Fetterman and
+the Little Big Horn, sorta betwixt Red Cloud en Sittin' Bull, en one
+massacre en another. Ours was a period jist follerin' these
+history-makin' times en every man had a right to tell hit his way as
+they were all unhampered by airy lick of facts.
+
+"Therefore, I didn't git up here in the headwaters of the Platte until
+years after, but from what I ketch they had some right stirrin' time
+in here, 'twixt cattle rustlin' and sheep crowdin'. Ole Jim knows the
+whole story, but he don't broadcast none." Topping a swell of the
+meadow lands another stream basin was encountered. "Hit's a little
+Ranty," explained Landy. "That's a dam downstream aways en the B-line
+waters a couple o' hundred acres." In these meadows there were
+cattle--cows and calves and some scrub yearlings. Crossing the Ranty,
+the horsemen mounted to the levels again. Here, there were fences.
+Farther on, stables, sheds, and a cluster of houses. The B-line ranch.
+
+Landy maneuvered the horses through the gates without dismounting and
+rode up to the central stable. "Whar's yer reception committee eround
+here?" he yelled. "Call out the guard en parade them colors," he
+commanded as he dismounted and assisted Davy down. He threw the reins
+over the horses' heads. A man came out of the stable-room, two more
+came from back of a shed.
+
+"Well, if it haint the ole buzzard from Ripple Creek, a sailin' around
+lookin' fer his dinner. Nothin' dead around here Landy," said the
+short, stubby man that came from the stable room.
+
+"Howdy, Potter. 'Lo, Flinthead. Howdy, Hickory. All you cimarrons
+wipe yer hands real clean en shake with my friend Mister Lannarck. We
+jist took time outen our busy lives to come over here en watch you
+birds loaf eround," said Landy after introductions had been
+acknowledged. "En my pardner here has a broken handled knife that he
+would trade for a little hoss."
+
+"Well, it's a shame, Mister Lannarck," said Potter thoughtfully, "that
+ye have to carry sich a load as bein' introduced by sich a
+double-barreled, disreputable ole renegade of a crook like this. But
+we understand and will try to he'p ye live it down. Now, as to that
+little hoss. He belongs to Miss Adine. She's at the house. Flinthead,
+you move them hosses in here! Hickory, go tell Adine that the circus
+party that Landy told her about is here to see the colt."
+
+Both men set about their tasks. Flinthead led out a horse, mounted and
+rode down a lane, propping the gates open as he went. From a corral
+back of the stables came a drove of horses, mares, colts, and
+yearlings. Trotting, prancing, and snorting as they came down the
+lane, they settled down once they were in the stable lot.
+
+Davy was between two fires. He sought a safe place from being run down
+by the drove and yet he wanted to catch a glimpse of any kind of horse
+suitable to his size. He noted plenty of small ones but their short,
+bushy tails revealed colthood. The others were too large. As the drove
+settled down a colt came from out the center of the milling herd and
+walked up to Potter, extending his muzzle as if expecting something.
+
+"That's the one!" said Dave excitedly.
+
+He was a red sorrel with three white feet and legs and a flaxen mane
+and tail. Experts in such matters would have said he was nearly eleven
+hands high. Unlike his pony prototypes, his was a lengthy, arched
+neck, held high from narrowing withers and a short back. He was dirty.
+His mane and tail needed attention. Potter put out his hand. The colt
+walked near enough that he placed his arm over his neck and led him
+to a post where a rope dangled. This, he secured around the colt's
+neck.
+
+"Good morning, everybody."
+
+The colt parley was thus interrupted. Landy's several gallon headpiece
+was off and he nearly swept the ground with it. "Why, howdy, Miss
+Adine. We was a-lookin' this little hoss over to see if he'd fit a
+pattern. Meet Mister Lannarck here. He's the pattern."
+
+"My name is Lannarck all right," said Davy, acknowledging the abrupt
+introduction. "But among homefolks, I would rather be called Davy, as
+I have always been sceptical of anyone calling me Mister, afraid he
+would want to sell me something I didn't want."
+
+The girl laughed. "I am troubled that way myself. If anyone calls me
+Miss Lough, I pay no attention, thinking they mean someone else. Won't
+you men come to the house? Father is in Omaha on business and Mother
+and I are changing things around for the winter. Grandaddy picked out
+this busy time for one of his visits, so we are all together. Grandad
+will want to see you Landy, so come up to the house. I want to tell
+you about that colt, and tell you why it is that I am not to sell
+him."
+
+There was little else for the mystified Landy and the now, heartbroken
+midget to do but to follow along, through the gate and along the
+well-kept bordered path to the immense porch. They loitered at the
+gate for parley.
+
+"... and he's the handsomest horse I ever saw," complained the little
+man, "and she said she was not to sell him. I suppose it's some
+parental promise she's made, or some skin-game buyer has been through
+here and threw a wrench in the gears. Why, Landy, this is a
+high-school horse! He's showy, fine color, fancy markings and anyone
+can see that he's smart. We've just got to work it out somehow. A
+high-school horse, pony size, he's worth a thousand."
+
+"Well, I ain't up on school classifications for hosses," said Landy
+dryly. "He may be a colleger fer all I know. But, we're dealin' with
+a woman en thar's no accountin' fer what's the matter. Hit may be, yer
+complexion don't match, er she may be a-keepin' him to contrast with
+some letter paper she's goin' to buy. Ye jist can't tell a dern thing
+about hit till we hear her story. After that, well, we can tell if
+it's worthwhile to go on with the struggle."
+
+When first introduced, Davy was certain that Miss Adine Lough was
+about the handsomest girl he had ever seen. Surely not more than
+twenty years of age, of medium height, a peach complexion, tanned a
+little but fair to look at. She stood on the Colonial porch of the big
+Lough homestead, her hands in the pockets of her black horse-hide
+jacket awaiting the arrival of her reluctant guests.
+
+She ushered the two into the wide hallway. "You had better see
+Grandaddy first, Landy, he's camped in here by the fire. Then we'll go
+in the library and talk over our business."
+
+Jim Lough, ancient Nestor of the North Park district, was seated in a
+big Morris-chair in front of the smouldering fire. "Well, if it ain't
+ole Turkeyneck in person," he called in a high falsetto voice, as the
+two entered. "I've been wantin' to see you, Landy. I told the sheriff
+to bring you over the next time he had you in charge. I want to find
+somebody that can sing 'The Cowboy's Lament' and sing it right, as I
+am plannin' a funeral party and I want to work out all the details.
+Can you sing 'The Lament' so it's fitten to hear?"
+
+"Yer dern tootin' I can sing 'The Lament'," retorted Landy, "all
+forty-four verses of hit, en the chorus betwixt every verse. I'm a
+prima donna when it comes to singin' that ole favorite. I learned it
+off a master-singer, ole Anse Peters, up in God's country whar men are
+men--en the women are glad of it. But what's led ye off on that wagon
+track, Jim? Why don't ye git a saxophone en tune in on some jazz? Be
+modern, like the rest of us fellers. Here you are, slouchin' around
+without a dressin' jacket er slippers en talkin' 'bout an ole song
+that's in the discard. Shame on ye! But before ye apologize, meet my
+friend here, Mister Lannarck, lightweight circus man, who's visitin'
+us here en lookin' around for relics en sich. That's why I brought him
+over."
+
+Old Jim took the extended hand of the little man and held it while he
+talked. "Thar's been a lot of people had their necks stretched up in
+this deestrict for being caught in bad company, young man. You're
+borderin' on that condition right now in runnin' around with ole
+turkeyneck here. If the Vigilance Committee finds it out, you are a
+goner.
+
+"Circus man, hey? I mind the time when a lot of us fellers rode to
+Cheyenne to see Barnum. Last man in had to pay all bills--it was some
+pay, by the time we got through. We saw the show all right and we saw
+Barnum. He was a fine man. But circus er no circus, ye ain't a goin'
+to sidetrack me out'n them funeral arrangements. If ye can sing 'The
+Lament,' yer engaged."
+
+"Why, who's dead, Jim?" asked Landy innocently. "Did ole Selim die, er
+is hit yer favorite hound dawg?"
+
+"None sich," replied the old man heatedly. "It's me--my funeral--en
+I'm aimin' to make a splendid time outen it. The boys on hosses,
+firin' salutes as they see it, a preacher sharp to give it dignity, en
+the 'Cowboy's Lament,' as sung by ole Landy Spencer. That's a fitten
+program, en you are engaged fer the job."
+
+"En about when do ye plan to stage this splendid event?" drawled
+Landy.
+
+"Why, when I die, ye idiot, mebbe now, mebbe later, jist whenever I
+bed down fer the last time. Here I am, over ninety years old. I can't
+go on livin'! It's agin nature. I want to make ready when it comes.
+I'm ready and I want everything else to be jist as ready as I am."
+
+Landy Spencer drummed his knotty fingers on the armchair and looked
+thoughtfully at the old Nestor seated at his fireside. Ninety years
+old! Seventy years of activity in a territory where activity was
+enforced, if one were to live. Strange stories, legends now, were told
+of the doings of this gaunt, eagle-beaked, shaggy-browed old man who
+now, chatted complacently of death. Very true, none living was able to
+verify them. Those who had passed on told only fragments, and Jim
+Lough, neither verified nor denied.
+
+One legend persisted. Landy had heard it long before coming to the
+district. It related to the beginning days of the great cattle game of
+the grasslands--days before the coming of the vast herds and the
+problems they brought. It concerned the destinies of those who
+followed fast in the footsteps of the trailmakers and sought to
+establish a business where there was neither law nor precedent. Sordid
+days, these. The honest men were not yet organized; the dishonest and
+criminal were unrestrained by laws. Cattle and kine were taken
+furtively or openly to these very hills and vales where Jim Lough now
+lived in quietude and peace. Here they were held until a sufficient
+number was collected for the drive to the marches and markets that lay
+east of the Virginia Dale.
+
+Jim Lough was a youngster then, without ownership of herds or home,
+but he was not content to see the weak and unorganized robbed, without
+recourse. Alone, he made trips over the forbidden trails to the places
+of the illicit exchange; then back to the grasslands again he
+organized a posse of five and laid his trap. In a narrow pass this
+robber band was successfully ambushed and by effective gunfire,
+reduced from eight to three. The three surrendered. By every rule of
+the game, in a new land where there was neither law, nor courts nor
+sheriffs, the culprits must be hung, and hung on the spot where
+apprehended. But to this Jim Lough demurred. "We'll swing 'em where it
+counts," he announced grimly, and the cavalcade set out on the
+two-days' journey to the Skeel's cabin, the reputed hangout of the
+lawless and criminals of the new country. The posse found the cabin
+deserted, except for the presence of a lame, old man who was reported
+as the cook for the outfit. He was loaded on a horse and headed
+northward out of the country. The rest of the livestock was turned
+from the corrals and the cabin and stables set afire. Then, as a
+fitting finish to the work of the hour, the three culprits were hung
+on extended limbs of trees bordering the ruins.
+
+"Now the skunks will have something to look at when they come back
+here to plan their stealing," Jim Lough had said as the posse
+dispersed.
+
+But "the skunks" never came back, and through the long winter and most
+of the following summer the ghastly mementos of early justice swayed
+and swung, until the ravens and winds made merciful disposition of the
+bodies.
+
+In the next few years there was peace in the grasslands, and the
+settlers prospered as others joined. But it was not always so. For
+with more settlers came greed and avarice. Laws were made, regulations
+were had, rules announced and they were not always fair. Greed,
+sometimes sat in the councils, and the avaricious bent the rules.
+Then, there were other wars in which justice and fairness ran not
+parallel with Greed-made law.
+
+Grassland remembered young Jim Lough and his stern and speedy methods
+and now as an older man, he was often called to council and to lead.
+
+But the problems were not of easy solution; the 'right side' of the
+controversy was not always obvious, but under Jim Lough's leadership
+the greedy must surrender self-appropriated water holes, odious fences
+were banished and grazing allotments went to the needy as well as the
+greedy. In these things, Jim Lough made enemies as well as friends,
+but cared as little for the one as he appreciated the other.
+
+Landy Spencer, drummed knotty fingers on the arm of his chair as he
+listened to Jim Lough's explanations of his arrangements for a
+splendid funeral. At last he spoke. "Jim, I used to think that ye'd
+make a fine gov'ner. I know ye make a dandy good district marshal,
+but ye are slippin'--goin' addled 'bout this funeral business.
+A-settin' here tryin' to run things en you deceased, that-a-way. Ye
+know, well en' good, that the folks livin' will take charge of them
+obsequies; hit'll be about ten years from now, I figger; en yore plans
+will fit in about like a last-year's birdnest. Ye have jist about as
+much to do a-bossin' that party as ye'll have in selectin' yer harp en
+halo when ye git inside the pearly gates. Ten years from now, thar
+won't be a cow hand ner a gun outside a dude ranch er a rodeo. Singin'
+'The Lament' would be about as well understood as recitin' a Latin
+epic."
+
+"Pshaw, Jim, yer wastin' valuable time," said Landy, wanting to get a
+last word, before the old man had time for a reply. "Come over next
+week--Alice is to have a turkey dinner with all the fixin's--en we'll
+plan a funeral that's modern. Aryplanes, automobiles, jazz, en dancin'
+en sich. That's the kind I'm plannin' en I ort to kick-in long before
+you do."
+
+Landy backed out and crossed the hallway before the ancient could
+reply.
+
+
+
+
+6
+
+
+Adine Lough ushered her guests across the hall into what seemed to be
+her workshop. Seated around a library table, Davy perched on a big
+dictionary, Landy at the end, drumming his fingers as usual, the girl
+plunged at once into the business at hand.
+
+"At the very start," she said in a serious manner, "I must tell some
+personal things. I've been going to school at Boulder. I am staying
+out this semester to work on my graduate thesis, 'Social Work in Rural
+Communities.' When you consider my restricted field, it's a big job.
+But I like that kind of work--studying people, their individualities,
+their shortcomings, their accomplishments. From what I hear of you,
+David, you have an aversion for those things--in fact have run away
+from the mob. I like it. I would want nothing better than to stand
+along side of you on a platform at the circus opening and watch the
+general populace pass in review. Then and there, I could study all
+phases of humanity; classify them as they passed; and then investigate
+each case personally to see if I had made the right appraisals at
+first sight."
+
+"--And right there is where you would miss the trapeze bar by a foot,
+and no net under you," interrupted Davy disgustedly. "They are all
+alike, from Bangor to Los Angeles. You can throw 'em all into one of
+two groups: yokels and shilabers. They are either out with a skin game
+or else they are goats, about to lose their hide."
+
+Adine laughed. "Oh, you surely could subdivide the Yokels. Why in my
+observations they alone, could be classified under many heads. But to
+go on with my story. Adot, the town, and the neighboring ranches, is
+my limited field of research and I have gone over the field in detail.
+Last month, I had up the matter of the Methodist church in Adot. It
+was a-once-a-month affair, the minister living in Weldon and no chance
+to ride circuit in the winter months. No budget, no money, and worse,
+yet, no outlook.
+
+"Now, I didn't go into the matter to do church work and help them; my
+business was to appraise them as they were; but I got involved. The
+few members thought I was trying to do a bit of missionary work. The
+upshot of the affair was, that I found myself with a roster of the
+church membership and a list of names of nearly everybody else. I had
+my own figures as to needs, debts, and community possibilities. So,
+carrying the thing to a finish, I took up the matter of putting them
+on a budget and providing the funds.
+
+"First I made them elect Brother Peyton treasurer. He wasn't doing
+anything except waiting for the bank to resume business. Then I
+canvassed all the names on the rosters and combed the neighboring
+ranches for small monthly contributions. I got enough subscriptions to
+pay the minister and paint the church house. But it was some job. It
+took two weeks. Two weeks of joy and rebuffs, of elations and disgust.
+I was tired. I planned to rest up a couple of weeks and wait for my
+halo, or wings, or whatever a Christian gets for doing his whole duty;
+when right on the heels of my labors, came the greatest catastrophe
+that could have happened."
+
+"Did the meetin' house burn down?" interrupted Landy, who had followed
+the recitals intently. "Did the preacher gent die, er did Brother
+Peyton jump the game, taking the jackpot with him?"
+
+"No, nothing like that. The Nazarenes moved in! You both know about
+the Nazarenes?"
+
+Davy did. He had noticed their meetings in cities. But with Landy, the
+subject was a blank page and he withheld comment. In later months he
+confessed that he thought that the Lough gal was nuts in tryin' to
+project the Saviour en some of his kin onto Adot.
+
+"The Nazarenes are new in this country," continued the girl, "and they
+have all the enthusiasm of the new convert. Really, they seem to have
+the early zeal that some of the churches have lost. And they are a
+stubborn lot. That the field seems barren, is nothing to them. They
+set up shop in a desert and carry on just the same. To them, poverty
+is an asset. Christ's admonition to the rich man, to give his
+substance away and follow Him, is a literal command to be obeyed.
+
+"In the week following my campaign for the Methodist, two Nazarenes, a
+young man and his wife, came barging into Adot and set up for
+business. She took up cooking and waiting table in Jode's restaurant
+for their board, and he went about the street preaching and about the
+house praying, day and night. They were both good singers and he
+played an accordion. In that week they talked Joe Burns into letting
+them have the use of the old mercantile warehouse, and they set up
+meetings in that big, barn of a place. That same week they came out
+here, in a truck they had borrowed, to get me to help them as I had
+the Methodists.
+
+"Well, of all things, you just cannot say 'no' to such people. Why, I
+almost insulted them; told them Adot was a barren field, overworked
+and already supplied with their spiritual needs. But I failed to
+impress them. They even wanted to pray for me. Me, who thought I was
+already sainted for my work with the Methodists! Then I went on
+another tack; I explained that I had already exhausted my resources in
+my work with others; that I had canvassed everyone and could not,
+consistently, go over the field asking for subscriptions for another
+organization. That failed. They insisted that they wanted only a
+start, just a little influence; and that I should come and assist them
+some night!
+
+"They trapped me. To get rid of them, I half-way promised to aid in
+some sort of an entertainment to help them get their first money;
+after that, they were to be on their own resources. And while I was
+berating myself and wondering how to get out of it, or how to get in
+it, Landy here came with the news that a little showman was to visit
+us here on the plateau and that he wanted a horse. Right then and
+there the clouds lifted; the problem was solved."
+
+Adine let her voice fall, pushed her chair back from the conference
+table and folded her arms. Landy drummed on the table and looked
+thoughtful. Davy wiggled around on his high perch and nearly fell off
+the dictionary.
+
+"Well, that's a fine story, Miss Adine, and well told, but I don't get
+the connection as to why you are not to sell the little horse."
+
+The girl laughed. "Sure, I will not sell him, but I'll trade him.
+Trade him for that entertainment that I promised those impractical and
+improvident Nazarenes."
+
+"Do you mean that me and Landy here must put on some sort of a show in
+Adot? Why--why, I don't know a soul here. I know nothing of the
+community's talent. Surely I am not a church entertainer; my dances
+and songs won't fit into a church entertainment. You can't preach or
+exhort, can you Landy?" asked Davy anxiously. "We've just got to have
+that horse. I will agree to go over to Adot and stand on my head, in
+some show-window if that gets him. But you wouldn't want to sponsor
+that kind of entertainment," the little man appealed to Adine. "What's
+needed is something half-way refined and where the patron would get
+his money's worth. And I can't produce that kind of a show."
+
+"Oh, yes, you can," said Adine smiling, "and the patron would get his
+money's worth. Why you, yourself know that little people--or what
+shall I call them?"
+
+"Midgets," interposed Davy, "midgets is our classification, not
+dwarfs, nor gnomes, nor half-pints, just midgets."
+
+"Thanks, that helps, and you see how little I know about it and how
+anxious I am to learn. Well, midgets, as a class are attractive and a
+rarity too. Except for yourself, I do not know of another. People want
+to see them. They go to circuses and theaters just to see little
+people. I have no doubt, that in many cases, people are
+ill-mannered--stare and giggle--and say uncalled for things, but
+that's to be expected from the run of persons, yet the fact remains,
+midgets are attractive.
+
+"Now you've been before the public, know how to handle crowds and know
+what they want. You could supplement your appearance with a lecture or
+talk on midgets, your experience with them, and something of your
+travels with the circus and with the troopers of the theater. Why,
+it's just what the public wants."
+
+"That little hoss is sold," said Landy exultantly. "One speech fer one
+hoss. Fair enough!"
+
+"Now you hold on, Landy," Davy interrupted. "You are getting me out in
+deep water and no oars. I am a good Presbyterian all right, but they
+wouldn't stand for my stuff in their church and these Nazarenes surely
+have the same standards of propriety. Now, Miss Adine, let me give you
+fifty or a hundred dollars for this colt and you give that to these
+needy Christians."
+
+"And leave me out as a promoter! Not much! Why, I want to see this
+show myself. I wouldn't miss it for anything."
+
+"Ner me," cried Landy in much glee. "Why me en Potter en Flinthead en
+Hickory and some of the boys from the Diamond-A, will git us front
+seats and cheer yer ev'ry utt'rance. Come to think of hit, we could
+hold a big afternoon parade, with a lot of yippin' around, and git up
+more excitement than they've had in that sleepy ole burg since the
+women swarmed down on Gatty's quart shop en wrecked hit."
+
+"Well, you and Mr. Potter and Mr. Flinthead just keep out of it," said
+Adine emphatically. "You would ruin everything."
+
+"No just let 'em come, I've been kidded by experts and their stuff
+might prove an added feature. But Adine, you had better let me hand
+you the cash...."
+
+"No, that would be a departure from what we are trying to do. The
+object of the affair is publicity, not cash. And besides, the colt
+isn't worth a dime to me--or anyone else but you. He's too little for
+anyone to ride, and he ought to be trained and made to be useful. As
+it is, he's just one in the drove and would remain so, until he died.
+
+"But you can take him, train him, and make a beautiful show-horse out
+of him. Why, I can see you riding, parading, and having him doing
+stunts such as are rarely seen in a circus.
+
+"Now I want you to ride him home today. The trade is made. You have
+the horse and are obligated to give an entertainment for the Nazarenes
+in Adot. I think we can arrange it for next Saturday night week. The
+little weekly newspaper, the _Adot Avalanche_, comes out Thursday. I
+will run a display ad that a famous Midget and circus performer will
+give a lecture at the warehouse Saturday night under the auspices of
+the Nazarenes. The little paper goes all over the district and the
+town won't hold the people. It will be Adot's premier event.
+
+"So you come over here Saturday morning, Davy," continued Adine, "we
+will drive over to Adot in the afternoon in my roadster. We'll lay the
+top back and drive over the town so the public will know that you are
+there in person! It will be Adot's biggest day."
+
+Landy had been ready to get back to the stables for some time. He was
+standing, twirling his ancient headpiece, awaiting the word to start.
+In all his years of dealing in horseflesh, this trade interested him
+deeply. He wanted his little friend to have that horse.
+
+As the three walked down the path to the stables, Adine was insistent
+that Davy should ride the colt home. "He's not a range horse," she
+explained, "not a westerner, as they sometimes describe horses that
+are out of a drove. This colt doesn't need to be broken. He was sired
+by our Allan-a-Dale, a registered saddle horse; his mother is Janie,
+that I used to ride barebacked and without a bridle. He was her last
+colt and will be three years old this month."
+
+Davy was just a little skeptical about attempting his first riding of
+the colt in company. He would much rather have him over on his own
+range with no other company but Landy. He wondered, as they walked
+along, if Potter and the boys at the stables had framed a rodeo
+spectacle for themselves and were to witness some worm-fence bucking
+by midget contestants. He was much relieved as Landy took charge,
+transferred the saddle from lofty Frosty to the diminutive colt,
+fitted the cinches and shortened the stirrup leathers to what he
+thought was about the right length. Then he slipped the bit in the
+colt's mouth and took up the cheek leathers of the bridle. Before Davy
+realized what was going on, Landy had lifted him to the saddle,
+mounted Gravy, clucked to Frosty and the procession moved out the
+gate.
+
+"I'll see you all in Adot, Saturday," called Davy without turning his
+head.
+
+"Good luck and bon voyage," called Adine.
+
+
+
+
+7
+
+
+On the way down to the Ranty, the colt behaved remarkably well. He
+followed closely in the wake of Frosty, occasionally shaking his head
+in an effort to throw the bit from his mouth. At the ford, Landy
+adjusted the bridle so as to withdraw the bit and allow the colt to
+drink his fill.
+
+It was a proud moment in the varied career of David Lannarck, midget
+and showman, as the little cavalcade gained the level land near
+Pinnacle Point after a strenuous half-hour on the hazardous trail that
+led up from Brushy Fork. He waved a cautious hand to a man and woman
+standing near a car parked in front of the cabin.
+
+Landy lifted Davy from his saddle, removed the bit from the colt's
+mouth, made an improvised halter out of his bridle and tied the reins
+to a sapling. The older horses were left standing with reins down.
+
+"Well! If it ain't my ole scatter-about-friend, James Madison Stark,
+in person!" cried Landy as he and Davy made their way to the car. "Now
+I know that winter is not two days away. Hi, Maddy! Howdy, Mis Carter!
+Must be big news in the wind, if you two hit Pinnacle Pint same time,
+same day. What's up?"
+
+"Maddy is anxious to see Mr. Welborn," Mrs. Carter replied gravely to
+Landy's facetious banter, "but I don't know how to get back to where
+that gas engine is chuffing. Welborn will have to come out here to
+Maddy, for the hoodlums over at Grand Lake have burnt his feet and
+tortured him until mind and body are a wreck."
+
+"Tell Sam to come out here," was Landy's command to Davy. "Well,
+somebody has shore mussed ye up a heap, en right in yer gaddin' about
+department," he added as he noted the bandaged feet and ankles of the
+old fellow. "Sandals and a crutch don't become ye at all, Oldtimer.
+Who's been disturbin' yer dogs that away?"
+
+"I got all that and a lot more, off the killer that built this cabin,"
+said the oldster firmly, "and I want to warn this newcomer as to his
+threats to come over here and kill him."
+
+Welborn, accompanied by Davy, came through the arch and approached the
+car. He had never seen the oldster but had heard, in full, the story
+of his idiosyncrasies, his wanderings, and persistent research for the
+hidden mineral wealth of a vast and varied district. In his life's
+story there were no paragraphs that old Maddy was a hoarder of gold or
+a promoter or exploiter of things found. His research yielded amply
+for his needs. It was known that he owned the filling station and that
+his summer accumulations of mineral wealth was more than sufficient to
+meet the annual upkeep of that establishment. James Madison Stark's
+pleasures had been the joys of solitude rather than the raptures of
+vast accumulations. He preferred that the mineral wealth of earth
+remain in the veins of its native rock rather than be taken out en
+masse, to be later hoarded, manipulated, and juggled to create
+distress and poverty and want.
+
+Old Maddy had not reduced his life's philosophy to writing, but the
+midget, David Lannarck, as he had heretofore heard the fragments of
+the stories of this long and varied career, wondered if he too was not
+in the same groove. His present-day problem was the life-story of the
+ancient Nestor who preferred solitude to the mob; who would leave
+nature's treasures to remain hidden and unclaimed, awaiting the
+investigations and industry of the generations to follow. Davy gazed
+in awe at the old man, who in general appearance resembled the
+accepted portrayals of Santa Claus, but whose face was now seamed with
+lines of pain.
+
+Landy made hasty introductions. Maddy proceeded with the business at
+hand. "I've come to warn you," he said to Welborn, "that the mobster
+who built this cabin says he is going to kill you. He's been hiding
+out at some of the resorts over in the Grand Lake district, but like
+others of his kind, he just couldn't keep his mental cussedness hidden
+and the better element over there is making it too hot for him. It's
+his next move and he's evidently going to make a big jump, leaving the
+state, maybe the nation. But before he goes, he swears he is coming
+over here and kill the only man that ever beat him to the draw--that
+ever knocked him down. So be on your guard, my friend. He's a fiend, a
+maniac, and that incident preys on him."
+
+"Well, I am certainly obliged to you for this warning," said Welborn
+quietly. "If I only knew the date of his proposed visit, we would
+provide him with a fitting welcome--a welcome that would add a climax
+to his book of hate."
+
+"When he's to come, or how, I don't know," Maddy replied. "It's been a
+week since I heard him make the threat, then he made it twice in one
+night, accompanied by all the profanity he could muster. He and his
+gang were dissolving partnership on account of recent publicity. Two
+of 'em would go over to Las Vegas to look over the new dam at Boulder,
+one was returning to Denver and this Count Como--he has several other
+names--was to come here, get his revenge, and seek another hideout."
+
+Pressed by Landy as to how he contacted the gangsters and received his
+injuries, the oldster related the story of his summer's wanderings. He
+had spent some time on the other side of the Divide in the Hahns Peak
+district, skirted Steamboat Springs on his way to Oak Creek. In his
+wanderings, he had panned the alluvium of many small streams and had
+recovered more than the usual amount of gold. Now he would work his
+way back home through the Middle Park and cross the tortuous windings
+of the Divide by the way of his secret pass.
+
+Approaching the Grand Lake district he encountered two men who said
+they were looking for lost sheep. Both were maudlin drunk and each was
+trying to impress the other with his wisdom, his repartee and
+boldness. Upon Maddy's refusal to accompany them, they seized him
+bodily, searched him, searched the burro to find the gold and then
+pushed, dragged, and drove him and the burro to a nearby cabin.
+
+Here, he was to encounter two other drunken fanatics whose maudlin
+quarrels were interrupted by the exhibition of the pouches of gold.
+Now, they would know the exact location of the find. The explanation
+of the aged wanderer that the dust and particles came from many
+sources, seemed to enrage them further. "Just where was this
+mother-lode?" They wanted to know. "Here was wealth aplenty-enough to
+buy everything."
+
+And they applied the third degree with all the fiendish deviltries of
+their distorted minds, to get the exact location of this rival of the
+Comstock lode. The aged man was tied hand and foot and beaten and
+abused the whole night long. In pushing splinters under his toenails,
+the lamp was upset, kerosene was spilled over his feet to catch fire.
+A quarrel ensued as to whether the fire should be extinguished or
+allowed to burn. A fist-fight developed and they abandoned the cabin,
+leaving Maddy to his fate.
+
+"It was young Byron Goff that found me," concluded the aged narrator.
+"I recognized his voice when I came to, the next day. He was looking
+for lost sheep and stopped to inquire. He took me to his home,
+doctored me, cared for me, and brought me home. I owe him my life, not
+only for the rescue, but for his kindly nursing. Due to him, my feet
+will be all right in a few days. While he would accept nothing from
+Mrs. Carter, we've got a plan to part-pay him for his kindness."
+
+The disclosures as made by Maddy, awakened much interest among the
+five dwellers of Pinnacle Point. Mrs. Gillis arranged for the evening
+meal at the Gillis home where plans could be made to thwart an
+invader. Landy and Davy rode their horses to the Gillis barn; Welborn
+and Gillis came later in the car. It was following the meal that the
+problem was talked over in detail.
+
+It was agreed by all that the invader would come in his car; there was
+no other way. He would have to come to the filling station to gain the
+roadway to Pinnacle Point. He would have to pass the Gillis cabin and
+a warning could be phoned if a wire was strung from the Gillis home to
+Welborn's cabin. But in that case the wire would have to be extended
+to reach the mine as Welborn was up in that canyon during the day. Jim
+proposed a fence across the road with an electric alarm on it when the
+gate was opened. Landy suggested felling a tree across the road at a
+narrow place and thus reduce the uses of the thoroughfare to journeys
+on horseback; Davy offered to keep watch at a favorable place where he
+could shoot the tires of the intruder's auto.
+
+Welborn took but little part in the discussions. As the conversation
+lagged he briefly summarized the situation. "This gangster is a killer
+all right and drink and dope may have overcome the usual cautions of
+the breed. All of 'em are cowards; they prefer unarmed victims that
+are hog-tied. Sometime in his career this buzzard was the killer for
+some liquor gang. He evidently double-crossed his associates in
+getting this money that he's spending. He hides from them as well as
+the law. There is little we can do except to keep alert. I'll keep my
+gun with me up at the canyon and a shot through his windshield would
+drive him frantic. He's liable to miss the bridge in his zeal to get
+away. He will have to come in the daytime and the folks at the filling
+station will warn us now that they know his intentions."
+
+However the matter of the proposed visit of the killer had an exciting
+and ludicrous interruption when, on the next morning, Mrs. Gillis
+heard the labored chugging of a car coming up the hill to the east.
+Landy and Davy were at the barn. They too heard the noise and saw a
+small ancient roadster turn into the driveway and stop. A young man
+got out of the car and came to the door. This was not the killer but
+it might be news of his plans. Landy and Davy entered the house by the
+back door.
+
+"Why, it's young Goff," said Landy, interrupting the introduction. "I
+met you last spring over at Rawlins. You were in a confab with some
+sheep men over there."
+
+The visitor laughed. "Yes, these Rawlins folks are big operators," the
+young man explained. "I have to visit 'em about once a year to let 'em
+know that I am still alive and still grazing a few head over east of
+their allotment. Why, my little band isn't big enough to make up their
+summer shortage. If one of their herders rambles over in my district
+and there is a mixup, I could easily lose a lot of grass and some
+sheep. I can't talk Spanish, and the herder says that he no savvy
+'Meriky' and it's up to me to sort and claim.
+
+"But they are a fine lot of fellows, these Rawlins operators, once
+they understand that you are on the square. I visit with them every
+spring when I sell my fur and pelts. Yes, I have to trap in the winter
+to get enough money to pay my grazing allotment, and in my contacts
+with these sheep owners, I find that they are always willing to
+cooperate."
+
+The young visitor had taken the proffered chair. Mrs. Gillis, Landy
+and Davy joined to complete the half-circle. It was apparent that he
+had a mission more important than reciting the details of herding and
+trapping. Landy had introduced Davy as a new-comer, "Wuth a lot more
+than his size would indicate."
+
+"I came over to Carter's last evening to buy some gas and see how old
+Maddy was getting along and to tell him how his friends, the
+gangsters, finished their orgy. I found the oldster was doing
+fine--would be fully recovered by next spring--but they wouldn't sell
+me any gas." The raconteur allowed an interval for the astonishing
+news to be absorbed. "No sir, not a spoonful would they sell me. They
+wanted to give it to me--by the tankful. And after I told my news of
+the gangster's finish and the complications incident thereto, Maddy
+and the Carters insisted that I take all the gas--that I come up here
+with the news, and the problem, and work out the solution.
+
+"You see, I was over to Northgate Saturday on the matter of trading
+some bucks with Andy Pelser and encountered the astonishing news that
+the whole gangster mob, those that stole Maddy's dust, were in jail.
+They had been arrested, and convicted, on about all the crimes in the
+book. Reckless driving, drunkeness, inciting a riot, possessing stolen
+property, and finally contempt of court, when they offered Judge
+Withers, Maddy's two sacks of dust if he would let 'em off. On this
+last charge the Judge added four months in jail. It was a grand finish
+of an awful mess.
+
+"I went over to the country seat to verify the news. It was no mere
+rumor, it was a fact. Sheriff Bill White had 'em all in hock; had the
+two bags of gold dust and their guns. He wants to get rid of the dust
+if he can find the true owner, and get a disclaimer of ownership from
+the gangsters. I told him it was Maddy's, and Bill wants Maddy to come
+and prove ownership and take the property. Maddy is willing, but
+there's a hitch to it. Just now, I want to see Mr. Gillis, or you
+Landy, and unhitch the hitch."
+
+"Well, Jim is up at Pinnacle Pint helpin' Welborn scrape the bottom of
+the canyon fer what dust he can find, en I'm shore busy gittin' this
+youngster acquainted with his new hoss," said Landy thoughtfully. "But
+we ort to take time out to recover Maddy's property. Let's go up to
+the canyon en sign Jim up fer the job. That dust up in the canyon
+won't run away. It will still be thar even if Jim knocks off work fer
+a couple a days."
+
+The young visitor readily concurred in the plan, he wanted to see the
+house that the gangster had built anyhow. He started out to the car,
+but was detained by Landy. "You wait here," the veteran cautioned, "ye
+might git a bullet through yer windshield if ye drive up thar
+unannounced. My podner here and I will saddle up and ride ahead, to
+prevent accidents."
+
+Following his equestrian escort, the visitor presently reached the
+Point where introductions were made and the purpose of the visit
+explained. Jim asked many questions and for the most part the answers
+were satisfactory. Really, the judge and sheriff wanted to get rid of
+these malefactors if the serious charge of robbery was eliminated.
+They were a burden to the state and community. "I begrudge feeding the
+dirty skunks," was the sheriff's scornful comment. "Hanging 'em would
+terminate expense and trouble."
+
+But two problems hindered a quick solution; would these culprits leave
+the country if given a suspended sentence. Judge Withers was giving
+them a few days for reflection. Meanwhile Sheriff White was making
+their stay as uncomfortable as possible in order to hasten a favorable
+decision.
+
+"What's the other problem?" asked Gillis, casually.
+
+"Why, if the dust is recovered, old Maddy wants to give it to me, says
+that I earned it. And I'm not going to take it."
+
+During the interview, Welborn had been a quiet listener. On hearing
+this last declaration from the visitor, he straightened up to make a
+quick inquiry. "Why won't you take it?" he demanded.
+
+"I haven't done anything to earn it," replied young Goff in a low but
+firm tone.
+
+There was an interval of silence.
+
+"You see, Maddy is old," the visitor explained. "The awful experience
+he's gone through affected him. He wants to contrast the little
+service I gave him with what the gangsters did to him. His sentiment
+outruns his judgment. I didn't do anything out of the ordinary--just
+fed him and doctored him as best I could. I didn't do any more--"
+
+"Is your mother living?" interrupted Welborn. "She must be a gentle,
+thoughtful woman, well-grounded in the old fashioned ideas of kindness
+in social service, to have raised a son with such ideals. People,
+now-a-days, expect pay, even for their charities. You will have much
+trouble and many disappointments if you approach a sordid world with
+such sentiments."
+
+"Hold on Mister," said the younger man, with much spirit. "Old Maddy's
+case is different. His case was not a business transaction, it was a
+duty." The young visitor ducked his head to chuckle a little while he
+scraped the gravel with the toe of his shoe. "If you run into Andy
+Pelser, in about a month from now, you will know what I mean. Andy is
+young and bright, but old in the sheep game. I had no scruples in
+giving him a good cross-lifting in that sheep trade we made. But this
+Maddy case is different. I don't want pay for being neighborly, for
+doing my duty to oldsters."
+
+"Back the car out, Jim!" commanded Welborn. "This young man is
+irresistible. We had as well take a day off to do our part in this
+entanglement. Back the car out while I spruce up a little to meet the
+law as well as the law-breakers."
+
+Presently Welborn came out of the house, dressed as a man of business.
+His attitude was as one in authority. "I have a plan in mind that
+might work. It has about one chance in fifty of fitting the case, but
+we'll take that chance. But we must do two things if it is to
+succeed," cautioned Welborn. "We must not let the Judge see poor old
+Maddy in his present plight. It would infuriate the Judge to sentence
+those buzzards to the hoosegow for life. Then too, I must see this
+sheriff alone, if the plan is made to work. Drive on, my boy," he said
+to Goff, "and we'll try to keep in sight. See you tomorrow night,
+maybe," he called to Landy and Davy as the two cars got underway.
+
+
+
+
+8
+
+
+A busy little man was David Lannarck in the week that followed. With a
+horse to break and a speech to make, the time was fully occupied. The
+colt was quartered at the Gillis barn. Davy stayed with the colt. Of
+mornings, Landy assisted with the colt's grooming and education. His
+white mane and tail were washed and brushed and his red coat fairly
+shone from the attention given. Landy rasped his feet to evenness and
+cautioned that he would have to be shod if used on hard-surfaced
+roads. "Potter can shoe him all right," he explained, "but we'll have
+to send an order for a set of little shoes to fit."
+
+The morning rides were usually on the rather level roadway that led up
+to Pinnacle Point, but there were sidetrips down ill-defined paths to
+the little creeks. Landy sometimes went along to advise as to road
+gaits. The Gillis dogs were constant companions. In fact, since the
+night of Davy's arrival they waited around until he made his
+appearance and followed him constantly. Except for the fact that he
+was scheduled to make a public appearance at Adot next Saturday night,
+David Lannarck was now enjoying the rest and joys that he had dreamed
+of and planned when he was oppressed by the mob.
+
+"I am not writing out a speech," Davy explained to Mrs. Gillis as he
+bent over the pad of paper, pencil in hand. "I am just jotting down
+some incidents of circus life that the public might want to know. This
+girl over at the B-line--My, oh, my, but she's got a compelling line
+of chatter. If she would do the ballyhoo for a Kid Show, she would
+pack 'em in to bust down the sidewalls. Now this girl said I was to
+talk about midgets and circuses. What I know about midgets and
+circuses would fill two books. My problem is to leave out the
+commonplace routine and tell 'inside stuff.'"
+
+Mrs. Gillis had cleared a side table where Davy, in his high chair,
+could jot down the items that he would use in his talk. It was while
+he was thus engaged of afternoons and evenings that Mrs. Gillis heard
+the life story of the only midget she had ever known.
+
+"My name wasn't always Lannarck," Davy explained one afternoon when
+Mrs. Gillis detailed something of her ancestry and early childhood.
+"My name was O'Rahan, and I was christened Daniel. I am Irish--both
+sides. My Dad was a young, happy-go-lucky Irish lad, a hard worker, a
+free liver, and surely improvident. Foot-loose and free he joined a
+party in the rush to the Klondike. Three years later he came back with
+enough money to fill a pad saddle. And they took it away from him as
+fast as he had accumulated it.
+
+"He met my mother, Ellen Monyhan, at a party, and he was as speedy at
+courting as he was at spending. They were married but a short while
+when the financial crash came. He was ashamed and humiliated but not
+beaten. He wanted another try at this fascinating game. He went back
+to the Klondike--and to his death at sea.
+
+"I was born in a hospital in Springfield. My young, heartbroken mother
+died there. There were no relatives nearer than cousins. In due time I
+was committed to an orphanage. I have no memory of either parent and
+my information concerning them is meager and second hand. Now this
+orphanage was well conducted, but it wasn't a home; it was an
+institution. With anywhere from thirty to sixty children to care for,
+it lacked the personal equation. It was mass production--you did
+things by rote, en-masse--no individuality. But I have no complaint.
+As a babe and child I was well-fed and clothed, in a uniform common to
+all.
+
+"And then I started to school along with all the others. But something
+was happening to me that did not happen to the others. I quit growing.
+Mentally I was like the others--kept up with my grades--but I never
+grew taller than thirty-two inches and never weighed more than
+thirty-eight pounds. Other children would shoot up like corn stalks,
+but I stayed right where I had been in the months and years past.
+
+"To me, it was a heart breaking disclosure. I wanted to play ball, to
+make the team, only to find that as the slow months crept on, I was
+assigned to the playground of the little kids, babes, toddlers. The
+balls, bats, mitts, and other playthings were too big for me. But I
+kept up with my classes in school and maybe the disappointments in
+sports urged me to win somewhere else. I won the eighth-grade prize in
+arithmetic and mechanical drawing. And then came high school, and the
+great disaster, quickly followed by an entrance into an Orphan's
+Heaven--a home in a private family. In the shifting personnel at the
+orphanage, there were fewer high-school pupils. We went to a different
+building over different streets. It was no doubt a singular sight to
+the residents to see a midget with six-footers, but it was just that
+way. And it must have been a singular sight to Loron Usark, a big
+childish lout that lived on Spruce Street. We would pass the end of
+the alley back of his house and he was out there every day to watch us
+go by. Now this Loron was too weak, mentally, for school. Ordered
+around by everybody and pestered and teased by many, the
+moronic-minded will seek a victim that he can abuse and bend to his
+own will, and this Loron party was on the lookout. One day he caught
+me tagging along behind the others. He grabbed me and would have
+beaten me, but my companions rescued me. After that, I had to be on
+the lookout. I was marked for slaughter by this fool.
+
+"Mrs. Gillis," Davy changed his tone of voice to a deeper bass, as was
+his wont when he desired to impress a listener. He shook his pencil at
+his deeply interested audience of one. "Mrs. Gillis, I've seen a lot
+of people in my time. Except for old-time circus people and theatrical
+troopers, I've seen a million more than my share. And you can set
+this down on your mental calendar as an established truth: whenever
+you see a Big One taunting a Little One, you can set him down as a big
+coward. And, whenever you see a Dub kidding a Lout, you can be assured
+that the dub is trying to lift himself above a similar rating.
+
+"Well, this Loron lout finally got me," said Davy, resuming the thread
+of his life story. "I was on my way back to the orphanage for a book
+and as I passed the alley he swept me down. They were good sidewalks
+out there, else he would have broken them in bits as he pounded my
+head on 'em. He kicked when he could and struck as often as he cared.
+His exultant cries must have attracted attention, for I was past even
+an outcry. Finally a lady rushed out of the nearby house and came to
+the rescue. The lout ran, of course. I stayed put. I couldn't do
+anything else. The lady gathered me up, carried me into the house,
+laid me on a couch as I passed out entirely.
+
+"When I came to, a doctor had been there to patch me up and pass
+judgment on my chances. He had washed off a lot of blood, plastered my
+cheek, clipped my hair to plaster some more places, eased some body
+welts, and announced that no bones had been broken. I was in a bed,
+most of my clothing had been removed, and the lady was offering me a
+drink of water. I took it.
+
+"Mrs. Gillis," here Davy gave his voice its lowest pitch, "Mrs.
+Gillis, that woman was Mrs. Sarah Wentworth Lannarck, and I know you
+won't condemn me or be jealous when I say that she was the kindest,
+most considerate woman that ever drew the breath of life. There have
+been a lot of noble women on this troubled earth, doing what they
+could to ease pain, to keep down strife, and to make the world a
+better place in which to live. They are all worthy of our praise, but
+to me, Mrs. Lannarck is sainted, and apart from the rest. Well, the
+rest of the story is in happier settings and more readable chapters,"
+said Davy, as he noted that Mrs. Gillis was somewhat affected by the
+recital. "I really suspect that you would know more about these
+conditions than I. Personally, I think all women want to manage a
+home, want to boss the inmates. If there are no children, then they
+manage the men-folk, or the household pets. And I was Mrs. Lannarck's
+pet. She used me as a substitute for the children that never came into
+her life. I was little; I was injured; I was a fit object of her
+suppressed affections.
+
+"She telephoned Mrs. Philpott, matron at the orphanage, and when she
+called to see me, Mrs. Lannarck arranged to care for me until I was
+well. She explained the whole affair to Mr. Lannarck, when he came
+home to luncheon and that big, grave, silent man accepted her
+statements without comment. Sick as I was, I heard all this and I too,
+made some resolutions. I was not going to miss this chance of having a
+home, and a mother. The very next morning I offered to get up and help
+her do the dishes. She laughed like a girl, and vetoed my offer. In a
+day or two I limbered up enough to get into my clothes and I puttered
+around, offering to do things. My help was declined, but I could see
+that it had the right effect.
+
+"I didn't go to school for a few days. My face and head were still in
+bandages. The story of the attack was in the newspaper and the civil
+authorities committed the moron to an institution for the
+feeble-minded. Some of the orphan kids visited me and I got them to
+bring my little set of drawing tools. I was tinkering with these when
+Mister Lannarck came in. He looked at some of my sketches and asked if
+I could draft a plan in true proportions. I told him I thought I
+could, if I had the correct measurements. He put on his coat and left.
+
+"Now Mr. Lannarck was a carpenter-contractor. Not a big one, with an
+office and a draftsman, bookkeeper and such; just a carpenter with a
+desk in the front room where he kept his papers. He had little
+education but his figures were correct. He had built good buildings,
+but he specialized in repairs--in the upkeep of property--and he had
+many clients. He was honest and fair; he made money and saved it. He
+could read blueprints but he couldn't make 'em. His fingers were all
+thumbs when it came to outlining.
+
+"Presently he came back with some figures, and about the worst outline
+I had ever seen. He explained it was a church. It was to have an
+addition. There was a memorial window to be taken out and placed at
+the right place in the new part. He had the correct figures and he
+wanted a rough draft to show 'em. He gave me some big sheets to work
+on.
+
+"That night, Mrs. Lannarck had to order me to bed, I was that
+interested. The next morning I was up early. That evening I showed him
+my outline. He didn't say much. He took the drawings and his own
+figures to a meeting that night. When he came home he said he had
+closed the deal, that my outline was what had helped, said it would
+make money. My, oh, my, but there was a proud boy in a big bed at the
+Lannarck home that night. That was the first dollar I have ever
+earned. Of course, I didn't get the dollar, but I got much more.
+
+"It sounds sorta mushy, doesn't it, Mrs. Gillis," said Davy,
+interrupting the recital. "Kind of a Pollyanna tale with a Horatio
+Alger finish. But in none of his stories did Alger ever portray a
+tougher background or give it a bigger skyrocket finish. Just think of
+it, Mrs. Gillis! Here was a kid with the black thought that he was
+never to be a man; was never to do a man's work, never to win in any
+manly contest. Worse yet, he had never seen his father or felt a
+mother's caress. He never had had a place called home. Do you blame
+him for horning in?
+
+"Well, it worked out better than I hoped. The next day Mrs. Lannarck
+began moving the furniture in one of the bedrooms. She emptied dresser
+drawers, cleared out the closet and brought in other things. Then she
+invited me up there; told me that she had arranged every thing and
+this was to be my room, where I could put my things.
+
+"Things? Why, I had come into that home with a busted head and not a
+penny in my pocket. The very clothes that I wore belonged to the
+county. Except for the little drawing tools I had, you could have put
+all of my things in a thimble. Yet I was the richest man in
+Springfield.
+
+"I lived in that room four happy blessed years. They were years of few
+incidents and no friction. Mrs. Lannarck bought me a complete outfit
+of clothing, and she was as particular about the details as if it were
+a bride's trousseau. She even provided me with a weekly allowance,
+small, to be sure, but there was nothing I needed. I kept right on at
+school and helped around the house wherever I could. I kept Mr.
+Lannarck's books, made out his estimates, and drafted his plans. I
+checked up his payrolls, met his workmen, and his banker. I even met
+the judge of the court when they adopted me and changed my name.
+
+"I went to church with Mrs. Lannarck, went to Sunday School, and took
+part in the entertainments. They insisted I was a drawing card and
+they featured the appearance of a midget on the program. It was all
+right by me if it met the approval of the Lannarcks.
+
+"During the war, the committee featured me in the Bond Drives. There
+was a big fellow I teamed up with, named George Ruark. He was nearly a
+seven-footer and weighed three hundred. I could stand in his two hands
+as he held them in front of him and urged everybody to back up the war
+as strongly as I was backed. It made a hit; it got results.
+
+"And then inevitable but unwanted death stalked in, to ruin
+everything. Mister Lannarck died. He was older than I had thought. He
+was always careful and honest. He was putting a new roof on the
+Auditorium when he fell. Maybe it was a stroke. They took him to the
+hospital. He died on the third day after the fall.
+
+"This was the beginning of the end. A link was broken in the chain. It
+never mended. Mrs. Lannarck bore up bravely, but I could see that she
+had lost all earthly joys and simply awaited her summons. Mr.
+Lannarck's financial affairs were in good shape. He left quite an
+estate. The income was ample for our simple needs, but that was not
+enough. Mrs. Lannarck simply could not go on. She died in a little
+over a year following the death of her companion. For the second time
+in my life, I was an orphan.
+
+"But this time I was to have a guardian. I had been legally adopted. I
+was the heir. I was rich. In the first fifteen years of my life, I had
+never seen money, never a penny of my own. Now it was the other way.
+After the funeral I went down to the bank to consult with Mister
+Gaynor. He handed me a sealed envelope. It was a message from the
+dear, kind, motherly Mrs. Lannarck. It was a letter of kindly advice,
+personal and spiritual. She said that she never doubted but that I
+would walk in the right path, but she made this final appeal. If I
+never married, never had heirs or dependents, and if there was any of
+the Lannarck estate left at my death, would I make a will, leaving a
+portion of it to the Grace Avenue Presbyterian Church, in trust for
+its upkeep, and a portion to the county orphanage, for the occasional
+entertainment of its inmates.
+
+"Mrs. Gillis." Davy was the one now affected by the recitals. His
+voice was lower and slower. "Mrs. Gillis, after reading that message,
+I hadn't the tears out of my eyes nor my voice cleared up, until I was
+making that will. Gaynor did the work, he knew how, that was his
+business, and he made it read just as Mrs. Lannarck had requested. The
+Trust Department of the bank was made the trustee. One-half of all
+income from my estate was to be paid to the church, the other half for
+orphanage entertainment. It stands just that way yet, although the
+value of the estate has doubled.
+
+"The Lannarck estate was what the bank folks called Income Property.
+It included two suburban store rooms with apartments above. There were
+three very good residences, five shares of bank stock, bonds and notes
+and a considerable bank deposit. I made a resolution then and there,
+that I would never touch a penny of it, and that resolution has been
+kept. The income has piled up until it now nearly equals the
+principal. Poor old Gaynor, the next-best friend I ever had, keeps the
+income collected and invested, and if this depression would only let
+up and give him a chance, he could build those Presbyterians a new
+church and give the orphans a picture show every night.
+
+"Of course I've earned quite a lot of money, meanwhile, but Gaynor
+keeps that as a separate checking account; says circuses and
+vaudeville are not a dependable source of income and that I may go
+broke. This Ralph Gaynor is a wonder in his line, but it's not my kind
+of a line. He talks of interest, margins of safety, of unearned
+increments, corporate earnings, and things like that. His is not the
+big bank, with its long rows of figures. His is just a little
+'Dollar-Down' concern, and he owns it all. Just now, in this
+depression, the Big Fellows are running to him asking, 'What to do?'
+And he's telling 'em to trim sails and stay close to shore.
+
+"Ralph Gaynor is the second helpful man to come into my life, but when
+I grew sick and tired of being gawked at, during all my waking hours
+and resolved to duck away from the mob, I didn't go back to Ralph
+Gaynor for advice. He just wouldn't understand. The word 'recreation'
+is not in his vocabulary. Colts, dogs, kid-saddles, horseback riding,
+Landy's wisecracks, and my present-day joys have no listed values with
+Ralph Gaynor, and I passed him up. If it were Mrs. Lannarck, she would
+understand and give it sympathetic approval.
+
+"Well, that's something of the life story of one midget, Mrs. Gillis.
+Add to this, twelve long summers with circuses and the winters spent
+in vaudeville (both with their mobs and gawking crowds) and it's
+almost a completed volume. There is yet one chapter to be added and I
+want to talk about it to the public. One man, Baron Singer, did more
+for midgets--little people--than any other person, in all time. He
+lifted them out of the mediocre; gave them standing and personality.
+I never met the Baron, but I want the public to know what great work
+he did for an underprivileged group. And I will tell 'em Saturday
+night."
+
+
+
+
+9
+
+
+Gillis and Welborn did not return from their mission the next day as
+they had planned. Sunday passed by without word of their whereabouts.
+The stay-at-homes wondered if it was to be peace or war with maudling
+gangsters. Did Welborn's fifty-to-one chance fail? Davy had planned to
+ride over to the B-line, and go over his speech-plans with his manager
+and promoter. Now, it seemed necessary that he and Landy ride down to
+the filling station seeking news of the missing ones. Monday noon, the
+faithful old Gillis car labored up the hill and came to a stop. Jim
+and Sam got out to inquire if dinner was ready.
+
+Little was said during the meal as to the outcome of their trip. Jim
+made a brief explanation that they had been as far as Rawlins,
+accompanying the sheriff in his disposition of his boarders. The
+sheriff explained that he wanted to take them past the penitentiary to
+show them what they missed, and where they would live if they ever
+came back to this section. He took them all to the railway station,
+loaded two on the east-bound train and two went west. The sheriff
+retained the count's car as security for advances made.
+
+That evening, however, after Davy had returned from delivering Welborn
+his supper, the four gathered in the Gillis sitting room and Jim gave
+more details. "This man Welborn musta been in the army," he declared.
+"Musta been a tough old top sergeant, er the general in command, the
+way he took charge. He managed every detail and managed it right.
+Everything worked out as planned.
+
+"We kept old Maddy out of the judge's sight, 'en it was well enough
+that we did, for Judge Withers was pretty hostile towards these crazy
+galoots that invaded the community and disturbed the peace. He would
+enforce the sentence, but he listened to the sheriff's complaint that
+four such prisoners were too many for his cramped quarters, too costly
+for the results obtained. The judge agreed to suspend sentence on
+condition that the sheriff would deport 'em and keep 'em deported.
+
+"We didn't have any trouble establishing Maddy's claim to the two
+sacks of dust. Maddy easily identified 'em and I knew they were his,
+but what about these gangsters? Would the count surrender title to the
+damaged car to compensate for rail transportation? And would they
+agree to leave and never come back? The sheriff had had several
+interviews with 'em on these matters and had never gained assent to
+the plan, especially as to the count and his car. The sheriff was
+bothered, didn't believe it could be done.
+
+"Again it was Welborn who made the plan and gave orders. 'Bring that
+count in here,' he said, 'and leave me alone with him for about ten
+minutes. I'll find out if he wants to live or die.' And the sheriff
+did as Welborn said, and before the ten minutes were up, the count had
+readily and eagerly accepted all the conditions. We took all of 'em
+over to court, the judge repeated the sentence, suspended it if they
+stayed out of the court's jurisdiction. We had 'em in Rawlins and on
+their way by Sunday noon.
+
+"No, I don't know what Welborn said to the count," was Jim's reply to
+Davy's eager question. "It must have been potent and terrifying, the
+way that gangster wet his lips and swollered."
+
+"Did young Goff accept Maddy's gift of the gold dust?" Jim laughed.
+"That's another Welborn plan and order and it wasn't ignored. This
+young Goff is a fine fellow. He took good care of Maddy during the
+whole trip. When we got back to the filling station and Goff was to go
+on his way, Maddy offered him the dust and he refused it. Here
+Welborn stepped in. He shook a little out of one sack to make 'em
+equal; he handed one sack to Mrs. Carter and placed the other in
+Goff's car. 'You keep that,' he ordered. 'This old man will live
+longer, happier, more contented in knowing he has a neighbor that he
+can freely call on for help who will respond to his call. He's got a
+right to this comfort and satisfaction. You take it.' And young Goff
+took it."
+
+The next morning David Lannarck was up bright and early, intent on his
+plans to visit the B-line ranch, but Mrs. Gillis had beat him to the
+draw. Landy was directed to change the stock cattle over into the
+ravine pasture while Jim did the milking. Davy would take Welborn's
+breakfast to him and wait at the Point until Landy, and the dogs, had
+finished their job.
+
+Like the rest of the men folk at the Gillis ranch, Davy accepted his
+orders. He saddled the colt, maneuvered him up to the kitchen door for
+the basket of breakfast, and rode to the Point alone. Early as it was,
+he found Welborn up the ravine examining the gravel in a sheltered
+nook.
+
+"I can work this area this winter, when the rest of the valley is
+covered with snow," Welborn explained as they walked back to the cabin
+and the basket of breakfast.
+
+"Yes, and if you had a dynamo and electric lights," retorted Davy,
+"you could work nights. What's all the rush? This stuff will keep."
+
+Welborn laughed, but he grew serious to explain: "I would like to take
+nine thousand dollars out of this hole by early spring, and as near as
+I estimate values, I've got the job about half done. There's nearly
+two hundred ounces in those little sacks. If my partner will be
+lenient in demanding his share, I think I can get it done this
+winter."
+
+"If I advance the nine thousand right now, say by the end of the week,
+will you let up on this drive-drive-drive stuff, and relax and be
+yourself?" Davy's question was a demand, earnestly stated.
+
+Welborn gave an inquiring look to see if he was being scolded or
+kidded. He decided that it was neither of these. "Why would you want
+to do that, Laddie?" he asked in a subdued tone.
+
+"Just to keep a good man from worrying himself to death," retorted the
+midget. "I want to prevent a funeral, make an asset out of a
+liability. I want to get a big, fine man back to his normal self. If
+you will agree to let up on this push-drive-urge stuff; stop long
+enough to read a book, to laugh at Jiggs or Popeye or Dagwood, or any
+of the other funnies, go with me over to Adot where the mine-run folks
+can see what a big, fine upstanding partner I've got, why I'll have
+that little, old nine thousand in here by Saturday.
+
+"Oh, I know that money is scarce, hard to get just now," Davy
+explained in response to Welborn's shake of the head, "but this money
+is idle, and there's plenty of security up in that ravine. It's not
+the loan, it's the results, I'm wanting. Of course, there's something
+eating you, some past catastrophe or mistake, that's got you down.
+You're worried, killing yourself trying to get it corrected. I don't
+know what it is, and don't want to know, until you are ready. Of
+course it will work out all right. There'll be a climax, a denouement,
+as old director Mecklin used to call the final act, and I want you to
+be right here, in person, in good health and spirits, to join with the
+rest of us in the applause and cheers."
+
+Welborn had walked over to the window, but not to look out. His head
+was down, he was taking punishment. Presently he lifted his shoulders
+and head. There was a smile on his face even if his voice was husky.
+"In all my varied years, Sonny Boy, I never heard finer compliments
+mixed up with some real truths. What you've said is worth more to me
+than your kindly offer of funds. I wouldn't take your money under any
+condition, it would add complications, but I am going to take your
+advice. From now on, I'll try to do as you say, try to save myself for
+the glorious finish that you picture."
+
+The arrival of Jim in the old car and Landy's clamorous calls broke up
+the conference. Davy hurried out to join his friend in their planned
+trip to the B-line ranch. He was very quiet in the hazards of Brushy
+Fork, but on arriving at the level stretch beyond he stopped Landy.
+"What am I going to name this colt, Landy? He's got to have a name, if
+he's to be taught to do things. Old Boss Fletcher had a name for every
+elephant in the herd, and they would step right out when their names
+were called. Horses, dogs, elephants, even the cats quickly learned
+their names and the short words like 'halt,' 'go,' 'kneel,' 'turn,'
+and the like. This colt is smart, wants to do things, if you're not
+too dumb in telling him what you want. But he's got to have a name."
+
+"Alice and I were talkin' about that the other night," replied the ex
+cow-hand. "She had some flossy ones: Emperor, Commander, President, en
+sich, but I vetoed that trash, the colt couldn't carry 'em and live. I
+suggested Red, er Monty, er some sich. Thar we adjourned and left the
+colt without a moniker. What's yer notion of a name fer this little
+hoss?"
+
+"I just can't think of the right one," said Davy resignedly. "It
+wouldn't do to name him after some of the folks around here, that
+would mix things up. The circus folks have worn out such names as
+Barnum, Ringling, Robinson, Bailey, Coles, Sells, Barnes, Wallace, and
+others and they don't fit a small hoss anyhow. I am in hopes that this
+fine, smart Adine girl at the B-line has some sort of a suggestion.
+Maybe, she's got a name that will do."
+
+At a favorable place on the narrow road where the travelers could gaze
+down on a bunch of the B-line cattle quietly grazing and where the
+morning sun splashed varied colors on the distant hills, Davy pushed
+his mount in front of old Gravy to halt the party. He flung his hand
+in a wide sweep to include everything in sight.
+
+"That's Paradise, Landy. It's what I've dreamed about for the last ten
+years. It's the wide open spaces filled with all the variations in old
+Nature's book of scenery. And best of all, there's no mob of nit-wits
+to titter and smirk. It's my Heaven.
+
+"Just now, two things blur the picture; I want to get this speech
+thing off my hands, and I want to find a resister, a sass-back, a
+contrary cuss, that will argue back at me. I want to keep him nearby
+to remind me of old times. Why back two years ago, I used to visit old
+Polo Garrett, who had the concession in the menagerie tent, just to
+get cussed out. Polo's vocabulary was limited to sassing back. 'What's
+eatin' ya?,' 'Git outa here,' 'Who's a-running this dump?' 'Whar do ya
+git that stuff?' were his mildest phrases. When I got fed up on a
+bunch of simpering women and their, 'ain't he cute?' stuff, all I had
+to do was to barge in on Polo and get cussed out and learn that the
+world wasn't all gush and guff.
+
+"And particularly I need this 'argufyer' right out here now. I'm
+getting tired of having my own way. The people are too kind, too
+considerate, regard me as a child to be petted and pampered. There's
+too much mushy sentiment. A day or two ago, I told Mrs. Gillis my life
+history. It was mushy and without climax. She wanted to cry over it.
+This morning, before you came to the Point, I gave Welborn a big going
+over about his working all the time. And he never sassed back. He
+should have kicked me out. Instead of that, he agreed with me. Him, a
+big, strong man that had made a gangster eat his gun and ordered the
+judge and sheriff what to do! The idea! Him letting a midget order him
+around! What we need here is a good cusser-outer."
+
+"You're too late," said Landy dryly. "You've missed yer appointment by
+about forty years. We had a party up state wunst, that filled all yer
+requirements. Hit was a woman. She'd fuss at the sun fer comin' up, an
+cuss hit fer goin' down. She buried three husbands en was deserted by
+several more. At her death, en in honor of the happy event, they named
+a little crick after her. They called hit Crazy Woman's Crick.... Hi,
+Potter," Landy called, as they approached the stables of the B-line
+ranch. "Git that gate opened and throw out yer welcome rug."
+
+"Troubles never come single, they come in bunches," grumbled Potter as
+he complied. "Two hosses go lame this mornin', en Jim Finch, the
+grazing commissioner, comes from up on the Mad Trapper Fork a-callin'
+on us fer help to round up some of old Hull Barrow's misfits of horns,
+hoofs, and hides, en to add further miseries, here you arrive on the
+scene. Why, Peaches gave out strict orders, that if old Turkeyneck
+came prowlin' around, to say, that she wasn't at home at all en to
+tell the little gent to ride right into the house."
+
+"Who said that?" demanded Davy, with alacrity.
+
+"Why, Peaches, Miss Adine, she said if old Landy--"
+
+"Ye, Ho!" yelled Davy excitedly. "This colt is named. That's it!
+Peaches! Why didn't we think of that before, Landy?" Davy patted the
+colt's neck affectionately. "That's your name, old boy, Peaches!"
+
+Hearing the outcry, Adine Lough came out of the house, and down the
+graveled way. "Good morning," she called. "I was expecting you. My,
+but he's handsome," she exclaimed, examining the little horse that
+arched his neck in approval of the inspection. "You look like a
+gallant cavalier out of the old picture books."
+
+"We've just named him," said Davy proudly. "We named him after you.
+His name is Peaches."
+
+"Ah, pshaw," said the girl, laughing and blushing. "That's just a
+nickname that these men out here call me behind my back, of course,
+and the poor colt deserves a better fate. But come in, both of you, I
+have good news." The girl led the way into the hall. "You go in and
+visit with grandpa, Landy, while we talk shop in the library.
+
+"I talked with the Nazarene preacher and he's very enthusiastic over
+the plan and prospects," Adine explained after they were settled in
+the workshop. "I told him of the ad, that I was to run in the paper
+and he's somewhat of an artist and is putting up signs all over town.
+It augurs a good crowd, the biggest ever to assemble in Adot. He plays
+an accordion and his wife sings and they have arranged for a quartette
+of girls to sing a couple of numbers and then you are to talk. The
+meeting is to be held in Joe Burns's big warehouse and it won't hold
+the people. Now this is not a church meeting, it's an entertainment.
+You can laugh and applaud at will. You can tell funny stories about
+circuses or what-have-you, it's informal, go as far as you like!"
+
+"Well, here's how I had mapped out the talk. I'll tell 'em something
+about midgets," said Davy, "for midgets seem to be a forgotten subject
+in literature. If you will comb your college library down at Boulder,
+you'll not find a single book on the subject, and I am not sure that I
+know enough about 'em to fill out a talk on the subject."
+
+"That's the very subject you ought to talk on. Why I can hardly wait
+to hear it. Who better can tell it? If you are short of facts, just
+romance a little, that's allowable where facts are scarce. Tell 'em
+personal incidents and don't make 'em too solemn or pathetic. Make 'em
+laugh. Personally, I'm going to get a close-up seat, for in that big
+barn of a place I doubt if you can reach the outer fringes."
+
+"Well, if the preacher gent can make himself heard, I can too,"
+retorted Davy. "I practiced up on that stuff, there's where I
+specialized. You see, Miss Adine, when I joined up with the Singer
+Midgets at Saint Louis, I didn't have an act, a specialty, anything to
+give the public. I just joined up because Baron Singer was collecting
+midgets, showing 'em a good time, with no thought of making a profit.
+But it did make profit. The public wanted to see midgets.
+
+"It was my first contact with my clan. I noticed that midgets didn't
+change their voices when they reached maturity, still spoke in
+childish tones. Not having much to do, I practiced voice culture,
+deepened and strengthened my speech. I made my voice reach to the back
+seats. It earned me a job. I became the announcer; made the
+in-front-of-the-curtain talks. In the summer, with the Big Top, I
+often simulated the ringmaster to make announcements from the center
+ring. It was a feature all right, seeing a little guy doing a big
+man's job.
+
+"Oh I'll make 'em hear all right, but what they are to hear is the
+problem. To the midget stuff I thought I would add a few paragraphs
+about circus people, the different kinds and what they do. The general
+public never contacts the real circus people, just the ticket takers,
+ushers, and roustabouts. They never meet the managers and performers.
+And because grafters, shilabers, and skin-game artists follow
+circuses, the public thinks these are a part of it. It's only fair to
+circus people that this connection be denied."
+
+"Why, I didn't know that," exclaimed Adine, "I just supposed the
+grafters were a part of it. Here I am, learning a lot of things and
+school not yet started. Anyhow, I'm going to buy a ticket for Mrs.
+Carmody and inveigle her to the entertainment. She said circus people
+ought not be allowed to participate in a church benefit.
+
+"Now you are to come over here Saturday morning. Bring Landy with you,
+as we can all three ride to Adot in my roadster. There, we will lay
+the top back, and with you between us, sitting up on the back cushion,
+we'll parade the town. The door opens at seven o'clock. Performance
+begins at seven-thirty. Then we come back here for the night and you
+can ride home Sunday morning. You can talk for an hour if you want to,
+but you should speak for thirty minutes at least."
+
+
+
+
+10
+
+
+"Are you going to live here always?" asked Davy as he slid down off
+the dictionary and chair at the end of the conference. "What I mean is
+this, Adine," he added, noting the girl's questioning look. "Are you
+going to spend your life out here in the sticks, with cattle, horses,
+and a few yokels that you have to ride miles and miles, before you see
+two of 'em together?"
+
+"Why, this is my home, I belong here, the same as other young people
+live with their folks," replied the girl, somewhat startled by the
+abruptness of the question. "I haven't planned to shift pastures, as
+grandaddy would say. Why are you asking such an abrupt, personal
+question?"
+
+"Well, it is sorta personal and rather abrupt," agreed the midget in
+an appeasing tone. "I should have made the approach with more finesse.
+Abruptness is one of my defects. But now that I've blundered in, I'd
+just as well finish. You don't belong out here in the wide open
+spaces, in these sparse settlements. You belong in the congested
+areas, where big things are being done, where there's planning,
+execution, accomplishment. Why, you've taken over both ends of a
+little hoss trade, laid out all the plans, details and ground work for
+a community entertainment, and did it with the ease of a big executive
+lighting a cigarette. You need a big job, in a big place. With your
+personality and head-work, you can climb up the ladder to the top
+rung."
+
+"Well, of all things!" said the girl, embarrassed at the unexpected
+drift, but laughing at the implications. "And this from a guy that has
+fled the mob and wants me to take his place. Now just what big job
+have you laid out for me? Running a circus? Managing a theater? Or
+maybe operating a railroad?"
+
+"You could make a success with any or all of 'em," retorted Davy. "But
+none of these were in my mind. Some women want a career. Some gain it
+by their own efforts and some climb to success on a ladder supported
+by others. Then there is the big majority--many of 'em brilliant and
+capable--that just settle down in the doldrums of marriage and let
+their talents rust out in negligence and inattention."
+
+"Then I'm not to marry?"
+
+"You ought to. A gal as attractive, vivacious, and clever as you are,
+would have to marry--in self-defense, if for no other reason. Marriage
+need not interfere. It might help. With that hazard and gamble out of
+the way, it would allow you to expand your talents in planning,
+executing, and managing in any line you choose."
+
+"And about when do you plan that this defense marriage--this shotgun
+wedding--is to take place?" questioned Adine scornfully. "And who's
+the victim?"
+
+"Now that's a candle-flame that I'll keep my fingers out of," said
+Davy hastily. "Judge Vane told me once a person who advises or mixes
+in on the marriage relations of others is liable in damages. And
+anyhow, sane people don't run matrimonial agencies. In that debacle,
+you're on your own. I'm promoting talent, not running a marriage
+bureau. And I don't want the side show to dim the performance in the
+big top. You've got talent, personality, ability to influence others,
+and whether you are solo in the orchestra or doubling in brass in the
+matrimonial band makes no difference. You ought to be directing the
+mob instead of listening to a lone midget."
+
+Adine Lough laughed, not at the text, but the homely comparisons of
+the little man that, standing hat in hand, was earnestly and seriously
+throwing bouquets of compliments and darts of poignant facts right in
+her face. And both the flowers and darts were coming from an
+unexpected source. With the delicate matrimonial problem swept
+completely aside, she felt that this new-found friend, in his
+nation-wide travels and a million contacts, was really sincere in some
+of his estimates and was trying to be helpful in his blunt, abrupt
+appraisals. Anyhow, she was reconciled to that view.
+
+"Well, I never had so many compliments in all my life! I didn't know
+that you were a student of sociology--could estimate capabilities and
+get everyone in their right groove. I should have been conferring with
+you, for I have an unsolved problem, bigger than any you've
+mentioned." Adine had ceased her scorning tones; now she was asking
+for an answer. She motioned Davy to a footstool.
+
+"Why, I didn't know that you had a care in the world. As Polo Garrett
+used to say, 'What's eatin' ya?'"
+
+"My problem is my family. I'm the only one left that is able to do
+things. There is little I can do to aid the ones that are sick and I
+am making no progress in keeping these two big, clumsy ranches out of
+bankruptcy.
+
+"Father, as you know, is in the hospital in Omaha and mother was
+called there three weeks ago. The trivial ulcers have developed into
+something worse. Daddy went to Omaha to be near the market that was
+tumbling, crashing, and bringing on bankruptcy to stock raisers. He
+hoped to find a solution, hoped to learn that the end of the disaster
+was in sight. He had been cutting production for four years; surely a
+period of scarcity was at hand, he wanted to be ready.
+
+"Meanwhile he consulted a specialist on a matter of stomach ulcers,
+only to encounter a more serious condition. A dozen years ago, in one
+season, he had sold eighty thousand dollars worth of livestock from
+these two ranches. Just now, he has sold breeding stock until there's
+little left. Now these recent sales were made not to get money, but to
+reduce the supply, to meet conditions. Money needs were not serious
+until both banks failed two years ago, and then it became a calamity.
+And now, my young counselor, adviser, flatterer, and friend, do you
+think I should seek a job in the congested areas?"
+
+"Well, it does appear that you are involved in a lot of
+responsibility, and surely have a big problem on your hands. You speak
+of two ranches. Where's the other one?"
+
+"Really, it's all one," the girl explained, "but Grandaddy keeps up
+the pretense of operating one of his own--wants to compete with Father
+in management--in livestock, in methods. It's the Old Pioneer versus
+the Progressive. Longhorn versus thoroughbred, and Daddy indulges and
+encourages him in the plan.
+
+"You see, Grandfather had settled on Grant's Fork (that's about four
+miles west); he had built a cabin and stables, long before the
+surveyors came. 'They surveyed me in,' was his frequent statement. And
+there he lived and carried on until Father grew up, married, and built
+this home. Grandfather registered his cattle brand as the Bowline. It
+is a bent bow with a taut string. Father carried the same brand, but
+folks began calling it the B-line and both ranches go by that name.
+And it's really one to the outsider. The difference in methods and in
+management is best illustrated by the fact that in the fall,
+Grandfather takes a week to drive his finished product to the pens at
+the railroad siding, while Father trucks a full carload over there in
+the early morning.
+
+"But in all these years there never was any distinction in ownership
+of property or chattels. If Grandfather wanted a stack of hay or a
+roll of fencing he came and got it. He would call on Daddy's men for
+help as freely as he would call his own. They paid each other's bills
+without any accounting and there was never any friction, until now.
+Now, the problem of all these past years is dumped right in my lap. I
+don't know how to handle it. I am desperate for advice, so desperate
+that I now seek the counsel of the Oracle of the Footlights, the
+Mystic of the Sawdust Ring. Wilt thou help me, Sire?" concluded Adine,
+as she bowed in mock distress to the little man squirming on the
+footstool.
+
+"Well, I don't see that you need help. You've done all that is needful
+and possible. You can't heal the sick, stop a financial depression, or
+retard old age, but you've left nothing undone. Your problem is
+already solved."
+
+"We haven't reached the insoluble part," said Adine gravely. "I've
+just given you the details leading up to it. I have shown that there
+were two ranches, two plans of management, an intermingling of assets,
+and never the least bit of friction. Yet there is one thing in which
+they are as far apart as the two poles: Father always banks his money,
+and Grandaddy never did. It doesn't seem possible for a person to live
+as long as Grandfather has and not use a bank. Back in the early days,
+he wore a money belt with gold in it. In later years he had what he
+calls a keyster, a metal box with lock and key where he keeps paper
+money. He is not a miser; he pays bills promptly and gives generously.
+The keyster was never hidden. It might be left on the table or mantel
+or, because of its weight, it might be used as a door prop. So far as
+I know, no one ever cheated him, and surely no one had the nerve to
+try to take it by force.
+
+"Grandmother died before I was born. After her death, and while Father
+was setting up business over here, the Craigs moved in with Grandaddy.
+They were young people, brother and sister, Joe and Myrah, and they
+have been there ever since. Now just who the Craigs are I do not know.
+There is an old rumor among the cow hands that Grandaddy was paying
+off some sort of an old romantic debt when he took them in. It must
+have been a far-flung romance, for the Craigs reputedly came from up
+in the Wind River district.
+
+"At any rate there they are. Myrah is a good housekeeper and has been
+a good caretaker of an aged man. Joe was never a cow man. He has a
+crippled hand. In his young days he roamed the country as a hunter and
+trapper. He cuts the wood, builds the fires, and runs the errands;
+just a lackey boy, and is still just that.
+
+"When Father came to Omaha this last time, Grandaddy came over here
+occasionally. He would bring the keyster and pay the bills. Finally,
+as Father's stay was prolonged, I persuaded Grandfather to headquarter
+over here. I fixed up the front room for his convenience. He seems
+contented with the fireplace and Morris chair. I could have gotten
+along all right but the matter of finances bothered me. With the banks
+closed, we have little money available. Even if we had a considerable
+sum, I wouldn't know where to keep it. A cupboard or desk seemed an
+insecure place and my financial experience has been limited to a
+little money purse with small change and probably only one bill. Just
+now, Grandfather's keyster is the Rock of Gibraltar, the financial
+prop that is sustaining the whole structure. But what about this prop?
+How strong is it? Will it outlast the depression? I don't know. I
+doubt if Father would know, if he were here. He and Grandaddy might
+exchange quips or gibes over the matter of sales or production but
+they didn't broadcast as to funds on hand.
+
+"Truly, I don't care to know how much money is in Grandaddy's keyster,
+that's his affair. But it's irksome and tragic not to know one's
+limitations. Tomorrow the whole structure may crumble and fall, for
+lack of another dollar.
+
+"My relations with Grandaddy are peculiar. He was sorely disappointed
+that I wasn't a boy. He tolerates me and that's about all. To him,
+women are a liability, not an asset. He regards them as a necessary
+evil. If anything important is to be done, it must be done by a man.
+If he is irritated by some woman's accomplishments he growls out: 'Men
+fought for and won the territory and women followed in to take
+possession.' And for this reason it was an easy matter to induce him
+to come over here with his keyster and take charge. He just couldn't
+conceive that a girl could manage a business.
+
+"But notwithstanding his disappointments and my timidity, we've gotten
+along very well. When I go away to school he always slips me a bill or
+two for spending money. I could feel that he resented my buying a car,
+yet he pays for my gasoline without complaint. His bias, prejudice,
+and vindictiveness doesn't apply to the members of his immediate
+family, but it does apply intensely and vigorously to others. It's
+this peculiarity that might wreck the works at this critical time.
+
+"It's a family tradition that Grandaddy never went in debt for
+anything. If he hadn't the cash to pay, he didn't buy. But just now,
+they are closing out the Bar-O ranch lands, cattle, chattels, and it's
+ill repute. If Grandaddy knew of this sale, he would spend every dime
+in that keyster of his, and go in debt as far as he could, in order to
+own this thing that has been a life's obsession. And if he were to
+spend this money, be it much or little, this B-line would be
+bankrupt. I have tried to keep the news of this sale away from
+Grandaddy just to avoid this catastrophe. If it comes, I am helpless."
+
+During this recital, Adine was seated facing Davy on the footstool.
+There were lines in her face that Davy had never seen, a near quaver
+in her voice that he had never heard. The Sir Galahad of the Sawdust
+Ring had surely found a maiden in dire distress. He wriggled on his
+seat, mustering comforting words.
+
+"Well, I don't want to offend by poo-pooing your troubles," said Davy
+as consolingly as he could. "Sickness is always bad, but everything is
+being done that's possible; your grandfather's acts couldn't work much
+harm. You don't owe anything to anybody; your needs are few; your
+expenses are at a minimum. There will be a moratorium on taxes and
+your few employees would readily accept a note in lieu of cash, and
+friends like Mrs. Gillis would gladly come to the rescue if quick
+funds are needed. Frankly, you are a long way from Trouble River and
+you should not worry about crossing it until you reach the brink.
+
+"And that's that," said the little man, brushing his hands as if the
+matter were fully settled. "Now tell me about this Bar-O thing. Is
+this the same affair that Mister Potter spoke of? What's the grazing
+master got to do, in folding up a ranch? Why would your grandfather
+get all het up if he heard about it? Where is this Bar-O property?
+Maybe in this tragic drama, there is a comedy part that I could play."
+
+"There's no comedy in this local drama," said Adine, resuming her
+challenging attitude. "And you brush the tragedies into the
+wastebasket like mere dross. A while ago, you were assigning me to big
+jobs in the congested areas while you were to idle around in the wide
+open spaces. Just now, I would put you back in some city as a public
+relations officer, a Mister Fixit, to diagnose and cure personal and
+community ills. You would fix 'em or discard 'em instantly.
+
+"But, badinage aside, I know very little of the Bar-O entanglements
+and complications. It's an old story. Grandaddy knows all about it but
+he doesn't talk. There are few facts and many rumors. For three
+generations it's been a sort of a gnaw-bone, to be dug up and chewed
+on when there's nothing else. It's a musty old tradition, a sort of a
+remnant of the old days, that present day newsmongers use as a
+yardstick for comparisons. If a modern domestic complication breaks
+out, the current gossip outmatches it by the entanglements in the
+Barrow family. If it's murder, robbery, or arson, some of the Barrows
+did worse and got away with it.
+
+"Just now, some current chapters are being written. Mister Logan, the
+receiver of the bank of Adot, has foreclosed a mortgage on the real
+estate and seeks possession. Mister Finch, the grazing master, always
+lenient and forebearing, is seeking to recover past due payments. This
+may be the final chapter. Grim facts are taking the place of hearsay."
+
+"Well, just where is this land of romantic tragedy and domestic
+infelicity?" questioned Davy. "How come that the movie people haven't
+taken it over to fit their verbiage: thrilling, stupendous, smashing,
+wondrous, and so forth?"
+
+"Well, if the movie people have as much trouble getting on the
+property as the sheriff and Mister Finch are having, they wouldn't get
+a very clear picture and the story would be limited to their own
+misfortunes. Up to now, old Hulls Barrow has stood 'em off with a gun.
+They don't want to kill him and they can't get possession.
+
+"Now this Bar-O ranch is just over the hogback, south of us. There is
+no road, just a trail over the ridge. The Barrows use the other road.
+I don't know how big it is. The surveys in these hills stay in the
+valleys; the lines run from point to promontory. The units are miles,
+not rods. Tranquil Meadows, a fine area of grassland, is just south of
+the Bar-O. Had the Silver Falls project been a success, the government
+would have done the same with the Meadows tract. A road blasted
+through the hills would have connected the two tracts.
+
+"Old Matt Barrow was one of the early settlers. Grandfather's feud
+with him had early beginnings. I don't think it was personal, for they
+rarely met. Grandaddy was outstanding as a law enforcer and here was a
+petty offender right under his nose. Barrow had no cattle brand until
+they made him use one. He was uneducated, couldn't spell his own name,
+and his name, in the records, is spelled in several ways. He had no
+fences and would employ any misfit or doubtful that came along. He
+seemed to prey on one side of the ridge and sell on the other. But in
+all the years he escaped conviction of even a minor offense. In an
+early day, a lone prospector was missing. Everybody had ideas, but no
+evidence. Dan Hale's stacks were burned. No evidence. And so it ran
+through the years.
+
+"Barrow raised two boys. This Hulls, who is standing off the law with
+a gun, and Archie, who disappeared in about a year after Maizie came.
+The boys surely must have had a mother, but there is no record or
+rumor of a death or burial. The same is true of old Clemmy Pruitt, who
+went there to live. Old Matt Barrow must have maintained a private
+cemetery and conducted the funerals.
+
+"The boys, Hulls and Archie, grew up to be old bachelors. They carried
+on in about the same fashion as the old man. Maybe they visited the
+settlements and got drunk oftener than he did, but the Bar-O continued
+as a mystery and a sore spot in a neighborhood that was struggling up
+from primitive ways." Adine paused to chuckle a bit at the midget's
+interest in the recital. The little man's eyes were glued on the
+speaker, he missed never a word.
+
+"You are marveling how I know so much about a thing that is based on
+hearsay and rumors," continued the narrator as she pointed to a
+manuscript on the table. "There are my notes for my thesis, 'Social
+Work in Rural Communities.' It's full of notes and comments on the
+rumors and hearsay about the Barrow family. In every community the
+exception to the rule is played up as the feature story. In
+Pittsburgh it's steel; in Boston, the Back Bay district gets the
+headlines; in Charleston, it's the Colonial homes that are featured.
+The mine-run folks get no mention. Here in Henry County, it's the
+Barrow family. In my notes, I simply list 'em as rumors, letting the
+reader be the judge. And now, let's get along to the final chapter.
+
+"Maizie came to the Barrows about ten years ago. Where from, nobody
+knew, but there were many unconfirmed rumors. It was given out that
+her last name was Menardi. Whether this was her family name or
+acquired by marriage, was not stated. Maizie took over--house, corral,
+and ranch. She made but few changes in the material things, but the
+two old bachelors and the occasional cow hands were certainly speeded
+up. Old Jeff Stoups, who had been a retainer since the days of old
+Matt, quit. 'A woman boss is bad enough, but a hellion is wu's,' was
+Jeff's statement.
+
+"I have never seen Maizie in all these years. She is rarely away from
+the Bar-O. Her public appearances are limited to a few rare visits to
+the stores and a few days spent in court. Mr. Phillips, on her first
+visit to the drygoods store, described her as dazzling and imperious.
+Mrs. Phillips describes her as being near thirty years old, tall,
+rather graceful, regular features, a perpetual sneer, coal-black hair
+and a coppery skin never seen on another. Her dress was normal, with
+few adornments. She was bareheaded, wore mannish gloves, and sported
+large circlet earrings. She differed little in appearance from other
+women; her voice was low and deep; she could read. She bought books
+and magazines.
+
+"Our Charley Case (the comedians around the stables call him
+Flinthead) furnished the caricature of the lady. He was coming back
+from Grandaddy's south pasture and rode the trail past the Bar-O to
+see what he could see. He pictured Maizie as wearing overalls, a man's
+shirt with the tail out, a big slouch hat, and buckskin gloves. She
+was directing Jeff Stoups about digging a post hole.
+
+"And then came an added feature to the strange personnel. About a
+month after Maizie's arrival, a young man was occasionally seen around
+the Bar-O. He was neither cow hand nor laborer. His status was that of
+a constant visitor. He quartered with the family, if Hulls, Archie,
+and Maizie would be called a family, instead of living at the
+bunkhouse. Old Jeff referred to him as a dude, but the comment applied
+to mannerisms rather than clothes. He dressed as a townsman; he
+frequented the poolroom and Gatty's doggery. He announced his name as
+Steve Adams, said that he was Maizie's nephew. He played a fancy game
+of pool and drank in moderation.
+
+"Questioned by the curious, he talked freely but always about places
+and conditions elsewhere. He knew nothing about local affairs. That
+summer he made frequent trips. On his return he would report having
+been to Chicago, Kansas City, Denver. A later checkup revealed that he
+was telling the truth. And these truthful stories were exasperating.
+They explained nothing. The Bar-O, with its mixed up domestic
+complications, was still an isolated enigma.
+
+"That fall was the time of the great train robbery. The event occurred
+at the same time as the local raid on Gatty's Quart Shop. The world
+news was minimized by the local affair. We gave it little thought. In
+the week following, several cattle men headquartered here and at
+Grandaddy's. They inspected several herds to include the Bar-O outfit.
+And later still, they raided the Bar-O premises. They were railroad
+detectives, posing as cattle buyers. They were too late. They got
+nothing but some bits of evidence that the train robbers had used the
+Bar-O as a hangout. Maizie explained to the detectives and sheriff
+that the strangers represented themselves as mineral prospectors. They
+worked in the hills in the daytime. They left in the evening following
+the cattle inspection. She reported that her nephew, Steve Adams, was
+in Chicago, had been there for several weeks. A check up revealed that
+this was true.
+
+"A further check up revealed that these strangers had stayed all
+night at the Unicorn Ranch near Northgate. Abel Sneed, the Unicorn
+boss, as a matter of precaution went through their 'war bags' while
+they slept. He found nothing unusual, surely no money.
+
+"What became of this giant sum that was blasted out of the safe after
+wounding the messenger? Neither the detectives nor anyone else ever
+found a trace of it. But a further enigma was added to the mystery
+when a month later Archie Barrow, the younger brother, came to the
+Records office and made a deed of his undivided share in the Bar-O
+lands to his brother Hulls. Archie made the statement that he was
+through, was leaving for the Northwest, and that he would not return.
+
+"Hulls Barrow surely didn't get the Express Company's money. A year or
+two later Maizie brought him to town to give the bank a mortgage to
+secure funds to defend Steve Adams, charged with murdering Allie
+Garrett. Maizie hired a firm of Denver lawyers and the case went
+through all the complications of venue, trial, and appeal.
+
+"This trial was the community's biggest event, although it had origin
+in a barroom brawl. During its progress, business was suspended while
+the public swarmed in, hoping that the truth of the Barrow mysteries
+might be revealed. The public was disappointed. Steve Adams never took
+the witness stand, although many thought he had an even chance to
+convince a jury that he was not the aggressor. The prosecutor was
+materially aided in the case by Judge Griffith of Laramie. There was
+no record as to who paid Judge Griffith, but Grandaddy was highly
+gratified that the accused got a ten-year sentence. He was one man in
+the community that knew of Griffith's ability as a prosecutor.
+
+"And now that old mortgage is being foreclosed. The Bar-O is on the
+market at a forced sale. If Grandaddy knew about it, he wouldn't sleep
+until he owned it. If he were ten years younger he would go over there
+and shoot it out with Hulls Barrow for the possession. And he needs
+more land about as badly as he needs ten thumbs on one hand. He
+already owns all that joins his, his holdings envelope the Bar-O on
+three sides. He might covet the grazing rights in the Tranquil Meadows
+district, but two of our winter grazing meadows will lay idle this
+winter and our fifty ricks of hay are about four times more than we
+can use.
+
+"Really, Grandaddy doesn't want more land, wouldn't buy other
+adjoining land, but he would spend every available cent to get rid of
+the Barrows. I have two slender, lingering hopes. First, if he does
+find out about the sale and buys it, that there will still be money
+left in the keyster. And secondly, if he should buy it, I hope I can
+persuade him to sell it to some first class, reputable rancher.
+Someone with a family with whom we can be neighborly and the men folks
+can exchange work in the busy season."
+
+"How much is this mortgage thing?" questioned Davy, as the lengthy
+story seemed near the end. "What's due the grazing master? How many
+cattle are they running? When is this sale? Who can I see about the
+details? Maybe I could find somebody to take over. And anyhow, don't
+you worry about expense money. Mrs. Gillis has enough cash-on-hand to
+take care of all of us, unless this panic grows into a financial
+cyclone."
+
+"Mister Potter, out at the stables, knows most of the details. Mister
+Finch and a deputy sheriff were here this morning, talking it over
+with him. As I understand it, Mister Logan, the bank receiver, bought
+the land at the sale, but it seems that a bank receiver can't hold the
+land, he must sell it to make cash assets. Mister Logan has the bank's
+affairs in good shape, except for this item, and it's got him badly
+worried. Just now, he thinks it would have been better to have sold
+the note and mortgage to someone and let the buyer take the grief of
+getting possession. Anyhow, talk to Mister Potter, he has the answers
+to most of your questions. See him, by all means," urged Adine Lough
+as Davy prepared to join the impatient Landy standing at the door.
+
+
+
+
+11
+
+
+"We've got a lot of work cut out for us," said Davy as he and Landy
+walked down the drive to the stables. "I want to talk to Potter, but I
+don't want to show too much interest. I want to get some information
+about this Barrow resistance that's got 'em all stirred up. How big is
+this Bar-O ranch anyhow? How much money does this receiver gent need
+to have to get in the clear? How much is owed on the grazing
+allotment? And how come that a sheriff's posse can't depose one old
+man?"
+
+"Old Jim and I were jist talkin' about this same thing," said Landy as
+they paused at the yard gate.
+
+"Does Mr. Lough know about it?" exclaimed the astonished midget.
+"Adine didn't want him to know! Who tipped it off to him?"
+
+Landy chuckled as he fingered the gate latch. "Old Jim's been 'round a
+right smart time, en he don't confer with young women on business
+matters. He read the leetle fine print legal ad in the papers en he
+sent his handyman, Joe Craig, to Logan, the receiver gent, en got all
+the details."
+
+"Does he want the ranch?" questioned Davy.
+
+"Naw!" scorned Landy. "Old Jim says hit will be eight years before the
+ranchin' business can git back on hits feet, en by that time he'll be
+moulderin' dust en dry bones. Old Jim's still harpin' on that funeral
+business. Now he plans to hold a big barbecue en send out invitations.
+Jim's got the money all right, but he wants to spend hit on a big,
+spread-eagle funeral."
+
+"Adine should know about this. It will save her a lot of worry," said
+Davy, and he hastened back to the house. Presently he rejoined his
+companion, who was watching a party of horsemen coming down the lane
+back of the stables.
+
+"Looks like a retreat," was Landy's comment. "I don't see eny scalps
+a-hangin' on their spears."
+
+"How big is this Bar-O affair, how many acres?" questioned the little
+man.
+
+"They don't measure in acres," said Landy, still watching the
+approaching party. "Old Jim says hit's about eight sections, four wide
+and two deep."
+
+"How big is this judgment? How much money would this receiver and
+grazing master have to have to get 'em in the clear? What's the
+friction that they can't get these resisting parties to see the
+inevitable?"
+
+"Thar's Logan en Finch, with Flinthead en Hickory," exclaimed Landy,
+as the horsemen approached the far gate. "She's a water-haul. Old
+Hulls has stood 'em off ag'in. Now about yer questions. If ya would
+put' em through the chute, one at a time, 'stead of pushin' 'em up in
+droves, I could answer better. On the money question, I git this from
+old Jim. He gits hit from Joe Craig, en he got hit from Logan, so I
+guess hit's right. The original note was three thousand dollars. They
+overdrew en added some. The int'rest en costs runs hit to forty-two
+hundred. The grass bill is less'n three hundred. The whole biz is near
+forty-five hundred."
+
+"Why, a little performing elephant is worth that!" scorned the midget.
+"The script of a good vaudeville act would sell for twice as much.
+What's the matter with the local moneychangers? What's the whole thing
+worth anyhow? Why doesn't some diplomat wheedle old Hulls off? And
+why--"
+
+"How much is yer little elephant earnin' now, eatin' his head off in
+winter quarters?" interrupted Landy dryly. "Whar would ye show yer
+vaudeville act with the show places all closed? Hit's the same here en
+all over.
+
+"Ef I was a young man, I'd take a fling at this thing," said Landy
+soberly. "She's wuth about ten times the amount asked. Alice has a
+leetle money, not that much maybe, en she's purty tight, yit hit might
+be done. Old Jim Lough is cautious and reliable, but he's set the
+date of the comeback too far off. Cattle is gittin' scarcer every day
+and people must eat. I'm too old to mess in, but a youngster could
+take over en double his money in five years. In ten years he'd be
+asking ten times the price he'd paid. But with the banks closed en
+investors in a financial stampede, five thousand dollars can't be
+picked outen the sage...."
+
+"Why, Landy! I can have five thousand dollars here in five days,"
+interrupted Davy. "If there was any way to move Hulls and Maizie out,
+I would deal with 'em before they dismounted." Davy waved his hand in
+the direction of the horsemen that had stopped at the farther corral
+to inspect the weaned calves.
+
+"Hulls en Maizie woulda been out long ago if they'd quit snoopin'
+around and let Hulls peddle a few cows to git money to travel on. I've
+got a musty but reliable tip Hulls is itchin' to go. Hit's too long a
+tale to tell without stim'lants, but Archie has sent fer Hulls en
+Maizie, wants 'em to come en he'p him with a roomin' house down in
+Arizony, whar they're a-buildin' a big dam, en things are boomin'.
+Hulls is shore plannin' a git-away. He thinks he can drive through en
+take some plunder with him. He's traded off his ridin' hosses fer
+harness critters. He's contracted Ike Steele fer a light spring wagon.
+With a little money in his pocket, Hulls is ready. You buy this thing,
+Son! Slip Hulls a hundred en he's out en gone.
+
+"Anyhow, let's listen to their talk. They've finished another failure
+en are worried. Sass 'em if ye want to, en kid 'em out of the hundred
+if ye can," was Landy's final caution as the party of horsemen
+dismounted and loitered to hear Potter and Landy's caustic comments
+before going to their car, parked outside the gate. Landy introduced
+Davy as a newcomer.
+
+"Ye should have had my podner here with ye this mornin'," badgered
+Landy. "His size en power mighta skeered Hulls en made him quit."
+
+Logan laughed as he pictured the midget in a contest with shaggy Hulls
+Barrow. "Maybe we could deal with Hulls," he said, "if we could get
+him away from the woman. If your young friend has a way with women,
+could lure Maizie out of hearing for a few moments, we could sure use
+him."
+
+"Well, I've never won any medals in contests for women's favors," said
+Davy, "but I've found that a bouquet of flattery sometimes helps. Have
+you tried the Rose-Chrysanthemum method?"
+
+"That's what we were trying today," said Logan resignedly, "but
+instead of roses and posies it turned out to be brickbats and
+cabbages. You see, we left the sheriff at home and took along the men
+from here, hoping to get past the guard line and count up what cattle
+is left on the place. But it was no use. The yard fence was the
+deadline. Maizie was right at Hull's elbow, commanding her one-man
+army to fire at will. Not being armed, we fell back to consolidate
+losses instead of gains. Have you any suggestions or plans?" Logan's
+reply and question was directed at Landy. Like others, in their first
+contact with midgets, he was giving Davy the status of a child. He
+could not credit him with experience or expect counsel from that
+source. Landy's reply was not comforting.
+
+"Wal, hit does look like a couple o' killin's en the expense of two
+funerals 'fore ye can git action. Old Matt, the daddy of 'em, is
+reported as havin' a private graveyard, scattered eround somewhar. Hit
+might come in handy in this emergency. In yer gaddin' around have ye
+ever seen enything like hit?" concluded Landy, turning to Davy.
+
+"I never did!" said the midget emphatically. "It's got more
+entanglements than the time Solly Monheim took the bankrupt law to
+escape bankruptcy. That's the way Solly explained it after his show
+went on the rocks at Lincoln. And anyhow," he added to Logan, "why
+don't you peddle the thing to someone else and let them take the grief
+and do the slaughtering?"
+
+"There's no slaughtering, as you call it, involved," said Logan with
+much dignity. "It's a lawful proceeding. If anyone is killed it will
+be done legally and in due process of enforcing the law."
+
+"So you left the law out of it, left the sheriff at home, and went
+prowling on your own. If the old belligerent had cut down on one of
+these cow hands this morning, everything would have been legal and
+orderly?"
+
+Davy's sarcasm struck home. Logan's face flushed. He realized that he
+was talking to an adult, not a child. He resented the criticism. But
+for the fact that the little man was a friend of Landy Spencer he
+would have made a harsh reply or ignored him entirely.
+
+"Well, just what is your interest in the matter?" he questioned. "I
+don't see your name on the list of bank stockholders. Maybe you are
+kin to the Barrows, sort of looking after their interests?"
+
+"No, I am not related to the Barrows. Never had the pleasure of ever
+seeing one of 'em. I don't know where they live, couldn't find the
+place without a guide. Wouldn't know how big it was after I'd seen it.
+I'm just an innocent bystander with big ears and a lot of curiosity.
+There is a rumor abroad that the ranch is in the hands of a receiver,
+that it's for sale, that the receiver is having some trouble about
+possession. If I could get just a few facts and find this receiver,
+I'd make him a proposition to buy it 'as is,' as the auctioneers
+sometimes say."
+
+"You have never seen the ranch?" questioned the astonished Logan. "You
+would bid sight-unseen for a property that you don't know where it's
+located--would accept a deed without possession? Young man, you need a
+guardian."
+
+"I had one once," retorted the midget, "and in the eight months of his
+management he turned over quite a lot of money to me, enough to gamble
+on, to buy a block of blue sky or a pig in a poke. Maybe there's
+enough to make a bid on a ranch, a property with a crazy man on it,
+armed with a gun and threatening to shoot intruders. If you are the
+receiver, I want to make a bid for the Bar-O ranch, as it is."
+
+"No bids are solicited," said Logan severely. "The judgment is for
+forty-two hundred dollars. I bid it in for that, and must account for
+that amount. Then there are expenses and costs being added from time
+to time--"
+
+"Now you've hit center," interrupted the midget. "You've pricked the
+sore spot. There are costs being added, and time being frittered, and
+nothing accomplished. It might run on this way for months, and you
+hoping to have the collection cleaned up and get the bank opened soon
+thereafter.
+
+"Now I'm wanting to help, wanting to get on the payroll. Here's how.
+Between now and next Thursday I'll pay you four thousand dollars for a
+deed to the Bar-O ranch. You make the consideration the full forty-two
+hundred and show, in your report, an expense of two hundred in getting
+possession. Then it's up to me to get old Shells, or Hulls, or what's
+his name, to move out. It might cost me the two hundred, it might cost
+a lot more; that's my lookout. Maybe the old guy won't move at all.
+But in any event, I shall not resort to law, won't call the sheriff to
+get killed or get action. With winter coming on and a woman mixed up
+in the case, it would be too bad to set 'em out in the snow without
+shelter or money."
+
+Adine Lough, more deeply interested in the outcome than any other
+person present, had come from the house to join the little party now
+congregated in front of Potter's little office building. She heard
+Davy's final proposition. She saw tough, seasoned old Landy Spencer
+furtively reach down and pat the little man on the back.
+
+"What about the cattle?" asked Finch, breaking the tension.
+
+"Are any cattle left, and how many?" Davy countered promptly.
+
+"I don't know," replied Finch sheepishly. "We didn't get to count 'em
+this morning. There's probably thirty or forty old cows with unweaned
+calves and a bull or two. Then there's a bunch of wild, unbranded
+yearlings, probably twenty or thirty, over on that pasture by the
+cliffs. He's got no feed, no hay put up, and has probably been selling
+off some of the better cows and calves."
+
+"How much are you set back in this debacle?" asked the midget,
+dropping his bantering tone.
+
+"The Bar-O ranch owes me, not the government; I have always advanced
+the money. Two hundred and eighty dollars. You see," Finch hastened to
+explain, "the government has an area in there that's rather
+inaccessible. They've been holding it for settlement. It's more than
+the Bar-O folks need, but there's no one else, unless I bring in sheep
+men and open up an old controversy. So, in the years past, I've
+haggled money out of the Barrows, just a little at a time, but we've
+kept friendly until now. Now, it looks like I'm up against the iron."
+
+"You're not so bad off," chuckled Davy, "you've had a fine lot of
+experience. Here's my proposition on your case. If the receiver
+accepts my offer of a deed without possession, I'll give you a hundred
+dollars. If I get possession in the next two years, and you allot me
+the grazing rights to that area, I'll pay you the balance. If I don't
+get possession in that time, you can charge off the balance due. Do I
+hear any takers?" said the little man, simulating the call of an
+auctioneer.
+
+"Well, I'm a taker," said Finch resignedly. "It's a rough road, but it
+seems the only way. What's your reaction, Logan? Are you a taker?"
+
+"I'm a taker, when there's anything to take. How are you to get the
+money in here?" he asked of Davy. "Without a bank, we can't handle
+checks or drafts. How do you plan the payment?"
+
+"Is there a telegraph station in Adot? No? Well, that's too bad. If
+there was a commercial pay station there, I could have the money here
+this afternoon. As it is, I suppose I would have to have the actual
+currency shipped by express to Laramie or Cheyenne. Where do you do
+banking?" he asked of Logan.
+
+"I have an account with the Guaranty at Laramie and with the First
+National at Cheyenne. I hope to have our bank here opened by the
+holidays."
+
+"The holidays would be too late. Hulls might kill somebody, or
+voluntarily move out and spoil the trade. Also, I'll have to have
+added money--have to open an account to get funds with which to
+appease Hulls or to live on, while I am working at it. I have never
+been in Laramie and I nearly got killed in Cheyenne, so I'll open an
+account at Cheyenne. If you say you'll trade, I'll get on the phone
+and have the cash or an acceptable draft in Cheyenne as soon as the
+mail can get it there."
+
+"Well, I guess I'll trade," said Logan resignedly. "This Barrow thing
+is the last outstanding debt due the bank. I hope the judge will
+approve my report of the matter, so that I can get the bank opened by
+Christmas. We will have to go to town and draw up a contract. Can you
+go today?"
+
+"Well, I will have to go somewhere to get on a long distance telephone
+about sending the money. Where to and how much. With the winter
+weather approaching, I may have to wallow through snowdrifts to get to
+Cheyenne, but that's a risk incident to the business."
+
+"We'll get you over to Cheyenne," interrupted Potter, who had shown
+deep interest in the conversation, "we'll get you over if we have to
+use a snow plow. Maybe you've got the magic to get this row settled.
+At any rate, it's worth a trial."
+
+"I have a telephone in my office at Adot," said Logan. "I am using the
+back room of the bank as an office. I've kept the phone."
+
+"Is there an extension on it?" asked Davy eagerly. "Yes? Fine. When I
+get this banker on the phone, I want you to listen in. It's an
+education to any man to hear Ralph Gaynor talk. He's the boss of the
+Dollar Savings Bank in Springfield. It isn't a big bank, just a stout
+one. And now all the others are looking to him for advice. Of course
+he'll razz me about making a venture in these hazardous times, but it
+will be worth your time to hear him do it."
+
+"How are we to get back from Adot?" asked the midget abruptly of
+Landy.
+
+"I'll take you over and bring you back," interposed Adine Lough. "I
+want to hear that man sass you over the phone, if he can get in a word
+edgewise, and you on the other end of the line."
+
+Davy laughed with the others. "Well, the parade starts promptly at
+eleven, the doors to the Big Show open at one, let's git goin'," said
+the little man, simulating a circus announcer.
+
+Adine went to the house for her hat. Potter maneuvered her roadster
+out to the driveway, after checking the gas and oil. Then a flushed
+girl, a midget man, and an aging Nestor of other days drove away on a
+mission that pleased them all.
+
+
+
+
+12
+
+
+The State Bank of Adot had been an important institution in an
+unimportant community. It employed three people and enlarged its
+chartered rights to perform many services in the little community. In
+the prosperous days following the World War it added to its surplus
+and paid fair dividends to scattered owners of limited shares. Its
+service was appreciated by home folks; its prosperity attracted the
+attention of Aaron Logan.
+
+Logan, with limited capital and an alert mind, operated a petty loan
+business. He traded for what-have-you. In the early twenties, he
+exchanged his chips and whetstones for single shares of bank stock.
+Arriving at a favorable status, he persuaded the bank directors to
+enlarge the capital to absorb his petty loan business. In 1924, he
+quit the "street" to accept a cushioned chair in the rear room of the
+bank. His experience would add caution and prudence.
+
+For, just now, the cattle business was slipping; prices were falling
+below the cost of production. Home folks were not buying; the rescued
+European nations forgot, as usual, their benefactor and dickered for
+meager supplies of meats and grains at other marts. America's foreign
+trade sank to a new low. Her thousands of merchant craft rocked
+listlessly and rusted quickly in stagnant waters while the false
+prophets of Mammon urged idle capital to pyramid a luring stock market
+to a glorious peak and final crash.
+
+The banks of America were the first to feel the pinch. Some waited too
+long--waited to dole out to a frenzied public all available cash and
+close the doors too late for solvency. But not so with the Bank of
+Adot. Aaron Logan got his order for receivership before his public
+went frantic and while cash was yet available. Under court order he
+was proceeding to thaw out the frozen items of assets, and planned to
+open the institution to those who would limit their withdrawals to
+stated amounts. He made progress in these endeavors until he bumped
+into the stone wall of the Barrow loan. Really, it wasn't a giant sum,
+as such sums are rated in banking circles, but in the present instance
+it represented the difference between opening a bank or keeping it
+closed.
+
+Aaron Logan had given the matter of this Bar-O affair much thought. He
+had canvassed every available prospect. In all the community there
+wasn't a person that would give a thin dime for a property with a
+defiant oldster thereon, who would certainly kill or be killed if
+possession was to be gained. And a killing was bad advertisement, a
+poor prelude to opening a bank.
+
+But in the very hour he planned to execute this last resort, a rank
+outsider, an unknown and uncanvassed source, a little runt of a man
+with more confidence and assurance than his size would warrant, was
+offering to take over the ranch and assume the problem. Aaron Logan
+regarded it as a slender chance--could not believe that one so small
+could have earned so much--but he would take the chance. He headed his
+car up Willow Street to stop at the bank's rear door. He waved Adine
+to a favorable parking space.
+
+"I will call Mr. Limeledge, my lawyer, to draw up a contract," he said
+as the party of five were seated in the back room.
+
+"Well, that's hardly necessary," said Davy. "If you jot down a memo
+that you will make a deed to David Lannarck to the Bar-O ranch upon
+payment, on or before October 18th, 1932, of four thousand dollars in
+cash and a probable expenditure of two hundred dollars in getting
+possession, and sign it, I will also sign it and it will be an
+agreement. But before we do anything, I want to get on the phone to
+see if I can contact Ralph Gaynor. None of you folks really know me. I
+want you to listen in so that we can get acquainted. Here's the money
+for the long distance call," he added. "Tell the operator that it's
+OK."
+
+Aaron Logan didn't like being told what to do, especially by a little
+cocksure midget. But there was the matter of getting rid of a bad
+problem. He complied with Davy's request.
+
+"This is David Lannarck at phone fifty. I want to talk to Ralph
+Gaynor, at phone BA two hundred in the Dollar Savings Bank in
+Springfield. Yes, that's the state. I should have said so, for it's a
+grand old commonwealth. I'll be right here for an hour."
+
+In the lull of waiting, Aaron Logan wondered--wondered how one so
+small hoped to depose one so fierce and stubborn. He would find out.
+"Do you think you can get Hulls and Maizie out of there by
+Thanksgiving?" he inquired politely.
+
+"It doesn't really matter," said David languidly. "But I must try to
+get acquainted with 'em; make friends with 'em if I can."
+
+"Why do you hope to persuade 'em to get off?" exclaimed the
+astonished receiver. "I've seen 'em. They're impossible."
+
+"Maybe you didn't see 'em at their best," replied the midget quietly.
+"I've never seen either of them, but I've had several descriptions
+from others and this Maizie shows possibilities."
+
+"Possibilities for what?" snorted Logan. "That woman is a she-devil
+that would commit murder to gain her ends. She wouldn't listen to a
+governor granting her a reprieve. And anyhow, what are her
+possibilities?"
+
+"I understand, from descriptions, that she is of the gypsy type--dark,
+languid, glamorous. If she's all that, I can place her." Davy's reply
+was slow and indifferent. Now he brightened up to add: "Say, when I
+get on the phone, shall I tell him to send me a draft on a Denver bank
+or shall I tell him to ship the cold cash by express, or wire it to
+Cheyenne by Western Union?"
+
+"Cold cash is never out of place in paying a bill, but if you have a
+draft sent to the First National in Cheyenne, we can go there and make
+the transfer. I need to go to Cheyenne anyhow."
+
+"And I need some added cash," said Davy Lannarck. "I'll have 'em make
+the draft for five thousand. The First National can split it as we
+direct."
+
+Davy made much of jotting down notes; Landy Spencer sat quietly, his
+face immobile; Adine Lough went to the window ostensibly to dab on
+make-up, but really to suppress smiles and stifle laughter. A man of
+importance--a bank receiver, an arm of the court--was being kidded and
+he didn't know it.
+
+In the drive across country from the B-line ranch, the three in the
+roadster planned and outlined their conduct at this proposed
+conference at the bank. Landy related fully the incident as to why he
+knew that Hulls Barrow and Maizie planned a quick getaway. Landy had
+contacted Ike Steele only a day or two ago and Ike's story of the
+wagon trade unfolded the plot. Stripped of inconsequential details,
+Ike's story follows:
+
+Ugly Collins, a former resident, was back on important business. Ugly
+had left the country a decade ago, following his acquittal for petty
+thieving. In his driftings about, he landed in Las Vegas. There he
+contacted another former resident in the person of Archie Barrow.
+Archie was in the money. He was sole proprietor of a big rooming house
+in a community that was being congested with trainloads of steel,
+cement, derricks, and cluttered with humanity who had come to build,
+and were building, a great dam in the nearby Colorado River. Archie
+needed help to carry on a business that had increased a hundredfold.
+He recalled his brother Hulls, who might be useful, but he
+particularly recalled the executive capacities of Maizie. She was
+badly needed to prod the Mexican women in their labors of making beds
+and sweeping rooms that were occupied twice daily.
+
+But Archie knew it would be useless to write to a brother that never
+went to the post office and was remote from rural deliveries. He was
+happy to contact Ugly Collins. And just now, Ugly had two objectives:
+one, to get away from a place where work was paramount; the other, to
+get back to Adot and look after a possible inheritance. He understood
+that his mother had died, leaving the little homestead that surely
+should have sold for more than mere funeral expenses.
+
+A deal was quickly made. Archie would pay train fare and Ugly would
+contact Hulls and Maizie; would move the bankrupts out of trouble and
+poverty to an Eldorado of prosperity. For once in his varied and
+useless career Ugly performed a successful mission. Hulls and Maizie
+readily agreed to the plan. They would drive through--taking with them
+needed and useful plunder. Having seen Maizie, Ugly decided he would
+travel back with them. All details for the trip were now completed,
+except that a little more expense money was badly needed.
+
+Landy cautioned Ike Steele not to disclose the proposed move to
+anyone else. Vaguely, Landy entertained the hope that someone--just
+who, he had not planned--would buy the Bar-O. Acting on a hunch, he
+"touched" his sister Alice for a hundred. On the drive-in, Adine
+stopped the car while Davy invoiced his available cash at sixty-five
+dollars. These conspirators now planned that immediately after a
+contract was signed, Landy would search out Ike Steele, give him the
+hundred dollars, to be given to Ugly Collins when the party was loaded
+and on their way. Ike would be paid a personal ten, if he got it done.
+
+And these conspirators made other plans. Knowing that in the interval
+of getting phone connections they would be beset with furtive
+questions from a curious executive. What was he going to do with the
+ranch? how did he plan to get the resisters off? and other pertinent
+questions, they planned for evasive answers.
+
+"Leave that to me," said Mr. Lannarck. "I think I can parry every
+thrust, can lead him through a mystic maze of information that will
+pile up a lot of useless knowledge." And the little man was getting
+along very well with his assignment, as Adine polished her nose at the
+window and Landy Spencer sat quietly, seeming uninterested in mere
+worldly affairs.
+
+"You were speaking of employment awhile ago," said the persistent
+Logan. "You spoke of 'placing' Maizie. Do you conduct that kind of an
+agency?"
+
+"No," said Davy, still busy with his notes. "In Maizie's case, I would
+have to buy out the business, plan the details of her dress and
+appearance, and 'plant' her as a 'front'--a 'come-on'--for the
+suckers' money."
+
+The bewildered receiver had let the craft of conversation drift into
+strange waters. Was he dealing with a moron or a maniac? Except that
+this was the only bid he had ever had--the only prospect in sight--for
+a deal that would open a bank, he would take the phone, cancel the
+call and dismiss the conference. In desperation he would make another
+try.
+
+"Well, I don't know what you are talking about, but I do know this
+Maizie woman. If these places you speak of call for a stubborn
+hellion, then you've got the right party. But I would like to know
+just where she could be made into a useful thing?"
+
+"I wasn't thinking of her temperament," said Davy as he folded up his
+memorandum. "She's described as the gypsy type. Such a type is
+valuable when properly placed. Were you ever at Coney Island?" he
+asked abruptly. "No? Well, it's a resort, a playground, down New York
+way. Henry Hudson landed here, and many another Dutchman has been
+'landed' and made regrettable discoveries right on this same spot. It
+has a bathing beach where the gals show what they've got and fat men
+flounder and cavort far beyond their capacities. Up from the beach is
+the midway proper--a carnival or street fair, with bandstands and
+dance platforms, peep shows, free shows, and legits. At the proper
+season these places are alive with spenders. They bring in carloads of
+money and take away nothing more tangible than experience. Why, Mister
+Logan, a man of your talents could spend profitable days at Coney
+Island in the study of financial circulation, could write a book,
+entitled 'The Slippery Dollar; Its Origin, Its Travels, Its
+Destination'! Some of these dollars have origin in work and sweat and
+some stem from blood and tears, but all--"
+
+"And just where in this mess would this Maizie woman belong?"
+interrupted Logan desperately. "Your recital is interesting, but it
+doesn't get to the point. Where and why would you place her?"
+
+"Why, I'd place her as a 'front' down at the fortune-teller's booth,"
+replied Davy quickly. "I'd either buy out--or buy in--with Tony Garci,
+who has a concession, and plant Maizie right at the tent-flap as a
+'come-on.' Her name would have to be Madame Tousan, or Princess
+Caraza, or some such, and she would have to dress the part. Black and
+red, maybe, with plastered hair and a coppery skin. A quart of rings
+and bracelets on each hand and arm, horseshoe earrings, and a big
+ostrich fan. Never a word of English, mind you! She'd just wave the
+fan to the entrance and inner glories where Tulu Garrat, Tony's wife,
+would read palms, or the crystal ball, and take the money."
+
+Davy, too, was getting a bit anxious. He was running out of details.
+He glanced at the phone, hoping for relief. None came. He rambled on.
+
+"If I ran this fortune-telling dump, I'd lift it out of the
+ten-twent'-thirt' class, to an even smacker--maybe two. I'd give 'em a
+written reading with 'a hunch' in it. They all play hunches down
+there. Hoss racing, stock market, numbers rackets, and such. They'd
+play my hunches. If they win, I'd have wide advertisement; if they
+lose, nothing said.
+
+"Off hand, I'd say the racket was good for a 'grand' a week. Maizie
+would get fifty, Tony and his wife a hundred smackers, another fifty
+for the concession. In ten weeks, I could pay for the Bar-O and
+have--" The telephone rang. "If that's for me," said the little man to
+Aaron Logan, "get on that extension and listen to the story of a
+misspent life, for I'll try to get him to tell it."
+
+As the conversation was both spoken and heard, both are here given.
+
+"Hello, hello. Yes, this is David Lannarck. Hello, Ralph. This is your
+midget friend Davy. I'm in Adot--yes, that's what I said--what they
+all say.... A dot on what? It's out of Cheyenne--a good ways out. But
+I want to do business as of Cheyenne. I want you to send a Denver
+draft to The First National Bank at Cheyenne for five thousand
+dollars, to arrive there before the eighteenth of October."
+
+The phone was working splendidly; even those without an earpiece could
+hear the over-production.
+
+"This is a fine time to separate a bank from assets. What are you
+buying? Blue sky or a phony gold mine?"
+
+"Neither one," said Davy promptly. "It's a ranch--with an old man on
+it--with a gun, defying all comers."
+
+"Why, I thought the old cattle wars were all over," came the reply. "I
+suppose, on account of your size, you hope to slip through the guard
+line."
+
+"Naw," replied Davy, "it really doesn't matter whether the old man
+gets off or stays on. It's ten sections. If things brighten up a bit,
+it looks worth the money."
+
+"Ten sections?" came the astonished inquiry. "How will you ever see it
+all--you with short legs?"
+
+"Why, I've got a hoss," said Davy proudly, "I've got the finest hoss
+west of the Big River. He can do tricks too. By spring I can have him
+doing stunts that will make Bill Reviere's act look like a practice
+stunt."
+
+"Well, God help poor sailors on a night like this, and midgets too.
+But at that, I think you are in the right groove. Things will loosen
+up; they've got to. Have your title examined carefully. See that your
+grantor is responsible."
+
+"I'm buying it from a bank receiver. It's a part of the frozen
+assets," interrupted Davy. "The bank is to reopen when this is
+settled."
+
+"Now let me get this right. You want a Denver draft, sent to you, care
+of the First National Bank in Cheyenne, Wyoming, for five thousand
+dollars." The words were slowly said as if a memorandum was being
+made. "All right. The item will go out this evening. Good luck and a
+prosperous investment."
+
+"Hold on, Ralph, just a minute. I'm in that bank that's to reopen. The
+phone here has an extension. The fellow with whom I am dealing is on
+that extension. No one out here knows me--I need an introduction. Will
+you briefly tell 'em who I am?"
+
+"Well, that's bad," came a laughing reply. "It might ruin everything.
+But here goes. Mister Receiver, David Lannarck, with whom I am
+talking, is a midget--nearly forty inches tall and about thirty years
+of age. He was born here, inherited a comfortable estate that we
+manage--collect his rents, pay his taxes and repair bills. We also pay
+his generous church contributions and charity donations. He has never
+drawn a cent from the accumulations. For the last decade I have seen
+little of him. He travels extensively--in vaudeville, with circuses.
+He comes back about once a year to deposit his earnings. These we keep
+separately because that's the way he wants it. He writes no checks.
+Simply tells us what to do, and we do it. Only once before this has he
+called on us. That was a train wreck and an injury that interrupted
+his routine. He phoned for us to pay bills and we paid 'em, as we are
+paying this one.
+
+"He's affable, charitable to those he likes, talks the jargon of the
+circus people, and is, with all, a truthful, likeable chap. Is there
+anything else, Mister Receiver?"
+
+"Thank you, Ralph, and good-by," said Davy as he hung up.
+
+Hastily Aaron Logan prepared a memo stating the terms of the sale.
+Adine Lough made a copy. Both were signed by both interested parties,
+then Davy paid Finch fifty dollars on his contract and the meeting
+adjourned. Davy and Adine went to Jode's restaurant for a bite to eat.
+Landy went in search of Ike Steele to post a deposit for a quick
+getaway and, strange as it may seem, Aaron Logan sought the same
+person and with a similar purpose.
+
+
+
+
+13
+
+
+Adine Lough had high rating in the community affairs of Adot. Her zeal
+for higher education, her church work, and her general deportment gave
+her contact with the better element that was trying to modernize--trying
+to lift a community up and out of the rawness of frontier days. But if
+the critics, the estimators of social standing, had seen her and her
+associates on this fine October afternoon, they would have moved her
+down several rungs on the social ladder.
+
+She was in close conference with a midget, an ex-circus man, out of
+work and advertised widely to give a talk at the warehouse Saturday
+night! (They would hear this talk before making a final estimate.) And
+Adine's other conferee was old Landy Spencer, a notorious resister of
+progress, who spoke in the language of other days, whose
+appearance--from battered hat to narrow bootheels--simply pictured the
+undesirable past; his associates, when he came to town, were of the
+rabble--the lower stratum. Very true, in other days, the bank had
+given him a rating as not needing endorsers if he sought a loan. Very
+true, Judge Sample had stated publicly that he would accept Landy
+Spencer's word without the formalities of being sworn, but as a social
+factor in the community, Landy didn't know where the social ladder was
+located, let alone about reaching the lower rung. And all afternoon
+Adine Lough was in close conference with such as these!
+
+Landy returned to Jode's place sooner than he was expected. There was
+a sheepish grin on his weathered face. "They beat me to hit," he said
+in a low voice as Jode went back to the stove for his steak and
+potatoes. (His companions were munching wafers and drinking chocolate
+milk.) "Ike had already been en done hit."
+
+Being served, and with Jode in the kitchen, the aged courier disclosed
+the results of his mission. "Ye don't tell Ike what's on yer mind;
+jist give him rope, git him started, en he'll come from under cover. I
+went to his shop en he wasn't workin'. Seemed to be waitin'. I prodded
+in, en he unfolded that he was waitin' for Logan. Our Logan, ye
+understand. Hit whetted my int'rest; I prodded ag'in, en with results.
+Ike said that Logan came to his shop Tuesday. He'd seen Ugly Collins
+a-hangin' 'round Ike's place, en he wanted a quick move by Ugly. He
+slipped Ike two new twenty-dollar bills en told him to loan 'em to
+Ugly if he made a quick git-away. Ike did as d'rected. Ugly come en
+got the wagon this atternoon. Promised that he'd load tonight en be on
+the road by midnight.
+
+"Well! That settled the coffee! I didn't keer to hang eround eny more.
+But I did want a whit more information. Did Logan know that old Hulls
+en Maizie were included? 'Naw,' scorned Ike, 'Logan didn't even know
+that Ugly knew 'em--didn't know that Ugly had ever been at the Bar-O.
+Logan didn't know about the wagon. Thought the forty was about right
+for train fare. He jist wanted Ugly out of the country en I got hit
+done,' says Ike.
+
+"I didn't keer to meet Logan--then. I remembered that I had some boots
+at Billy's fer half solin', en I slipped Ike a five spot with the
+caution that he was to say nothin' in his report to Logan about who
+was in Ugly's party. Ike wanted me to stay en listen to his ideas as
+to why Logan wanted a quick move by Ugly, but I already had my notions
+about that. I slipped away fast. But in comin' here I remembered that
+I hadn't left eny boots with Billy."
+
+Landy finished his steak and story about the same time.
+
+"Well, do you think they will get away tonight?" asked Davy eagerly.
+"Is there any way that we can hang around and find out? Why would
+Logan want this Ugly party to get out of the country? Why can't we--"
+
+"Thar ye go! Crowdin' the question-chute. Son, ye orta number 'em, en
+I could answer by number. Anyhow, let's git goin'! Hit's a long ways
+home--with a change of cars at the B-line, en the last lap ain't fit
+fer night ridin'. We can talk while we ride. Out thar, Jode won't be
+hangin' around, shufflin' the dishes en tryin' to get an earful. Let's
+go."
+
+On the way home, Adine Lough was the happy one of the trio. The
+revealing incidents of the day had cleared away the threatening dark
+financial cloud. Now if her father could only be brought home with the
+assurance of his getting well, her cup of happiness would be
+overflowing. Just now, she was planning an added chapter to her
+thesis, "Welfare Work in Rural Communities." She would touch on the
+subject of "Aid from Unexpected Sources," for she had experienced just
+that! In the events of the day, it was revealed that a little, unknown
+midget of a man, with a doubtful background, was indeed a man,
+mentally, morally, and financially. Back of his cynicism--often
+expressed in the jargon of the underworld--was an alert mind that
+could lead an inquisitor into a maze of unaccomplishments.
+
+Too, in said thesis, she would make some radical changes in the
+paragraphs touching on "influences of pioneer habits and traits in
+community upbuilding, etc." The recent conduct and tactful
+accomplishments of Landy Spencer were the reasons for such a change.
+Heretofore, she had welcomed old Landy as a visitor to the B-line for
+the reason that Grandaddy liked him, wanted to confab and badger about
+the old days. She had casually learned that Landy had had to work as a
+boy, as a youth, and as a young man, that he had accumulated enough so
+that he could now enjoy the play-days once denied him. Yes, she would
+change her notes to say: "uncouth verbiage and slatternly dress are
+often assets in gaining information and are no hindrance in granting
+loyalty and devotion."
+
+The journey home, despite the uncertainties pending, was a joy-ride
+for the two. Landy, as was his wont, clutched the armrest of the car
+and said nothing. Time was, when safe in a saddle, he had thrown reins
+to the wind "en allowed that critter a spell of fancy worm-fence
+buckin', but a-ridin' a auto wuz dangerous business."
+
+Arriving at the B-line stables, the party paused for a final
+conference. Tomorrow would be Friday. In the early hours Davy and
+Landy would make a furtive visit to the Bar-O ranch to see if Ugly
+Collins had carried out his plans to evacuate the resisters. "Maybe
+they set fire to the house or poisoned the cattle," suggested Davy.
+Landy poo-pooed the idea.
+
+"They're on a slow train," he explained. "In that outfit they can't do
+over six miles an hour. A fire would announce their malice, en a
+sheriff would overtake 'em before they reached North Gate. They don't
+know about cattle-pizen--thar's no loco weed around here."
+
+Saturday was the date of the entertainment in Adot. Davy and Landy
+would ride over to the B-line and go to town in Adine's roadster. In
+Adot, Davy would again contact Logan and fix the date to meet him in
+Cheyenne on Monday. "That check--the draft thing--will be there by
+that time," was Davy's opinion. "I hope I can pry Welborn loose from
+his digging and delving long enough to take me over that road again."
+
+"You don't have to do that," interposed Adine. "I'll drive you to
+Cheyenne. I'm as anxious as anyone to get this thing settled. This
+Bar-O thing has been a neighborhood problem, an obsession, a thorn in
+the flesh, ever since Grandaddy was a young man. I want to be a party
+in removing the thorn. I'll have Joe and Myrah to look after
+Grandaddy, and I'll have Mister Potter to look after Joe and Myrah and
+everything will be all right.
+
+"But you'll have to meet me at Carter's filling station," she
+cautioned. "I'll have to drive through Adot and around that way. I
+can't drive across the valleys and ridges as you horsemen ride them.
+So we'll meet at the filling station at seven-thirty. We will be in
+Cheyenne long before noon."
+
+"Hi ya, Potter," called Landy as they were saddling the horses. "I
+want you to order a set of shoes for this colt."
+
+"I've got a set. I tried 'em; they fit. But he won't need shoes this
+winter; he's better off without 'em. If a bunglin' mechanic over thar
+will leave his feet alone he'll be all right till spring."
+
+Landy regarded the gibe as irrelevant. The saddle invited. Once aboard
+and before they reached the Ranty he was detailing answers to some of
+Davy's questions.
+
+"This Logan party ain't exactly crooked but thar's some noticeable
+bends in his career. When they baptized him they ought to have given
+him another dip. 'Course, he gits his money by pinchin' en scrougin'
+en this Ugly Collins affair goes a leetle beyond the limit.
+
+"This Ugly was borned here. His right name is Clarence, but early
+someone branded him Ugly, en because he resented hit, the name stuck.
+He wasn't so ugly--jist ornery. His daddy died; his mother lived on a
+little place in town, up-crick from the bridge. Ugly wasn't a roarin'
+success as a producer--jist idled and fuddled until he got to be a
+man. Then he got indicted with others fer robbin' a little tannery
+that was operatin' down the crick. This tannery was mostly out of
+doors. They was charged with stealin' leather, but in the testimony it
+showed that Ugly didn't steal leather--jist knives en other plunder.
+He was flung loose. He left the country. That was twelve years ago. In
+all these years, no one in Adot was compelled to look on Ugly Collins.
+Not till last week did the public know he was alive. Even then thar
+was no gineral rejoicin'--nobody killed a fatted calf.
+
+"Now Ugly's mother died three years ago. A dear, uncomplainin' old
+soul, the funeral was conducted by Romine, the undertaker, and was
+attended by many. Of course Romine would have to be paid. He got Logan
+to administer the estate. He had had Logan to do this in other cases.
+They understood each other very well.
+
+"They found but little personal property. Although Ann Griggs, a
+neighbor, said the old lady Collins had been savin' funeral money fer
+years--had it hidden in a fruit jar, no sich fund was found. The real
+estate would have to be sold to pay the claim.
+
+"Except fer Ugly, they was no heirs, en Ugly didn't answer roll-call.
+By order of the court, Ugly was pronounced dead. Simmy Gordon, the
+village cut-up, said hit was a cheap funeral fer Ugly en good
+riddance. But Simmy was wrong, as usual. The home was sold--by fine
+print--hit was bid in by Romine fer about the price of his bill and
+the costs. Later Romine deeded hit to another, who in turn deeded hit
+to Logan, who now owns hit, en the yearly income would pay a funeral
+bill--with flowers.
+
+"Ugly's return at this critical time rather upset Logan's plans. Hit
+would interfere with his gittin' a bank opened and himself back on the
+payroll. If Ugly had been flush with funds, had employed lawyer
+Gregory to git Ugly's death-order rescinded, en pried into the details
+of the old lady's estate, hit would have blowed the lid off. Hit would
+have shore been bricks and cabbages fer Logan, right when he's
+plannin' a posie shower.
+
+"Forty dollars was none too big to fend off the disaster. But where
+Logan missed the gap in the fence was that he didn't inquire as to
+details. He knew Ugly come in by train. He thought the forty would be
+expended in the same way."
+
+The two reached the Gillis home as the lady was lighting the lamp and
+setting out the evening meal. "Why, you and that girl must be
+preparing a lengthy address," she said to Davy jestingly.
+
+"That gal and I have surely had a busy day. We've certainly upset some
+precedents, broken some rules, and maybe some laws. Your brother here
+was a full participant, a co-conspirator, and was awarded the Medal of
+Intrigue by Mister Potter, when the meeting closed. But excuse me,"
+said the now jovial midget as he walked away. "I just can't look at
+those baking-powder biscuits without grabbing one; I'm that wolfish."
+
+During the meal, Davy invited Landy to tell of the day's happenings.
+"Yer new boarder here bought the Bar-O ranch--trouble en all," said
+Landy quietly. "En he's plannin' to promote the circus business by
+raisin' a lot more lions, tigers, hyenas, en sich. He's got a good
+start now, en he plans a glorious finish."
+
+The news electrified the Gillises. It provoked much discussion and
+required many explanations. It allowed Davy time to eat a hearty meal.
+Finishing, he pushed back his chair to state some final conditions.
+
+"And I'll not complete the final contract, not pay down a cent and
+throw up the whole thing, unless Mister Landy Spencer, here seated,
+pledges that he will join in with me in working the thing out to a
+final victory. No, I don't mean that he's to pay out anything, I'll
+pay all, but he's to say that he will stay with me, that he'll manage
+the thing, plan production, hire the help, and get things going. And
+we'll divide the profits. This depression can't last. Already the wise
+ones are hearing the death rattle and last gasp. But it will take some
+time to recover and we must be ready when the bulge comes. Maybe there
+are some old cows over there that Landy says are dear at ten dollars a
+head. There are some unweaned calves, and a few unbranded yearlings
+that will just about pay the cost of their roundup. But that's the
+foundation on which we are to build. What do you say, podner? Are you
+with me?"
+
+"In yer listin' of assets, ye haven't invoiced Maizie," said Landy.
+"Early this afternoon, I heard ye pricin' her to Logan at a thousand
+dollars a week. En ye haven't catalogued Hulls en the bulls, mebbe
+they're wuth more than all the rest. Shore I'll he'p ye. Hit'll be a
+pleasure to hear ye try to mesmerize Maizie like ye did Logan, tellin'
+her of this Coony Island place en the fortune tellers. We'll go over
+thar in the mornin' early en I'll watch ye hypnotize her en Hulls,
+like ye did Logan. 'Course, if they're gone, that's our loss. We'll
+invoice the remnants en leavin's, en take a fresh start."
+
+Davy was early to bed but his rest was broken in trying to picture the
+probable conduct of two persons he had never seen. In his dreams, old
+Hulls and his threatening gun was a commonplace figure. But back of
+him, and in command, was the garish image of a black-haired,
+copper-complexioned virago, whose imperious death-dealing edicts
+recalled his early readings of Sir Walter and his vivid picturings of
+Helen, wife of Rob Roy, in her judgments of the fate of a common
+enemy. He was glad that daylight came to dispel the mental mirage.
+
+"I never saw Landy so interested," said Mrs. Gillis, as she placed
+Davy's high chair at the table. "He was out feeding the horses long
+before Jim did the milking, and that's unusual. Landy likes you--likes
+to do the things you plan. Of course Landy has earned a rest, but
+there's too many that rust out when they rest up. Landy is that kind.
+He needs to be interested in something. He's had a lot of experience
+in the cattle business, and with your energy and planning and his
+experience, you ought to make a lot of money when this depression is
+over."
+
+"Well, I'm not so interested in the money-making as I am in making a
+success out of this liability. Of course I want it to pay its own way,
+pay for improved livestock, buildings, fencing, and the like. But I'm
+not much interested in piling up useless money in a resisting bank. Of
+course, when Ralph Gaynor comes out to visit us--he's the gent that
+introduced me over the phone--when Ralph comes out, he'd like to see a
+fat bank account and talk woozy stuff of safety margins, earned
+increments and that crazy rot, but I yearn to show him a going
+concern, a likeable thing, prideful of its upbuilding.
+
+"Landy and I will get along all right. He's the only one of you that
+sasses back, offers objections, overrules plans. He won't like it at
+all if I'm out with the colt and a couple of beagle hounds chasing
+jack rabbits when there's hay to put up, but that's the way we'll get
+along.
+
+"Landy will fuss if we can introduce electricity on the ranch, but he
+will weaken a little when he finds that it grinds the feed,
+refrigerates a whole beef, and cooks a meal without splitting
+kindling. And if a little surplus money accumulates, he would totally
+veto the plan of laying out a Spanish patio enclosing fine white
+buildings with red tile roofs and fancy grilles--"
+
+"Why, that would be fine!" exclaimed the listener. "Would you do
+that?"
+
+"Naw," said the midget, "but if the occasion arises, I will introduce
+the subject just to see my old mentor paw around and fling dirt. It
+will keep him from rusting out, as you call it."
+
+"Do you plan moving over there--if you get possession?"
+
+"No, I will live, or rather headquarter, with Welborn as long as he
+lets me. Landy says that a rough, hazardous trail just back of our
+house leads directly to the near corner of the property. It's the
+route of the old proposed road to the Tranquil Meadows. We're to try
+that trail this morning, and I will have to stop and tell Welborn what
+I am doing. He will be surprised, but not interested. Welborn is
+self-centered on getting some 'quick' money. When he gets that done
+he's going to be busy using it, either to straighten out his own
+financial affairs or to down or suppress some financier that has
+busted in on his plans. In either event, we will lose him. Welborn
+doesn't belong out here. He belongs in the jam, the crush, the mob,
+where they strive only for personal gain--either in bulking up a lot
+of money or acquiring personal rank or status. He's young, industrious
+and impetuous; he might get it done. It's a great game, I'm told; it
+engenders some joy and a lot of grief. Personally, I'd rather put in
+the time handling a pup or growing a clutch of chickens."
+
+Landy's appearance with the saddled horses interrupted the discussion.
+
+
+
+
+14
+
+
+The path over which Landy guided his little partner may have been an
+animal trail before the days of the intrusion of the white men. It had
+its beginnings in a little unnoticeable niche at the Welborn cabin. It
+wound a narrow way along the face of the cliff and led down and around
+to cross a quick-flowing brook that farther down was to take the name
+"Mad Trapper's Fork." Halfway down, Landy pointed out that some
+blasting here and a bridge there would make a serviceable
+thoroughfare. Davy was fairly busy in retaining his saddle-seat as
+Peaches followed old Frosty around the dangerous turns. At the halt,
+and during Landy's remarks, he gazed at the towering peaks on the one
+side and the yawning ravine on the other, and suggested that he,
+Landy, could no doubt construct the proposed improvement some
+afternoon when he was resting from his strenuous work in the hay
+field.
+
+The sarcasm was ignored. Landy searched out a convenient crossing of
+the little stream. Once out of the stream bed the party was to
+encounter a vast tableland of grazing ground that seemed bounded by
+hills and peaks on all sides--the Tranquil Meadows.
+
+It was Davy's time to halt the procession. As was his custom, he rode
+Peaches in front of Frosty and stopped for an extended inspection.
+
+    "A Jug of Wine, a Loaf of Bread--and Thou
+    Beside me, singing in the Wilderness--Oh,
+    Wilderness were Paradise enow!"
+
+chanted the little man as he gazed from peak to pinnacle. "Say, Landy!
+I once dreamed of this place, and I didn't leave out a detail. I was
+waiting for a delayed train at Peru for a jump to Buffalo to join up a
+Keith circuit. At the station there was a pestering drunk with his
+'how-come' stuff and two simpering women with their 'ain't-he-cute'
+rot. I was tired. I'd had a tough season. That summer, there was a big
+crop of gawks and I had encountered all of 'em. I wanted to quit the
+game--wanted to hide out. On the sleeper, I dreamed of this place. I
+was on a horse--a big, fat ring-horse, with a pad. I rode right
+through a bunch of cattle. I held on with more zeal than did old
+Fisheye Gleason when he fell on the back of the hippopotamus at the
+start of the Grand Entry.... Say," the midget interrupted his reverie,
+"just about how far away from this Paradise Bowl is this Bar-O
+hangout?"
+
+"The Bar-O is the lid to yer Gravy Bowl," replied the Nestor. "Hit's
+that line of hills to the no'th, en winds up in this crumpled mess of
+hills here at the east end. This last section is called The Cliffs. If
+thar's any loose yearlin's left, they'll be thar. We'll edge around
+that away en then swing over to where old Matt laid out a path to the
+southern settlements."
+
+On the way to the Cliffs, Landy recounted much local history. "They
+wuz wild cattle in these ravines long before the surveyors surrounded
+old Matt with their lines. No one knew whar they come from nor to who
+they belonged. Old Matt simply absorbed 'em, as he did anything else
+that was loose. They were his foundation stock. That's why there are
+so many yaller-hammers en pennariles among 'em. Once er twice old Matt
+forgot to put up hay en his livestock wintered in them ravines en
+pawed in the snow fer what grass they got. Hit wasn't so bad. A
+cow-brute won't thrive in close quarters; they're better off with jist
+a wind-break en rain-shelter. But look out when hit's calvin' time! A
+cow will pick out the night of the big snow en drop her calf right in
+hit. I've often wondered if the colleges that teach farmin' en sich,
+ever tackled en solved that heavy problem: 'Is hit better to fret en
+worry a cow by pennin' her up in a clean box-stall, er allowin' her in
+cheerful contentment to go off by herse'f en have her calf in the
+fringe of a mudhole at the far away corner?'"
+
+Davy was looking about as he listened. Here was the tremendous
+spectacle of which he had dreamed. It was a spoken drama in
+technicolor.
+
+Frosty pricked up his ears. Landy veered the course to the right. A
+bunch of yellowish red calves were startled out of a willow clump and
+turned to watch the intruders. As the horsemen rode around to the east
+and north they resumed their grazing. Near the mouth of another ravine
+a few more were encountered.
+
+"There're thirty-seven of 'em," said Landy, as the party completed the
+circle, "en that's about twice as many as I expected. They're in good
+flesh. With plenty of hay this winter en a mite of grain, they would
+do for quick feeders next fall."
+
+"Well, you couldn't feed 'em away off out here, could you?" demanded
+Davy.
+
+"Shore!" said the expert. "There's more shelter out here than in them
+propped-up stables at the Bar-O. The B-line's got about five times as
+much hay as they need. We ought to be able to wheedle that gal out of
+a few stacks. But haulin' hay in breast-deep snow is some job. Hit
+ought to be under way right now. If old Hulls has quit out, en we git
+action, I'll talk to Potter en them loafers at the B-line en try to
+git a few ricks tucked away in here before snow comes. A few blocks of
+salt, scattered around, will keep 'em from diggin' dirt er huntin' a
+lick."
+
+And now the inspectors turned west to follow cattle paths over an
+undulating terrain for at least two miles. Here a double trail was
+encountered. Landy rode for a distance in both directions looking
+intently for signs.
+
+"Ugly Collins has either lost his time-card er has traded his wagon
+fer a airyplane," said the mentor. "Mebbe Maizie has delayed the
+take-off to finish her war with Logan. At any rate, they haven't left
+a wagon track. Let's go by the house. I'll introduce ye as a circus
+man from Springfield that's visitin' en lookin'. If ya can interest
+Maizie so I kin talk to Hulls private, hit will he'p a lot."
+
+"Not me!" interposed the little man hastily, "just leave me out of
+this local war. I've got a date with some church folks tomorrow night.
+But I don't want to be carried in feet foremost and hear the preacher
+talk about 'the many mansions and green pastures.' Isn't there some
+way that we can by-pass this Maizie and her orders 'to kill on
+sight'?"
+
+"Why, I thought ya wanted to meet Maizie," chuckled Landy, "thought ye
+wanted to contract her fer fortune tellin' down at that island place?
+Anyhow," continued the raconteur in a serious vein, "there's no chance
+fer a row. I know Hulls, I knew his daddy, old Matt. He knows I'm no
+sheriff a lookin' fer trouble. He'll talk to me like a friend. I'm
+jist out here a-showin' my circus friend the scenery. He'll talk to me
+all friendly like, en Maizie will be tickled at yer size en talk about
+circuses en sich. Speak up to her. Tell her that she belongs in this
+fortune-tellin' business. Cut up a few of yer dance capers--git her
+interested--en I'll find out why they ain't on the road to a getaway."
+
+Landy turned into the double track that led north followed by a
+reluctant midget. He watched the paths for signs of recent travel but
+continued his recitations of local history.
+
+"These Barrow folks ain't bad--jist ornery. Hit's due to breedin' en
+custom, fer they are part Injun. Old Matt told me so, one time when I
+was over here a-lookin' fer lost horses. Matt said his mother was a
+Ute--full-blooded en tribe-raised. Now, Injuns don't have much regard
+fer personal property. Except fer their arms en blanket all else is
+jist common plunder fer anyone. The deer in the thicket, the fish in
+the streams, and the birds in the air belong to the feller that gits
+'em. 'Course, Matt absorbed the wild cattle, en any other cattle he
+found on the loose. He didn't want any cattle brand--jist play the
+game his fashion, 'finders are takers,' same as fish er wild ducks.
+
+"Sich a plan didn't set well with the white settlers that was tryin'
+to put down cattle thefts. Old Matt got a bad reputation en he didn't
+try to correct hit. He matched Injun cunnin' agin the 'white laws' en
+got ostracized. He raised his boys by the same standards. This Hulls
+is jist dumb en ornery but Archie was smart. He l'arned to read, en
+when Maizie came, he l'arned to write en cipher after he was a grown
+man. If Archie got the express company's money--en hit sorta looks
+like he did--he was smart enough to 'duck out' with hit. Maizie knows
+that Archie is smart. She wants--
+
+"Look thar!" he interrupted to point at wagon tracks in the dust. "Hit
+looks like a getaway had been vetoed. Changed their minds," he added
+as he pointed to a sharp turn in the tracks and a return to the
+beaten way farther along to the north. "Now hit's anybody's guess as
+to what's happened." Landy was about to dismount for a closer
+examination when he again interrupted. "They went back to git a fresh
+start," he exclaimed as he pointed to a two-horse wagon approaching
+from between the low hills.
+
+"Now jist keep yer shirt on," he cautioned Davy. "Yer a circuser, out
+here on a visit. I'm a-showin' ye the neighborhood. Let's keep ridin'
+en be surprised like." The two rode the double trail to turn out when
+the wagon stopped. "Howdy, folks," was Landy's greeting.
+
+Ugly Collins was driving. Hulls Barrow was in the seat beside him with
+a rifle across his knees. Maizie was on a low chair in the rear,
+surrounded by bedding, boxes, tables, chairs, and all manner of
+household wares that piled high, were held in place by stakes and
+stout ropes.
+
+"Why, hit's old Landy Spencer," said Hulls as he returned the gun to
+its place on his knees. "What's got ye outen the bed so early?"
+
+"I was harassed outa bed by this pesterin' friend of mine who left the
+circus at Cheyenne to come out fer a visit en to view the scenery. I
+want ye to meet him, en he'p me answer his questions. Folks, meet
+Mister Davy Lannarck, a circuser, that's curious to see how en whar we
+live. Davy, that's my old friend Mister Hulls Barrow, en that's Mister
+Collins, en you are Miss Maizie, I take hit," Landy added as Maizie
+stood up to see what was going on. "My young friend here was cut down
+to a boy's size in heft en stature but he shore makes up the
+difference in askin' questions en in gaddin' about. When he roused me
+out this mornin' to go gaddin', I planned to swing around this way en
+let you all he'p me. But from the looks of things, you folks musta got
+word that we were comin' en are makin' a hasty move to avoid sich a
+visit."
+
+The men may have smiled at Landy's quip but Maizie laughed aloud.
+"It's the other way," she said. "You put off your visit until you saw
+that we were moving; then you come, expecting to be entertained. Had
+you come two weeks ago we could have helped."
+
+"I wasn't here two weeks ago," interposed Davy. "Then we were in the
+Northwest, looking for a town with enough money to pay the feed bills
+and freight on a lot of circus animals. In fact, we had put in the
+summer looking for such a place and never did find it."
+
+"Well, we're going to where there's money--plenty of it," said Maizie.
+
+"Take me along," pleaded the midget. "I haven't seen 'loose money'
+since we opened the ticket wagon at Grand Park in April."
+
+"What's this, Hulls!" demanded Landy. "Are ye shiftin' pastures?"
+
+"I shore am!" replied Hulls emphatically. "I'm gittin' outa the
+thistles en sage to whar thar's decent folks. I'm a-leavin' these
+hellions to rot in their tracks while I have a few days of peace en
+quiet. But don't say anything, Landy, until we git goin' en outa the
+country."
+
+"Shore I won't!" pledged Landy. "That's your business--not theirs.
+Have ye laid out a considerable trip?"
+
+"Yes, we're goin' to Nevady, down whar they're buildin' a big
+water-dam. Archie's down thar; makin' money a-plenty. There's a big
+stir on down thar. Everybody's a-workin' en Archie wants our he'p."
+
+"Well, I'm sorry yer a-leavin' but I'm glad fer this chance. I've
+wanted to see Archie ever since he he'ped me git them cattle across
+the Ranty that time. I owe him and now I've got a chance to pay." Here
+Landy searched a bill out of his billfold and handed it to Hulls.
+
+"Tell Archie that that ought to take keer of debt en int'rest. Ye see,
+I didn't have any money with me that day, en anyhow, Archie poo-pooed
+the idee of pay at the time, but I always want to pay for he'p
+thataway. But I never saw Archie again en I'm glad of this chance to
+ease my mind."
+
+Hulls folded the bill and put it in his pocket. He looked at the sun.
+"I expect that we'd better git goin'; we've put in the whole night
+a-loadin' up, en we got down here a piece en found out that we forgot
+the dog en we had to go back. En say, Landy," he called as the wagon
+started, "I forgot to turn them bulls out to worter. If ye go out that
+way, will ye open the gate en let 'em out?"
+
+The rattle of the wagon repressed the eager reply.
+
+Landy resumed the way to the north; Davy waited to watch the wagon and
+its little cloud of dust disappear over a distant swell. When he
+rejoined his friend he rode in front of Frosty to halt for a
+conference.
+
+"You've made the right estimate, Landy, they're not bad people. As
+hurried as they were, they had time to go back a mile or two for the
+dog. People that do that sort of things are not bad. I feel sorry for
+'em."
+
+"Well, yer sorrow is sorta misplaced; they're havin' the time of their
+young lives. Hulls is a-gettin' out of a mess that had no other
+outlet; Maizie is to see a lot of new scenery en will git to he'p
+Archie spend the money; Ugly is a-gittin' to hang around Maizie while
+he eats at least two steady meals a day. I was jist figgerin', Hulls
+has got more money in his pocket than he ever had in all his born
+days. He's evidently sold off about ten cows en calves to Mooney
+Whitset of the Diamond outfit; he's got the forty--if Ugly give hit to
+him, en the five I jist handed him--that Archie will never see--so,
+all told, they are in clover. Hit will take 'em about two weeks to
+make the trip, en with all that plunder aboard Archie will give 'em a
+royal welcome.
+
+"Ye see, son, old Matt--ner the boys--ever made a dime out of this
+place--never wanted to. Jist fiddled around, huntin', fishin' en
+loafin'. The whole thing wasn't any bigger an asset than a job as a
+section hand on the U P. Their sales of scrawny cattle jist about paid
+the taxes en bought their salt en terbacker.
+
+"Now, son, ye are on the Bar-O. The line runs from them peaks in the
+Cliffs to a bend in the crick at that fringe of trees. Then add two
+sections of rough land around the Cliffs, en that's hit. The Barrows
+never did much fencin'. Jist a bresh fence around the truck patch en a
+fairly good corral at the stables is about all. The cows are down thar
+by the spring. We'll turn the bulls out en go down en count 'em."
+
+While Landy was engaged in the requested task Davy took hasty survey
+of the surroundings. The stables and house were of the same
+architecture: rambling log structures that seemed to have been erected
+after many an afterthought. The front door of the house was open.
+Landy closed it, and circled the house to see that all other openings
+were closed. He then mounted and motioned Davy to follow the bulls to
+water. Here, Landy circled the cows and calves. "Thar's twenty-six of
+'em," he commented, "en ye owe Finch the full amount of his claim.
+
+"Now," commented the aged Nestor, "we'll not go over by the B-line.
+What they don't know won't hurt 'em. We'll jist slip back home the way
+we come. Tomorry will be plenty of time to go over the hay-he'p
+matter, en on Monday we must cinch the deal."
+
+
+
+
+15
+
+
+The great Burns warehouse in Adot was built back in the impulsive days
+following the construction of the Union Pacific Railroad.
+Notwithstanding the fact that the young nation was engaged in a civil
+war that challenged its existence, there was faith that right would
+prevail, hope in the future of national expansion, and charity assumed
+her wonted place. In 1862 Congress incorporated the road, borrowed the
+funds to build, and bonused the enterprise with grants of
+land--greater in area than the State of Pennsylvania.
+
+And there was need for national expansion and the development of the
+vast empire west of the Mississippi. At the close of the Civil War,
+more than a million soldiers were discharged to seek new homes in an
+uncongested area. A million immigrants came from impoverished Europe
+in the four succeeding years, begging for freedom and a place to live.
+These millions too were given bonuses of grants of land, and soon the
+uninhabited West was dotted with primitive homesteads and scattered
+ranches that must be served. Food, in all its varieties, is a primal
+necessity. Warehouses, clumsy predecessors of modern stores, must be
+constructed at advantageous points to shelter foods and make
+distribution to remote sections. Some called them trading posts.
+
+And so, back in the colorful days of the building of the fast-growing
+West, young Isaac Burns constructed his warehouse. It was high and
+wide, if not handsome. It had a driveway through it--handy for the
+four or six teams that came to unload flour, sugar, salt, spices,
+bolts of fabrics, farm implements, or what-have you. Handy, too, for
+the rancher or miner that came to buy at retail (but in wholesale
+quantities) a full year's supply of merchandise and food.
+
+But in the changing economies of a fast-growing republic, the
+warehouse plan was to take its place with the ox yoke, the spinning
+wheel, the mustache cup, and the Prince Albert coat. Hard roads and
+bridges took the place of ill-defined trails, and gasoline brought the
+rancher to trading marts daily, instead of once a year.
+
+Young Jethro Burns added a corral to the now useless warehouse and
+traded in livestock. Joe Burns, of the next generation, closed off one
+side of the driveway to make a storage room. But notwithstanding its
+favorable location in the center of town, the room remained idle.
+Except as a repository for a few odds and ends and its occasional uses
+on election days, the old warehouse rested in its past glories. It was
+an easy conquest for the persuasive, zealous Paul Curtis, the newly
+arrived Nazarene minister, to gain permission for its use for church
+purposes. Seemingly easy it was to commandeer many of the community's
+extra chairs, benches, settees, and kegs to accommodate the limited
+but growing congregation. A small platform was built at one end,
+lights were added. And now, exhortations and songs of praise filled
+the air that was once vibrant with the bawling of restless calves and
+the bleating of timid lambs.
+
+In the week preceding the event, a great muslin banner hung across the
+warehouse front proclaiming:
+
+                  UNIQUE ENTERTAINMENT!
+                    Saturday Eve, 7:30
+
+                    CIRCUS-SHOW MIDGET
+                 WILL RELATE EXPERIENCES
+
+                     Songs and Music
+              Admission--Free Will Offering.
+
+                          COME!
+
+David Lannarck was up bright and early Saturday morning. After feeding
+and brushing Peaches, he dressed himself in his best clothes. Landy,
+too, sensing the importance of coming events, improved his appearance
+by buttoning up his shirt-front. The ride to the B-line was
+unimportant. Adine Lough was ready with the roadster. By ten or eleven
+o'clock the party was in Adot.
+
+At the bridge they stopped to lay back the top. Adine drove slowly up
+Main Street; Davy stood in the middle with his hand on Landy's
+shoulder. There were but few persons on the street as the car passed
+but on its return, everybody in the stores was out on the sidewalk.
+
+"Take off that old barn-door hat, Landy, so we can see what ye got,"
+called someone from the walk. Landy complied with the request. Davy
+waved his greetings to the curious. The party halted at Jode's hotel
+and restaurant. A woman came out.
+
+Presently a young fellow, coatless and hatless, came running from the
+old warehouse. "We should have had a band to head the parade," he
+exclaimed apologetically, "but you are surely welcome. I have been
+adding more camp chairs to our seating capacity. We'll need them all."
+It was the young preacher. Adine made the introductions.
+
+"Do you want another parade this afternoon?" asked Davy. "Getting out
+the Standing Room Only sign is always an asset for future
+entertainments."
+
+"And will you be with us again?" asked the young minister quickly.
+
+"No, this is my last public appearance," said Davy firmly. "In this
+matter, I am fulfilling an agreement. I want to give all I've got;
+because I got just what I wanted. But if Adine is willing, we'll
+parade this afternoon."
+
+And parade they did, at three o'clock. Davy insisted that Landy
+participate. The aged Nestor--a perfect representative of other
+days--held grimly to his seat as the car, driven by a very handsome
+and smiling young lady, moved slowly up and down the thoroughfare,
+packed with people who had come to see--a midget!
+
+Adine, Davy, and Landy were joined in the evening meal by Mr. and Mrs.
+Charles Gillis and Welborn, who had come in Jim's car, via the Carter
+filling station. The Silver Falls project was well represented. On the
+way over, Welborn figured he could have taken fully an ounce of dust
+from the company holdings, but he was loyal to his friend--and
+promise.
+
+The audience that assembled for the entertainment at the Burns
+warehouse exceeded the young minister's estimates. The standing
+audience was greater than the number that found seats. A few
+venturesome lads who had never seen a midget climbed up to the braces
+that held sill to pillar to get a better view. But withal it was a
+quiet, orderly gathering of the men, women, and children of the
+little city and its far-reaching suburbs.
+
+While the crowd was assembling young Paul Curtis, the preacher, acted
+as usher. He seated Adine Lough and her party of five on the platform.
+Occasionally he consulted with Brother Peyton, the doorkeeper. And
+finally, as capacity was reached, he came to the rostrum.
+
+"Friends and neighbors," he said, "it's too bad that our program must
+be preceded by an apology. As a stranger in your midst, I did not
+properly estimate your interest and enthusiasm. I accept the blame for
+not providing a larger auditorium and I want, at this time, to give
+credit to Miss Adine Lough, of the B-line ranch, for her zeal in
+providing the feature of the entertainment and giving it the wide
+publicity it deserves. Make yourselves as comfortable as you can and
+we will proceed with our offerings."
+
+The young minister was a real artist with an accordion. He played
+several popular numbers, interspersed with old-time classics such as
+"The Flower Song," "The Blue Danube," and others. It was good music,
+well played, and received generous applause. These were followed by a
+solo and encore by the minister's wife and then a quartette of young
+girls sang a couple of popular selections.
+
+Paul Curtis had preceded each number by a brief statement as to what
+it was to be. Now he came to the rostrum. "We are now at the feature
+number of our program," he announced. "I understand it had its
+beginnings in a horse trade. Back in other days, a horse trade was
+often tinged with fraud and chicanery. This one has ended in a great
+good; really, it's the most fortuitous happening in my brief career as
+a minister of the Gospel. It has given me a quick and hearty contact
+with all the people where I am to work. It goes to show that a great
+good can spring from lowly origins. The Saviour of men, you know, was
+from lowly Nazareth and born in a manger.
+
+"But we will let the next speaker tell of the hoss trade, although he
+is scheduled to talk about midgets and tell us something about life
+with a circus-show. Both of these topics interest me deeply, as I know
+nothing about either, and am anxious to learn about them.
+
+"Folks, neighbors, and friends of Adot and community, allow me to
+introduce my new-found young friend and our near-neighbor, Mister
+David Lannarck, lately a feature with the Great International Circus,
+and now a resident of the Silver Falls neighborhood. Mister Lannarck."
+
+Davy slid down from an uncomfortable chair and climbed up on the
+little platform that had been placed at the side of the pulpit proper.
+
+"Howdy, folks, and thank you, Brother Curtis, for the kindly
+introduction. Calling me your young friend is a compliment I hardly
+deserve. Yet it's a form of praise encountered by midgets. I recall
+that a white-haired, gray-whiskered employee of the hotel in
+Philadelphia, where we were quartered, persistently called Admiral
+Blair, our leading midget, 'Sonny Boy.' When comparisons were made,
+the Admiral was ten years the older. I am not very adept in guessing
+the ages of either grown persons or midgets, but I suspect, Brother
+Curtis, that I was in the fourth grade in school about the time you
+were born; and that when you arrived at the fourth grade, I was doing
+a man's job on the Keith vaudeville circuit. Such things occur to
+midgets.
+
+"But let's get the Side-Show out of the way before we start the
+performance in the Big Top--let's clear up the hoss trade first. In
+that transaction I was simply the innocent bystander. The principals
+in that event are with us tonight. Acting as Master of Ceremonies of
+this Floor Show, let me introduce them." Turning to his guests of the
+evening, the speaker cautioned: "Stand up, folks, and take your bow as
+your name is called.
+
+"First, I want to present the party who contributed the Hoss, who made
+all the plans, and who through the untiring labors of this young
+minister is largely, if not wholly responsible for this splendid
+gathering, Miss Adine Lough."
+
+The applause was generous and lasting. Blushing, smiling, and
+embarrassed, Adine took her bow and resumed her seat.
+
+"And the next principal in the transaction--the man who discovered the
+hoss and led me to it--my friend, mentor, guide, and boon companion,
+Mister Landy Spencer." The applause was generous but more boisterous.
+It was evident that Mister Spencer had many boon companions in the
+audience. Landy's bow was a mixture of bends at the waist, neck, and
+knees.
+
+"And the next two, while not direct parties to the hoss trade, are
+responsible for my upkeep, who shelter and feed me--and the hoss,
+Mister and Mistress James Gillis." Again the applause was generous and
+hearty.
+
+"And last, but not least, is the man who came to me in my greatest
+hour of distress--of disgust with the mob and a fixed determination to
+get away from it all; the man who came to me when the circus was about
+to fold up, and I was yearning for quiet and peace but didn't know
+where to find it, and he found it for me. Right where I wanted to be,
+the place I had dreamed of, but never could find, the man who as my
+podner does the easy manual labor, while I do the hard thinking, the
+man who owned it all and staked me out a half interest, Mister Sam
+Welborn." Again the applause was generous.
+
+"And that completes the hoss trade episode, my friends. I got the best
+little horse west of the Mississippi River, and Miss Lough got nothing
+but the satisfaction of having planned and promoted a worthy
+enterprise in which all of you are participants. Now, let's get on to
+the main event in the Big Top; let's talk about midgets and circuses."
+
+Earlier, Davy had asked Paul Curtis to find if his voice was reaching
+the remote fringes of the audience. Being assured by a friendly nod
+that he was making himself heard, he placed his elbows on the pulpit
+and rested his chin in his cupped hands to gaze at the curious.
+
+"I wish I knew something of my subject other than my own personal
+experiences," he said in a slow, lowered voice. "General literature is
+silent on the classification and accomplishments of midgets. Except
+for Dean Swift's recitals of the Lilliputians--which is pure fiction
+and the limited paragraphs in the encyclopedias on dwarfs--which is
+the wrong name for the subject--in literature the midget is the
+forgotten man.
+
+"Even the Bible, in its wide comprehension of all classes of man, to
+include the race of giants, before the flood, the stalwart sons of
+Anak, and the giant adversary of little David, makes no mention of the
+little people except in the third book of Mosaic writings, the
+'Crookbackt' or dwarfs are warned not to come nigh the altar-fires
+where sacrifices are offered. A severe banishment, truly, but as a
+good Presbyterian, I attribute the severity of such a decree to the
+grudging envy of the jealous old 'kettle-tender' who maybe scorched
+the stew; and I get my solace in the comforting words of the Master
+who pledges that 'the meek, the merciful, the pure in heart and the
+peacemakers--large or small--shall be called the children of God.'
+
+"Yes, there's confusion in literature--even in dictionaries--as to the
+proper classification of midgets. Their status is better established
+by elimination--by stating what they are not. Midgets are neither
+dwarfs, runts, pygmies, nor Lilliputians. Dwarfs may have normal
+bodies but with either short legs or arms, or both; a runt is a small
+specimen in a litter or drove; pygmies were a mythical creation of the
+Greeks, but the name was later given to a tribe in South Africa, whose
+stature was considerably less than their neighbors; and Lilliputians
+were the creation of a mind that was later to go haywire--but not over
+midgets, mind you--it was that other enigma in human life: the
+beckoning lure of two women, and the great creator of 'Gulliver and
+His Travels' went nuts in trying to decide which way to go."
+
+A wave of stillness blanketed the audience that had come to see--and
+maybe laugh at--the antics of a midget. Up to now, the address was
+not in the expected pitch. It was far afield from the anticipated
+humor of frivolous incidents. Dissertations on literature, science,
+and philosophy came as an unexpected jolt. Davy Lannarck, who had
+spent his adult life in facing the public, now knew that he had 'em
+mesmerized.
+
+"Who, then, composes this exclusive class in the human family? Who are
+midgets?" Davy gave the question its full emphasis to include the
+dramatic pause. "Well, I've lived the life of one for more than a
+quarter of a century. If literature, dictionaries, encyclopedias, and
+Holy Writ fail to sort us into the proper herd, why, I'll heat my own
+runnin' iron and brand the ones I think are eligible.
+
+"Midgets are people. Out of a million or more of babies born one, at
+least, is destined not to reach adult stature. Normal in every way and
+perfectly proportioned, this millionth babe stops growing, while yet a
+babe, and thereafter not an inch is added to his stature and very
+little to his Weight. 'Arrested development' the scientist terms it;
+'a malfunctioning of the pituitary gland' is the doctor's diagnosis of
+the disaster.
+
+"So, one out of a million or more babies born is destined to go
+through life bumping his head against other people's knees. If it's a
+boy, he can never bust one over the fence for a home run, never look
+squarely into the face of the receiving teller at the bank or of the
+room clerk at the hotel. He is never to referee a prize fight or run
+for president. If he wants a drink at the public fountain, he must ask
+someone to get it for him. If he goes to school, church, or a public
+meeting he must either get a front seat or he'll get a back view. On
+trains, busses, and Pullmans he pays the same adult fare as the
+two-hundred-pounder across the aisle.
+
+"In the meager information about midgets, one writer, in an excellent
+article, estimates one midget to every million of population. He must
+have lived in New York City, as the little people flock to that
+metropolis, seeking employment in theaters and museums. My personal
+estimate of the ratio is that not one babe in two million is destined
+to go through life looking through the wrong end of opera glasses. In
+my brief career I have never seen more than twenty-two midgets in one
+group, and that only after Baron Singer had combed the civilized world
+in an effort to get 'em all in one assemblage.
+
+"I have said that literature is almost silent concerning midgets and
+their activities. Yet, if one would compile all the scattered
+paragraphs of the ages past, it might be a sizeable volume. Back in
+the days when chivalry ran parallel with human bondage, midgets were
+rated as personal property. Kings and emperors called them to court
+for amusement purposes; offered them as gifts to appease the powerful
+or seduce the weak. And at courtly banquets, when the liquor was
+potent enough to inspire adventuresome bravery, midgets were tossed
+like medicine balls, from guest to guest, to provide entertainment for
+the ladies and gallants there present. However, the meager paragraphs
+failed to reveal if the ball was dribbled or if free throws were
+allowed in the event of fouls being made on the brave participants.
+
+"Midgets marry same as other people, and strange to relate, fully half
+of them wed full grown adults. Just why this is I do not know. While I
+have acted the part of Dan Cupid in several stage productions, I've
+had no actual experience with the attachments and jealousies of
+humans--big or little. Midgets do have love-longings and jealousies,
+and love-making is carried on with all the zeal of modern warfare.
+Also, it has some of the elements of modern international diplomacy in
+its double-talk and duplicity. I witnessed one of these incidents as
+an innocent bystander.
+
+"Andre, a very competent juggler, had come to America with the Singer
+Midgets. He was a Frenchman and spoke not a word of English. In
+America, the Singer Company was rallying to its organization all the
+little people it could induce to join up in a tour of the big circuit.
+Among the new arrivals was Lorette Sanford, a beautiful little trick
+of a girl. Andre was much impressed with her beauty and vivacity.
+Here was his soulmate! But he just couldn't tell her of his undying
+affection on account of the language handicap. Lorette knew not a word
+of French.
+
+"But love laughs at locksmiths and Cupid has many assistants. Andre
+sought out Jimmy Quick, who had toured France and could make himself
+understood. Jimmy was commissioned to anglicize a proper proposal and
+Andre spent hours in repeating the verbiage as taught. At the proper
+moment, he met the object of his adoration back of the scenes and
+fired his volley of transposed endearments. It had a tremendous effect
+all right, but it was in reverse gear. Lorette screamed and ran, but
+quickly returned to slap Andre's face, kick his shins, and push him
+sprawling into a mess of paint cans and brushes. Surely a disastrous
+ending for a well meant intention.
+
+"Of course it turned out that Jimmy Quick, who secretly had notions of
+his own as to the beauty and desirability of the object of Andre's
+affections, had composed a proposal of all the vile and abusive words
+in the English language. Jimmy was too big for Andre to chastise, but
+as the rumor of the incident spread and the comedians began to quote
+freely some of the indecent phrases of the hoax, Andre fled the scene
+of torment. He left the company at Buffalo and went to Quebec where
+English was in limited use, and the story unknown.
+
+"But Andre's juggling act was invaluable among so many amateurs. The
+manager went to Canada to urge his return. But by the time he
+succeeded, Jimmy Quick had eloped with the fair Lorette and had joined
+up with Cairstair's Congress of Living Wonders. And to give the matter
+a modern and adult finish, it turned out that Andre already had a wife
+and child in France.
+
+"Yes, midgets--small in size and few in number--marry and raise
+families in about the same proportions as 'the big ones.' It is a
+matter of record that Mrs. Judith Skinner, herself a midget, gave
+birth to fourteen children. They were all of normal size. In fact, the
+mystery of midget existence is further complicated by the added truth
+that no midget ever gave birth to a midget.
+
+"Midgets never grow bald and are usually vain in the matter of dress,
+probably due to the fact that in the past they were attaches of
+royalty. A midget is usually suave in manners and not easily
+embarrassed in public. Several instances are related that midgets,
+back in the conspiring and deceitful days of royalty, gave their
+patrons much information of enemy intrigues and adverse plottings
+against the crown.
+
+"This story is told of a midget's participation in imperial intrigue.
+Richebourg, only twenty-three inches tall, was an attache of the royal
+family of Orleans, deeply involved in the French Revolution. Swaddled
+in baby garments, he was allowed to be carried through enemy lines by
+an ignorant maid, bearing vital messages to friends of imprisoned
+royalty.
+
+"But notwithstanding their limitations in size and number, midgets
+have made material contributions in science, art, and invention. Many
+of the present day comforts and much of our current beauty in art came
+from these Lilliputians. And set this down to the credit of the midget
+populace: few midgets, or maybe none at all, are ever convicted of the
+major crimes of murder, mayhem, arson, or theft. If the 'big ones'
+were as law-abiding as the 'little ones' there would be little need
+for criminal courts and jails.
+
+"It was the establishment of democracies that gave midgets a status as
+a citizen. In the dark ages of the past, he had been a creature of
+derision, a thing to be bandied about in trade or gift. And it was in
+our own blessed United States of America that he began taking his
+proper place as a communal asset. Our own Tom Thumb and his genial
+wife, Lavinna Warren, traveled extensively over the world to prove
+that midgets were intelligent and companionable people. Later came
+Admiral Dot, Commodore Nutt, and others of the fraternity, to travel
+widely over the country, and by contact prove the worth of midgets.
+
+"But it was Baron Leopold von Singer, an Austrian citizen and a man of
+great wealth, who lifted midgets out of the mental mire of being
+regarded as children and gave them their rightful place. The story is
+told that the baron became interested in little people through the
+pleadings of an invalid daughter. He invited several midgets to his
+home. Finding them agreeable and companionable, he founded a midget
+city with all the conveniences and accessories of a municipality to
+include a theater where much talent was revealed.
+
+"In the midst of these activities Austria became a center of strife in
+the World War. The baron hastily moved his theatrical activities to
+London, and later to the United States where he toured all the larger
+cities to exhibit his little troupers and their talents.
+
+"Really, the baron never planned this tour of the Singer Midgets as a
+money making venture. He had learned to love the little people and
+took keen pleasure and joy in the development of their genius to
+entertain the public. He paid good salaries with no thought of
+commercialism. But the enterprise did make money. It was a major means
+of revealing to the public that midgets have talents. And best of all,
+it furnished a wide field of employment to little people. The public
+wants to see midgets and fully fifty percent of these are now engaged
+in some form of show business.
+
+"My personal contact with show business was made through the Singer
+Midgets. As a youngster I had planned to study architecture, as I had
+developed some talent at the drawing board. But the death of my
+parents interrupted my home life. I sought diversion. I visited the
+Singer Show at St. Louis. I had no specialty--no act--that would amuse
+the public, but the manager signed me up, hoping to develop something
+useful. And I did develop. On account of my voice being in the right
+pitch, I expanded into a spieler, a front man, the person who makes
+the announcements in front of the curtain, that does the ballyhoo for
+the side show or bawls out, from the center ring, the features of the
+concert 'that will immediately fallaawftah this pawfo'mance.'
+
+"And for twelve years, winter and summer, night and day, I have
+traveled about to see our dear America at its best and its worst. In
+that time, I have looked into the faces of half the people of the
+nation and, as a corollary, I was the object of their scrutiny and
+comment. I got tired of the job. I wanted to get out where I could
+meet them, one at a time, to tell jokes, hear the news, complain about
+the depression, cuss Congress, and sympathize with those in distress.
+
+"But please do not think that my aversion of the public extends to a
+meeting such as we have here tonight. Here, I feel happy in being
+permitted to meet my neighbors and grateful for the opportunity to
+give such publicity as I can to the accomplishments of the little
+people who for centuries were held in a bondage of ridicule and
+derision, but who now, by industry and mental accomplishments, stand
+side by side with all who seek to make this a better world.
+
+"And now let's go to the circus where--"
+
+Davy's further remarks were interrupted by applause. Led by the young
+minister, the seated audience rose to cheer his simple, earnest story
+of midget life and accomplishments.
+
+"Now, I am doubly paid," said the little speaker, showing his first
+signs of embarrassment. "Maybe the double pay is for overtime; maybe
+you are glad that I am nearing the end of the story. At any rate,
+let's go out to the circus lot, even if we do not get inside the Big
+Top. That will shorten the program.
+
+"I love the circus. Inside the ring of its glamorous pageantry is a
+circle of closely knit friendships and sociability not found in any
+other organization. From management to roustabout there are common
+ties of interest. And because a destination must be reached on the
+hour, and a pageant presented, there is teamwork such as I have never
+seen elsewhere. Personally, I think circuses, in their precision of
+movement and volume of property handled, have been used as models for
+our great United States' Armies in their muster of men and equipment
+and in the accuracy of transportation.
+
+"Think of it! A big circus, in property and personnel, is the equal of
+a small city. On Monday, this city sets up shop in a Des Moines suburb
+to give two exhibitions. Tuesday it shows in Omaha; Wednesday, in
+Kansas City. It sets up and tears down, the same day. It changes
+location while you sleep. All details, from elephants to tent stakes,
+from kid-show banners to the great arena that shelters and seats ten
+thousand patrons, all must be torn down, transported, and set up
+between sunset and sunrise. I know of no other private enterprise that
+so truly represents the skill, aptitude, and energy of American
+genius.
+
+"But pshaw! All of you have been to circuses! Yet there are erroneous
+impressions abroad that should be corrected. Circuses are, for the
+most part, privately owned and have grown up from small beginnings.
+The owners are business men such as you meet in other industries. They
+employ the best talent available in each department. They try to get
+young bank employees to handle bookkeeping and finances. Surely the
+man on the ticket wagon must be a wizard to handle the volume of
+business done within the limited time; and the boss canvasman, to lay
+out and erect a circus city in two hours, must know his men and
+property in every detail.
+
+"But the important part of the circus business is transacted in the
+winter months and in remote and strange places. What are we to exhibit
+in the coming season? The entire world is scouted to find new and
+sensational features and spectacles. Not only are the jungles combed
+for the little known and strange creatures of earth, but the highly
+civilized quarters of the world should yield new accomplishments in
+the acrobatic field and in the latest achievements of science and
+art. And in these later years, all history is carefully explored for
+the dramatic incident that can be portrayed in glamorous pageantry for
+the amusement and education of those who come to the circus.
+
+"And then comes the gravest problem of all. Where will we exhibit this
+planned program? Routing a circus is a technical matter. Every feature
+of the locale must be studied. Stock markets and boards of trade must
+be consulted as to the financial outlook. Crop estimates, factory
+production, and foreign markets are big factors in the planning.
+Droughts, floods, crop failures, labor troubles, and great fires are
+some of the many things to be avoided in the routings. All this must
+be planned before a pitch is made.
+
+"Aside from the management the personnel of a circus naturally divides
+itself into three groups: the ring performers, the animal trainers,
+and the roustabouts. The first named, consisting of acrobats,
+tumblers, jugglers, aerial artists, and equestrians, are an exclusive
+class that eat at the same table and use the same Pullmans. They are
+not 'snooty,' just reserved. There are many foreigners among them. In
+some acts the entire family takes part. They are a sober lot. Hard
+liquor has no place on the refreshment list of a class whose life is
+dependent on a clear brain and a sure hand and foot. Many of them are
+good church folk. We could always tell when Sunday morning came by the
+bustle and stir to attend early Mass.
+
+"Roustabouts, the labor battalion of the circus army, join up out of
+curiosity and quit when satiated. A wise boss never fixes a specific
+payday or else, on the day following, not enough of 'em would be left
+to light the cook's fire. They are the first to be rousted out in the
+morning and never go to bed. They are supposed to catch naps during
+the afternoon performance and of evenings before the menagerie is torn
+down for another move. However, these naps are canceled if they can
+contact the public for a 'touch' or gain an audience for their weird,
+fantastic tales of personal heroism in their life with the circus.
+
+"And because Mister John Q. Public contacts these ne'er-do-wells and
+romancers, he forms wrong estimates of the business. Mister Public is
+further deceived in believing that the 'con man' who has a pitch
+nearby is connected with the enterprise. Circuses are widely
+advertised to appear at a certain place on a fixed date. The skin-game
+artists and shilabers, cheaters, flimflammers, and medicine men flock
+to these gatherings as flies to a picnic. They are as barnacles on a
+fast-moving ship, flies in the ointment of circus management. Happily
+much of this odium has been erased. By close cooperation with local
+authorities, the con man and shilaber is moved out before he starts.
+Unhappily the stigma of past incidents still persists.
+
+"And now, you are happy that I am approaching the end of the chapter,
+and I am happy to say a final word in behalf of my favorites among the
+circus folks, the animal trainers. To me, these patient, hard workers
+are the cream of the crop. Whenever I had time to spare I was a
+visitor in their schools. We marvel that we can communicate by
+telephone and radio, but animal trainers not only make themselves
+understood, but they must first teach their subjects the language in
+which they speak. At these training schools I've seen horses, dogs,
+elephants, seals, and birds told in pantomime what certain words mean;
+they are then told to execute the exact meaning of the word. Those who
+teach young humans have an easy task as compared with these patient
+teachers of dumb, but brainy brutes.
+
+"Animal trainers are born with the 'gift.' None, so far as I know,
+would shine in educational circles and none are dilettanti in the arts
+and sciences, yet they have that mysterious 'it' of influence and
+command. I've seen a great herd of elephants move in unison at a
+whispered word, and a dog will venture to death's door if a little,
+old ragged master bids him to do so. A queer relationship this! It has
+always fascinated me.
+
+"But, I want you to understand, my admiration for the game does not
+extend to the cat family. I always turn my back and walk away when I
+see Beatty walk into a cage of tigers, leopards, lions, or cougars. I
+admire his pluck but condemn his judgment. I cannot join the general
+public in admiring the sinuous majesty of the cats. I was always glad
+to hear the final slam of the gate and to wonder if the latch caught
+as Clyde backed out.
+
+"But with the rest of the trainees I am in good standing. I love to
+ramble around in the menagerie and hear the big talk of the gang in
+charge. Elephants like children and midgets. Old Mom always had a
+friendly greeting for me and knew in which pocket I had parked the
+peanuts. Seals know a lot more than they let on. However, they are a
+jealous set. They sulk and pout, worse than humans, if one act wins
+more applause than another.
+
+"As a sort of a summary of my happy hours spent with animal trainers,
+I offer the opinion that dogs, because of their centuries of contact
+with man, are the most faithful creatures of the animal kingdom; that
+horses are the most useful, for this great western empire would still
+be a desert or a roaring wilderness had it not been for the horse.
+Elephants are smarter than many of the other creatures. They can
+reason from cause to effect. This I know, for one dark, rainy night
+when we were stuck in the mud trying to get off the lot at Columbus,
+old Canhead Fortney was using two of the smaller Asiatics to shove the
+big cages out of the mire. Jerry Quiggle had six horses on a chain and
+was surging away to get the wagons out to the pavement. Canhead moved
+the little elephants around back of the big rhinoceros cage and fixed
+the head-pads for the big shove. But they didn't shove. Canhead bawled
+and fussed around in the dark and thought he had a mutiny on his
+hands. Presently he heard Jerry, up in front, hooking on the chain and
+clucking to the horses. Then the little Asiatics, without further
+orders, bent to their task and the big cage rolled out to the hard
+surface. Canhead apologized for his error. He stopped at a hydrant and
+washed the mud off the elephants' legs and gave 'em an extra feed.
+
+"But of all the animals under training, I think seals are the
+smartest. They are uncanny in their reasoning. They do unexpected
+things. When seals are associated with human beings as long as dogs
+they will speak our language and do it correctly. I think seals like
+to tour the country in the hope that some day they can go back to the
+ocean, to the rocks and cliffs and slides, to tell the other seals
+just how dumb we humans are.
+
+"And that's about all, my friends. I realize that my rambling remarks
+are poor pay for the splendid little horse I got. Really, if my time
+and talk is the value of exchange, I would be here for a week, telling
+of the tragedies and comedies I've seen in this vast, fast-moving
+business. I could tell of the big blow-down we had in Texas; of the
+train wreck in the Carolinas; of the near elephant stampede we had
+when the woman raised her parasol as the parade was forming in
+Frankfort. And to show how closely tragedy and comedy are interwoven,
+I'll ring down the final curtain by telling this incident.
+
+"At Toledo, the Grand Entry was forming for the night performance. In
+the menagerie tent the animals, chariots, Roman soldiers, and
+attendants were being lined up for the Grand March. In the lineup were
+two hippopotamuses. It was a new feature, having these big brutes free
+and unrestrained in a parade. Just as the march started, old Fisheye
+Gleason, a seasoned old retainer who cleaned out cages, fed the
+animals, and who claimed he was with Noah when he landed his animal
+collection on Mount Ararat; old Fisheye was climbing down from the top
+of a cage when he stumbled and fell right on the back of a hippo. Now
+a hippo isn't classed with the smart animals. He makes up in bulk what
+he lacks in brains. He is billed as being the 'Blood-Sweating Behemoth
+of Holy Writ.'
+
+"But it was Fisheye that did the sweating. He didn't want to fall off
+to be run over by the chariots and it was hard to stick on the round,
+fat hippo. And the poor, scared hippo ran through the band,
+scattering musicians and horns, ran round the arena with Fisheye
+aboard, and finally scrambled up about four tiers in the reserved
+seats to an entangling stop. So far as I know, this was the only
+parade that Fisheye ever headed, and Toledo was the only city to
+witness such a Grand Entry.
+
+"Thank you, one and all, for your kindly indulgence."
+
+Again the young minister headed the prolonged applause, but he
+motioned for the audience to remain seated for a final word.
+
+"This is one of the happy events of my life," he said
+enthusiastically. "I have been well entertained, and have gained much
+valuable information on two subjects that I knew little about. And now
+that I am to add a further paragraph as to our material gains, I hope
+our guest and entertainer will understand our deep appreciation of his
+presence with us and his thoughtful remarks.
+
+"Brother Peyton informs me that the receipts of the evening amount to
+four hundred and seventy-one dollars. This is a giant sum to be
+collected voluntarily, in a small community, in a time of depression
+and for an entertainment that was wholly home talent and given at
+little expense.
+
+"Our parent church provides for loans to be made, to match sums
+donated for building purposes. I am making application for such a
+loan. I have contracted for the purchase of the old Hartman home at
+the corner of Laramie Street. It needs a new roof and new paint. If a
+partition is torn out it will be ample for our church needs just now.
+Tomorrow I will canvass the community for volunteers to do this work.
+I have already made some inquiry on this matter and feel sure that we
+can get donations of three hundred manpower hours for this task.
+
+"So what you two have accomplished this night," said the youthful
+preacher in closing, "will be shown in our church records. It will be
+recorded that a handsome, enthusiastic young girl and a former circus
+performer made the initial contributions that established a church in
+a community where it was said that such a thing was impossible. I
+thank you all for your presence here, for your labors, and your
+contributions."
+
+
+
+
+16
+
+
+Sunday was a quiet day at the Gillis home. It was freighted with both
+doubt and hope. Landy and Davy were out of bed at four o'clock Monday
+morning. At five they were in the saddle; at six-thirty they were at
+the Carter filling station. Adine had just arrived and had introduced
+herself to old Maddy, seated on the porch. She heard a brief recital
+as to the cause of his injuries and as Landy and Davy rode up she
+invited the invalid to accompany the party.
+
+"It will do you good," she explained, "for after the snows come you
+must stay in the house for a long time. We three ride the front seat
+but there is a long, narrow seat at the rear where you can prop up
+your injured feet and view the scenery."
+
+Maddy laughed. "I've seen too much scenery already. I feel more like
+resting than I do gadding. I am, however, deeply interested in your
+project. If you take over that Barrow ranch and get Hulls out of the
+country, I want to recommend a tenant--a companionable fellow and a
+hard worker that will make a good neighbor and bring decency out of
+that disgrace. It's young Goff, who saved my life. He lives over the
+state line; raises sheep and cattle; has no family, and needs
+expansion. He would make that Tranquil Meadow area bloom like a rose."
+
+"Well, I'm not the buyer," cautioned Adine, "but I will certainly use
+my influence. Your benefactor has already proven his worth as a
+citizen, and we need that kind of folks to live down the past. I will
+do my best."
+
+Landy and Davy had parked their horses in the Carter corral to take
+their place in the awaiting car. At near the noon hour they parked in
+front of the National Bank in Cheyenne.
+
+"What's your birthday?" inquired the gentlemanly cashier, as Davy made
+inquiry as to the receipt of the draft.
+
+"May thirtieth," responded Davy promptly.
+
+The cashier laughed as he produced the expected document. "Your
+sending party seems to know you very well, and know how to solve our
+problem of identification. Do you want to open an account?"
+
+"Well, I suppose that's the way it should be handled. I want to pay
+the most of it to Mr. Logan, if he's prepared to accept it. I want to
+pay Mr. Spencer here one hundred dollars and he wants to add that to
+the account of Mrs. Gillis and I should add fully fifty dollars to
+that account to keep sweet with the best cook I ever encountered.
+Then, too, I should pay Mr. Finch fifty dollars. After that, if there
+is any left, I hope you can keep it for me until I can add it up to a
+profitable figure."
+
+"Ah! here's Mr. Logan," interrupted the cashier. "You gentlemen just
+come into the customers' room and we will work out the details."
+
+"You are prompt. I thought I would beat you here," said Logan to Davy
+and his party. "Saturday I had a deed prepared to the Barrow ranch and
+had the judge approve the sale with the conditions of possession as
+stated agreed. I have it here and ready for delivery."
+
+It was Mr. Gore, the courteous cashier, who took charge of the
+business. He secured the endorsement of Davy's draft, took his
+verified signature, drew the required checks, saw them signed and
+exchanged. The entire transaction was completed in a few minutes.
+
+"You will see Mr. Finch before I do," said Davy to Logan. "Will you
+please hand him this check for fifty which completes my obligations to
+him and tell him that I am having the cattle remaining on the ranch
+appraised. If the appraisal warrants, I will pay the balance of his
+bill and send the remainder to Hulls Barrow."
+
+"Appraised! Bosh!" snorted the bank receiver. "You'll not get close to
+see any part of the ranch, let alone counting the scrub cattle. I've
+been up against old Hulls and his gun, and I know what I'm talking
+about."
+
+"The cattle have already been counted," said Davy quietly, "and I had my
+first view of the Bar-O Friday. The cattle seem in good flesh but the
+general property needs a lot of repair. I was very sorry to see Mr.
+Barrow leave; I could have used a man of his firm determination...."
+
+"Leave?" demanded Logan. "Is Hulls gone?"
+
+"Left Friday morning early, taking with him his gun, dog, chickens,
+household plunder, and worst of all, Maizie. And that woman was the
+exact type I needed."
+
+"Where did they go?" questioned the astonished receiver.
+
+"Except for the coop of chickens and the household goods, it looked
+like a picnic. However, their guide, mentor, and boss had a faraway
+look in his eye--seemed impatient to get going. Who was he? Well, I
+don't know the folks hereabouts." Turning to Landy, Davy drawled, "Who
+was that fellow that was driving?"
+
+"Hit was Collins, Ugly Collins, en from the way he was bossin' en
+pushin' along, he was tryin' to make hit to Denver by nightfall."
+
+"Well, he certainly upset my plans," said Davy resignedly. "But that's
+what one encounters in making trades, Mr. Logan. You plan out what you
+are going to do, only to find out that others also make plans.
+
+"Well, folks," said Davy, picking up the new account book and pad of
+checks, "where is that famous restaurant that you've been talking
+about? Landy's breakfasts have no stretch in 'em, don't last. I'm
+wolfish. Well, good-by, Mister Logan, and good-by, Mister Gore. I hope
+we have pleasant relations. Good-by all." And Davy ushered his party
+to the street.
+
+Seated in the Little Gem, awaiting service, it was Adine Lough that
+opened the conversation. "I hardly know how I am to get home," she
+said. "I don't like driving alone, but I certainly don't want to be
+found in the company of two heartless comedians who seek to inject
+their comedy into staid business transactions. I thought Mr. Logan's
+lower jaw would drop off when you fastened the blame of the entire
+move on his friend Ugly Collins. I could hardly repress my tears in
+your great loss of Maizie's services. I think Mr. Logan was affected
+too. Shame on both of you for being so heartless."
+
+"Yes, Logan kinda got his fingers bruised in his own b'ar trap," said
+Landy thoughtfully. "I hope his bankin' efforts won't git tangled up
+in some of his deep plannin'. Logan will git his bank started all
+right; but when this depression lifts en things git goin' Adot will
+still need a bank; this one will turn out to be 'Logan's Tradin' Post'
+er 'Logan's Deadfall.' Ye can revive a bank by man-made laws, but hit
+takes more than a slicker to keep hit goin'. Have you two settled the
+hay trade?"
+
+"Yes," said Adine, "you are to have all the stacks and ricks in the
+south field. I think Mr. Potter estimated it at near one hundred tons.
+You can have the use of one of our trucks for hauling, but you will
+probably have to hire help to move it. Our folks have never exchanged
+work with the Bar-O. Our help will probably want to wait to see if the
+new management is any improvement on the former control." The raillery
+of the youngest and happiest of the trio was seemingly lost on the
+two, now immersed in heavy responsibilities.
+
+Davy returned to the car; Adine Lough would telephone a school friend
+and window shop while Landy went to the hardware store to buy some
+needed kitchen accessories as directed in a brief note that he had
+crumpled in a deep pocket. Before two o'clock the party was well on
+the way to Carter's.
+
+Less than a month ago David Lannarck had traveled this same road. Then
+he was amazed at the shifting changes, the glory of its loneliness,
+and the utter absence of the curious and gawking. In his decade of
+travel he never encountered the land of his dreams, the wide open
+spaces that reached from here to the horizon and free of human beings.
+His business led him to the congested spots on the earth. If and when
+he traveled with a circus he spent his spare hours in the animal tent.
+Here he was not taunted with verbal gibes. Maybe this was his reason
+for liking animals. Always, he dreamed of the day when he could own
+dogs, horses, or any living thing that didn't smirk or titter.
+
+And now, on this fine October afternoon, all past hopes and dreams had
+come true; his foot was in the doorway to an earthly heaven. He was
+the owner of a ranch (maybe Ralph Gaynor would condemn the investment)
+and it had length and breadth and the desirable loneliness. He was the
+owner of a grand little horse (maybe Jess and the gang of the circus
+would scorn his size and color). He was the sole owner of a herd of
+cattle (surely the experts and maybe the general public would classify
+them as scrubs and yellow-hammers) and best of all, he had acquired a
+few understanding friends, true and loyal. During the time of the long
+trip back to their horses he was in deep thought. His meditations did
+not concern finances, nor that other pressing question: when will this
+depression end? Truly he was trying to muster arguments and reasons
+whereby he could persuade his mentor to move the scrub yearlings, now
+quartered at the Cliffs, up to the stables and corrals with the rest
+of the cattle.
+
+For this midget, David Lannarck, was very human. Possessed of an alert
+and active mind, he had, throughout adulthood, ever been classified as
+a child. He would use his recent accomplishments and present status to
+frustrate that persistent impression. Secretly but in all details he
+planned the coup.
+
+First, he would persuade Landy to round up those yearlings in a group
+with the rest of the cattle; second, on the basis that a general
+picture of the enterprise was sorely needed to bolster his financial
+standing, he would have a photographer present, taking views of all
+phases of the adventure; thirdly, and most important, he, Davy, would
+be astride Peaches, mingling with the several cow hands against a
+background of milling cattle, either in the wide open spaces or in the
+corrals at the stables. Copies of these pictures he would send to all
+his old associates in vaudeville or in the circus business.
+Particularly, he would send several copies to Ralph Gaynor, president
+of the Dollar Savings, hoping that one of them might be displayed
+where the general public could see that a midget, a former resident,
+was active with other adults in the most fascinating business in
+America. He was not seeking to establish financial credit; that he
+had, in substantial deposits and other well known securities, but he
+wanted to get away from the persistent notion of classifying midgets
+as children.
+
+Meanwhile Adine and Landy, having exhausted merry quips and scornful
+comparisons of the past and future management of the Bar-O, now gave
+serious exchanges of opinions as to who would make a suitable tenant
+for the property that was to be built up to a going concern. Landy
+mentioned the names of a dozen old-time cattle men, now unemployed and
+surely available. None of these suited the notions of the young lady
+whose persistent idea was building up the neighborhood. She, too,
+mentioned the names of many, few of them known to the old timer.
+Finally the girl mentioned the name of Maddy's benefactor, young Goff,
+now residing across the state line. "He's in cramped quarters over
+there, I understand," said the girl casually.
+
+"He's the best man in the deestrict," said Landy thoughtfully. "But
+he's got the same problems we have. He's got critters to feed, en he
+can't run two places when the snow is here. I hope, however, that
+Davy here can make him a permanent offer that will move him at once.
+
+"But we've got to git them yearlin's outa the Cliffs en up to the
+stables," Landy announced emphatically. "We can't haul hay, wean
+calves, en be traipsin' all over ten sections to feed a few critters.
+We've got to bunch 'em en show 'em that we mean business."
+
+"That's right, Landy," was Davy's prompt approval. "Can we get that
+young Goff tomorrow? Is there a good photographer in Adot? When can we
+haul the hay?"
+
+"Thar ye go crowdin' the question chute," complained Landy as the
+party arrived at the filling station. "Tomorry we've got to be in
+Adot. We've got a deed to record; got to buy some ground feed, if them
+calves are to be weaned; got to hire a lot of exter hay hands en
+enough he'p to corral them yearlin's. En besides all that," he
+cautioned, "we've got to go to the register's office en git a
+substitute brand, fer old Hulls has shorely carried off the old irons
+outa pure cussedness. Kin ye he'p us tomorry?" His question was
+directed to Adine Lough as the two got out of the car.
+
+"Yes, I've enlisted for the duration. I am anxious to learn if the new
+management is an improvement over the old. Recent happenings have
+created doubts. Come over in the morning; I want to see the finish."
+
+
+
+
+17
+
+
+A veteran cow hand or a frequenter of the modern rodeo would have
+walked out on the roundup of the scattered kine of the Bar-O ranch on
+this gray October day. There was scarcely a thrill in the entire
+performance.
+
+At Welborn's insistence, Davy invited young Byron Goff to help out in
+the work to be done. "I may not be here always," explained Welborn,
+"and Landy won't be here forever. Young Goff is your bet. He's a
+square shooter, a good worker, and his sheep and your cattle are too
+few to awaken the old-time cattle and sheep wars. Tie in with Goff."
+
+And Goff came to look the place over and make a tentative contract. A
+day or two before the general roundup Landy and Flinthead had turned
+out the gentle cattle that stayed around the barns and sheds to mingle
+with nervous yearlings that headquartered at the Cliffs. On the
+morning of the roundup young Goff and Flinthead made a wide detour to
+appear at the easternmost side. The startled kine moved west, and kept
+moving west as they found scattered riders on either side. At the
+gate, where trouble was expected, a few "yip-yips" and a hurried push
+sent the entire herd through the gates to a safe enclosure.
+
+To David Lannarck, this was the climax of his varied career. He had a
+photographer present to take many successful shots, although the day
+was raw and gray. His circus friends may not have been impressed as
+they viewed the pictures but Davy spent happy hours in looking them
+over, especially the one where he, mounted on Peaches, was heading off
+an obstinate calf.
+
+The hay hauling from the B-line was interrupted by a snow storm that
+persisted for several days. Davy had to stay at home to train Peaches
+in many fancy tricks and to keep a path open to the Gillis home.
+Welborn, however, took no part in these activities. He continued his
+work at the ravine and expressed joy that a heavy snow would prevent a
+deep freeze of the gravel. In fact, much of his time was consumed in
+insulating the pumps, the waterpipes and the area where he was to
+work. He was often delayed by the severity of the weather but as the
+dreary weeks passed the heap of little sacks that contained his
+gleanings grew to a considerable pile.
+
+And in these monotonous months of near-solitude Davy Lannarck found
+the satisfaction and contentment of his former dreams. In five months
+he saw less than a half score of people. In his waking hours his time
+was spent in training Peaches and playing with the Gillis dogs. Most
+of the time he kept the way open to the Gillis demesne, but on two
+occasions at least, he was denied that privilege; the heavy, swirling
+snows that swept over this mountain region were too much for a midget
+man and a midget horse. It was Landy Spencer and the larger horses
+that conquered the big drifts and made a passable thoroughfare between
+the Point and the Gillis home. But spring came as is its wont; the
+great snowdrifts yielded to the demands of the sun and southern winds
+and the returning flights of birds heralded the change of seasons.
+
+But the big change in conduct and occupation was in Sam Welborn. In
+the short, dark, snowy days he labored in the recesses of the canyon
+from early dawn to nightfall, but as the days lengthened and
+brightened, he puttered about the house sorting and packing some of
+his personal effects, pressing his limited supply of clothing,
+constructing a strong box to contain his gleanings, and losing no
+chance to learn of the conditions of the roads to Cheyenne and points
+beyond. It was apparent to his few acquaintances that he was now
+prepared to overcome some past adversities that had hindered his
+progress in other fields.
+
+One evening after supper at the Gillis home Welborn made a limited
+disclosure of his future plans. "As soon as the roads are fit, I want
+to go to the assay office in Denver and cash up on past efforts," was
+his opening statement. "I hope Jim can take time out to drive me there
+and bring the car back, for I want to make a trip back East to be gone
+for a week or two. After I have finished up my business in that area I
+want to come back here and loaf around a spell and get acquainted with
+my neighbors and benefactors. As Davy has often said, 'The gold up in
+the ravine will keep.' The claims are registered in our names, and we
+can, from time to time, work 'em to keep 'em alive.
+
+"At the assay office," Welborn continued, "I will cash in the little
+dab that I had accumulated before Davy advanced the money to buy the
+pump and accessories; the rest is partnership funds to be divided and
+depos--"
+
+"Hold on!" interrupted Davy. "You've sheltered me, fed me--"
+
+"--with grub bought with your money," interposed Welborn. "You can't
+avoid past contributions by present-day denials, Laddie. Without your
+help it would have taken me ten years to do what I've now done in six
+months. And speed was and is the important requirement. In addition to
+all you've done in the past months I've still got another problem for
+you to work on."
+
+Welborn paused, seemingly embarrassed as to how to proceed. His little
+audience waited breathlessly. "Folks, I am not a criminal!" he said
+after a prolonged pause. "But I did get involved with gangsters.
+Although I made a temporary clean-up on some of them, domestic affairs
+and financial disasters made it impossible to stay on. It seemed
+cowardly to quit but there was no other way. I had no plans, no trade,
+no profession. I simply stumbled in on this method of financial
+recovery, and thanks to your kindly indulgence I am prepared to go
+back and make good some financial matters that were not of my making.
+
+"But in going back," Welborn continued, "I would like to know
+something about conditions there before they know who I am. There
+seems to be two ways to do this. One would be to camp nearby and send
+someone to investigate and report back as to conditions; the other
+would be for me to disguise myself and loaf around as a laborer,
+unemployed and looking for work.
+
+"You know something about make-up and disguises, Laddie; could I be
+made up as a laborer or a village loafer so I could sit around and
+listen in?"
+
+"You would have to let them shoulders down and pad a hump in your
+back," replied the little man. "Appearances can be radically changed
+but size is a handicap. There is a woman in Denver by the name of
+Wallace that can make you up to look like either an angel or a tramp.
+She used to be in vaudeville with costumes and makeup, now she's
+settled down in the legit--furnishes costumes for plays, charades, and
+the like. She's on one of those little side streets near the business
+district. She'll clip your head, deck you out in scraggy iron-gray
+hair and whiskers until a bank clerk would turn you down, even if you
+were identified. She'll tell you about your clothing; that's her
+specialty. Your ragged coat ought to have a hump in the back to offset
+erectness and if you carry a cane, you should use it--not twirl it
+like a baton.
+
+"But there's one of your assets, or weaknesses, that she will not be
+able to disguise," said Davy earnestly. "I take a chance in wrecking a
+fine friendship, to tell you about it."
+
+"Go right on, Sonny Boy," said Welborn, "you couldn't wreck our
+friendship if you were to spit in my face."
+
+"Well, we folks here know nothing about your past. We don't want to
+know until you release it, but I'll bet my interest in the Bar-O
+against a thin dime that you've served in the army and were a tough
+old 'top-kick' at that. You want things done your way. You resist
+being told. You want to correct the other fellow if he's wrong; even
+if disguised, you would interrupt and correct and maybe jam the whole
+works. Of course we want you to win but you've got to be careful--even
+if it hurts."
+
+Welborn's face flushed but he laughed sheepishly as he pondered the
+charges made. "You've got me dead-to-rights, Laddie; I am impatient
+and domineering, but I think I still have control. Just now I need
+information. I want to know if I am classed as a criminal or a citizen
+back in my home town. Personally, I would like to go back there, loaf
+around and listen in.
+
+"Well, it can be done," said Davy emphatically, "and I think I ought
+to be an assistant. You saved my life, now I want to be a party to
+saving your reputation. You are not a criminal; you couldn't be one if
+you tried. Just tell me the name of your home town and I will go there
+as the advance man for Lannarck's Congress of Living Wonders. I'll be
+seeking a site to assemble the company and plan the rehearsals. While
+there I will want the history of the town and the chamber of commerce
+will give it to me. In that history, your affair in all its details
+will be recited. Later on, you can stumble in as a laborer, seeking
+work. I will be quartered at the leading hotel, and you at a boarding
+house out by the junction. But we will meet at the picture show or at
+a local poolroom and I will hire you to take care of the baggage and
+the accessories as they come in. It won't take us long to get your
+status, pay your fine, or get the judge to suspend your sentence.
+
+"Let's get going, podner," said Davy, as he clambered down from his
+chair. "We'll both go to Cheyenne; you go to Denver to cash up and
+fade out; I'll go to your town to pay out and horn in."
+
+Welborn smiled as he listened to Davy's enthusiasm and slang. He
+drummed his fingers on the table as he considered his proposals. "I
+hadn't thought of involving any of our home-folks in my troubles,"
+said he thoughtfully, "but maybe your assistance and plan will be the
+thing that's needed. I want information. People will stare at and talk
+to a midget and they will pay little attention to the badly dressed
+old gent with whom he associates. Anyhow, it won't hurt to try it
+out."
+
+Davy insisted that the party should start for Cheyenne the very next
+morning. James Gillis, who was to do the driving, would wait until he
+learned of road conditions. Welborn occupied much of the time in
+fitting himself with old shoes, overalls, hickory shirts, and a
+slouch hat. On Monday, Jim learned that the nearby trails were fit for
+travel to the paved highway and on Tuesday morning the party of three
+loaded the little car with boxes of metal, bundles of clothing, and
+the like, and started for Cheyenne.
+
+During the long drive, Welborn took up much of the time in instructing
+Davy as to his destination and duties. "Bransford, a near suburb of
+Chicago, is your destination," he explained, "and the man who insulted
+the better element of the community by his insistence that the
+prevailing lawlessness was wholly due to their negligence was named
+Shirley Wells. And this same Wells, when he found that gangsters had
+taken over the management of the old family bank and brought disrepute
+to an honored name, staged a battle with these invaders that sent two
+of 'em to the hospital and maybe resulted in the death of one or both.
+Was he indicted? Did a mob form? He did not wait to see. With the
+family estate squandered, this Wells boarded a night freight train to
+avoid present responsibilities and to seek a new start in life. His
+linen and underwear was marked S.W. He changed his name to Samuel
+Welborn. You know the rest of the story, Davy, but there is a lost
+chapter in the tale. What's the present-day status of Shirley Wells in
+his home town?
+
+"In Bransford, you will headquarter at the Grand Union Hotel.
+Following your 'broadcast' about establishing a training ground for
+the Kid Show, you must quietly go to the office of Fred Townsend for
+information. He's a lawyer. If he's alive, I've got a chance; if he's
+dead, Shirley Wells is still Sam Welborn and the Silver Falls district
+must continue as his hideout.
+
+"In your contact with Townsend, tell him that I sent you--that you are
+my A.Z.--and he will understand. What you tell him is casual; your
+objective is to find out all about the standing of Shirley Wells.
+Shirley is surely a bankrupt, but is he a murderer? Are indictments
+pending? Can he be cleared of these charges? And what about the Wells
+National Bank? And where is Carson Wells? These are the things we must
+know if I am to live as a citizen or a criminal.
+
+"I will be in Denver for a few days. We surely have more than sixty
+thousand dollars' worth of metal in those containers. Some of it may
+be in bad shape. Some of it may have to be rectified, as they term it,
+and that will cause delay. Then, too, I am not certain if your lady
+friend in Denver can do her job effectively. I wouldn't want to be
+caught in a disguise. At any rate, I will be in Chicago or Bransford
+some day next week."
+
+At the railway station Jim Gillis maneuvered the ancient model to
+unload the metal and clothing at the Denver platform. Davy purchased a
+ticket for Chicago. Welborn's read "to Denver and return."
+
+
+
+
+PART TWO
+
+
+
+
+18
+
+
+Because of duties in maintaining peace along the uncertain boundary
+lines that divided a defeated people from those who had triumphed,
+Captain Shirley Wells was detained in the border lands of France and
+Germany long after his badly reduced regiment had returned to their
+homeland. Wells had been the first sergeant of a company that became
+noted for its discipline within and its activities afield. His
+promotion to a commission had been earned.
+
+Shirley had entered the service as an enthusiastic youth. In a few
+brief years he had grown to a serious-minded man. A six-footer,
+deep-chested, broad of shoulders, he had the physical ability to
+enforce the decrees and orders of his superiors while the general
+terms of boundaries were being formulated. Patiently and firmly he
+worked with the peasantry of any district where he was assigned to
+gain their confidence and earn the praise of his superiors. On July
+2nd, 1921, his nation and the others interested having completed the
+general terms of boundaries and occupation, the service by regulatory
+groups was ended. Shirley Wells had been gratified in earning a
+commission, now he was happy indeed to know that he was to return to
+civilian pursuits, for he might have to work out some peace terms in
+his home town.
+
+More than eighteen months ago, while his regiment was resting after an
+effective foray against the enemy in the vicinity of Lyons, he
+received a letter informing him of the death of his father and
+indicating that a telegram had been sent. He never received the
+telegram, and judging by a lack of replies to his letters, he doubted
+that one had been sent.
+
+Now he was an orphan. In letters from friends he learned that his
+elder brother, Carson, was in charge of the family bank at Bransford,
+a suburb of Chicago, and that he was connected with active interests
+in that city. He learned, too, that Carson now lived in the ancient
+but beautiful home formerly occupied by his parents. What about the
+boys and girls with whom he was associated in school days? Was Loretta
+Young married? Was the strong little bank, the pride of two
+generations, still rendering the service that had made it famous? And
+what of the other family assets? This returning soldier was deeply
+involved in the complications that come to all veterans who are
+hastily transferred back to civilian duties and are to encounter the
+radical changes that have been made to maintain a vast fighting force
+in distant lands.
+
+However, Shirley Wells noted little difference in conditions in the
+cities of Washington and Chicago as he hastened homeward. Buildings
+and streets appeared about as usual but the general populace appeared
+indifferent and unconcerned. Unemployment prevailed, but he seemed to
+contact more women in business places than he did in former days.
+
+At Chicago he transferred to the morning local for Bransford. He was
+disappointed that he found no old-time acquaintances among those who
+were bound for the suburbs. The first person to recognize him was the
+station agent at Bransford and his greeting was casual as he trundled
+the truck of empty milk cans to the far end of the platform. "Maybe
+these London tweeds are taboo in this central zone," he grumbled as he
+made his way up the shaded street to the business district.
+
+At the bank, he planned to walk right up to the receiver's window and
+ask old Powell if this was Tellson's bank and was Mr. Tellson in? As a
+schoolboy he had often kidded the aged cashier as to the close
+resemblance of these quarters to the little, gloomy, narrow affair
+described by author Dickens as being located at Temple Bar in the city
+of London. But the aged cashier's place was occupied by an alert young
+man who asked to be of service and Shirley could only inquire if
+Carson was in.
+
+The aged woman working at a filing cabinet turned quickly when she
+heard the voice of the inquirer. She walked to the counter to get a
+better view. "Why, it's Shirley!" she cried as she ran out in the
+corridor. "It's Shirley!--twice as big!" She made ineffective attempts
+to hug and caress the big man, who laughingly lifted her up to plant a
+kiss on either cheek. "That's the first--and best--welcome I've had
+since I landed in America, Aunt Carrie," said he. "Now I feel that I
+am home."
+
+Carson Wells came from the little private room at the rear. The
+greetings of the brothers were not so effusive. Shirley was invited to
+the private room by his brother.
+
+"I want to loaf around for a week or two," the veteran explained. "I
+want to hunt up a few old friends and hear 'em detail the awful
+experiences they suffered during the war. If you can find me a
+temporary hangout where I can store some keepsakes while I get myself
+oriented, it will be quite all right."
+
+"The housing situation is a little tight just now," said Carson, "but
+we should be able to find quarters somewhere. The Grand Union is badly
+congested of weekends and rooming houses are full up. I live in the
+three west rooms of our old home and Mr. Breen and his family occupy
+the rest. However, there's plenty of room at the farmhouse, and Davis,
+the tenant, certainly needs a lot of personal supervision, the way
+things have been going lately. At times I have felt that I should
+share the big house at the farm but my wife protests--"
+
+"Are you married?" interrupted Shirley. "And who is the fortunate
+lady?"
+
+"Why, sure I'm married. Didn't you get our announcement? I married
+Loretta Young a year ago last April."
+
+Shirley Wells occupied quarters at the family farmhome for nearly four
+years. In the first few weeks he drove an ancient model back and forth
+to the little city to renew acquaintances. The American Legion,
+quartered in a small room over a meat market, was one of his hangouts.
+Here, two or three of the unimportant members were in constant
+attendance quibbling and complaining that the general public did not
+plan and build for their uses the ornate structure they had in mind.
+For a week or two he frequented the local movies, but compared with
+past experiences he failed to find the production up to the
+announcements that the portrayals were stupendous and thrilling.
+Social affairs in the community seemed confined to "groups." Luncheon
+clubs, such as Rotary, Kiwanis, and Lions seemed to dominate
+commercial activities while the Dramatic Club and P.T.A. organizations
+took care of other community gatherings.
+
+But to Shirley Wells, the one big change from old-time conditions was
+in the liquor business. The saloons that flourished in the days before
+his enlistment were not now operating. Of the seven places where
+liquor was sold only one maintained a resemblance to former
+conditions. Dinty O'Neal's place, across the tracks, appeared about as
+disreputable as it was in former days. Some of the young sports
+laughingly insisted that Dinty's home-brew was in a fair way of making
+the city famous.
+
+Two of the uptown places continued to operate a few pool tables and
+sell soft drinks. One room, formerly occupied by a saloon, was now the
+office of a trucking company with headquarters in Chicago. Shirley was
+later to learn that young Anzio, the new bank employee, was a nephew
+of the manager of the trucking company.
+
+Shirley gave little attention to the affairs at the bank. Carson
+seemed unwilling to share the responsibilities of a business that was
+severely affected by the growing depression. As a youngster Shirley
+knew much of the details of the business but he realized that he had
+no present-day knowledge of credits and loans. He made no effort to
+intrude.
+
+Knowing that he must rely on his own efforts to earn a living, Shirley
+secured desk-room in the elaborate offices of Fred Townsend, a
+personal friend and a leading lawyer in the community. Here he acted
+as a receiver in several complicated cases and was often busy in
+securing evidence. This employment occupied much of his time and gave
+opportunity to note the trend in community affairs.
+
+Meanwhile, Carson found a customer for the family farm. "The Model
+Trucking Company wants the place for storage," he explained, "and they
+are the only concern on our books that has a growing account." Shirley
+moved into town to an apartment over the Banner office.
+
+Indeed, the trucking company was an active concern. Trucks grew in
+number. Night shipping was a principal activity. Local "night hawks"
+were to learn that coal and corn composed most of the incoming loads,
+and the finished product went to Chicago. Local distributors were
+supplied only from that central city.
+
+As is usually the case, revulsion follows negligence. Now sober-minded
+but financially distressed citizens would correct the prevailing evil.
+The eighteenth amendment must be repealed. The people of the nation
+were voting to undo what had been done.
+
+Locally, Reverend James Branch of the Fourth Avenue Church called a
+meeting of ministers and church officials to discuss the probable loss
+of the amendment that was to have been the cure for liquor evils. The
+call to the meeting was announced in the local newspapers.
+
+Shirley Wells had not been specifically invited to the conference. He
+was curious to learn, however, if there was a cure for this festering
+ailment that afflicted the nation other than the repeal of the
+amendment. He quietly took a back seat at the small but select
+gathering in the church parlors to listen to the protests and
+complaints. And there was little else in the several talks--protests
+against the lack of law enforcement; complaints that Chicago gangsters
+were broadening their sphere of activity to include adjacent cities
+and suburbs in the distribution and sale of raw alcohol and needled
+beer. In these discussions no speaker offered a solution to the
+problem.
+
+The Reverend Branch presided. Following the several talks he
+recognized Shirley Wells and in an elaborate introduction, reciting
+his war service, he asked Shirley if he had a solution for the problem
+now under discussion.
+
+"I came here seeking information," said Shirley quietly. "I surely
+must be the most ignorant one present. I wasn't in the States when the
+amendment was passed and have had limited opportunity to note the
+effects. It is apparent, however, that there is something wrong,
+radically wrong, with the whole population--both the criminal and the
+law-abiding."
+
+"Why! what's wrong with the better element?" demanded the chairman
+quickly. "It was the law-abiding citizen that planned and urged and
+voted for the eighteenth amendment to the Constitution. Our planning
+and work was effective. And now, they would nullify our past labors."
+
+"And then, what did you do?" demanded Shirley as he rose to his feet
+to emphasize what was to follow. "You, figuratively, folded fat hands
+across pudgy stomachs and left the enforcement of your edict to the
+officers who were friends of the bootleggers. Your failure to act
+causes this repeal."
+
+"Is it your idea that the better element of a community must quit
+their business to take up the matter of law enforcement?" the chairman
+asked in scornful tones.
+
+"It's my idea," retorted Shirley as he advanced from the rear to the
+center of the gathered group, "it's my idea that anyone who launches a
+new, untried craft in unexplored waters had better stay at the helm
+instead of leaving the management of the boat to those who deride the
+plan. It wouldn't have taken much of your time, Doctor Branch, to have
+organized an enforcement committee to assist the policeman who was a
+friendly acquaintance of the former liquor man, who has now turned
+bootlegger. Policemen are selected because of their acquaintance with
+the underworld and they are very human. Void of any contacts with the
+better element of the community, they allow their friends to run wild
+in lawlessness until the affair gets beyond control. That's what
+happened in Bransford; that's what happened everywhere. Lawless greed
+flourishes in the atmosphere of negligence.
+
+"But I didn't come here to quarrel with the better element of my home
+town," concluded Shirley as he reached for his hat. "I had hoped that
+you had a solution, a plan, to meet the oncoming conditions. Just now
+the States are voting to repeal the amendment. It seems certain that
+it will be repealed and within the next year or two, the old saloon
+will be functioning as in former days. It will pay a tax to the
+government on the product sold, it will pay a tax to the city, it will
+furnish a bond to operate legally and at stated hours, and its return
+will be welcomed by many. But remember that the greedy and grasping
+back of it all will overdo, as always, and the amendment will be
+re-enacted. This time, if it has the support of a well-organized
+enforcement committee, it will function despite the efforts of the
+greedy."
+
+
+
+
+19
+
+
+The Bransford Morning Herald contained no account of the meeting at
+the Fourth Avenue Church. News of the rebuff as administered to the
+better element by a rank outsider was slow in gaining circulation. But
+the incident was not wholly suppressed. Judge Parker, who had been
+present, chuckled the incident to a few friends; Holstroff, the
+merchant, recited the details to a few customers as they discussed the
+probable outcome of the state elections now being held; and Joe
+Dansford, the church janitor, told the incident of how the meeting
+ended in a general row, without the formality of a motion to adjourn.
+Lacking a correct account, the general public of the little city
+elaborated the story to include fisticuffs and swear words.
+
+Carson Wells, of the Wells National, heard the story and was much
+concerned. It affected his leading customer. Just now, banks were
+closing in increasing numbers, local factories were shut down,
+retailing limited to bare necessities, and only one concern in the
+community earned money. Carson, as well as the managers of the Model
+Trucking Company, realized that in the event of the repeal of the
+amendment, ruin was inevitable. It was Carson's problem to stop such
+publicity. Shirley must be silenced. He was found at the public
+library and was invited to come to the bank after three o'clock.
+
+"That vindictive speech you made at the church meeting is proving very
+costly," said Carson as the brothers seated themselves in the little
+consultation room in the rear of the bank. "It affects your own
+personal affairs, and seeks to wreck the only concern in the city that
+is functioning and making money. Your interest in this bank demands a
+retraction of what you said at that meeting."
+
+"Why, I didn't know I had an interest in this bank," said Shirley in
+even tones. "In the years past, I have been shunted around from pillar
+to post, living on the few small fees received from receiverships and
+bankruptcy petitions. And I didn't think that I had banking interests.
+I certainly am an object of personal negligence, but hereafter the
+matter will have my attention."
+
+Carson was nonplused at both the answer and attitude. He had planned
+his remarks, however, and he proceeded along prepared lines.
+
+"Your remarks at that meeting were uncalled for. Your insistence
+created enemies. No one at the meeting was in favor of repealing the
+amendment and restoring the unwanted saloon. Yours was the attitude of
+the drinking ne'er-do-wells of the underworld. Two of those present at
+that meeting have withdrawn their account, others will do the same.
+You were simply undermining your own foundations."
+
+"And just what sort of a structure stands on my foundations?" drawled
+Shirley. "I am a sort of a misfit in the community structure. I do not
+live in my family home, am not employed in my family bank, was moved
+away from my family's farm, have never been consulted on business or
+social affairs since my parents died. Really, I have no foundations
+that could be undermined."
+
+Carson's face reddened as he listened to the truth. He walked to the
+water-cooler, took a drink, and returned to his seat. "In some things
+you are right," he confessed. "When you came home from France, I hoped
+you would seek a professional career--would turn to politics and make
+a name for yourself and the family. It seemed my business to work hard
+and aid in building that career, but you didn't go the way I hoped."
+
+"Just what aid did you render in building such a career? It takes
+money to acquire a profession. How much did you contribute?"
+
+Again Carson was unable to make a specific answer to the cutting,
+personal questions. He cleared his throat. "I didn't make any
+contributions. I wasn't asked. I was...."
+
+"Do you have to ask for your own property, in this day and age?"
+demanded Shirley. "When Father died, I was an heir to one half of what
+he possessed: home, farm, bank, bonds, and money on hand. Very
+properly, in the absence of the other heir, you took charge of the
+property and managed the business. But on the return of the other heir
+you made no accounting. In fact, you resented his interest in anything
+connected with the business."
+
+"When you returned from the war," said Carson, "we were approaching a
+depression that grew to disastrous proportions. Banks are the first to
+feel such a calamity. My whole time has been devoted to
+curtailment--to restricting loans and seeking deposits. Truly, we
+haven't earned a cent since the war ended."
+
+"So that's the reason you bought the fancy, high-priced limousine and
+gave several parties at the country club! That's the reason why you
+maintain those luxurious quarters in Chicago! You were wanting to show
+the public that...."
+
+"Never mind what I was doing," interrupted Carson angrily. "It's what
+you have done that is the matter under discussion, and we are getting
+nowhere. We might as well adjourn."
+
+"Not yet," demanded Shirley hastily. "Keep your seat. The show has now
+reached the second act. Let's sit it out." It was Shirley who stood up
+as Carson resumed his seat.
+
+"Our family was always reticent. We avoided publicity; didn't want
+Mister John Q. to know about our affairs. You surely remember how
+reluctant our father was when it was found that his private bank must
+be nationalized. One little share was issued to Aunt Carrie, one to
+John Powell, his old, trusted employee, and he held the rest. He
+didn't want the public to know about his private affairs.
+
+"I think I inherited most of his secretive qualities," Shirley
+continued. "I listened to a lot of rumors and then I began to
+investigate. My findings lead to but one conclusion: you allied
+yourself with gangsters in the hope of participating in their enormous
+gains only to find that you are the biggest sucker on their list."
+
+"I didn't favor anybody," said Carson hotly. "Our relations were
+simply that of banker and customer."
+
+"And to maintain cordial relations you deeded to them a fine but
+isolated farm where, uninterrupted, they could produce 'rotgut' to
+supply the entire Chicago area. Have you been out there lately? Father
+used to call it Forest Home. The Hereford cattle that he reared topped
+the market. It's different now. The gates are locked. A thug stands
+out in the roadway to divert traffic. In the night, truckloads of corn
+and coal arrive to produce the 'hell-fire' that is bottled, labeled,
+and distributed over the district."
+
+In the midst of this recital Carson dropped his head down on his arms,
+folded on the table.
+
+"I don't know a thing about the conditions here at the bank," Shirley
+continued in softer tones, "but there are public records that tell an
+incriminating story. The records at the courthouse show a mortgage to
+the Reliable Insurance Company on our home here in the city. My
+signature on such a mortgage was forged. I didn't know about this
+until I was forced into this investigation. You, and your bank, must
+have needed money very badly and you committed forgery to get it.
+Based on this fact alone, one has a right to believe that you are
+fooling the busy bank examiners with forged securities. It's just a
+question as to what hour you will be uncovered and convicted."
+
+Carson still reclined his head on folded arms. Shirley was preparing
+to leave. "We are broke, Carson. I haven't a dime and you have less.
+But I am not going to stay in Bransford and be a party to your
+downfall. My word alone would prove your guilt. I don't know where I
+am going, but I intend hiding out until this thing blows over. But
+before I go, Carson, I want an interview with your criminal friends to
+tell 'em what a set of dirty, crooks they are."
+
+Late in the afternoon, as Shirley was busy in clearing his desk of
+unneeded papers, his friend Townsend dropped in to confer on some
+pending matters.
+
+"I am sorry, Fred, to tell you I am leaving," said Shirley as he
+closed the desk. "I don't know where I am going and I don't want the
+public to know where I am located. If you have the time, I would like
+to tell you the cause of it all and put you wise to some incidents
+that seem sure to happen."
+
+"I think you are going to confirm some suspicions I had formed in
+connection with the Larwell estate. The account at the Wells Bank
+didn't conform to the little credit slips as issued."
+
+"You are on the right road, oldtimer," said Shirley, and he proceeded
+to relate what was said in his recent conference with Carson. He cited
+the incident of the forged deed and detailed conditions at the farm.
+"The Wells National is not only broke," he added, "but Carson is
+involved in several criminal activities. I don't want to be present
+when the crash comes; I don't want my evidence to convict him. I am
+going to hide out where a summons-server cannot find me."
+
+"Maybe you are right," said Townsend thoughtfully, "but there are some
+things you should do before you leave. The crash will come, no doubt;
+Carson's share of the estate will be charged with his criminal
+actions; yours is not involved. Before you go, you should give to
+someone a full power of attorney to take care of your interests. In
+the midst of juggled accounts and forgeries, there may be something
+left, and anyhow, the receivership cannot be closed without your
+consent."
+
+"You are right, as always, Fred, and you are the very person to have
+that power. Let's get it done right away. I have another thing on hand
+that must be taken care of after supper."
+
+"When are you leaving, and have you enough money to get you out of
+town?" asked Townsend as the two returned from across the hall where
+the instrument had been notarized.
+
+"I think I will leave tonight. The bubble may not burst for a while. I
+want the public to become accustomed to my absence. As for money, when
+I pay for my supper, I may have as much as forty cents left."
+
+"You are braver than I thought and as stubborn as I suspected," said
+Townsend as he searched his pocketbook. "Here's a twenty. That may get
+you across the river and on your way. You will make your way all
+right, but if your case becomes desperate draw on me under the name
+A.Z., and I will understand. Your financial affairs are in desperate
+condition but the case is not hopeless. You are young and healthy but
+you lack a definite plan of life. If someone will throw you a line
+while you are floundering in this slough you will come out all right.
+Now what's this thing you are to do after the evening meal?"
+
+"I've made a phone date to tell Anzio and his set of crooks what a
+rotten set of gangsters they are. It won't take me long to tell 'em
+and then I am ready to leave."
+
+"You might not be able to make a get-away from those mobsters. Taking
+an enemy for a final 'ride' is one of their favorite pastimes. And
+anyhow, you can't tell 'em anything that they don't already know. You
+have no right to do such an uncalled for thing."
+
+"Oh, yes I have," said Shirley as he took his hat preparing to leave.
+"My visit might precipitate an incident. Anyhow, I'm on my way."
+
+Shirley left the office. Townsend went to the telephone in the front
+room.
+
+
+
+
+20
+
+
+Shirley had delayed his evening meal to fit his appointment at the
+Model Trucking Company. Near eight o'clock he crossed the street to go
+up the alley to Cherry Street. At the crossing of the dark alley he
+encountered a policeman and was greeted casually by that officer. In
+front of the lighted office he accosted another officer, standing in a
+darkened area near a car parked in front. "Maybe this is a warning,"
+he thought, as he stepped into the well-lighted office.
+
+He was greeted cordially by Anzio and was introduced to the two others
+present. "This is Don Carlin, our custodian here, and this is Jan
+Damino, our most trusted employee." Carlin was a slight young man, but
+his companion differed much in size and considerably in age. Damino,
+aging to baldness, was a commanding figure. Thick-chested, with arms
+and legs of considerable size, his seamed face revealed a ragged scar
+from temple to chin. Both nodded acknowledgment of the introduction
+and Carlin brought a chair for the visitor.
+
+"I'm glad you've come," said Anzio in pleasing tones. "Your brother
+reports that you have been badly informed as to what this company is
+doing. We want to correct any such wrong ideas."
+
+"No one has given me any information about you," said Shirley
+scornfully. "I was out to the old farm and saw with my own eyes just
+what's going on."
+
+"Ah! You paid us a visit and we didn't know it. Somebody has been
+negligent."
+
+"That's right! Your carefully guarded distillery had a visitor. I used
+to live out there. Knowing about your locked gates and posted guard, I
+went on the farm from the rear. I edged up to see your still in
+operation in the old shed. I saw your bottling plant in the big barn.
+It recalls the old adage: 'You can't fool all the people all the
+time.'"
+
+Anzio's face clouded as he planned a reply. "You didn't go in close
+enough to see what was being bottled and labeled? You are willing to
+spread a false report without having the facts?
+
+"What you glimpsed in your casual snooping was the details of the one
+business in this community that is prospering. Out in your family's
+old farm, Doctor David Allen, formerly of St. Louis, is preparing,
+mixing, bottling, and labeling 'Allen's Stomach Bitters' that has been
+famous in the South and Southwest for many years. He is now pushing
+sales in the North and East. Because of its vegetable content, just a
+small amount of alcohol is a part of the mixture.
+
+"You saw only the sidelines in your snooping and you are putting out a
+lot of misinformation," concluded Anzio, "and to set you right, I have
+arranged for our trusted employee, Damino, to take you out there and
+show you the whole works. The night shift is on and I want 'em to show
+you every detail of the business."
+
+"Will Damino furnish a round trip ticket?" asked Shirley, as he arose
+from his chair.
+
+"I don't quite know what you mean," countered Anzio.
+
+"Oh, yes you do," said Shirley emphatically. "Damino here is a
+'one-way' man. It's his business to destroy opposition. I wouldn't
+ride with him down State Street, let alone a country road. With him at
+the wheel, we couldn't get past that thicket down by the bridge."
+
+"Get him out of here," roared Anzio as he waved to Damino to obey his
+commands.
+
+Damino approached his quarry cautiously. With his right hand he
+fingered an inside pocket of his coat; withdrew the hand to place it
+on Shirley's shoulder. "Let's git goin'," he said as he shoved Shirley
+toward the door.
+
+Shirley had seen a move that he thought important. He grabbed the
+extended right arm to give it a jujitsu move up and to the back of the
+body. It made the assailant grunt and his left knee buckled in its
+uncertain stance. Quickly Shirley reached in the inside pocket to
+withdraw a lengthy Colt revolver. Shifting the weapon to his right
+hand, he brought it down in a mighty blow on the temple of his
+assailant. Damino fell to the floor. Carlin fled the room by the back
+door. Shirley turned to find Anzio frantically searching the contents
+of a drawer in the nearby cabinet. Placing the gun in his pocket,
+Shirley seized a tall, steel-legged stool to bring it down on Anzio's
+unprotected head. Anzio joined Damino on the floor. Shirley walked out
+the front door.
+
+On the sidewalk Shirley encountered the policeman. "What's going on in
+there?" he demanded.
+
+"Not much, just now," was the reply, "but I was certainly busy for a
+short time. Why are you here?"
+
+"Your friend, Fred Townsend, is responsible. Fred is seemingly not in
+touch with our present city administration, but he sure has a strong
+pull with our chief. Fred phoned him to send two or three of the force
+down here to see that you were not killed or taken for a ride. We
+don't know what it's all about, but we're here. Ah, here's company,"
+the officer added as another policeman came out of the alley, shoving
+Carlin in front of him.
+
+"Is this the finish?" inquired the alley officer. "This fellow,"
+pointing to Carlin, "came out of the back door rather hurriedly and
+began searching in a pile of junk. I thought that was a part of that
+play. What's it all about anyway?"
+
+"This is the finish, my friends, and I am very much obliged for your
+presence," said Shirley as he prepared to leave. "But there's a couple
+in there that may need first aid. Go right in; give what assistance
+you can, and call me if I'm needed."
+
+Shirley watched the perplexed officers as they went into the front
+office. Then he walked leisurely up the alley to Oak Street. Nearing
+the railroad, he heard a freight train slowing down at the water-tank.
+Now he hurried to pass down the train to a boxcar with an open door.
+He crawled in. As the train pulled out, he went to a front corner, sat
+down to pull off his shoe and place a neatly folded twenty-dollar bill
+on the inner sole.
+
+Whatever his future was to be, Shirley Wells was on his way.
+
+
+
+
+PART THREE
+
+
+
+
+21
+
+
+David Lannarck arrived in Chicago in the late afternoon. Wanting to
+see Bransford in the daylight hours, he stayed the night with a friend
+at the Miami Patio to take a morning train to his destination. He had
+never been in Bransford and he preferred to take an open cab to the
+Grand Union so that he might look around. At the hotel he was assigned
+the parlor suite with telephone and bath, probably because the clerk
+had never before registered a three-footer with the face and voice of
+an adult.
+
+Davy was not yet ready to announce his plans for rehearsals. He wanted
+to know more of local conditions. He phoned the Fred Townsend office.
+"Mr. Townsend is in court this morning," the secretary reported, "but
+he will be available this afternoon."
+
+"Save me the first hour," said Davy. "It's important to both of us."
+
+After luncheon Davy tipped the bellhop to accompany him. "I could
+probably find the place," he explained, "but I go better if I am
+haltered and led to the spot." As the caller hoped, Townsend was in.
+The secretary ushered Davy into the private office.
+
+"I was sent here by a Mister Sam Welborn," Davy explained. "He wants
+to learn of the legal status and community standing of a former
+resident by the name of Shirley Wells."
+
+"Shirley Wells! Do you know Shirley Wells?" Townsend sprang to his
+feet and walked around the desk. "Is Shirley Wells alive? Available?
+Can I get in touch with him right away?"
+
+"Say, Mister Townsend, out in my blessed locality, where men are men,
+and the women are glad of it, they accuse me of asking eight or ten
+questions before the first one is answered. I want to take you out
+there to show 'em I am an amateur. For a year or more I have been
+associated with an upstanding gent who gave out his name as Sam
+Welborn. In all my public career I've never met a person more honest
+in business or more fearless with thugs and undesirables. Ten devils
+couldn't stop him if he thought he was right and even a midget could,
+and did, shame him out of some of his atrocious efforts. When he
+reached a certain goal in his persistent activities he disclosed to us
+four at the home where he headquartered that he was going back to his
+old home town to find out just where he stood--criminal or citizen. He
+planned to go back there in disguise; to listen in, to read old
+newspaper files, and to learn the truth.
+
+"And then I horned in. This man Welborn had saved my life; he got me
+planted where I wanted to be; I owed him everything. I didn't ask--I
+just told him--that I would go to his town and, under the pretext of
+rehearsing a midget show, I would get the needed dope. He fell right
+in with my proposal. He disclosed that his name was Shirley Wells,
+that his home town was Bransford, and here I am."
+
+Townsend went to the door of the office. "I will be busy for the next
+hour," he said to the secretary as he closed the door.
+
+"Just where, and how soon, can I contact this Shirley Wells?" Townsend
+asked as he seated himself alongside of Davy. "This is really the only
+time I've needed him since he left. Where is he? I'll send him all the
+funds needed to get him home."
+
+"He's in Denver, just temporarily. I do not have his address, but he
+will be in this Chicago vicinity by the end of this week. Maybe he
+will be disguised, but I hope not. He will phone me at the Grand Union
+to know how he stands in his home town. That's what I've come here to
+find out. Is he under indictment? Will he have to serve time? How much
+money is needed to clean his slate? Will a mob form if he shows up on
+your city streets? What was it he did, anyhow?"
+
+Fred Townsend laughed quietly. "We are both so anxious to get
+information that our cross-questioning is confusing. However, when you
+described your man as honest, persistent, and fearless in dealing with
+crooks and thugs, I would have known that you were talking about
+Shirley Wells, even if you had omitted the name. He's just that!
+
+"Shirley Wells is not under indictment, and when he returns the
+general public will give him a hearty welcome. In fact, had he stayed
+here for a day or two after the incident he would have been a hero.
+Would have been carried at the head of the mob of women that paraded
+the streets of our city in protest of conditions. He would have been a
+part of the orderly crowd of men that went out to the old farm to
+destroy the offending distillery. Shirley Wells started the clean-up
+here, and it spread to all affected localities. This is the story."
+
+Then Fred Townsend told the story, to include the history of the Wells
+bank, of Shirley's army service, of Carson's banking relations with
+the Chicago mobsters. "For nearly a decade this Shirley Wells was a
+silent do-nothing. He seemingly hesitated to claim his property rights
+and yet had nerve to invade the stronghold of these gangsters and tell
+'em the truth. He nearly killed two of 'em and the other disappeared."
+
+And then Townsend detailed what followed as the morning paper gave big
+headlines of the desperate adventure. It not only recited that the two
+were hospitalized in a critical condition but it gave inside
+information as to the illegal business being conducted at the farm.
+"That evening, nearly a thousand women paraded our streets to the
+mayor's office, with banners flying, to insist that there be a
+clean-up of the entire illegal business.
+
+"The next day, fully fifty automobiles assembled at Fifth and Cedar
+Streets to drive out to the farm and burn down the old shed where the
+still was located. I was in that party and I easily persuaded them to
+allow the house and big barn to remain unharmed, but all bottles,
+labels, cans of liquids, crates, and containers were thrown in the
+fire. The house-furnishings revealed that it was the headquarters for
+the many employees, but none were present, either to welcome or
+protest.
+
+"On returning to town it was learned that Carson Wells had committed
+suicide. His worthy wife was not at home, was not present at the
+funeral. She is reported as living in Chicago, a housemother at a
+sorority of one of the universities.
+
+"The Wells National Bank was of course closed. I was appointed the
+receiver. Things were in a terrible mess; negligence and forgeries
+caused a lot of added work, but the bank had a valuable asset in that
+the stock was held in one family--wasn't scattered to cause
+contentions and delays. I recovered the farm, held on to the bank
+building, and charged the forgeries and shortages to Carson's account.
+Shirley is possessed of the remainder, but it's not enough to do
+what's required.
+
+"This city needs a bank. The nation is recovering from the depression
+and very soon business will be back to normal. The Wells National must
+be restored to service and Shirley Wells, the man who started the
+clean-up, must be connected with it. His service in cleaning out those
+crooks was, and is, the big asset.
+
+"Here in my office I have prepared a list of names of those who can,
+and should, take stock in a bank. With Shirley here, we can canvass
+this list for the needed subscriptions. Surely we can...."
+
+"Just how much money will it take to revive a bank?" asked Davy
+quietly.
+
+"Forty or fifty thousand dollars will be required to complete the
+subscriptions and show a small surplus and I think we can----"
+
+"Why, Shirley will have that much, and more, in his upper vest pocket
+when he arrives," and then Davy told his lengthy story to an eager
+listener.
+
+"I have known him for nearly two years," said Davy in concluding his
+lengthy recital, "and in that time he worked hard--too hard. I
+upbraided him for it. Now, knowing why he was so continuously busy,
+working to restore his family name and credit in his home town, I
+should have kept my mouth shut."
+
+"Do you think he will consent to taking charge of the restored family
+bank?" asked Townsend. "Will he apply the money to that end?"
+
+"I'll see that he puts up the money. He says that half of it is mine,
+but he may balk on taking charge. And that's our present job. I have a
+friend in Springfield that's the greatest little banker the world ever
+produced. I'll get him here, or send Welborn--I mean Shirley--to him
+to learn the game."
+
+"This has certainly been my lucky day," said Townsend as the party
+broke up. "This morning the judge approved my settlement of the
+long-standing Norris case, I received a letter containing a draft of
+an outstanding debt, and now the important Wells bank receivership
+settles itself. Let me know the minute Shirley arrives."
+
+Davy's hours of impatience were interrupted on Saturday morning by a
+telephone call from Chicago. The booth at the Grand Union afforded the
+privacy needed.
+
+"If you are in your own clothes...."
+
+Davy's directive was interrupted by a hearty laugh, and a prompt
+inquiry: "Am I under indictment?"
+
+"Naw! You're not under anything. You're at the top of the heap. Your
+scrap started things. Get out here on the first train--there's a lot
+to do and I've pledged you to carry out all the plans as proposed by
+your friend Townsend. There's lots to do. Get here at once."
+
+And Shirley Wells of the East, Sam Welborn of the West, did as he was
+directed. He arrived in Bransford shortly after the noon hour. And the
+rest of the afternoon he was listening to Davy's story and Davy's
+plans. Sunday morning, at the Fourth Avenue Church, he was cordially
+greeted by many, some of whom he had ridiculed at a former session.
+Monday, the full day was spent in the office of his friend Townsend.
+Tuesday, Ralph Gaynor of Springfield arrived in Bransford in response
+to Davy's telegram, wherein it was suggested that "one carfare was
+cheaper than two."
+
+Shirley Wells admired Ralph Gaynor but he marveled at his methods.
+Instead of taking him down to the bank building to review the former
+methods of conducting the business, Gaynor persisted in interviewing
+any and all with whom he came in contact: business and professional
+men, farmers and laborers, women clerks and housewives. His questions
+were casual, the extended answers were his reward. That evening, in
+Townsend's office, he delivered his estimates and opinion.
+
+"Banking service is badly needed in your city. Your present plans are
+timely. A news story should go out tomorrow that the organization is
+formed and will be functioning next week--this to prevent others from
+invading this fine prospect. You have present opportunity to secure
+the services of young Nelson, down at the Wide-Awake, as a receiving
+teller. He is fast and accurate in money matters. The young lady that
+compiled Mr. Townsend's reports can, and should, take care of the
+growing bookkeeping. You will not make a great deal of money in this
+first year of operation. After that, you will have the best banking
+investment I know of."
+
+"But what about our new cashier, Shirley Wells?" inquired Townsend.
+"What's his job? He and his little friend here own practically all the
+stock."
+
+"The banking business," said Gaynor, "has its peculiarities. Back of
+the counter, it's simply a matter of accuracy. In front of the
+counter, however, it's a question of diplomacy and good judgment.
+Shirley Wells is an asset. His business is in front of the counter,
+greeting the trade and broadening the field for service. A bank must
+have assets if it is to make loans."
+
+The Wells National Bank, with its tidy and growing millions of assets,
+is functioning at 201 North Oak Street, Bransford, U.S.A.
+
+Just where should these ramblings end? A tragedy ends at the death of
+any or all; a comedy ends with one of the revived jokes of former
+years; a biography should terminate at the grave, and a romance
+finishes as the groom carries his hard-won prize across the threshold
+of the cottage or palace. What's the finish here?
+
+A start was made to tell the life story of a midget, but complications
+arose that could not be avoided. Instead of traveling the infrequent
+paths of the Lilliputians the journey has, in many instances, swept
+down the traffic-filled thoroughfare of the big adults. But midgets
+are few in number, they have few contacts with each other. In most
+every instance, their employment is to exhibit themselves to the
+thousands and thousands who come to see and comment.
+
+Midgets do not go to war, cannot win a prize fight, or bust one over
+the right field fence for a home run. Their field for service is
+limited to public exhibitions; their contacts wholly with the
+questioning adult. The tragedies of a midget are of the lighter sort,
+comedies prevail only in a minor degree, romance is a limited factor,
+and in this particular instance, these ramblings cannot be classed as
+biography--the principal characters are still alive.
+
+And because they are still alive and functioning, the reader is
+invited out to the Adot vicinity to see--and maybe participate--in the
+continuing story.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+    +-----------------------------------------------------------+
+    | Typographical errors corrected in text:                   |
+    |                                                           |
+    | Page  42: ditsance replaced with distance                 |
+    | Page  54: expained replaced with explained                |
+    | Page  68: insistant replaced with insistent               |
+    | Page  71: hastry replaced with hasty                      |
+    | Page  94: 'wth' replaced with 'with'                      |
+    | Page 157: bookeeping replaced with bookkeeping            |
+    |                                                           |
+    +-----------------------------------------------------------+
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+
+
+
+End of Project Gutenberg's David Lannarck, Midget, by George S. Harney
+
+*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK DAVID LANNARCK, MIDGET ***
+
+***** This file should be named 20384.txt or 20384.zip *****
+This and all associated files of various formats will be found in:
+        http://www.gutenberg.org/2/0/3/8/20384/
+
+Produced by David Starner, Dave Morgan, Jeannie Howse and
+the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at
+http://www.pgdp.net
+
+
+Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions
+will be renamed.
+
+Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no
+one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation
+(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without
+permission and without paying copyright royalties.  Special rules,
+set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to
+copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to
+protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark.  Project
+Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you
+charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission.  If you
+do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the
+rules is very easy.  You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose
+such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and
+research.  They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do
+practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks.  Redistribution is
+subject to the trademark license, especially commercial
+redistribution.
+
+
+
+*** START: FULL LICENSE ***
+
+THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE
+PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK
+
+To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free
+distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work
+(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project
+Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project
+Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at
+http://gutenberg.org/license).
+
+
+Section 1.  General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm
+electronic works
+
+1.A.  By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm
+electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to
+and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property
+(trademark/copyright) agreement.  If you do not agree to abide by all
+the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy
+all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession.
+If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the
+terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or
+entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8.
+
+1.B.  "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark.  It may only be
+used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who
+agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement.  There are a few
+things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works
+even without complying with the full terms of this agreement.  See
+paragraph 1.C below.  There are a lot of things you can do with Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement
+and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic
+works.  See paragraph 1.E below.
+
+1.C.  The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation"
+or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic works.  Nearly all the individual works in the
+collection are in the public domain in the United States.  If an
+individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are
+located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from
+copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative
+works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg
+are removed.  Of course, we hope that you will support the Project
+Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by
+freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of
+this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with
+the work.  You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by
+keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project
+Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others.
+
+1.D.  The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern
+what you can do with this work.  Copyright laws in most countries are in
+a constant state of change.  If you are outside the United States, check
+the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement
+before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or
+creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project
+Gutenberg-tm work.  The Foundation makes no representations concerning
+the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United
+States.
+
+1.E.  Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg:
+
+1.E.1.  The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate
+access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently
+whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the
+phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project
+Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed,
+copied or distributed:
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+1.E.2.  If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived
+from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is
+posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied
+and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees
+or charges.  If you are redistributing or providing access to a work
+with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the
+work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1
+through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the
+Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or
+1.E.9.
+
+1.E.3.  If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted
+with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution
+must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional
+terms imposed by the copyright holder.  Additional terms will be linked
+to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the
+permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work.
+
+1.E.4.  Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm
+License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this
+work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm.
+
+1.E.5.  Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this
+electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without
+prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with
+active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project
+Gutenberg-tm License.
+
+1.E.6.  You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary,
+compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any
+word processing or hypertext form.  However, if you provide access to or
+distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than
+"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version
+posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org),
+you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a
+copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon
+request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other
+form.  Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm
+License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1.
+
+1.E.7.  Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying,
+performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works
+unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9.
+
+1.E.8.  You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing
+access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided
+that
+
+- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from
+     the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method
+     you already use to calculate your applicable taxes.  The fee is
+     owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he
+     has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the
+     Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation.  Royalty payments
+     must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you
+     prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax
+     returns.  Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and
+     sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the
+     address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to
+     the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation."
+
+- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies
+     you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he
+     does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm
+     License.  You must require such a user to return or
+     destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium
+     and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of
+     Project Gutenberg-tm works.
+
+- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any
+     money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the
+     electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days
+     of receipt of the work.
+
+- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free
+     distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works.
+
+1.E.9.  If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm
+electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set
+forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from
+both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael
+Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark.  Contact the
+Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below.
+
+1.F.
+
+1.F.1.  Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable
+effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread
+public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm
+collection.  Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic
+works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain
+"Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or
+corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual
+property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a
+computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by
+your equipment.
+
+1.F.2.  LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right
+of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project
+Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project
+Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all
+liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal
+fees.  YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT
+LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE
+PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH F3.  YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE
+TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE
+LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR
+INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH
+DAMAGE.
+
+1.F.3.  LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a
+defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can
+receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a
+written explanation to the person you received the work from.  If you
+received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with
+your written explanation.  The person or entity that provided you with
+the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a
+refund.  If you received the work electronically, the person or entity
+providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to
+receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund.  If the second copy
+is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further
+opportunities to fix the problem.
+
+1.F.4.  Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth
+in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER
+WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO
+WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE.
+
+1.F.5.  Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied
+warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages.
+If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the
+law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be
+interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by
+the applicable state law.  The invalidity or unenforceability of any
+provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions.
+
+1.F.6.  INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the
+trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone
+providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance
+with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production,
+promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works,
+harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees,
+that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do
+or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm
+work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any
+Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause.
+
+
+Section  2.  Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm
+
+Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of
+electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers
+including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers.  It exists
+because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from
+people in all walks of life.
+
+Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the
+assistance they need, is critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's
+goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will
+remain freely available for generations to come.  In 2001, the Project
+Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure
+and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations.
+To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation
+and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4
+and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org.
+
+
+Section 3.  Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive
+Foundation
+
+The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit
+501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the
+state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal
+Revenue Service.  The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification
+number is 64-6221541.  Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at
+http://pglaf.org/fundraising.  Contributions to the Project Gutenberg
+Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent
+permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws.
+
+The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S.
+Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered
+throughout numerous locations.  Its business office is located at
+809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email
+business@pglaf.org.  Email contact links and up to date contact
+information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official
+page at http://pglaf.org
+
+For additional contact information:
+     Dr. Gregory B. Newby
+     Chief Executive and Director
+     gbnewby@pglaf.org
+
+
+Section 4.  Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg
+Literary Archive Foundation
+
+Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide
+spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of
+increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be
+freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest
+array of equipment including outdated equipment.  Many small donations
+($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt
+status with the IRS.
+
+The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating
+charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United
+States.  Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a
+considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up
+with these requirements.  We do not solicit donations in locations
+where we have not received written confirmation of compliance.  To
+SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any
+particular state visit http://pglaf.org
+
+While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we
+have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition
+against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who
+approach us with offers to donate.
+
+International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make
+any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from
+outside the United States.  U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff.
+
+Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation
+methods and addresses.  Donations are accepted in a number of other
+ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations.
+To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate
+
+
+Section 5.  General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic
+works.
+
+Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm
+concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared
+with anyone.  For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project
+Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support.
+
+
+Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed
+editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S.
+unless a copyright notice is included.  Thus, we do not necessarily
+keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition.
+
+
+Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility:
+
+     http://www.gutenberg.org
+
+This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm,
+including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary
+Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to
+subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks.
diff --git a/20384.zip b/20384.zip
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..79a83de
--- /dev/null
+++ b/20384.zip
diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..6312041
--- /dev/null
+++ b/LICENSE.txt
@@ -0,0 +1,11 @@
+This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements,
+metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be
+in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES.
+
+Procedures for determining public domain status are described in
+the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org.
+
+No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in
+jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize
+this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright
+status under the laws that apply to them.
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..8673fff
--- /dev/null
+++ b/README.md
@@ -0,0 +1,2 @@
+Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for
+eBook #20384 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/20384)