Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About The news=record. (Enterprise, Wallowa County, Or.) 1907-1910 | View Entire Issue (July 14, 1909)
The Main Chance BY Meredith Nicholson Copyiioht 1901 Tn BoBBs-MmmiLL Com faht CHAPTER IV. (Continued) They spent the day In the saddle riding ver the range. The ridiculous charac ter of the Poindexter undertaking could not epoil the real value of the land, There was, Haxton could see, the making here of a great farming property j he fell his old Interest In outdoor life quickening as be rode back to the house in the even' Ing. Snyder cooked supper for both of them, wmie Ssaxton repaired a decrepit wind mill which had been designed to supply the house with water. He had formed a poor opinion of the caretaker, who had do well-defined duties. There was noth ing for any one to d. unless the raniri were again stocked and cattle raising un dertaken as a serious business. Saxton was used to rough men and their ways. He had a happy faculty of adapting him self to the conversational capacities ol Illiterate men, and enjoyed drawing them oui ana getting tueir point of view : bu bnyders was not a visage that inspired connueuce. tie bad a grsat shock ol Dlack bair and a scraggy beard. He lack ed an eye, and he had a habit of drawing ois neaa arouna in order to accommodate his remaining orb to any necessity.- He AIJI U! :.v I , .. . . . - . um una wim au insinuating kind of de liberation that became tiresome tn a lout Interview. "This place is too fancy to be of much use," the man vouchsafed. "You may find some dude that wants to plant money where another dude has dug the first hole; but I "reckon you'll have a hard time catcblng him. A real cattleman nuumu i cure ior an tms Douse. It might be made into a stable, but a horse would look ridiculous In here. You might have a corn crib made out of it: or it would do for a hotel If you could get dudes to spend the summer here; but I reckon us a little hot out here for boarders." "The only real value Is in the land," aid Saxton. "I'm told there's no better on tne river. The house Is a handlcan or would be so regarded by the kind ol men who make money out of cattle. Have you ever tried rounding up the cattle mat strayed through the fences? The iolndexter crowd must have branded their last calves about two veara mm. Assuming that only a part of them was old or run off, there ought to be some two-year-olds still loose in this country anil ka'i1 KA .1. a ji i, "'cj u lib wvi in liuuiug. ler lokln' I guess. These fellpr man Snyder came along nt day and asked for a job and I sent him ont therr thinking he'd keep things In order until the Trust Company sent Its own itpre sentatlre here." There were times when Wheaton's black eyes contracted curiously, and this was one of the times. "I don't like discharging a man that you've employed," Baxton replied. "Oh, that's all right. You can't ke?p him If he performs no service.- Don't trouble about him on my account. How soon are you going back there?" -.Next week some time." Baxton was not surprised when he re turned to the ranch to find that Snydet bad made no effort to obey his instruc tions. He made his visit unexpectedly. He reached the house in the middle of the morning and found the front dooi bolted and barred on the inside. After much pounding he succeeded in bringing Snyder to the door, evidently both sur prised and displeased at his interruption. Howdy, boss," was the salutation ol the frowsy custodian: "I wasn't feeling just right to-day and was takin' a little nap." The great hall showed signs of a ca rousal. The dirt had. increased since Sal tan's first appearance. Empty bottles that had been doing service as cauille- sticks stood in their greasy shroudB on the table. Saxton Bat down on a kvg, which had evidently been recently emp tied. He resolved to make quick work of Snyder. How many cattle have you rounriVd up since I was here?" he demanded. "Well, to tell the truth," began Snyder, "there ain't been much time for doing that since you was here." "No; I suppose you were busy mend ing fences and cleaning house. Now you have been drawing forty dollars a month for doing nothing. I'll treat you bettet than you deserve and give you ten dol lars bonus to get out. I believe the pony in the corral belongs to you. We'll let it go at that. Here's your money." "Well, I guess as Mr. Wheaton hired me, he'd better fire me." "Yes, I spoke to Mr. Wheaton ubout you. He understands that you're to go.' ' "Ha does, does he?" Snyder replied with a sneer. "He must have forgot thai I had an arrangement with him by ihe year." "Well, It's all off," said Saxtoa, rising He began throwing open the window and doors to let In fresh air. "Well, I guess I'll have to see Mr, Wheaton," Snyder retorted, finding that Saxton was paying no further attention to him. He collected bis few belongings, watching in astonishment the violence with which Saxton was gathering up and disposing of rubbish. "He seems to be more interested in Wheaton than Wheaton is in him," ob served Saxton to himself. Saxton spent a week at Great River. He hired a man to repair fences and put the bouse In order. He visited several of the large ranch owners and asked them for aid in picking out the scattered rem nants of the Poindexter herd. Nearly ill of the mvolunteered to help, with the re sult that he collected about one hundred cattle and sold them at Great River for cash. He expected to see or hear of Sny der In the town but the fellow had dis appeared. CHAPTER V. James Wheaton was 85 years old, and was reckoned aming the solid business around here are good fellers, and all that men ' clarkson- He had succeeded far but I guess they don't give anything back. I guess we ain't got any cattle coming to us. "Who've you been reporting to, Sny der?"' "How's that?" "Who have you been considering your self responsible to?" "Well, Jim Wheaton at the Clarkson National hired me, and I reckon I'd re port to him if I reported to anybody. But If you're going to run this shebang and want to be reported to, I guess I can report to you." "I want you to report to me," said John, quietly. "Ip the first place I want the house and the other buildings cleaned out. After than the fences must be put in shape. And then we'll see if we can't find, some of our cows. You can't tell ; we may open up a real ranch here and go into business." "Well, If you're the boss I'll do It your way. I got along all right with Wheaton." Saxton determined to leave for Clark son the following morning, and formulat ed in his mind the result of his journey and plans for the future of the incon gruous combination of properties that had been entrusted to him. He sat for an hour looking out over the moon-lit val ley. He followed the long sweep of the plain, through which he could see fot miles the bright ribbon of the river. A train of cars rumbled far away, on the iron trail between the two oceans, inten sity ing the loneliness of the strange bouse. "I seem to find only the lonely places,' he said aloud. In the morning he ate the breakfast of coffee, hardtack and bacon which Sny der prepared. Snyder rode with him to the railway station, "Give my regards to Mr. Wheaton," he said, as Saxton swung himself into the train. "You'll find me here at the old stand when you come back." A queer customer ana undoubtedly s bad lot," was Saxton's reflection. When Saxton had written out the re port of his trip lie took it to Wheaton, to get his suggestions before forwarding It to Ronton. He looked upon the cashier at his predecessor, and wished to avail him self of Wheaton's Knowledge of the local conditions affecting the several proper ties that bad now passed to bis care. Wheaton undoubtedly wished to be of as tistance. and in their discussion ot the ' report,'' the cashier made many sugges tions of value, of which Saxton was glad 'to avail himself. "As to the Poindexter place," salt Saxton finally, "I've been advertising It for sale in the hope of finding a buyer, but without results. The people at head quarters can't bother about the details of these things, but I can't see why wt should maintain a caretaker. There's nothing to take care of. That bouse it ' worse than useless. I'm going back In a few days to see if I can't coax home some of the cattle we're entitled to, and tben 1 suppose we may as well dispense With Snyder." "I don't see that therc'a anything else to'do," Wheaton answered. "I've been to the ranch, and there's little personal property there forta caring for. That beyond his expectations and was fairly content with the round of the ladder that he had reached. He never talked about himself and as he had no intimate friends it had never been necessary for him to give confidences. His father had been a harneBS-maker in a little Ohio town; he and his older brother were expected to follow the same business; but the brother grew restless under the threat of enforc ed apprenticeship and prevailed on James to run away with him. They became tramps and enjoyed themselves roaming through the country, until finally they were caught stealing In a little Illinois Village and both were arrested. James was discharged through the gen eroslty of his brother in taking all the blame on himself ; the older boy was sent to a reformatory alone. James then wen! to Chicago, where be sold papers and blacked boots for a year until he found employment as a train boy, with a com pany operating on various lines running out of Chicago. This gave him a wide acquaintance with Western towns, and Incidentally with railroads and railroad men. He grew tired of the road, and ob tained at Clarkson a position in the of fice of Timothy Margrave, the general manager of tne Transcontinental, which he had heard, was a great primary school for ambitious boys. He attended night school, was assidu ous In his duties, and attained in due course the dignity of a 'desk as which he took the cards of Margrave's callers, in dexed the letter books and copied figures under. the direction of the chief clerk. After a- year, hearing that one of the Clarkson National Bank's messengers was about to resign, he applied for this place, Margrave recommended him; the local manager of the news agency vouched for his Integrity, and In due course he wend ed the streets of Clarkson with a long bill-book, the outward and visible sign oi his position as messenger. He was stead ily promoted in the bank and felt his past receding farther and farther behind him. When, at an important hour of his life, Wheaton was promoted to be paying tell er, he was in the receiving teller's cage, He had known that the more desirable position was vacant and bad heara his fellow clerks speculating as to the possl billty of a promotion from among their number. Thompson, the cashier, had a nephew In the bank; and among the clerks he was thought to have the best chance. Tbey all knew that the directors were In session, and several whose tasks for the day were finished, lingered later than was their wont to see what would baDDen. Wheaton kept quietly at his work; but he had an eye on the door of the directors room, and an ear that In sensibly turned toward the annunciatoi by which messengers were called to the board room. It rang at last, and Whea ton wiped his pen with a little more than his nsual care as he waited for (he re sult of the summons. This was on his twenty-fifth, birthday. "Mr. Wheaton 1" The other clerks looked at one another. The question that had been uppermost with all ol them for a week past was answered, Thompson's nephew slammed his book shot and carried it Into the vault Whea to put aside the balance sheet which he had been lingering and went Into the directors' room. There had been Bo note of joy among his associates. He knew that he was not popular with them; he was not, in their sense, a good fellow. When they rushed off after hours to the ball games or horse races, he never joined them. When their books did not balance he never volunteered to help them. As for himself, he always balanced, and did not need their help; and they hated him for it. This was his hour of triumph," but he went to his vic tory without the cheer ot his comrades. Later, when need arose for creatlnr the position of assistant cashier. It was natural that the new desk should be as signed to Wheaton. He was faithful and competent ; neither Porter nor Thompson had a son to install in the bank ; and, as they said to each other and to their fel low directors, Wheaton had two distin guishing qualifications he did his work and he kept his mouth shut In the course of time Thompson's health broke down and the doctors order ed him away to New Mexico, and again there seemed nothing to do but to pro mote Wheaton. Thompson wished to sell his stock and resign, but Porter would not have it so ; but when, after two years, it was clear that the cashier would nevei again be fit for continuous service in the bank,' Wheaton was duly elected cashier and Thompson was made vice president. The relations between Porter and Wheafon were strictly of a business char acter. This was not by intention on Por ter's part. He assumed that at some time he or Thompson had known ail about Wheaton's antecedents; and after so many years of satisfactory service, during the greater part of which the bank had been protected against Whea ton, as against all the rest of the em ployes, by a bonding company, he accept ed the cashier without any question. Be fore Evelyn s return he had one day ex pressed to Wheaton his satisfaction that he would soon have a home again, and Wheaton remarked with civil sympathy that Miss Porter must now be "quite young lady." Oh, yes; you must come up to the house when we get going again," Porter answered. Wheaton had seen the Instda of few houses In Clarkson. He had a recollec tion of having been sent to Porter's sev eral times, while he was still an errand boy In the bank, to fetch Porter's bag on occasions when the president had been called away unexpectedly. He remem bered Evelyn Porter as she used to come as a child and sit in the carriage outside the bank to wait for her father; the Porters stood to him them, and now, for wealth and power. Raridan had a contempt for Wheaton'i Intellectual deficiencies ; and praise of Wheaton s steadiness and success vexed him as having some sting for himself but his own amiable Impulses got the bet ter of his prejudices, and he showed Wheaton many kindnesses. When the others at The Bachelors' nagged Whea ton, it was Raridan wno threw himself into the controversy to take Wheaton' part He took him to call at some of the bouses he knew best, and though this was a matter of propinquity he knew nevertheless that he preferred Wheaton to the others In the house. Wheatt,;, was not noisy nor pretentious and the others were sometimes both. Wheaton soon found it easy to do things that he had never thought of do ing before. He became known to the florist and haberdasher; there was a tie Hambletonlan at a certain liveryman's which Warry Raridan drove a good deal, and he had learned from Warry how pleasant it was to drive out to the new country club in a runabout Instead of nsing the street car, which left a margin of plebeian walking at the end of the line. But while he acquired the superfi cial graces, he did not lose his Instinc tive thrift; he had never attempted to plunge, even on what his associates at The Bachelors' called "sure things;" and he was equally incapable of personal ex travagances. If he bought flowers he sent them where they womu tell in his favor. If he had five dollars to give to the Id Fund for the poor, he considered that when the newspaper printed his name In Its list of acknowledgements, ' between Timothy Margrave, who gave fifty dol lars, and William Porter, who gave twenty-five, he had received an adequate re turn on his investment. (To be continued.) What is' Castor ia. ASTORIA is a harmless substitute for Castor Oil, Paregoric, Drop3 and Soothing Syrups. It is pleasant.. It contains neither Opium, Morphine nor other Narcotic substance. Its age is its guarantee. It destroys Worms and allays Peverishness. It cures Diarrhcoa and Wind Colic. It relieves Teething Troubles, cures Constipation and Flatulency. It assimilates the Pood, regulates the Stomach and Bowels, giving healthy and natural sleep. The children's Panacea The Mother's Friend. The Kind Tou Have Always Bought, and which has been in use for over 30 years, has borne the signature of Chas. H. Fletcher, and has been made under his personal supervision since its infancy. Allow no one to deceive you in this. All Counterfeits, Imitations and " J ust-as-good " are but Experiments that trifle with and endanger the health of Infants and Children Experience against Experiments Letters from Prominent Physicians addressed to Chas. II. Fletcher. mm m m 3W ALCOHOL 3 PER CENT. AVcgelabtePreparalionrorAs-similaiin$ttH?FofifJ.nn((Rpiiiii9 ling tlte S lomacbs andBowds aT ItomotesDigesHonJtMur ncss and Restontalns ncittw OpiuntMorphine nor Mineral, Not Narcotic. ayxifOlilDtIMi"IirmMR flaprib Seed" jthcSatna IHrmStfJ- Clankd Sugar hmOrgrtm timr. Aperfect Remedy for Consflpa-i Hon . Sour Stomch,Dlarrhoea Worrasfonvulsionsjevensn ness audLoss or Sleep. Facsimile Signature a NEW YORK. TJr. F. Gerald Blattner, of Buffalo, N. Y., Bays: "Your Castorla ia good for children and I frequently prescribe It, always obtaining the desired results." Dr. Gustavo A. Klsengraeber, Of St Paul, Minn., says: "I have used your Castorla repeatedly In my practice with good results, and can recom mend It as an excellent, mild and harmless remedy for children." Dr. E. J. Dennis, of St. Louis, Mo., says: "I have used and prescribed your Castorla In my sanitarium and outside practice for a number of years and find it to be an excellent remedy for children." Dr. S. A. Buchanan, of Philadelphia, Pa., says: "I have used your Cas torla in the case of my own baby and find it pleasant to take, and have obtained excellent results from its use." Dr. J. E. Simpson, of Chicago, 111., says: "I have used your Castorla in cases of colic in children and have found it the best medicine of its kind on the market." '" Dr. It. E. Esklldson, of Omaha, Neb., says: "I find your Castorla to he a standard family remedy. It is the best thing for infants and children I have ever known and I recommend it" Dr. L. R. Robinson, of Kansas City, Mo., says: "Your Castorla certainly has merit. Is not its age, its continued use by mothers through all these years, and the many attempts to imitate it, sufficient recommendation? MVhat can a physician add? Leave it to the mothers." Dr. Edwin F. Pardee, of New York City, says: "For several years I have recommended your Castorla and shall always continue to do so, as it haa Invariably produced beneficial results." Dr. N. B. Sizer, of Brooklyn, N. Y., says: "I object to what are called, patent medicines, where maker alone knows what ingredients are put la them, but I know; the formula of your Castorla and advise its use." GENUINE OASTORI A ALWAYS Eears Eears the Signature of Exact Copy of Wrapper. The KM You Have Always Bought !ln Use For Over 30 Years. THI OCNTAUn COMPANY, TT MURRAY BTRCKT, New VOHK omW Women and the Stave. David Belasco was in his best mood nt a dinner preceding his vacation- Ills first vacation In twenty long, hard years. In the course of a learned re view of barefoot dancing, problem plays and suchlike outcropplngs of stage history, he smiled and said : "It may be true, as some have claimed, that Immoral plays are due to the immoral taste of woman. Yes, that may be true; but, gentlemen, did you "ever watch at the theater an elderly, staid, perhaps somewhat un prepossessing wife, brooding over a husbniid a little younger than herself? There wives, surely, are no supporters of the Immoral stage spectacle. Such a wife sat In one of my theaters dur ing the production of a drama. The heroine, a beautiful girl, said at a dramatic moment: "'Merciful heavens, I am undone ? "The wife rose hurriedly. " "Come, Clarence,' she murmured, sternly. " 'We've had enough of this. I'm not going to have you drink In' in any Salome dunce or disrobln' act' " A Bnline. Secret. Mr. Isaacs I sells you dot coat at a gread sacrince. Customer But you say that of all your goods. How do you make a liv ing? Mr. Isaacs Meln frelnt, I makes schmall profit on de paper and string. New York Weekly. He Beat It. "Where did you steal that mat from?" demanded the policeman as he seized the tramp. "I didn't steal It," said the tramp, "A lady up the street gave It to m and told me to beat It" Judge. The easiest and safest way to de stroy ordinary black gunpowder is to throw It Into water, which dissolves the saltpeter. Diplomacy-. "Isn't there some talk that Gringo It going to enter the ministry?" 'The ministry? Why U, I see. man what he really wants, but he Intends to try for a consulship first." Chicago Tribune. Hi. Speedometer. Inqu'iBtive Person How do you tell how fast you are going? Chauffeur I watch the expression of the faces of the policemen as I whii post them. Average. All nisht. Tenant (of flat) One of the radlaton In that large room of mine is alwayi cold, winter and summer. Janitor (with a scowl) Well, I v heard you say that the other one Is al ways hot, winter and summer. Ain t It standoff? HI. Visual Way. The new waitress sidled up to a dapper young man at the breakfast table, who, after glancing at the bill, opened his mouth, and a noise issued forth that sounded like the ripping off of all of the cogs on one of the wheels In the power house. The new waitress made her escape to the kitchen. "Fel low out there Insulted me," she said. The bead waiter looked at him. "I'll get It," he said. "That's Just the train caller ordering his breakfast." Argo-paut A .iie 'trail. "Jones says that he always gets to the bottom ot anything he under takes." "Don't doubt it. At school he was always at the foot ot the class." Baltimore American. There Are Other. "Bings Is afraid that he may be pros ecuted for polygamy." "Why, he Is married to . only one person, ain't he?" "That Is what he thought for a while, but now it appears that he mar ried her whole family, and there are seven of them." California Weekly. Mother, will And Mrs. Window. Boothine Byrup the test remedy to lira lor their uhUdre j luriug the leethiug period. your A Purl.t at Large. "Let m see tbs census gives town about 6,000 doesn't it?" 'No, sir; our town gives the census 8,000." "who Inaoc.at. 'Clifford," asked the teacher, rots the Junius letters?" ' 'I I don't know, ma'am," answered the terrified little boy. "I didn't ! Where They Don't klaaela 'Em. Suburbanite Yon are half an hour 1st. this morning. Letter Carrier Yes, ma am ; the sec tions of stovepipe I have to wear inside roy trousers legs on account of the dogt fou keep aloof this street hamper my movements, ma am. Chicago Tribune. Merely Friendly. Elderly Itelative Mortimer, what art your intentions in regard to Miss bul lion? Scapegrace Nephew Strictly honora ble and praiseworthy, uncle. Elderly Itelative I am glnd to heat that, Mortimer. I was afraid you wen going to try to persuade her to marry you. Chicago Tribune. Bad BLOOD "Before I began using Cascareta I had a bad complexion, pimples on my face, and my food was not digested as it should have been. Now 1 am entirely well, and the pimples have all disappeared from my face. I can truthfully say that CascareU are just as advertised; I have taken only two boxes of them." Clarence R. Griffin, Sheridan, Ind. Pleaaant, Palatable, Potent, Taut. Good. Do Good. Never blcken. Weaken or Gripe. 10c, 25c. 50c. Never aold In bulk. The genu ine tablet atamped C C C. Guaranteed to cur. or your money back. 927 DAISY FLY KILLER piaeai aar- where, attract Sad kills all fllra. eat, oltjaii, orna ni0ii Ul, oon van Ifnt, cheap. Lasta II aaa. Can not I'll) or tip oer. will Dot soil or injure an j thin. (Juarantotxl MfTaanLlvaL ht mil 4lrat or mot prepaid for K oenta. HAROLD S0MERS, 1 60 OeKalb An., B'klyn., N. Y. HOWARD E. BURTON - Amnyor anil Ohamlut, Lumivillu, Colorado. Htciiuon price: Uold. Hllvur, Lead, 11. Gold, Bilvtjr, 7bu; Goltl. GUo; Zlno or Cuppor, tl. M.iUlna onvelopiw and full price Hal tnt on Biipl lent inn. ('ontrol mid Umpire workao llcittid. EofureuiMM Carboiiute National iiauk. C0FFEE( TEA SPICES BAKING POWDER EXTRACTS JUST RIGHT C LOS SET A DEVER3 , PORTLAND, ORE.J CRESCENT A pure photphatt bakinir powder that doe all that the Eveapln hy m TchlelHr. Teacher Tommy, what is an improper fraction? Tommy Tou don't 'apect t to mea Hod it 'for all tbeso people, do you? " hiirh tiriced bakinc fowdert wiT I do and doei t better. It raiaea the dough and makea light er, aweeter and better riftenfnoda. Sold by gro ceri 25c per pound. J; von will tend ua voui name and addreaa. wt rill send you a book on health and baking powder CRESCENT MFG. CO. Seattle. Wn. BAKING POWDER PNU No, 29-09 WHEN wrltln to sdrartlsar. pl.M. mention thla paper. For CATARRH of th BLADDER. URINARYDISCHARGESetc. AT DRUGGISTS.0R TRIAL BOX BYMAIL50c FROM PL ANTE N. 9 3 HENRY 3T.BR00KLYNHM L -B'WAREOF IMITATIONS. J WJ'WJJJ.O.fWJJMM.ii.i....l.i.l.J...iiJi,J.ll I.I DR. W. A. WISE a Vaan a leader in Painloaa Dotal Wurk In Portland. Out-of-Town People Rhould ramomlier that our forre la no arranged that WK CAN DO THKIK KNTIKK CKOWN, BKIOGE AND HI.ATK WOKK IN A DAY it neiury. 1'O-ilTl VELY FAIN LESS EX TKACriNf) PltKK when platm or hriiliraa are or dervl. WK RKMOVK TIIK MOST HKNS1TIVH TKKTH AND HOOTS WITHOUT TUB LEAST PAIN. NO STUDENTS, no uncertainty. For the Next Fifteen Days W. will giv. you (ood 22k cold or pore lain crown for SS.M 22k bridit. Uwth I 64 Molar crown 6.01 Gold or enamal fllllnga 1.01 Mirer fllllnira M Good rubber piatea 1.04 The beat rtd rubber plate. 1.M Palnlena extraction. M ALL WORK GUARANTEED IS TEARS Dr. W. A. Wise President and Manager The Wise Dental Co. (INC.) Third and ahlnton 8uk PORTLAND, OREGON