clattered down the main street sitting high-headed and arrogant in a
Brewster cart. Spent money like a prince--he did. A few more people like
the Toomeys and the future of the country was assured.

In the meantime Toomey had brought the velvet-mouthed horse to its
haunches in front of the laundry where he tossed a bundle into the
sheepman's arms, saying casually;

"Take that inside, my man."

Without a change of expression, Mormon Joe caught it, rolled it
compactly and kicked it over the horse's back into the street.

"There's no brass buttons sewed on my coat--take it yourself!" Mormon
Joe shrugged a shoulder as he walked off.

Walter Scales of the Emporium dashed into the street and recovered the
laundry with an apologetic air as though he were somehow responsible for
the act.

"You have to make allowances for the rough characters that swarm into a
new country," he said, as he delivered the bundle himself.

"I'll break that pauper sheepherder before I quit!" A vein under
Toomey's right eye and another on his temple stood out swollen and
purple.

"People like him that send away for their grub and never spend a cent
they can help in their home town don't benefit a country none." Mr.
Scales did not attempt to conceal his pleasure at the foot-long list
Toomey handed him. He added urgently, "Wisht you'd try and stay in for
the Boosters Club to-night, Mr. Toomey. We'd like your advice."

Toomey refused curtly.

"Get that order out at once," he said peremptorily, as he drove off.

* * * * *

No invitation cordial or otherwise was extended to Mormon Joe, so it was
upon his own initiative that he stumbled into the room where the
Boosters Club was in session that evening. Unmistakably drunk, Joe sat
down noisily beside Clarence Teeters who was the only one who made room
for him.

The purpose of the meeting was to consider ways and means to build a
ditch that should bring water from the mountains in sufficient quantity
not only to supply the town but to irrigate the agricultural land
surrounding it.

Mr. Abram Pantin, a man of affairs from Keokuk, Iowa, in the vicinity
with a view to locating, had been called upon for a few remarks and was
just closing with the safe and conservative statement that an ample
water supply was an asset to any community.

He was followed by the chairman, Mr. Butefish, who pleaded eloquently
for the construction of the ditch by local capital