The Claim Jumpers

, which was, however, sublimated into a certain system by an illuminated device to the effect that one should "Have a Place for Everything, and then there'll be one

on a couple of ordinary bedroom mattresses deposited carefully in the vacant centre of the apartment. They were eager, alert-looking young men, well-muscled, curly of hair

one of the occupants of the window sea

. I've been talking about the boy's people and his bringing up and the way he acts, whereupon you fly

amuse me, Jeems,"

prived of support, fell backward on the mattress. He then c

is pompous, conceited, and a bore. The mother is pompous, conceited, and a bore. The father uses language of whose absolutely vapid correctness Addison would have been proud. So does the

tly, "they succeed. I dined there once. After that I

before Bennie came to cheer them up. Naturally, Bennie has been the whole thing ever since. He is allowed a few privileges, but always under the best

m with the fact that he is a de Lan

y," remarked the other young man on the w

ll, the result is that poor Bennie is a sort

'" suggested

not exactly. A 'willy boy' n

ch

e content with his job of idle aristocrat. I believe he's been p

nevitable,'" mimicked Bert in pedantic tones, "'unless a firm sense of personal dignity and an equally fir

hat's his style, sur

want to do Wes

at sort. But he isn't an ass. He has a lot of good stuff in h

which was broken

e we've taken up Hench's valuable

" said

and knees. Bert took up a

Hench from the

Jeems tried frantically for a half-Nelson. While preventing it the wily Bert awaited his chance for a hammer-lock. In the moment of indecis

ully into the room and cl

e, with regular features, brown eyes, straight hair, and sensitive lips. He

ld friend, the k

rrupt," begged the

Glad you came. Bertie, here, was twisting my delicat

he window, who removed their pipes f

Bennie de Laney on both sides. It is extremely fortunate for Mr. de Laney

care to go in there, you will stand yourself in the corner by that easel until the conclusion of this little discussion

kindly

in his little bed, and Bertie, with equal enthusiasm, has attempted to tuck me in. It has been hard on pyjamas, bed springs, and the temper of the Lady with the Piano who resides in the apartments immediately beneath; so,

turned and grappled, Jeems, by the grace of Providence, on top. In the course of the combat it often happened that the two mattresses would slide apart. The contestants, suspending their struggles, would then try to kick them together again without r

put an end to hostilities. The wrestlers again s

German voice, "there is a lady

can I never teach you to be accurate! No lady cou

he mattress and

ld is against true virtue. Our dear m

ame out of

to come up and stay all night with me some time,

ing small feathers from the mattress in the agony of his delight, while t

ord! You unfortunate infant! You shall come here and have a drum to pound; yes,

leaving de Laney uncomfortably alone w

partly empty chair, not because he preferred sitting to standing,

s meant to him everything free and young that he had missed in the precise atmosphere of his own home, and so he admired them and stood in delightful inferiority to them in spite of his wealth and position. He would have given anything he owned to have felt himself one of their sort; but, failing that,

conversation. He did so. It was laboured. Bennington thought of things to say abou

he relief of all, two sweatered an

pe of peace," suggested Bert, divin

likewise. They lit up, and turned with sim

d Bert; "and how did he contrive to get l

d, as Bert said, had dined there once. They

that some day, as sure as shooting. If your mamma ever found out that, instead of talking society-re

call him?" i

ll

what was tha

ning

t, my boy. What is it? It sounds like a battle of the Revolution. Is it a battle of the Revol

ed, half-embar

" said he. "It's the

vivacious youths really desired t

looked upon

he discovery." He walked to the door and touched a bell five times. "Beautiful system," he explained. "In a moment Karl will

After the excitement of finding all these things had died, and the five men were grouped about the pla

he, "I've someth

flicker,"

next week. It'

Trouville, Par

hem. I'm g

os Angeles, San D

g to the real West. I'm

traightened t

reproved Bertie severely; "you'll give

camp," obeyed Bennington

h wh

lo

slies sprang qui

man!" cried Jim. "Alone!

o work hard to induce father and mother to consent, but it's done now, and I leave next week. Father procured me a position out there in one of the camps. I'm

Leslies glanced at each other

d Jim. "Where's y

Dakota, somewhere near a litt

Leslies winked

" commented Bert vagu

ied the young man.

uses, good hunting-oh

tower outside. In spite of

e," laughed Jim; "you

ts of stairs deliberately enough, but once out of earshot of his friends, he ran several blocks. Before going into the hou

drew up more comfortably before the fire; but Ja

ws have got to get out! I've got some

ity for you," objected they; "turn your best

mes, unmoved. "Got an insp

gth of the stairs, to the disgust of the

, Jimmie?" inquired the br

ear on the table, and was

"you just sit down and read

Bert sat smoking meditatively. After some moment

ll do?" he

letter throu

ue deliberation, "Jeems,

mped the

when I go out in the m

d now by my own hand. We won't take any chan

as midnight and bitter cold. Then, with a seraphic grin on hi

d to a Mr. James Fay, Spa