Page 210 (1/1)

Bridge continued to sit where he had reined in his pony He was looking at Grayson hat the discerning boss judged to be politely concealed enjoyested the boss in a whisper to his aide, "the man has business with you You did not ask hi a runted Grayson, and then to Bridge, "Well, what the devil DO you want?"

"A job," replied Bridge, "or, to be more explicit, I need a job--far be it from me to WISH one"

The Easterner smiled Grayson looked a bit ot none," he snapped "We don't need nobody now unless it ood puncher--one who can rope and ride"

"I can ride," replied Bridge, "as is evidenced by the fact that you now see me astride a horse"

"I said RIDE," said Grayson "Any fool can SIT on a horse NO, I hain't got nothin', an' I'h seized by a sudden inspiration He looked sharply at Bridge for a moment and then shook his head sadly "No, I'ot to be eddicated for the job I got in mind"

"Washing dishes?" suggested Bridge

Grayson ignored the playfulness of the other's question

"Keepin' books," he explained There was a finality in his tone which said: "As you, of course, cannot keep books the interview is now over Get out!"

"I could try," said Bridge "I can read and write, you know Let e wanted money for the trip to Rio, and, too, he wanted to stay in the country until Billy was ready to leave

"Savvy Spanish?" asked Grayson

"I read and write it better than I speak it," said Bridge, "though I do the latter well enough to get along anywhere that it is spoken"

Grayson wanted a bookkeeper worse than he could ever recall having wanted anything before in all his life His better judgged bum as a bookkeeper; but the bum was at least asman, and so Grayson clutched at him

"Go an' turn your cayuse in an' then coive you a tryout"