THE REFORM AT RED ANT
plight, and was at the climax of my despair, we fell in with a party of miners bound for Red Ant Camp, on the creek of the same name, just this side of Stewart River. The leader was a jovial dog, who, without reserve, told us that fifty of the boys had control of all the golden deposits on Red Ant and that there wasn't room for another pair of boots to crowd in.
"‘But we do need a store-keeper,' he admitted. 'I've just bought a load of stuff down the line, and it's being toted up there now. To be honest, gentlemen, I was on a little toot when I passed over the boys' dust, and, although I bought a whole cargo of stuff, it may be all piannys for what I know. Ye see, we all chip in and share expenses, but every one's so busy mining that the store has to run itself. If you and the kid want the job of running the store, hop along.'
"‘And you don't ask for references, my bearded pard?' asked Tib, his brown eyes lighting up with hope.
"Mr. Boots tapped him impressively on the shoulder and said: 'Don't let that bother ye. If a man plays us crooked we know what is good for him, and we'll leave him simply nothing to worry about. But speaking of that reminds me, if you can see any way to keep the town on the level and help its morals we'll boost yer game to the limit. We kind of need a soother and a shepherd.'
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