Page:Teeftallow-1926.djvu/316

an' have Perry Northcutt git it. I thought you might feel like doin' somethin' to keep Addy from bein' beat out o' her right; specially as Northcutt has already done you a pretty mean turn."

At the prospect of rescuing Adelaide's fortune for her, something quivered in Abner's chest. He nodded earnestly.

"Now you've said it, Mr. Jones. I may have a little money, but I ain't forgot how to do a honest day's work, nor, by God, how to put up a fight, neither."

"Of course, I hope they won't be no fightin'," said Railroad, waving a hand, "but what is to be will be. I'm Babtis' enough to b'lieve that; an' sence it shore is goin' to happen, my plan is to hit fust an' make it happen to the other feller."

"I do, too," said Abner to this commendable creed.

The magnate arose and came forward, extending a puffy hand to his guest.

"I'm glad you feel like that. I knowed yore gran'dad when he owned putty near all this county. I was jest gittin' my teeth whetted to do a little bitin' myse'f then—a fine ol' man—an yore mammy goin' crazy, too—you come from fine stock, Abner. I thought I'd find a man when I put my han' on you."

"I'll go down with Bascom any time an' up agin anything," said Abner with a slight swagger.

"Much obliged. I appreciate that, Abner, an' Addy will, too."

They moved together to the outer door of the library. Before Abner went out on the porch, Railroad Jones paused again.

"By the way, Abner, if I was you I don't b'lieve I'd push them partic'lar lan' claims you got agin my estate right now. Me an' you can make a settlemint, any time, you know that." He nodded intimately at the youth. "You don't want to force a sale o' my lan's just before the railroad makes 'em jump in price. I haven't the money to settle off with you right now—if you ever do want a settlemint with my estate."