Merwell?"
"Oh, the regular hands, that's all."
"No young folks?"
"No."
"I should think it would be lonely for Link."
"Maybe it is. But that ain't no reason why he should act so mean," added
Sid Todd.
"I should think he'd want to invite some of his friends to visit him."
"Maybe Mr. Merwell don't want it. He's putty close, you must remember,
and it costs money to entertain."
"Well, I pity Link if he has got to stay there alone."
"He don't stay all the time. He rides to town, and smokes and gambles,
and gets into all sorts of trouble, and then he gets scared to death for
fear the old man will find it out," concluded Sid Todd.
They were soon at the station, and there found they would have to wait
half an hour for the train to come in. Several cowboys were present and
also a gentleman with a white, flowing beard.
"That is Mr. Hooper," said Sid Todd. "He owns a ranch up the river--the
Bar X. He's a fine man." And a few minutes later he introduced Dave to
the ranch owner.
"Glad to know you," said Mr. Hooper. "I heard that my friend, Endicott,
had a lot of boys and girls at his place. Tell Belle she must bring all
of you over to my place some day."
"Thank you, I will," answered Dave.
"We haven't any boys and girls there, but I reckon we can give you a
good time," went on Mr.
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