Argosy All-Story Weekly, Vol. 124, No. 3 — page 119: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

ie BING, BANG, BOOM! that’s feeding you. You get me, don’t you, Joe? And the best thing to do in a case like. that is to. pull out the yellow dog’s - teeth.” He paused, and pointed to the lifeless form of Paprika. ‘‘ And I did,” he finished with a meaning smile. It seemed that Selma was never again to subside to that tranquil state-of somno- lence that attended it prior to the startling advent of Bing, Bang, Boom. After Bert had been in Selma a week, people began to regard him as a sort of human dynamo that constantly generated a powerful cur- rent of seethy excitement in quantities suff- cient to pervade the entire village. They spoke of him only as “ that there Bing, Bang, Boom,” and whenever he appeared among them, they waited breathlessly “ fer somethin’ onusual to happen.” It usually did happen. Now that Selma was aroused, it found no need of pinch- ing itself to keep from lapsing into its erst- while lethargy. Before the tragic incident of Paprika’s running amuck had spent its first thrill, Selma had pounced upon an- other vivifying stimulant, all the more po- tent because it had an ingredient of secrecy in it. Early one morning, Bert led a small army of workmen through the streets to the Ma- jestic Hotel; and soon that long-neglected building became the scene of bustling ac- tivity. Painters’ scaffolds swung at its walls, carpenters’ hammers rapped merrily within, chugging vacuums sucked the thick dust from its furnishings, broken window- panes were replaced with new, swishing scythes cleared the lawns of their rank growths of weeds: in short, it was apparent to all that the Majestic was coming to life! This, in itself, was sufficient to stir a ripple to the placid surface of Selma. After seven long, soporiferous years, Selma would again come into its own! There were. few who did not remember the glorious days of the old Majestic. Then, it had been the Monte Carlo of the Middle West. Every train had paid its toll of visitors at Selma’s ' portals before it rushed away. , But-now, at a timé when gambling was 493 no longer permitted, what was the Majestic to be? What was to attract those wealthy, freely spending city folks to Selma? Bert and Fred Patterson, running a gauntlet of veiled and pointed questions every time they ventured upon the street, kept their own counsel. They had agreed that until everything was in readiness to launch their advertising campaign, it would be wise to keep secret their plans for the Majestic. “It doesn’t do any harm to keep mum,” said Fred, “ and it may do harm to let it get around. Better not say anything, and be on the safe side.”’ | ‘“T don’t see what harm could come of telling it,” Bert replied: “ but we'll keep it under cover, anyway. I suppose Turner is doing a bit of wondering himself.” Fred shrugged. ‘All Turner thinks about now is getting that franchise for a power company. When he gets that, he’ll have this town more under his thumb than ever.” ‘ Isn’t there some way to prevent him—”’ Bert began; but Fred interrupted him with a mirthless laugh. _“ Prevent him! What a chance! Why, he owns every selectman, body and soul. As a matter of record, I’ve been fighting against it in Tie Punch, but that won’t keep him from getting that franchise. You remember what he told the crowd the morn- ing you arrived here: that fifteen thousand he got from you is going into a power- house—of the people, for the people, by the people—phovee!” “You want the city to own it, don’t your” | “Of course I do. That would be the square deal thing, wouldn’t it? Then the profits could be used to improve the roads that need repair so badly, instead of going into Ellis Turner’s pockets. what’s the use of talking!”’ “Wait till we’ve got the Majestic going,” promised Bert. ‘‘ We'll have something to fight him with then.”’ The day after his fight with Paprika, Bert, aching in every joint, had journeyed to Pinebluff to apply for a loan of ten thou- Oh, well— ’ sand dollars. Three days later the loan was granted; and Bert immediately arranged ‘ COMIGOOO|KKS. COM