"Nobody," the livery man said. He waved a hand southward. "Down thar is
South Plains City, an' that's igzactly three hun'ert and twenty acres
too." In turn, the man waved his hand toward where East, West, and North
Plains City were locating or would be located.
"That land should have been homesteaded," said Mr. Simpson.
"'Twas," the man said.
"Then how did you get it?"
"Most of them as staked was glad enough to sell," the man said. "City
lots is wuth money. Them as wouldn't sell we reasoned with. They could
sell at a fair price, or they could be tarred an' feathered an' rid' out
on a rail."
"I see," said Mr. Simpson.
The man led their mounts away, and they set off on foot to view the
wonders of Plains City. There was a big tent with "Plains City Hotel"
written across it and a wooden frame with a canvas roof that was
evidently Brown's Restaurant. There were all kinds of stores. A man sat
on a wooden box behind another box bearing the sign, "J. C. Donnelly,
Lawyer."
"Need any law work done?" he asked when Jed, Pete, and the youngsters
passed.
[Illustration: _"Need any law work done?" he asked_]
"Nope," said Mr. Simpson.
"I'm good at land titles."
"Nope," Mr. Simpson said again.
Another man stood behind a wooden counter upon which rested three walnut
shells. "Triple your money," he chanted. "Pick the shell with the pea
under it and triple your money." He lifted the center shell to reveal a
green pea. "If you'd picked that one, friend, you'd have tripled your
money."
"What's that?" Cindy asked.
"A game fools play," her father told her. "He holds the pea in his hand
and cheats people."
"That isn't very nice!" Cindy exclaimed.
A wagon drawn by two small horses and piled high with prairie chickens,
a wild game bird that is good to eat, lurched down the street. The
driver called, "Fresh-shot prairie chickens for sale cheap!" Pete and
Jed looked at the wagon with interest.
"Where'd you get them?" Mr. Simpson called.
"Shot 'em on the prairie, an' now I'm sellin' 'em. A body has to turn a
penny somehow."
"It's something to think about," Pete remarked.
"It sure is," said Mr. Simpson. "If we run short of money, we can go
hunting."
"I'd like that!" Alec declared.