Boy's Cinema (1939-40)

u BOY'S CINEMA BRIBERY BARNEY O'DELL, of the Flying M ranch and president of the local Cattlemen's Association, had called a meeting of his fellOAV-ranchers. He was younger than any of them, but highly respected for his commonsense. Worried by the fact that he had not received payment for his last three ship- ments of cattle to the Lewis Paclcing Company, Barney had accompanied his last cattle-train to the stockyards. He found the company was in a bad way. Privately Benson, the manager and an old friend, had told him that the Con- tinental Corporation, a huge combine, was trying to force them to amalgamate. This would mean a monopoly, and ranchers like Barney would have to accept any price they were offered for their cattle. Worse still, Barney learned that Helen Lewis, who had inherited the business from her father, was being persuaded by her solicitor. Roger Whitlock, to sell out to Continental. Barney found .Helen Lewis to be young and very beautiful; she was also wilful and headstrong. She had been angered by his pleading for the Arizona ranchers. She told him she was determined to accept Whitlock's advice to sell out before the Lewis Packing Company declined any further. Barney, who knew that Continental were even descending to rustling to force the ranchers to heel, de- termined that if Helen Lewis would do nothing, he would act himself. With Benson's connivance, he swiftly had the Lewis Company declared bank- rupt, and himself, as largest creditor, appointed receiver for the term of thirty days. That would prevent Helen from selling at least for that time; meanwhile, as he told the ranchers, he hoped to get the company on its feet. "If they sell out to Continental," he told them grimly, "there'll be no compe- tition. Therefore, v/e'll be unable to keep prices up.'' 'You're absolutely right. Barney, and we appreciate your trymg to help us," one of the older men declared. .Vovcnil.cr lltli. lOSa. Joe Larkin. a hulking rancher with none too good a name in the Oakridge dis- trict, lounged forward. 'Talkin' about blockin' the Continental and doin' it are two different things," he growled. "There's a lot of funny business been goin' on around here, and the law ain't been able to protect us.' "Well, that's why we're backing up Barney," somebody put in. "With him as receiver we stand a good chance of com- ing out on top. D'you agree with me, bo.vs?'" There was a chorus of agreement. Larkin glanced around. "I ain't so keen about the set-up. But I'll string along for a while. If I run into any more trouble, though, I'm pullin' out of the deal." Barney wanted the backing of all the ranchers: he wanted to ship all the cattle he could get to the Lewis Packing Com- pany so that they could fulfil their con- tracts. He was glad they were all backing him up despite Larkin's grumbling. "Well, thanks, anyway, boys, for com- ing over," he said cheerfully. "I hope we won't have any more trouble." Hardly had the ranchers moimted and scattered in all directions than a sleek roadster drew up beside the gate. Barney frowned. Driving it was Roger Whitlock, whom he disliked on sight when meeting him in Helen Lewis' company. He was tall and narrow-eyed, looking almost fop- pish beside the dustv cowhands. How are you, 0"Dell?'" he said heartily. ■ Never felt better. Sort of a little out of your territory, aren't you?" " Maybe, I've got something I'd like to talk over with vou." Barney nodded to the cowhands. "Saddle the horses, boys. We'll leave for the round-up in a few minutes." He leaned on the door of Whitlock's car. "What's on your mind?" "How much is it worth to you to forget this bankruptcy action and give up your .job as receiver?" asked Whitlock softly. Helen Lewis, in a rage, had oi'dered him to come down and try to talk Barney around; but he was also acting on behalf of the Continental Corporation, for whom he was really working. Every Tuesday A grim drama of a young cattle* man who smashes a gang of rustlers and a ring of city sharks in a hail of lead and flashing fists. In the film George O'Brien is the star, supported by Chill Wills and Marjorie Reynolds "Ten thousand dollars would be only a drop in the ocean compared to what Continental would pay,"' Barnev retorted calmly. Whitlock eyed him narrowly. "I'U raise it to fifteen thousand." ■ "You're barking up the wrong tree." "Twenty thousand. ' Barnev shook his head. "Twenty-five thousand, and that's the limit." Barney smiled. "Are you sure? ' Whitlock's eyes flickered uneasily. "Why shouldn't I be sure?" "Because I happen to know that it vou wrote a cheque for over five hundred dol- lars it would bounce clear across this ranch. Who's paying off—Continental?" Whitlock grinned. 'AH right, we'll lay the cards on the table. You've been pretty smart. If vou want to continue being smart, we can work together and clean up a small fortune." ■ You'd double-cross your own grand- mother,"" said Barney with dangerous quietness. "Now get off this ranch before I throw you off!" Whitlock knew then that he had come to the wrong man. Other methods v.ould have to be tried. Larkin, for instance. He had been told that Larkin was on the Con- tinental payroll, and ready for anythii^g. "All right, Mr. O'Dell," he shrugged. "I'll see you later." Barney watched him drive off. He went straight to Larkin's ranch and found the traitor waiting with a group of his men—gunmen, rustlers, the scum of the West. "Any luck?" "No, he turned the offer down. Larkin." Whitlock said calmly. Larkin grinned evilly. "Maybe Dutch and Hank here could persuade him to change his mind." Whitlock glanced at Dutch and Hank. They were just the right type. "Listen, O'Dell and three of his men were leaving to ,ioin the round-up just as I di-ove away. You ought to be able to head him off. " "Yeah," Hank grunted. "Then what?" "Come on inside," said Whitlock. RAIDERS BY NIQHT BARNEY O'DELL was jogging alona the trail with his chief assistant. Whopper Hatch, and two more men. Whopper, a lanky, shock-headed vouth. was famed in the district for his fan- tastic tales of his own prowess. He was talking, as usual, when there came a sudden clatter of hoofs and Hank and a gang of men rode out from behind a pile of rocks. "Up with them, all of .you!" Hank barked. Barney and his men. taken completelv by surprise, had no choice before that menacing array of guns. "Unbuckle vour gun-belts with one hand, and let 'em drop." Hank ordered. He pointed his gun at Barnev. ■You're Barney O'Dell, ain't ya?" "So what?" Barne.v drawled. Hank scowled. "One of them smart-alec hombres. eh? Well, you won't be so chipper when I get through with ya. Which one of you birds is Whopper Hatch?" He glanced around and uncoiled ht.3 lariat, throwing the noose round Barney'a shoulders. Whopper Hatch snapped: "That's my name, and I'm bettin" vdu two to one you won't forget it verj- 306.1.' '