heard of a capitalist in the valley; a young one, too, more prone to
enthusiasm if shown the right thing.

"I'm going down to Jimmy's to fetch them up here!" Leander announced.

"Are there two of them?"

"He has brought his wife out with him. They are a young couple. He's the
only son of a rich widow in New York, and Jimmy says they've got money to
burn. Jimmy don't take much stock in this 'ere 'wounded guide'
story--thinks it's more or less of a blind. He's feeling around for a good
investment--desert land or mining claims. Jimmy thinks he represents big
interests back East."

Aunt Polly considered, and the corners of her mouth moistened as she
thought of the dinner she would snatch from the jaws of the system on the
day these young strangers should visit the ranch.

"By Gum!" Leander shouted. "I wonder if Uncle John wouldn't know something
about the party they're advertising for. That'd be the way to find out if
they're really on the scent. I'll take him down with me--that's what I'll
_do_--and let him have a talk with the young man himself. It'll make a
good opening. Are you listening, Polly?" She was not. "I wish you'd git
him to fix himself up a little. Layout one o' my clean shirts for him, and
I'll take him down with me day after to-morrow."

"I'll have a fresh churning to-morrow," Aunt Polly mused. "You can take a
little pat of it with you. I won't put no salt in it, and I'll send along
a glass or two of my wild strawberry jam. It takes an awful time to pick
the berries, but I guess it'll be appreciated after the table Jimmy sets.