Badlanders Read Free Page A

about if we go inside and I explain everything?” Wells proposed.
    Lice was relieved when only the little fella and the big cowboy followed him in. The gun shark stayed outside. Lice indicated his table with its two chairs and stepped to his own by the fireplace. Crossing his legs, he folded his hands in his lap and waited.
    The scary fella had given the shotgun to the big cowboy and now the cowboy propped it against a wall.
    â€œThis is Neal Bonner, by the way,” Franklyn Wells introduced him. “He’ll be the ramrod, I believe it’s called, for the Badlands Land and Cattle Company.”
    â€œThe what?”
    Wells took a seat and set his bowler on the table. “The firm I represent. I’m a lawyer. I’m here on their behalf to make you a generous offer.”
    â€œMister,” Lice said, “I hope to hell I’m drunk and dreamin’ all this, because it makes no kind of sense.”
    â€œPermit me to enlighten you,” Wells said. “The BLCC needs land, and lots of it. Some months ago, Mr. Bonner and I looked over this part of the Badlands, and he’s of the opinion that it can be turned into a profitable cattle enterprise. Nearly all of it qualifies under the Homestead Act and can be filed on, with two exceptions. The first is Whiskey Flats. The second is your homestead.”
    Lice didn’t know where this was leading, so he didn’t say anything.
    â€œMy employers regard the town as an eventual supply hub for their ranch. But your homestead is another matter. Your land is at the very heart of their proposed enterprise.”
    â€œI don’t mind havin’ a rancher for a neighbor,” Lice said.
    â€œThey’d rather avoid that situation, if they could.”
    â€œHow’s that again?”
    â€œThink of it, Mr. McCoy. The Diamond B will have thousands of head of cattle. Perhaps hundreds of thousands if all goes well. And if your homestead is in the middle of the ranch, they’ll be trampling all over your property unless you put up a fence. Not only that, the cattle will have to be driven around you to get from one place to another. Does that sound logical to you?”
    â€œI don’t know about logic, but I know I like it here,” Lice said.
    â€œI don’t blame you,” Wells said. “This site of yours is ideally located.” He paused. “You have your own well, we’re given to understand.”
    Lice nodded. “I dug it my own self. Plumb surprised me, how the water came pourin’ out of the ground like it did.”
    â€œWater is one thing my employers need to ensure that their ranch is a success. Which is another reason why they’ve authorized me to offer you a substantial amount to buy you out.”
    â€œIs that why you came all this way?”
    â€œNone other,” Wells confirmed.
    Lice became angry. He’d meant it when he said he liked living there. The winters were harsh, but he always stocked up on firewood and bottles and got by until spring. “You can turn around and go back again. I’m not sellin’ out. Not now. Not ever.”
    â€œYou haven’t heard my offer yet,” Wells said.
    â€œI don’t want to hear it.”
    Undeterred, Wells said, “They’ve left the amount to my discretion. And after meeting you, and this short talk we’ve had, I feel confident in proposing to purchase your homestead for the princely sum of three thousand dollars.”
    Lice was dumbfounded. That was more than he’d ever had at one time at any point in his entire life. More than he could ever dream of having. It was far more than his property was worth. Which made him suspicious. “Why so much?”
    â€œI’ve already told you,” Wells said. “It wouldn’t do to have your place in the middle of the ranch. Plus, you have water, a valuable commodity. My employers can afford to be generous to expedite things.”
    â€œLordy, the