W. C. Tuttle

“ The money was all in big bills. By golly, I hope they find Joe Rich.”
Uncle Hozie sighed deeply. He loved Joe Rich like a son, and it was difficult for him to believe Joe guilty.
“It hurts Peggy,” he said slowly. “It hurts her as much as the death of her father. Yuh see, she loved Joe a lot.”
“I reckon we all did, Hozie—up to the day he was to be married.”
“Joe Rich of yesterday,” muttered Uncle Hozie.
“Whatcha say, Hozie?”
“Jist thinkin’ out loud, Curt I’ll find Honey, and break the bad news to him.” ”

“ Honey leaned forward and whispered rapidly in Hozie’s ear.
“Huh? O-o-oh!” Hozie understood.
A few minutes later Hozie met Curt Bellew near the kitchen door.
“I jist wanted to ask yuh somethin’, Curt,” said Uncle Hozie. “I—uh—I been talkin’ to Peggy. Yuh see, Curt, she’s goin’ to stay at the HJ, at least a while. Won’t be nobody there but her and Laura and Wong Lee.”
“Uh-huh.”
“Well, I been talkin’ to her, yuh understand, Curt. She’s goin’ to need one man to help run things. I—uh—she said she’d like to have Honey Bee to run the place.” ”