THE COUNTRY^ BOY 



127 



Claine, who lived 

 in the same house 

 with the banker, 

 and with that 

 Jake McClaine 

 there were no 

 partners, and no- 

 body ever asked 

 to be his partner. 

 Few, if any, were 

 capable. I never 

 saw a funeral 

 pass through Sil- 

 verton that Jake 

 McClaine didn't 

 ride his bay mare 

 at the head of the 



procession, and I heard of one passing through 

 town where he rode at the head that I was 

 unfortunate enough not to see. They were 

 the only times he ever grew very serious; 

 no one ever died in the vicinity but what 

 Jake JMcClaine was there when they needed 

 help. If they were poor or rich or just 

 well to do, he took complete charge; made 

 the arrangements for the funeral and rode 



