Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1875-04-29

not seem to notice his embarrassment; he
locked arms with Silas and began talking
in very familiar and confidential man
ner as they walked along.
"How are your family, Bronson, BY
the way, those are mighty smart children
of yours-mighty smart. Wish mine
were equally So My children frequently
speak Of that little boy of yours; they at
tend the same SCHOOL,
Il haven't any boys; they're all girls;
its Jennie, maybe, We mean" mildly sug-
gested Silas.
"Oh-yes! Jennie; so it is Strange
should forget the name when | have
heard it so Often" answered the Judge,
flushing little. And then as they came
to small building on corner he added,
"Heres my Office, Bronson. Come in a lit
tie while, want TO see you"
Still wondering, Silas obeyed. If the
Judge had asked him to take off his boots
it is probable he would have done so. He
entered the Office as requested and sat
down in an awkward way by the stove
and stretched out his hands toward it as if
he were cold. To be sure it was warm
day and there was no fire in the stove;
but then Silas didn't know what else to do,
so he did that while he awaited the Judges
pleasure.
"Quitc a cosy little office have here,
haven't II" qucried the latter gentleman,
pleasantly. "Take cigar, Bronson"
producing case. Perhaps they are not
as good as you are accustomed to, but
they are imported, and l think them very
fine"
Slas meekly accepted a cigar, lighted
it, and then said, "They are very NICE
applying the remark to both Office and
cigar.
For . few minutes the Judge pulled
away in silence.
"That was . comfortable little windfall
you had-your uncle dying off there in
California and leaving you that money"
he said 1t last.
eyes" answered Sias, beginning TO
feel complacent. "Toler'ble nice little
pile en't-a thousand dollars. Got it this
mornin'"
"To be sure it is not very large sum
for man of your MEANS" continued the
Judge; :" but it is nice to get such things,
and it will do to get suit of clothes and
few knick- knacks, maybe. And that
makes me think, Bronson-where is it
you get your clothes? Ny wife often says:
Now, Judge Fay, if you only had the
taste of Mr.. Bronson about dressp But
then, bless me! l haven't, or | would
look as tasteful on Sunday as you do"
The Judge was careful to say Sunday"
for if he had included week days it would
have been more than even Silas could
swallow
"Jerry Markle, he made my last suit"
answered Sias, surprised and pleased that
his dress should thus attract admiration,
and from so distinguished source, too.
The Judge passed another few minutes
in medtative smoking.
1.-The fact is, Bronson" he resumed,
taking the cigar from his mouth, the
fact is, wanted to see you about = little
matter that is-well, may say Of mutual
advantage. You see, was over in Penn
sylvana last week, and through the oil
region. And while there bought tract,
five acres, right near the best producing
wells. OF course could have made y
good thing by selling it again, but | con-
cuded not to be selfish but to come home
and form . stock company of few OF
our influential men, like yourself and
others"
I'm very much obleeged TO ye, Judge"
began Silas; "but then-I-I--"
please hear me through" interrupted
the Judge, with soft, deprecating wave
Of the hand; :" am not done yet. Now,
there is lots of money in this thing if it is
properly managed, and, as didn't wish
to connect with Tom, Dick and Harry,
have mentioned the matter to but few of
our best men DR.. Ross, Col. Clark and
Squire Hardy have all taken stock, and
our minister, the Rev. Mr. Norris, expects
to invest The stock is only atritle-$500
a share"
"Yes - $500 - uncommon cheap, I
should say stammered Silas. But
then, we see, I h amt got the money-that
is, to spare jest now. I'm sort Of poor,
like"
"Poor" echoed the Judge; "a man of
your means talking about poverty. What
is paltry five hundred to your" And the
speaker snapped his fingers as if the sum
mentioned were insignificant beyond meas
ure. "Why, man, I'll warrant you have
more than that with you nowp'
- know; but then l thought I'd bet
ter" began Silas; but the Judge broke
in with apparent surprise.
"Oh, that's it! you have been already
considering the matter! l might have
known Col Clark would speak to you
about it. When l told him of my pro-
posed company last week he asked if you
were in it, and he said, If Bronson takes
hold l will, because whatever Bronson
takes hold of is sure to succeed Those
were his very words; and so he spoke to
you himself! Well, l am glad on the
whole he did, and that you are going in
with US. But you can't have more than
four shares, Bronsonp'-with playful tap
on the back" and you needn't pay more
than half down. That will be enough to
carry the thing through, think"
And what could poor Silas say TO all
this? With nature weak and yielding,
he was surprised and flattered to learn of