The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1878-11-21


tea himself, meAn that Il looks ss Il i
might be pretty good land.
II mlgbt be better. saad james, dirty.
Thinking 10 himself What can the man
mesa7 Esldantly lhaFa i s0metAiag sls
The wind, aBd III anA 90, whAl 4 ls u
can
4 Yon didnt ,hisk o. baying, did your
be inquired
Why yes, Iltlei said Brown, hesiiAt-
ing
thihk | can show you some better
Aad on my own farm, pursned James.
bad set my heart 90 that pasture,
said The stranger, that II, II could get ii
at Reasonable rate.
How much did you want?
| should wan, one half OF il, II is, /
believe, divided By wall Into two equal
! parts,
That is true.
4 Aud wanted Che isad on this side.
How much do you feel willing to gives
asked james, thinking be might turn II to
profitable account.
Why, should rslher not give more
thaH 4 hundre dollars sn sore.
A hundred dollars an aerel II was not
worth over twenty, and James knew H.
7 He was the more convinced that the
stranger had some Interior purpose.
! Foi what purpose did you want il, he
asked abruptly.
For what puFposef inquired Brown,
again looking confused. Well, III have
not quite decided. | might build, you
know.
Twenty-Five acres would be . rather
large Building lot, said james Ashley,
dryiy.
/ To be sure, but you know one natural
| ly likes to have land about the house.
iark YOU, Mr. Brown, said Ashley,
looking steadily into his face, you are
man OF the world So am |. Now know
tbete IL something in this matter which
you have concealed from me. be frank
aud opeu In yoar dealings tell me what
this somethsng is, and viii do what
can 10 advance your views-otherwis l
shah do what can to oppose them.
Aiehimedes Brown pondered mo.
meht, then extending his hand, said In
hearty tone:
Agreed.
Did you ever bear, Mr.. Ashley, be COM
menced, OF the divining rod2
think have, was the reply. 1t indi-
Gates the whereabouts of the precious
metals, does ii not?
Precisely.
Aad what As that to do with my
brothers. pasture?
A good deal.
Here Mr. Archimedes Brown bent over
and whispered something In the ear OF
his host.
Good graciousl exclaimed the latter.
you don't say So
/ do most positively.
Gold in my brothers psstnreY
II there is any faith to be put in the rod
there surely is.
Did the rod vibrate ut more than one
point? Elts6s
At several,
That il very surprising.
You see my motive, then, 10 wishing
to purchase. You don't suppose, punch
Ing Ashley jocnlarly In the ribs, that |
would be willing to give hundred dol
lars an acre for such land, merely for
building purposes.
No, smelled q rat.
You were too sharp for me. Now |
have told you all, will you help me to the
land2 OF course youth expect commis-
sion. Wen settle that hereafter, VIII
that satisfy your
o, yes.
Now how shall we proceedt
You had better not be known In the af-
fair. IL may make my brother raise on
the price. | would advise you 10 return
TO Boston, and come back day alter 20.
morrow. | viii then report progress,
aud most probably shall have the matter
arranged,
Thank YOU, my dear sir, said Brown,
wfngiug Ashles's hand cordially. |
have perfect confidence IN you. | leave
everything in your hands.
The more fool you! mnltered Jame =
to himself sitter he had returned the pres
sure, aud bowed the stranger out OF the
house. Well. this is wonder! Gold in
the old pasturel Now il only work my
cards right, III make something out OF
this. And there's no time TO lose aboat Il.
la the evening James Ashley bent his
steps toward his brothers house. His
visit, Il need hardly be said, was not un-
expected.
Henry received him eoIdIy.
Come, Henry, ssid james, with affect
ed irankness, lei there be no bard feelings
between ne.
When You have removed the cause, said
Henry, the hard feelings will disappear
20 far ~ | am concerned.
What do you consider yonF pasture
land TO be worth per scref asked James.
Perhsps twenty dollars, while your
land Il wox.h eighty.
To show yoa, parsned James, that
really desire good feeling to snbsisl be-
tween us, sm willing TO buy bali your
Iaud at more than II Is worth.
How much are you willing to payg
Why, said James, hesitsiing, wili
psy yen thirty dollars sn acre.
/ imposss0le.
I n. - At. i. 4 -. ..1 a..