Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1881-06-08

| crossed in the subject of the Walnut
Belt. Mrs. Young foresaw long discus
sion, also the necessity of better supper
! than usual.
"Mehitable! Mehitable!' There was
no response.
"Now where can she have gone, just
when she is most needed ?" said the
mother. -l
George Northup was suddenly sur
prised in the middle of sentence by a
picture he little anticipated. A young
girl, with fine, rich, olive skin, the
most brilliant eyes-whether black or
| brown he could not tell-and a grace
that he had never seen equalled, sudden
~ crossed the room, and addressed Mrs.
Young in low tone. 1t was evident
| the mother was surprised. She looked
at her daughter curiously, then replied
| III low tone, and the vision of lowell
ness disappeared.
"Ihat means a tempting supper, J"
| thought NOrthup, as he pursued the con-
versation and endeavored to bring Young
to terms of-hand. But Dan Young was
shrewd, sure-foOted man. His Walnut
Belt contained at least eight hundred
acres. Originally it had been a thou
sand, but a fire extending through the
oaks and naples had crossed the creek
and destroyed two hundred acres of
timber. The deadening intervening was
under pillow and harrow now, the hundred
acres accounted the best farm in the
county. But Dan somehow fancied
there was as much in the Walnut Belt
rs in the farm. That, everybody said,
| uoC rth fnr-fxr 1o11o,c
Young, while arranging the table, dis
tinctly heard the words, Twenty
dollars an acre, cash., more than once.
"Dan," she said, speaking from the
kitchen door, "can you come here half
a minute? Excuse me Mr.. Northrp. -
When Dan was beside her she wills
pered:
& heard him say $25 an acre, cash.
That's $40, 900 amt it %
Its big pile of money, Mag; an
awful big pile.
eyes, but be sure of the money,
Dam"
"Fll be sure, but I'm not going to sell
it at that price,
"Twenty thousand, DAMP"
Ono, nor for thirty or forty p
ooh, Dan, you are beside yourself p
''I'm beside you and Mehitable ~
"What is it father ?"
Why here's a rich man in Boston
buying all the fine walnut up, and wants
the Belt. If he wants it he'll pay what
its worth. :"
"What is it worth ?" said Mrs Young
Give no idea, Mag, what it's worth
now. Ten years ago it wouldn't bring
80 an acre. But since the Short Greek
railroad was built, its gone up double
That is twenty miles off, Now, here is
the Lee and Plymouth branch projected.
If that is carried out there's only two
ways it can go. Either right square
through the Walnut Belt, or skirting Jim
Woods farm, half mile below the Belt
That's going to make great difference,
and | won't bargain till find out what
it's worth to those mill men,"
He was as good as his word. Young
Northup endeavored to secure the land
on any terms the farmer would propose
The supper was announced in due sea-
son. George Northup was introduced to
envy daughter Mehitable,'' whose color
was trifle heightened, but not sign
was made by either indicating they had
met before. Over Mrs. Young's table
| eAAS POANhcaOC13 WIZ W do ISdllI C1tNSI dU
a bargain, discussed the subject openly
and freely. He appealed laughing ly to
Mrs. Young to advise her husband to
avail himself of an opportunity that
might not offer soon again. Mrs. Young
parted the remark shrewdly, as wife
might in her husbands interest. Then
young Northup turned to Mehitable,
saying: &
Perhaps word from you may show
him what he is gaining. I have offered
your father thirty-fve dollars an acre for
his walnut land. "That is twenty eight
thousand dollars. Think of it!''
"Yes, but l am interested party, Mr.
Northup. Ny grandfather always said
1t would make fine thing for me some
day, and that nobody should have it but
me-"
Dan Young looked at her curiously.
laid down his knife and fork, and replied:
"That is queer, Mag; I'd forgotten all
aboutit. Father did say that very thing.
And he was serious when he said it.
Why, how can you remember that, Me-
hltable? You was not six years old
you was no more than five. -
remember it, father, and I'll hold
you to the bargain. The Walnut Belt
should be mine.''
Mr.. Northup suddenly became grave
and pre-occupied. A loud knock on the
door caused Mr.. Young to rise. When
he opened the door, Tom Sharp looked
in on the tempting table.
''Tie up your horse and come in and
get your supper" said Dan Young,
heartily.
"Pll do that very thing" was Tom
Sharp's answer. So, very soon there
was another plate Cd the table. The
host introduced the stranger.
Ono need to introduce me. We've
met afore said Tom. CT come to see you
on business, Dan. What'll you take for
that timber land O. your'n ?"
"You mean the walnut 2"
81 mean the walnut %
81 don't know what it's worth. Who
are you buying for? Not for yourself %
Look here Dan never look a. off