The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1882-12-30

his throat, for he knew that the
$50 he had in his pocket represented
the accumulated savings of twenty
years of her life.
Five years had passed away, and
not word had been heard from Jack,
James had been admitted to the bar,
had settled down to small practice
in Olean, was jolly fellew, q fayorite
with the ladies and society generally
but the steadier citizens began to
whisper that he was getting too fond
of the glass. 1t was only whisper
and most of the people assented the
insinuation. He was the most bril-
liant, facinating member of the bar,
and the pride of farmer Doane in
in particular
The railroad boom had reached
Olean, and citizens plunged recklessly
into speculation, Farmer Doane had
taken $4,000 worth of stock in the
new road, which was to make Olean a
large city and all its citizens million
aires. But the bubble burst before it
had been fairly blown and the farm
was advertised to be sold by the sher-
if. The process by which this was
affected was a long one, occupying
some months, and they were sad ones
to Farmer Doane and his wife. James
upbraided him for his folly and de
clared that he deserved to lose the
farm.
"If Jack were only here" said Mrs.
Doane, che would be such comfort
something to lean upon,"
"Jack is a worthless dog" said the
farmer in reply, "and III warrant is
begging his daily bread or working for
his board at best! He would be a
poor stick to lean on"
The day Of sale came and a large
crowd was attracted to the farm, for
it was the best farm in the country,
and worth $4,000, but these close
times and at a public sale, would not
bring much more than half that
amount.
The bidding was slow. \ stranger
in the crowd with his overcoat but
toned up around his ears and his cap
pulled down well over his eyes, watch
ed the bidding closely until it reached
$4,000. This was the bid for Mr..
Wyant, the rich banker of Olean, and
lie chuckled as he thought of the rich
speculation the chance afforded. The
farm would be his and in three years
he would double his money on it, But
his exultation was cut short by the
clear, fine voice of the stranger:
"Eleyen thousand"
Banker Wyant caught his breath at
the audacity of a man who would ad-
vance one thousand dollars one bid and
the auctioneer dwelt on the $11 900
for some time before the banker re-
covered breath enough to make an
other bid of S11,100. But this was
promptly suppIanted by the strangers
S11, 200. The bidding was now left
entirely to these two and it went up
gradually until it was Knocked off at
s12, 100 to the stranger.
"What name, sir??" was the quiet
reply.
But if the answer was quiet the sud
den commotion it created was not. In
a minute he was surrounded by fifty
old acquaintances, all trying to shake
his hand and asking a thousand ques-
tions. Jack stood it all calmly, and
finally shook himself loose and strobe
toward the house; but half way there
he met his mother, and, behind
her his father; who had heard, as they
sat in the darkened room mourning
over their miSfortunes, that Jack was
the purchaser Of the farm.
Never did the village of Olean ex-
perienee such q sensation. 1t was just
like a novel, every one said, when
they learned that Jack had developed
into one Of the best civil engineers in
the country, and had cleared $4,000
by experimenting the opening Of the
great-silver mine in Colorado, and
was now engaged, at salary of So, 900
in the construction of an important
railroad in the West. He was a tall,
solid, splendid looking man, one who
looked as though he knew what foun-
dation he was standing upon and that
it was sure.
Jack decided the farm to his moth
er, telling her it was only principle
and interest on the loan you made me
when I left home and a little payment
on the motherly comfort you afforded
me during nay stupid, plodding school
days"
Inquiry among Jacks employers re-
vealed the fact that the high-priced