Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1882-10-27

was attracted to the farm, for it was the best
farm in tho county, well worth S20000 but
these close times, and at public sale, would
not bring much over half that amount
The bidding was slow. A stranger in the
crowd, with his oyercoat buttonCd up around
his ears and his cap pulled down well over his
eyes, watched the bidding closely, until it
reached $4,000. This was the bid Of Mr..
Wyant, the rich banker Of Olean, and he
chuckled as he thought Of the rich specua-
ton the chance offered No one, he thought,
could 90 above this. The farm would be his,
and in three years he would double his money
on it. But his cxutation was cut short by
the clear, firm voice OF the stranger.
Eleven thousand"
Banker Wyaut caught his breath at the au-
dacity of man who would advance 1000
at one bid, and the aucloneer dwet on she
| 81 600 for some time before the banker re-
covered enough TO make another bid Of Sll,-
| 200. The bidding now was left entirely to
these two, and it went up gradually slower
until it was knocked off at Sl2, 100 to the
stranger
"What name, sir Z" asked the clerk.
Jack Doane" was the quiet reply.
But if the answer was quiet the sudden
| commotion ii created was not. In a minute
he WAS surrounded 10y fifty old acquaintances,
all trying TO shake his hand and asking a
! thousand questions. 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 bis 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 experience
such sensation. 1t was just like novel,
every one said, when they learned that Jack
had developed into one of the best civil en-
| gineers in the country, and had cleared S2O,-
900 by experimenting the opening Of the
| great --- silver mine in Colorado, and was
now engaged at a salary Of SS, 900, in the con-
structon of an important railway of the West
| He was a tall, solid splendid looking man,
one who looked as though he knew what
| foundation he was standing upon, and that it
| was sure.
Jack decided the farm to his mother, telling
| her Il was only principal and interest on the
| loan you made me when l left home and a
little payment on the motherly comfort you
afforded me during my stupid, plodding
school days"
Inquiry among Jacks employers revealed
the fact that the high priced quality in Jacks
composition was his delberation.
"You can depend implicitly" said the
principal owner Of the mines referred to, ION
| all Of Jacks decisions, for he wont make one
until he knows he is right I've been out of
patience several times at his apparent slow
ness, but found him right every time. He
never made a mistake aud we never wasted
any labor In the end we came out ahead of
| other enterprises with less careful engineers
at their head. Jack is worth his weight in
gold"
Jack is still at his profession, and stands at
the head Of it, No large enterprises are un-
dcrtaken without consulting him. Riches
have come to him almost unasked, and for all
he gives his mother the entire credit. James
sank into dissipation, lost his practice, and is
indebted to Jack for q position that affords
him livelihood. Over the door Of the hand
some villa where Jack resides, with a loving
wife, he has placed a motto;
'The race is not to the swift"