The Grenada gazette., 1888-06-30

them, almost persuaded at that mo
ment to make the investment Ever,
thing seemed straight and homes
about the matter, 1 had seen the wei
and oil, and there WAS no chance fo
deception about that and the man !
reasons for selling were perfectly salts
factory. In fact, believe began t,
have some pity for him on account o
the hardship Of the case, and to wisi
that | had thousand or two more thar
he asked, to offer him. And then th,
fact that the other partner-Dick wa,
the name he answered to-was to re-
main and work his interest, was tht
best kind OF guarantee Of good faith
II ! had any lingering doubts OF
fears on the subject when entered
the Office, they shortly dispelled them
We sat down around the rough pine
table. Uttered over with papers. Fred
produced some excellent cigars. and
we sat and smoked, while Fred's
tongue ran on describing the protita'
bleness of the business I was satisfied
before he had talked ten minutes.
"Show me your title" l said.
satisfy me about your rights here.
and I'll buy the one-half interest a,
the terms you OFFER"
They Immediately produced n lease
OF the premises for one hundred years,
which examined and which was un-
donbtedly correct. l had seen other
leases made by the same proprietor,
and knew the signature.
II don't mind telling you what that
cost u.s. said Fred. with laugh.
"Just twenty-five dollars! We took it
when there had been no oil found with
in half mile of here. and got it cheap
enough. as things have happened"
lie asked my name, and in half a
minute he had filled up a blank assign
ment on the back of the paper and
signed it, transferring to me his one
half interest in the well and lands for
ten thousand dollars. He held it so |
could read it, and | saw that it was
sufficient. | took out my bill-book and
produced the certificate
This is payable to my order"
said. II don't know how you're to get
the money. Who'll identify you9"
LET me see.' said Fred, and | laid
the certificate on the table. "Oh.
that's all right" he exclaimed, us he
read it. II know the officers of thai.
bank. and they'll pay me on your in
dorsement"
The other partner-my future part
ner-the tall. dashing fellow, came and
leaned over Fred's shoulder and looked
ut the certificate. As he bent his face
lower saw y most sinister smile diff
fuse itself over his countenance.
Somehow, just at that momentous
instant, could not fix my thoughts ON
oil and money-making and the busi-
ness before us at all. l thought Of
Emily and the children at liome, and
wondered whether it We're better for
them thatI should part with this money
so easily. l looked at the two men,
with their hashy tingcr-rings and
breastpins, and l did not feel half as
much like making the bargain as l had
moment before.
'Just indorsc ii to me-Fred
Brown
His voice startled me from my alb
straction. l looked up and saw that
he had placed the certificate on the
table with his finger upon it and was
holding out a pen to me.
ave written the indorsement-'Pay
to the order of Fred Brown he said.
Just put your name under that. But
Lord bless you, man, what's the mat
ter? Your face is white. almost. You
amt going crazy with your good luck,
are you?'
They both laughed at this sally.
"No.' said, carelessly. "Just let
me look at the face of that certificate
again--so!" and with the words
slipped it from under his finger My
bill-book lay on the table; | quickly
placed the certificate in it. folded it,
and buttoned it up close again in my
pocket.
The men fell back in blank aston
ishment. and both spoke together:
whats that for?'
'Tvc thought better Of it," was my
reply. "lve concluded not to buy.
You may keep your assignment. or
give it to some one else. The well
may be a splended investment, but l
think on the whole III not take any
stock in it,
They saw that was in earnest, and
two angrier men never saw. Fred
II that was his name-stood glaring at
me with the expression of a hungry
hyena baked Of his prey; and Dick.
the one who had avowed that he had
no interest in the sale except to help
his friend, came close up to ME and
shook his fist in my face.
you can't come that game on as,
my fine fellow! he growled. "This
trade is all done, aud that paper is
ours. Hand it over"
He shook his fist again. Now their
conduct confirmed my suspicious.
"Lock the door, Fred" said the fel-