Sullivan republican. [volume] (Laporte, Pa.) 1883-1896, 1891-06-05
Mr.. SPINDLE'S TRIP WEST
BY FRANK j. MARTIN.

The gaunt figure of Major Scentpenny
was familiar to the citizens of Middle
field. For reasons best known to him.
self he had a great antipatby to labor
either mental or physical. His external
habiliments bothered him little so long
as, internally, there were no unsatisfied
demands. His thoughts were allowed to
wander with the vagrant winds--for Major
Scentpenny was dreamer. From q
lack of practical engagement his mind
such as it was-contented itself with all
conceived visions of future wealth. He
was in the habit of making periodical
visits to several houses, so that when he
was seen approaching Mrs. Proudman's
home, early in the evening of balmy
May day, no attention was paid to the
fact. The Major, so it was currently
rumored, was entered in the lists as a
wooer of the buxom widow.
His usual tranquility was disturbed by
the prospect of realization of his fond
est hopes. Nor was he alone with the
fantasy of wealth, for, at that particular
time, a score of worthy citizens OF
Middlefield were greatly agitated. The
commotion was caused by blue-eyed
man of great suavity, who introduced
himself as the Second President of
the "Gold Trust Mining Company OF
Colorado" and who intimated that his
shattered health required that he re-
cuperate in Middlefeld, and in no other
locality.
The Second Vice. President, Mr.. Sharp
file, to use his own phrase, had "an easy
picking of it," when he exhibited, at the
urgent request of ten prominent citizens,
the samples of ore he carried, as he said,
for his own amusement. Some were bold
enough to express desire to become
stockholders in the company, and had
the funds at hand to back their ambi-
tions. Others made efforts to realize
money on their possessions 30 as to be let
in.
Mr.. Sharpfiie offered no encouragement
at first, but finally, after great pressure
had been brought to bear upon him, CON-
municated with the general Office of his
company and inquired if there was any
stock for sale. The answer came that
there were few shares left at 81. 10.
Mr.. Sharpfile secretly informed each
prospective stakeholder that he was the
lucky one and could have few shares
on condition that he would promise never
to divulge the fact. In the midst of his
secret sales of stock he never forgot the
fact that Mrs. Proudman had ten thou
sand in the bank, and was not at all anx-
ious to invest it.
Major Scentpenny became greatly at
tached to the mining magnate and in
formed him that Mrs. Proudman was be-
ginning to seriously consider the advisa-
bility of asking the Gold Trust Mining G
Company to allow her to become stock
holder. Mr.. Sharpfle readily compre-
hended the situation, and, as direct re-
suit of his schemes, the Major was now
on his way to the widows home to pre-
vail upon her as friend, to invest her
money in the company.
Mrs. Proudman and her daughter,
Eliza, had finished their household
duties for the day and were knitting
when the Major applied the polished
brass knocker to the front door. He
found a comfortable chair, an amiable
widow and her sprightly daughter await
ing him. No sooner were the formali-
ties at an end and he was ready to speak
upon the subject nearest his heart when
the knocker announced tina arrival of
another caller, who proved to be Adam
Spindle, pedagogue and rival of the
Major for the hand of Mrs. Proudman.
Men in love, like generals in war, adopt
seemingly curious plans of action. The
Major and Mr.. Spindle had their ideas
as to how to win the widow. The
former believed in concentrated effort,
the latter in confusing advances and re-
treats.
After a few comments on ordinary
topics, the Major found himself alone
with the widow, Mr.. Spindle and Eliza
having gone to take stroll in the moon
light. The Major approached the sub
ject cautiously. He recounted the nu-
merous instances where banks had failed,
suggested that bad crops were frequent
visitors, enlarged upon the necessity OF
making Eliza, the sweet child, lady
Independent in every respect and worked
himself up ac the highest pitch when he
expressed the hope that the declining
years of his dear friend. Mrs. Proudman,
would be blessed with elegance and ease.
Then he brought on "The Gold Trust
Co." in regal style. The Colorado press,
including the Mountain Skipper, slippery
Pass Signal and AU-around Punches, had
published columns about the mines and
their enormous outputs. The company
was worth millions and, of course, stock
was scarce. He was an intimate friend
of Mr.. Sharpfile and that gentleman
would, fr Mrs. Proudman wished to pro.
cure it, se manage affairs that four
thousand block would be az her option
in the course Of six weeks, but not before