Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1891-02-12
WAVERLAND
ny MARIE SARAH BRIGHAM.

duke, as we stood looking down at him.
He was constantly tramping back and
forth, as though chatting under his conflne-
ment.
''They are savage beasts" continued the
duke, land very dangerous. L was with
party once that were exploring some of the
mountain gorges in Colorado. Just as we
were leaving one of the long defiles, we
heard noise behind US. Looking round
we saw huge grizzly seated on his
launches. One of our party fired at the
beast For moment he seemed dazed,
then uttering most terrific growl he
sprang forward, bringing down the man
who had fired at him. We realized in an
instant that it was death to our comrade
or the bear. Every one of our party leveled
his weapon at the head Of the furious
beast Fortunately for the man the bear
rolled over in mortal agony. The flesh was
torn from the poor mans arm and he was
frightened almost to death. That was my
first acquaintance with his majesty, the
grizzly bear. | never want to meet an
other, unless he is in close confinement or
under marching orders"
We visited one den or cage after anoth-
er, until we had seen all the animals on
exhibition. We enjoyed ride on the little
lakes passing under artistic bridges, and
through long straits bordered by beautiful
flowers. At last we found ourselves at the
artesian we'll We saw the wondrous fount
from which flows the supply of water for
the lakes, rivulets and fountains of the
park. The artistic skill displayed in max
ing falls and fountains, lakes and rivers,
caves and mounds is wonderful!
"This morning." said the duke as we
left the Palmer House, eve are going out
on business"
"What is the nature of the business, II I
may ask"
"Real estate" answered the duke. you
are to go with me and see how business Is
conducted in America"
We soon saw sign indicating the place
we sought. On entering, the duke began
at once to ask questions and examine
maps.
'How do you get possession Of so much
land for sale?" asked the duke after being
shown an immense quantity in nearly
every county in the state, it seemed to me.
"a great many farmers mortgage their
lands, and failing to pay when due, we
buy the lands" said the agent; cor they
place their farms in our hands to sell, to
raise money to meet the mortgages, hop
ing to save something in that way"
What do you do with the lands you
hold before you get q buyer?" asked the
duke.
There are always plenty of snen who
want to rent. We get good terms. We
often rent to the former owners. They
make good tenants" said the agent
H.
trouble in getting good tenants if should
buy the lands we have been talking Of"
"None at all. There are more tenants
than farms, and you can make your own
terms" said the agent, eager for q sale
"Then, if agreeable, we will go and take
look at some of your best bargains" said
the duke.
Very soon we were at the depot ready to
start We went south from Chicago. The
green landscape was dotted with happy
homes. Little villages nestled in the val
leys, and prosperity seemed to reign SUI
preme. Well-tilled corn cribs attracted
our attention. We passed the Joliet prison
and saw some of the unfortunate beings at
work in the stone quarry near by.
We were delighted with the country
The great fields of wheat and corn, the
beautiful rivers, bordered with good tim
Der, and the delightful climate were per-
fectly fascinating
"What CONTRAST I have not needed
my umbrella once since 1 came into Hi
nois. In London and Ireland it would
have been in constant demand. Yet the
fields of growing grain are in fine condi-
ton. think it must rain when we are
asleep, to keep the earth looking so fresh
and green"
We left the cars at the little station and
soon were riding over roads in the most
perfect condition. We called at one place
where there was quite comfortable house
and barn.
This is one of the farms I mentioned "
said the agent.
While the duke and the agent were
walking about talking business, l inter-
viewed an old man who had been cultivat-
fng the corn.
Sir" l asked, "can you tell me how
this land came to be in the market?"
Eyes, SIR" said he, "this was once my
home. L came here from Ohio when land
was cheap. | bought this hundred and
sixty acres of land, paid part down, and
gave mortgage for the balance. Iput on
improvements as fast as l could. I worked
my farm carefully, and for few years
everything went we'll Then times became
hard, crops were not good, and what |
could sell brought very low price But
good crops or poor, good times or bad, the
interest on the mortgage kept growing all
the time. We began to live more careful
ly; wife would make one hundred dollars
do the work of three in living and cloth
ing. We kept less help and worked early
and late, but to no purpose. The time
came when the mortgage was due, and the
interest had accumulated until it ate up
all there was over the mortgage. Then
the place was sold. Now, here am ten
ant where hoped to be the owner"
"Where do you place the blame of your
unfortunate circumstances"
''The scarcity of money is the first cause.
That makes hard times. | can raise just
as much wheat to the acre when it brings
one dollar per bushel as when it brings fiji
ty cents. With the dollar | can meet my
obligations. With half dollar | must
raise twice as much grain, or fail. The
price of wheat indicates, 1 think l may
safely say, the rise and fall of money. Low
prices make good times for money loaners
and bankers who are willing to secure
themselves by a mortgage on our real
estate, and help by loaning money at the
moderate rates of from one, two, or even
three per cent per month. If the men
whose only business is to deal in the cir
culating medium of the country are per-
mitted to increase or decrease the uuanti-
ty as they please, they have the advantage
ever the laboring and producing classes
When farmers are in debt, and money all
the time growing scarcer, there is nc hope
but to sacrifice their homes for much less
than their real value Large tracts of lard