Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1891-09-03

oclock Smith came In. He had forgot
ten his usual dignity of entrance, and he
was so absent minded that he hung up his
coat on the wrong hook. He fdgeted and
| then observed -
Il have had an offer of mining property
which promises great things. Did you
ever hear of the Queen Anne mine of Ne
vada?"
II replied that never had, and after
sitting in deep study for while he also
| retired. He had evidently been to see
Mrs Temple also. Mrs. Temple then was
| woman who had a silver mine to dispose
| OF. OF all men in the world whom | should
have hesitated to approach were the three
comprising our firm. OF all people liable
TO succeed with them woman would be
the very last. couldn't make it out. 1t
seemed to me that the natural order Of
| things had been reversed
Before the week was out Jones escorted
Mrs Temple TO the theatre, Brown had
taken her out for drive, and there were
we'll founded rumors that Smith had sent
her bouquet. then set to work to lind
who Mrs. Temple was No one could give
me any information beyond the fact that
she was a widow OF a Nevada mine owner,
and that she had come east for the purpose
of disposing of some mining property
lands and mines, and seemed to be well
posted as to the business on hand. 1t was
however, the general impression that she
was sharper or adventures, with man
behind her somewhere and it was further
told me that Brown. Smith and Jones, in
dvidCally aud collectively were infatuated
with her
always wondered why she did not at
tempt to secure my assistance in her pro
ject, but she probably either mistru>ted
that suspected her, or she thought she
could work her cards without my assist
anCe. While each of the three partners
knc" that each of the others had been ap-
preached on the same subject--ihat of
buying the mine neither OF them knew
that the other had been done for by her
fascinating ways. | have the strongest
grounds for stating three separate and dis
tinct beliefs -
First That jones' expected to marry
her.
Second That Brown expected to marry
her.
Third That Smith had become so infa,-
uatcd that he would have run away with
her, leaving wife, business and all
Well, The proposition to buy her silver
mine came up At the business meeting one
morning There was nothing In the looks
OF words Of either party to lead one 10
mi>tru>t that he had ever met her Or tak
ed il over before. II would have been
proper Ia send some expert out 10 the
min" 10 investigate and report. hnt she had
given the names Of parties tp write to aui
1t was agreed that If reports were fayora-
bic the deal should be closed now for
the first time learned If the location of the
mine. had not only been IN the ,.te and
knew the mine 10 be worthless. but had
friends there who would attest the fact.
Under directions of the hrm wrote to the
address given by Mrs. Temple. Acting on
my own judgment. also wrote to di>iu-
tere>ted parties
While waiting for answers h these let
tiers Brown suddenly asked the other TWO
members OF the frm 10 congratulate him
a. he had decidci to get married Thry
had hardly done 80 whcn Jones announced
that he had also decided on the same step
Smith couldn't follow suit having wife
already, but he flushed up and looked con
fused. and seemed about 20 declare that he
was going % elope, out caught himself
and stopped short
Ten days hsd elapsed, aud answer, u
my letters were expected every day, when
| WAS sent tO q town hundred miles away
on business which detained me TWO DAYS
Returning al 10 O'Clock on the morning uf
the 81. ! Caught sight Of Mrs Temple en-
tering the Second National Bank, where
oar surplus was on deposit, and on which
checks Of over $1,000 were drawn Il
-trlck me that the letters written 10 the
maine of the hrm had arrived and the Ieai
had been closed during my absence.
followed her in. and my fears were real
| itt
Identify her. Il was make Or break aui
a She presented the check | said to
Jones a.
'Let her wait until | can run over to our
bank and return. Mr.. Ha~peth to the
teller, please delay payment Until trlf-
ling irregularity eau be arranged "
Jones called to me and ran after me hut
| did not stop or answer On arriving At
our bank found three letters addressed
t" me from parties in Nevada took
time to read only four or live lines Of
each, aud then, calling on Smith and
Brown 10 follow. fastened to the other
bank. We hal lively row, | can assure
you. The letters addressed to the bank
made the mine out TO be big thing hut
those from my friend. stamped it a. a
fraud. Il was finally agreed that the
check should b. returned until further iu-
vestigation should be made; and that af-
ternoon the adveuturcss SIX ppyd. to be
heard from no more.
do not know how the partner, settled
ii among themselves, hut know they lad
private meeting. lasting over two hours
f"rhsps each one ~ them caGdijly admit
'ed that he had made an a>~ Of himself
and promised better thing, IL future All
know i that when tine meeting broke up
atialrS il the bank u Brown, Smith s
Jones resumed their o!d-tim~ routine. and
the only allu-ion 10 the affair was made ~
Jones, who ~aid, Mr. Whitbcck. am
Instructed 10 inform you that Your indus
try and attention 10 business has not e.
capped our observation. and Your salary for
the next fiscal year VIII be S4j00"-l Ner
York SIM