Ceredo advance. [volume] (Ceredo, W. Va.) 1885-1939, 1891-10-28

~ t"sHaass oPet Atf- NOl4D NOs
turn thousand dollars or so as any
body else. You can make five or six
hundred per cent ON that money ms
easy as not DO like everybody else
like your ncighbors out thcre-and iu-
vest here"
John was about To- offer some obicc-
ton, but before he could say anything
the door opened and seven or eight men
came in. all anxious to make purchases
OF lots. Scraggs had talked them up
earlier N the day. and they had been
ont to sec tnc additions, and now came
back full Of enthusiasm.
John listened 10 their talk. and. after
they went out, listened to Scraggs some
more, and at last the fever began 20
take ON him. All his ncighbors who
had mortgages ON their homes and
couldn't pay them because they were
not due were investing i'm town lots.
and he supposed that II everybody was
investing he might us well do so. too.
II IL worked out right IL was n grand
opportunity to get start in the world
and build him nice home and place
his wife and child outside the palcs
of want. Yes. he believed that he'd
invest, since he couldn't pay Oft the
debt. He told Scraggs so, and in no
time Scraggs had his papers out ready
10 write up the contract and get IL all
safe before somebody else got all the
choice lots. John thought he'd better
go home and talk the matter over with
Mary first, but another rush OF Gus
toners and another sale Of n dozen lots
decided him that delay was dangerous.
so he told Scraggs TO go on and fix up
the contract then and there.
Scraggs by the way, was typical
western real estate agcnt-in some par
ticulars, at least. He was full OF bust
ness, unsparing of his talk. bland. smil-
ing and wildly enthusiastic. He was n
hustler from the word 20 and ne never
tired of talking mp and showing up the
advantages OF his town. 10 came ns
natural 70 him TO figure up enormous
profits ON investments in town lots az II
did 70 eat and sleep, and he always made
II so plain that the would-bc investor
could aimee see the profits stickingout.
He always made each customer feel tina.
NJ was giving him Il decided ADVANTAGE
over all other customers by letting him
him have lots that ne had reserved for
his own special tooth. so 60 speak
IL munt not be inferred that ScrnRRs.
or for that matter the average wcstc--,
real estate agent, was or ia dishonest.
ScragRs had lots Of business, and Gus
TONERS were crOwding on him anxious
to make investments. and there was
lots Of money In IL TO him. and he was
anxious 90 build up his town. and all
that sort Of thing. 50 likely as not he
never Ind time 90 think Of what the
outcome Of the affair mint gossiBiy he
to his investors Urdor such circurn-
stances the best % us are liable 70 for
get some things. But enough 81 that
when John Green got his papers and
had paid down his money. he left Mr..
Scraggs Office and started down street
lie had not gone far, however. before.
IA turning corner. he came face 70
fac'with Harry Pearson. who was hur-
rying along In the direction 81 Scra0Qs'
Office. Harry was coming 90 such
speed that he did not see Green until be-
had nearly collided with him, and when
he did see him he stopped dead short
and from bis looks and actions 70 was
apparent that he would not have been
more surprised n he had met tho czar
81 Russia with all his royal attendants.
why! Mr. Green, he exclaimed. is
Il possible you are in town ~ eariy9"
yes. said John, II came down this
morning"
That 80? Well. you haven't seen
Scraggs yet, at any rateY'
yes, have just come from his Of.
fee"
What! You've seen Scragosg-
yes, and tried my best 20 get him q,
accept the money. but he wouldn't
Tin sorry you mentioned e 70 him
until got there. was on my way
now, and hurryinR with all possible
speed to get there before you did. But
perhaps you have not come % any terms
with him yetp"
yes, have. have invested tho
money IN sown lots"
Tut, tut. just my luck. think II
had been there could have induced !