Ceredo advance. [volume] (Ceredo, W. Va.) 1885-1939, 1891-11-04

ants. Several new buildings were put
in course of erection, and three news
papers, two of them with daily issues.
were established in the town.
Many of the lots were sold two or
three times within as many days, and
always at n large advance. Spccula-
ton ran wild and option dealing be-
came the rage of the hour. John Green
made no effort to sell his lots, for they
were well located, and he felt secure i'm
holding them. They would go on in
creasing, he thought, and when the
railroad companies began to construct
their lines into the place, and all the
other public improvements were put
under way, their value would 90 be-
yond anybody's expectations. He de-
termined To hold them, and hold them
he did.
But Scraggs made an effort TO sell
them, and in short time he found n
customer who offered to take them at
double what John paid. Scraggs sent
for John and laid the offer before him.
saying:
1T is big profit on the investment.
Mr.. Green, and my advice is TO take It,"
NO" said John. II can do better
than that next year. Wait till the rail-
roads come in
Il tell you, Green" Scraggs went on.
now is n good time TO SELL, You double
your money, and that is profit enough.
Take my advice and sell out. I can
loan your money where Il will be safe
and where it will bring you good inter-
est. Make the change, then when the
mortgage on your farm is due you will
have the money TO pay IT off"
But John shook his head, saying:
You can get no interest TO equal the
profits on the lots, and besides would
rather not turn usurerr
Scraggs was silent for little while,
during which he looked hard at the
hoor. Then looking up he said:
Green, have a purpose In advising
you as do. do not like to say what
that purpose Is, but assure you IL Is an
honest one, and besides il is well found
ed. For your own good / advise You to
this step. Get your money out of these
lots, and keep it out"
John made no reply but looked at
Scraggs incredulously. The agent saw
that he had made no impression, and he
continued:
y
Green, never to whisper a word of what
i am going TO tell you?''
Yes, II II is right that I should not"
II don't know that IL would be ex-
actly right, but know IL would be 10
your interest, and would, II you acted
on 1t, save your money and save you
from great deal of suffering, perhaps.
But be that as II may, won't reveal
any secret. IL wouldn't be safe. I will
say, though, let those lots go and make
your money secure"
Isn't IL secure where IL is?" John
asked
you heard what said. Mr. Green
Scraggs replied, land ought 20 be able
70 draw your own conclusions. / say
take your money out of the lots and
make IL safe. That's all / can say 10
you, and it's more than have said or
viii say 90 anyone else. / have a
reason for advising you 10 this step.
ana strange as II may seem, Il is al
together for your interest that do H."
Its a little strange. indeed, Mr..
Scraggs,' John said with an incredu-
lous shake OF the head. that you
should feel such an uncommon interest
In my welfare. cannot understand
why you should make so great an cx-
ception In my favor. Why am alone
selected from all your customers 90 re-
ceive the benefit Of your advice2 AMI
more 70 you than any OF the hundreds
OF others who have invested I'm these
town lots7 don't think So"
you are right, Green. you are not
more 20 me than the others. But IL Is
not that which Influences me. There Il
not man among all my customers
whom would not advise a. do you.
were he placed in like circumstances.
itnt II - folly 70 talk and argue. Here
Is customer for your lots. Take nv
advice and sell out"
NO." said John, "I1i keep them. /
know your object, Mr.. scraggs--I can
see through II perfectly. Those lots
are destined 70 sell for an enormous
price, and you know H. You see q