The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1891-10-28
came the race OF the hour. John Green

came the rage OF the hour. John Green
made no effort to sell his lots, for they
were well located, and he felt secure in
holding them. They would go on in
crcasing, 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 go 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 q
customer who offered to take them at
double what John paid. Scraggs sent
for John and laid the offer before him,
saying:
',It 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 good time to sell. You double
vc-.r money, and that is profit enough.
Take my advice and sell out. l can
loan your money where it 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 of"
But John shook his head, saying:
'You can get no interest to equal the
profits on the lots, and besides would
rather not turn usurer.'
Scraggs was silent for e little while,
during which he looked hard at the
floor. Then looking up he said:
s:Grcen, have a purpose in advising
you as do. do not like to say what
that purpose is, but assure you it is an
honest one, and besides it is well found
cd. For Your own good l advise you to
this step. Get your money out OF these
lots, and keep it out"
John made no reply but looked at
ScraggS incrcGulously. The agent saw
that he had made no impression, and he
continued:
,'WiN you promise upon your oath,
Green, never to whisper word OF what
am going to tell you?'
'Yes, if it is right that should not. "
s'I don't know that it would be ex-
actly right, but know it would be to
your interest, and would, if you acted
on it, save your money and save you
from a great deal Of suffering, perhaps.
But be that as it may, won't reveal
snv secret. It wouldn't be safe. I will
say, though, let those lots go and make
your money secure.
isn't it secure where it is?" John
asked.
"You heard what said, Mr.. Green"
Scraggs replied, "and ought to be able
to draw your own conclusions. / say
take your money out of the lots and
make it safe. That's all can say to
YOU, and it's more than have said or
will say to anyone else. I have
reason for advising you to this step,
and strange as it may seem, it is al
together for your interest that I do it."
ats 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 1 cannot understand
why you should make so great an ex-
ception in my favor. Why am l alone
selected from all your customers to re-
ceiye the benefit Of your advice? Am
more to you than any Of the hundreds
of others who have invested in these
town lots? I don't think So"
"You are right, Green, you are not
more to me than the others. But it is