The Forrest City times., 1892-02-19
A BATTERED NEST.

They lay back in long bamb boo chairs, each with a cigar It looked as if they were resting. In reality they were talking business and that very seriously
 Yes. sir" said the elder man. with something of an American ac- cent .'1have somehow taken a fancy to this place. The situation Is health full.
 Well. don't know. I've had more than one touch of fever here"
 The climate is lovely
 Except in the rains"
 'The soil is fertile -"
 '1've dropped five thousand in it and they haven't come up again yet n
 They will have been round the estate and see money in it. We'll. SIT, here's my offer; five thousand down, hard cash as soon as the papers are signed"
 Reginald sat up. He was on the point of accepting the proposal. when pony rode up to the house and the rider native groom. jumped of and gave him note.
 He opened it and read. It was from his nearest neighbor, two or three miles away.
 Don't sell that man your estate Gold has been found. The whole coun- try is full of gold. Hold on He's an assayer. If he offers to buy, be quite sure that he has found gold on your land F. G.
 He put the message into his pocket gave a verbal message to the boy. and turned to his guest without betraying the least astonishment or emotion
 T beg your pardon. The note was from Bellamy, my next neighbor We'll? You were saying
 Only that I have taken fancy perhaps foolish faHcy-to this place of yours. and I'll give you if you like. all that you have spent upon it.
 Well. he replied collectively. bul with little twinkle in his eye 'thai seems handsome. But the place ism 1 really worth the half that have spent upon it. Anybody would tell you that. Come. let us be honest, whatever we are. I'll tell you better way. We will put the matter into the hands ol Bellamy. He knows what a coffee plan tation is worth. He shall name price and if we can agree upon that we will make deal of it.
 The other man changed color. He wanted to settle the thing at once as between gentlemen.
 What need of third parties?
 But Reginald stood firm. and he presently rode away. quite sure that in day or two this planter too. would have heard the news.
 A month later the young coffee planter stood on the deck of steamer homeward bound.
 In his pocketbook was a plan of his auriferous estate in bag hanging ayound his neck was collection ol yellow nuggets; in his boxes was a chosen assortment of quartz.
 Well, sir" said the inancier. you've brought this thing to me. You want my advice Well, my ad- vice is don't fool away the only good thing that will ever happen to you. Luck such as this doesn't come more than once in lifetime.
 T have been offered f10, 900 for my estate.
 Oh. Have you! Ten thousand' That was very liberal--very liberal indeed. Ten thousand fora gold reef "
 But 1 thought as an old friend ol my father you would perhaps-"
 Young man don't fool it away. He's waiting for you l suppose. round the corner with a bottle of fzz ready to close"
 He is"
 Well, go and drink his champae ne. Always get whatever you can. And then tell him that you'll see him"
 Il certainly will. sir If you advise it And then?"
 And then--leave it to me. And young man-I think heard, year or two ago, something about you and my girl Rosie.
 There was something sir; not enough to trouble you about it"
 She tole me; Rosie tells me all her love affairs
 
 "Oh. yes; and for the moment l be- lieve she is free. She has had one or two engagements. but somehow. they have come to nothing. There was the French count but that was knocked on the head very early in consequence of things discovered. And there was the boom in Guano. but he fortunately smashed. much to Rosies joy. because she never liked him. The last was Lord Evergreen. He was a nice old chap when you could understand what he said. and Rosie would have liked the title very much. though his grand children opposcd the thing We'll sir. I suppose you couldn't understand the trouble we took to keep that old man alive for his own wedding. sci' ence did all it could, but twas Of nc use"
 The financier sighed.
 .sThe ways of Providence are very inscrutable. He died. sir, the day be- fore"
 That was very sad"
 "A dashing of the cup from the lip sir. My daughter would have been . countess. We'll young gentleman. about this estate of yours 1 think see a way--I think, l am net yet sure that I do see way Go now. Se' this liberal gentleman and drink hi champagne. And come here in week. Then. ii I still see my way you shall understand what It means to hold tue position in the city whicl