The Goodland republic. [volume] (Goodland, Kan.) 1891-1907, 1893-05-26

pertinent. 1t may fail, and it may prove
an immense success, but it is full Of
trouble and probably danger"
''It may be SO" said the old priest,
'but it is laudable undertaking. You
have behind you the knowledge of all
the failures and successes in other lands
to guide you"
''I have it" cried Eric. "No, shall
not leave you, Iklapel. We will build
up Atzlan and make it great city-the
wonder of the world"
He went out to Pierce, and taking
him by the hand said: 'Old man, I've
made up my mind. We will stay here,
Leila and 1. Yes, don't look so amazed.
l mean it. am going to run this town
myself after this and give it boom"
Pierce looked blank for moment.
"But, confound it, after we've taken
all this trouble to save your skin you
want to remain here and go through it
all over again.
''No; there will be no trouble. Be-
sides want you to stay here for awhile
"a year or SO, old fellow, eh?) and get
into our ways. You'll like the place.
Wonderful trout fishing, splendid snipe
shooting, fine climate. Oh, you'll enjoy
it, I know"
Then, growing earnest, he outlined his
plan to Pierce. 1t was, in brief, to di-
vide about fifty thousand dollars among
the men who had been hired for the ex-
petition, and retaining Whitley and
Sheriff Woodruff dismiss them all.
He would then call together the chief
men of the city and form board of
directors under his own presidency, lay
ing before them scheme of manage
ment which he was sure would inure to
the benefit of all.
The city would simply be a great
stock company, capitalized from its own
priestly savings, and its earnings would
be divided among the people. There
were rich mines to be worked, and
which alone would make the people
wealthy; in fact, the more he thought
of it the more feasible it seemed, and he
grew enthusiastic at the prospect.
Although Pierce was not so sanguine,
he still felt that with unknown millions
in bank almost any scheme could be car
ried out, and he felt like trying the ex-
pertinent. He looked dubious, however.
Understand me-" added Eric. 81
mean business. 1t is not all pure philan-
thropy by any means. I know we win
have to buck against ignorance, super
stition and fear; also there will be rush
of outsiders, spectators, land grabbers
and others here that must be checked.
The government will perhaps interfere;
the state certainty will. We will need
all our wits and more to manage things,
and even the success of the plan may be
our undoing, for when they are all edu-
Gated twenty years hence other interests
will perhaps be more powerful"
'FAnd therefore it. would be wise"
interposed Pierce, 'for us to place away
in some good, solid securities few mil
lions for the use Of original charter mem
bers, as it were, in case the board Of di-
rectors is voted out of Office some time
in the future"
FFJust SO" Eric answered, "and Ikla-
pei himself would say the same. At
least it is no more than other discover
ers and conquerers have always DONE"
"Only they took all there was in
sight," said Pierce, ''and we propose to
take only small percentage. Are
Whitley and Woodruff in this at all?''
perhaps it is better that they remain
outside-for the present anyway" Eric
answered, laughing.
That night the inhabitants of At1-
Ian in a great meeting elected Gilbert
their governor. The voting was by ac-
clamation, and the whole proceeding
did not take fifteen minutes. He was
summoned and made a speech to them,
L. -, 1Sv
ner so that they comprehended his
scheme readily. They were quick to see
the advantages of the plan, although
they had no monopolistic corporations
as examples to teach them the power of
combination. But he laid great stress
upon the difficult nature of the task, and
again and again laid before them the ne
cessity of constant toll, ceaseless vigi-
lance and tireless patience.
"Most of all, above all, work, work,
work, F." he cried. cit is the soul, the life
of the world; the aim and end of living
aye, it's life itself"
The next day the wagon train came
into the city, and the Atz1ans crowded
about the canvas covered wagons, filed
with mingled curiosity and fear. The
nOIS0S JSET1uOO Gu6n ny GH04 every dC-
ton; the wagons amazed them; their
eyes were tired before the day passed
with staring at the marvels that were
displayed on every hand. Many of them
made most advantageous bargains, ex-
changing gold and silver ornaments,
mere baubels, for the rare things the
strangers brought. Their greatest de-
sire was for the axes, hatchets and hunt
ing and pocketknives. But some queer
trades were made. One aged chief had
obtained pair of eyeglasses and was
beside himself with delight at the res
tOration of his vision, while another rev.
eled in the possession of compass and
spent his time showing the unerring
needle to his astonished friends.
Eric had cautioned them not to be too
liberal in their dealings with the white
men, and also tried to prevent their be-
ing swindled, and endeavored to prevent
too palpable swind1ing ON his mems part,
but it was nearly impossible. The temp
tation was too great on both sides to be
restrained, and it was curious to see the
complacent sense of satisfaction and the
realization of clever business tact beam
ing In the faces of those of the Atzlans
who had made good bargains from an
Attain point of view. They knew they
had outWitted the newcomers and got