Santa Fe daily New Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1885-1897, 1895-04-25

buying DaCk lew OF the lOtS already sold,
thereby stiffening the market. Several
thousand street railway ties, rented for a
short time, were scattered through the tract
to foreshadow the coming tramways.
To hear of these things through the
newspapers did the public seriously in
cline. When the second sale took place,
the crowd in attendance was enormous.
People fought for places and offered to pay
such amazing prices that the major, hard
ened horse dealer that he was, almost
hesitated to accept the bids. When the
day was done the city of Rome had passed
completely out of the possession of the
company.
Now it was the general who counseled
immediate flight. He had received lit
tie more inside information-the G. B. r.
r. was not coming to California at all.
1--WE must get out Of the country before
that Is sprung" said he, cor we shall be
tarred and feathered.
And the many promises of the Glorious
Climate company" said the colonel, the
boulevards we were to build parks to lay
out public buildings to construct-how
about themp"
The general smiled "Let the English
syndicate take care of all that, said he.
A few days later the trio had disappear
ed. So had the laborers upon the founda
tions of Rome. AS matter of fact, the
great boom in southern California was at
an end. The impression began to leak
into many people that somewhere they had
heard something about "a fool and his
money"
As for the three, they certainly were no
fools. But
The general went to New York and lost
it all in Wall street.
The colonel went to Ohio and lost 1t all
trying to found newspaper.
The major went to Europe and lost 1t
all at Monte Carlo.
Naturally each, when stranded, appeal
ed to the others. Naturally, too, the reply
in each case was depressing. 1t was seven
years after the episode of Rome that the
three men drifted together again In Chi
cago
The generals coat was again shiny at
the seams and his cuffs frayed as before.
The colonel drank beer and smoked cheap
cigars. The major had evidently taken to
strong liquors.
Each confessed to discomfort, though
none of them was disposed to go into par
ticulars. All lamented the haloyon days
Of the founding of Rome.
There was no such combination as
that at Monte Carlo" said the major.
mo such lambs in Wall street." sighed
the general.
"No such suckers in Ohio" echoed the
colonel.
"Why not go back therep' asked the
general. II don't mean to Rome, for the
coyotes must have jumped that claim,
but to southern California"
Walk" said the colonel briefly.
II can get transportation, said the
general. "My pull with the road still
holds good-one way
lone way9" repeated the major.
"Yes-away from New York, where my
swell relatives live. The return is not SO
easy"
Shall we 90 by the California or Bust
line?" asked the major, with grin.
You needn't laugh" said the general.
"That road was built after all, and in
tend to get passes over it.
Four days later MS the G. B. r. r.
Overland" was nearing the end of its run
the three comrades, deep in poker game
in the smoking car, were electrified to
hear passenger saying:
"This station is Rome. Grown quite a
city, hasn't itp"
"Wha-a-t!" cried the general, dropping
his cards. lis there Rome on this lines"
is there?' echoed the passenger Just
look out of the window and see''
The three rushed to the platform as the
train drew up at a handsome station sur.
rounded by we'll kept park. In plain
letters over the door they read the name:
.........................
ROME.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS.
"Yes, it's the place." said the colonel.
Don't you see the hills covered with
beautiful residences-just as predicted
they would be-"
The general led the way out into the
main street. 1t was built up solidly with
substantial looking business blocks. The
sidewalks wero crowded with people NOV
ing briskly. Several street cars and ON
nibuses passed, we'll filled with arrivals
from the train.
The officers of the one time G. c. L. &
W. G. walked on for some distance with
out speaking.
At length tho major, turning to the
general broke out, What do you suppose
property Is worth here In the business Sec
tion?'
The general groaned, but did not speak.
III we had only held on!" said the colo
mel IF we had only believed little bit
of our own lies"
'And these lots that we let 60 for a
song" said the major Indignantly, "are
now crowded with big buildings and
worth no end Of money. We were robbed,
gentlcmenl say robbed"
What are we doing herep" growled the
general sarcastically. "Think of taking
an option on the cityf Let's get out!
see no particular opening here for the
geese that didn't save Rome. The walk
ing is good. Come along out of this
And three figures moved down the track
In solemn, silent single flle.-Charles