Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1895-07-19
.ADeaI5aViIdLan@S
Fight for the MuSSelSlGl millions
by LEON LEWIS.
CHAPTER III.-(COntInued.)

east, and are Wuth more 10 me Ina1 huy
one else l not only want 'em for
range for my cattle, but l think | might
sell a forty or two for tri6e to Col
Whipsaw, orc of my neighhors.
81 should think you 'ght," said the
merchant, smiling sarcastcally.
"Of course you've been very kind to
me, Hiram" continued the visitor, ito
give me the use of these lands so long
jest for the taxes, but were both gett ng
old, and if you should die and your es-
tate be divided, there might be no end OF
trouble, and so | told Daisy I'd como and
buy these lands OF you while she's getting
rested a little from her long journey"
allow much will you give me for my
half interes', Jcrry?"
"Well, l thought three hundred dollars
might strike you as a fair offer, Hiram"
replied the visitor, "and so I've brought
you the money"
The merchants sarcastic smile deep
ened as his brother drew out pocket
book which looked as if a considerable
slice of the Rocky Mountains had at
some time fallen upon it,
"Don't be so fast, jerry" he sa d.
Snow that you are here, I'll show you
the sights q week or two, and then we'll
90 to Montana together. Nothing would
please me more than to SEQ how you
have teen living all the-o fourteen
years"
Jerry waved his hand in nervous i'm
patience
&All that is very kind, Hiram" he de-
clared, "but business is business and l
must get the little matter of the lands
off nv mind before | can take q step
with you
The merchant surveyed him again in
quiringly, not little interested by his
clothes, which looked as if he had taken
them from some scareCrOw he had en-
countered in his travels.
81 couldn't think of selling you tho
lands In this off-handed fashion, Jerry,
ho then said. "Wait till have looked
them over in person
"Nonsense. Let nc have the deed
now.
"But three hundred dollars, Jcrry?"
returned the merthant "You must re-
member that these lands cost me five
thousand Probably, too, l could make
better terms with Colonel Whipsaw tha
you can. Let's wait "
"No, Hiram, protested Jerry. "There's
deed now, and III make the payment
five hundred dollars
"That's more like it," commented th1
merchant, still wearing his Quizzical
smile, "but l must have thousand"
"a thousand?" repeated Jerry, catch
ing at the remark as an offer.
al mean couple of thousand, "
amended the merchant 81 couldn't
think of taking q cent less. l really
couldn't"
"Well, let me have the deed now and
I'll give you two thousand" returned
the visit r, with evident eagerness "Oh,
yes, l have the money right here" he
added, surprising peculiar look on his
brothers face. "Iere it is"
He drew out large wallet and OIcned
It, showing that it was full of green
backs
"You surprise me-" cried Hiram 81
thought you barely made a living in
Montana!"
"True. But what is -, 00G?"
"a mere nothing, to be sure. And
that's why | won't sell the land for that
sum, now that l think more about it, "
declared the merchant. "Ill ho'd the
property forever, Jerry, if can't get
the sum it originally cost me-"
"Do you mean it?"
absolutely"
"Then l shall have to give you the
amount, sa d jerry. "The fact is Da Sy
is about to marry man named Sam
Gaddler, who has nothing, and l want
him to have this property for sheep
ranch. Five thousand it is, then Give
me the deed and Ill count you ont
tho money"
"Not to day, jerry. Give me time to
write to Colonel Whipsaw. Let me get
his opinion as to what the price ought
to be-"
"The COlOnel's away Hiram, travelling
somewhere in Europe" returned Jerry,
getting more and more nervous every
moment Gle has been gone whole
year, and 70 one knows when he'll be
home again."
"Then | must write to the postmaster
of Musselshcll, or TO SOre other Rerson
who is on the srOt, protested the mer-
chant. "How do l know that these
lands are worthless? May there not be
god mino upon thom?"
lie went on In this way until the face
of his brother was beaded with perspira-
tion, and then thrust under his gaze the
letter he had received from Colonel
Whipsaw. of RattIeSnakc Ranch.
"Rcad that" he said
Jerry complied turning all sorts of
co'orS, and finishing with howl Of con-
RternatiOn.
"And now tell me what this means,
commanded Hiram.
at means-that there is gold there,
painted Jerry.
"Ah, though so! Go on"
"JcSt how much l can't say" contin-
ued Jerry, returning the Colonel's letter,
"but am willing to SIX $4,000 upon
your haf interest"
81 should want cash, Jerry!"
81 have it with me-"
"Besides, | should want at least a
hundred thOusa: d dollars for the prop
erty, Jerry" announced the merchant
"Tn fact, ! won't take cent less, now
that l begin 10 see what the situation of
affairs is. Colonel Whipsaw will doubt
less arrange with me for the property if
vou don't want it, For $4,000 Jerry,
If you say So
.WeI; do say it," interrupted the
visitor eagerly. "Give me the deed"
"That's big pile of money, jerry"
Nevertheless, l have it with me,
Hiram"
It,"
The visitor produced the amount in a
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