The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1895-03-15

the platform. He stood and looked
around as if bewildered. Was this
fine stone building, the little insignifi-
cant depot of his recollection.
Was this thriving little city, with
its busy streets, the little one-horse
town, of ten years ago.
"Hotel, Sir?" said a spry looking por-
ter, as he grabbed Mr.. Greyborne's
valise without waiting for n reply.
This way Sir. and following the
porters lead, he was soon seated in a
hotel bus, and rapidly driven to a
large, and from appearance, newly
built hotel. He entered the office
and called for a room and dinner, and
while waiting for the latter, idly
scanned the advertisements of paper
which he had picked up.
Suddenly lie saw the name of Grey
borne, and his attention was centered
on the advertisement. It was the
notice of a sheriff7s sale, and was to
take place that afternoon, and it was
his own fathers place which was to
be sold.
He tried to appear calm as he ap
preached the clerks desk and inquir-
ed of the clerk, how it happened that
the place was to be sold by the sheriff.
"You see sir" said the clerk, the old
gentleman mortgageb the farm, some
years back, in order to stock it up
better and build some new barns. and
the stock did not do well, most of
them died, and he was not able to
raise the principal, and although he
has always paid the interest, old
Joslyn is going to sell him out. You
see sir, if he gets the farm, he will
cut it up into town lots and make a
fortune off it.
Mr.. Greyborne waited no more, but
went out upon the street and along
the sidewalk until he paused before
the principal bank of the city. He
went in and did not reappear for
nearly an hour, but when he did,
there was a smile upon his face, as
though his business had turned out
satisfactory.
He returned to the hotel, and after
eating his dinner, ordered horse and
buggy, and getting in he drove to the
bank and stopped. Soon the banker
came ont, and, getting into the bug
gy, they both drove away in the
direction of the sale
GLOW much am / offered for this
farm" cried the sheriff as he stood in
in the yard $780," said an old gray
haired man, who stood trembling close
to the sheriff. He was the owner of
the farm, and he had saved for years,
in order to pay off the $500 mort
gage, and had, by economy, got
together the sum Of $3.50.
$4,000" shouted red faced, pompous
looking man, who was, by name, r. A.
Joslyn, Esq.
The old mans head dropped, and
tears came into his eyes. His last
hope was gone.
There was none to bid against
Joslyn, for he was the mOneyed man
of the town.
as two thousand all am oflcred?"
enquired the sheriff looking around.
"Three thousand" quietly said the
gentleman who had ridden out in the
buggy with the banker
Joslyn looked around and scowled
at him as though he was in terfering
with his lawful prey.
"Thirty-fve hundred" he said
turning to the sheriff.
give thousand dollars" said the
stranger, looking quietly at the sheriff
Joslyn stepped to the side of the
sheriff, and spoke few words in an
undertOne
"You are aware" said the sheriff,
looking at the stranger, chat this is II
cash sale"
'H(uitc aware" returned the stran-
lgcr.
What guarantee have YOU to offer
that YOU are able to pay iive thousand
dollars"
81 will cash this gentleman's check
for anvamount," said the banker bv
, his side.
, 'That is satisfactory" replied the
| sheriff, while Joslyn looked as though
he would like to murder both of them,
| No one raised the last bid and so il
was knocked down to the stranger
l and the crowd began to melt away
The stranger got out of the buggy
and the banker drove away.
/ Going up to the house, the stranger
knocked.
An old lady, with the tears still
t wet on her faded cheek, opened the
l door, and invited the stranger to en-
4 ter.
He went in and sat down and begar
e talking of the sale.
e "You will not turn us out at once
t sir, will YOU"