Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1896-05-07
SELLING A NINE.
BY MRS. J. aLADwYN JEBA

DOu huuuCl ESCOIuO 0du TeCeQvly
come INTO possession of small silvel
mine, and, according to the immemoria
custom of mine owners, he was ex
tJemely anxious to sell ii to some one
else.
Don Manuel began preliminaries by
preparing an expert, and this gentle
man prepared a report. A few disa
greeablc people expressed entire dis
belief in both; but, as Don Manuel had
found occasion to observe before, this
IS skcptical age. As matter of fact
lie held low opinion of that sagacity
upon which the world, and especially
the commercial world, so prided itself
There was that exploded idea. for in.
stance. about there being always large
numbers of widows and orphans scat
tered about the globe, simply waiting
10 be taken in, and fraudulently en-
treated BY any astute person who chose
to take the trouble. For his part, al
though he had often gone to great ex-
ertion in attempting to turn an honest
penny at their expense, Don Manuel
had invariably found that the average
widow held fixed and inconvenisnt ideas
NJ to interest, while an orphan had once
nearly succeeded in overreaching Don
Manuel himself.
Although he sought diligently for a
purchaser for his latest acquisition,
during several months he sought in
vain. So unpromising seemed his quest
that he felt on the verge of despair;
when, at the last moment, beneficent
Providence threw an Englishman across
his path. Not an elderl, case-hardened
Englishman, either, but a nice, fresh.
beardless youth, apparently but just
out of leading-strings. Moreover, as
though to prove that he had been sent
especially on Don Manuels behalf, he
bad plenty of money.
The lads name was Frank Jerning-
llama cognomen so completely be-
yond the capacity Of the ordinary Mex
lean tongue that its owner came to be
known simply as "El Amigo de Don
Manuel" The latter gentleman was
charmed by the bestowal Of this title,
as it seemed to give him a sort OF pre-
scriptive right in his young friend, be-
eides serving to warn off any other
adventurer who might be casting COW
etous eyes upon his prize. Don Manuel
lost no time in bringing the merits
of his i.;ine to the notice of his Amigo,
and in charging upon the fortune to be
derived from it. The report, which he
exhibited with pride. set forth that the
mine contained free-milIing ore of
high grade. and that in order to work
il with satisfaction and profit, very
small capital. with but trifling amount
OF labor, were all that would be re-
.luEed. In fact. after perusing this
document. it seemed impossible to feel
any other emotion than wonder that
Don Manuel could bring himself to
part with SO promising property.
I here was. however, one trifling omis-
Sion. which. had it been known, might
have altered somewhat the complexion
of affairs. This circumstance was that
for many years the mine had been full
Of water, and that II was extremely
doubtful whether. even by the aid OF
the COS Hest pumps, the flooding could
be altogether remedied.
But this depressing fact being care
fully withheld from the Amigo. he
sold out several thousand
pounds worth of consols, in order to
but the money SO obtained into this
yery desirable investment. In extenua-
ton of his action, it should be ex-
planned TINT he had but recently come
pf age. and was anxious to prove to bis
late trustees that he was fit to be
trusted with the management OF his
own affairs. Also. lie had been brought
10 by Il maiden aunt in that policy OF
thinking no evil, which usually results
in its votaries suffering from good
deal.
The wonder was how he ever got SO
far as Mexico without being fleeced.
His native shrewdness may have pro-
tected him to some extent, but when
Don Manuel got hold of him, matters
but OH different aspect. When he
vas first let into the secret of the ex-
stence OF the mine, he regarded 1T as
/, mark OF confidence and esteem. sur
,rising from comparative stranger.
Don Manuel fostered this view by de-
.larine that he had already several
rood offers. on the ground that the peo-
Sic making them did not intend work
NO the ore themselves, and he would
,ot lend his countenance to mere
speculation.
The Amigo blushed with pleasure !
nd paid half the purchase money in
dsance. Before completing the pur-
base. however. he was to accompany
Jon Manuel on visit of inspection.
The mine being situated at some dis
ance from the city, they arranged to
ide there one day, spend the night at
he village maison, and return the next
Law. This plan was carried out ana
N their arrival they were met by man