The Canton times. (Canton, Miss.) 1893-1906, 1896-07-03


That sentence was never finished. AZ
that moment q woman's voice screamed:
"Toml Toni"
! The next instant Tom Wheeler was
pursuing a runaway horse, with all the
strength Of his athletic young limbs,
and John Harmon, forgetful of every
thing but the fact that his only dnugh-
ter was behind that horse, stood speech
less and helplessly staring.
1t was not sensational runaway.
Within so yards Tom managed to catch
| the buggy and to climb into IT from
| the rear-and when, after he turned it
| round and drove back, neither he nor
| Rhoda exhibited sign of excitement
but John Harmon was as pale as death,
| until he made certain that his only
daughter was safe. Then came another
sneer, as who should say:
anyone can climb into runaway
wagon, If they're swift enough afoot,
but"
''Take me home, Tom-I'm ill. Quick
ly, please" pleaded Rhoda.
About five o'clock that evening
Wheeler came into Harmon's hardware
store, and asked him to come outside
for minute.
"yVell?" asked Mr.. Harmon, doubt
fully.
"What will you sell your place for, Mr..
Harmon?" Tom asked, without any pre-.
liminaries.
II haven't gone into the market yet.
And, supposing have. my young friend,
have you anything to buy WITH"
'Well," said. Wheeler, Il could only
make first payment of $500, the bal
ance secured by a mortgage on the prop
erty, payable within the year."
Harmon looked at him hard for mo-
ment. Then
eff you're in earnest, Tom, $4,000 fiat,
on those conditions. And the deal may
as well be closed now"
This was done before a notary pub
lie, and within half-hour John Har-
mons homestead property was trans
ferred to Tom Wheeler.
When all the papers had been signed,
sealed and delivered, young Wheeler
yentured word.
''Mr. Harmon" he said, 81 have played
rather low-down trick upon you; but,
upon the other hand, expect you, when
you understand the circumstances, to
return me my $500 without question.
''The fact is that for three days past |
I have had expert coal operators work.
ing upon your land, and they assure me
that by the investment of less than |
$4,000 (Which can be very easily secured
in Pittsburgh there will be found in
sight at least six times that amount.
Moreover, there is one more thing
TO which | wish to call your attention;
and that is the fact that any contract
whatsoever made upon legal holiday
IS void. Squire Mcdowell doubtless
Knows this, but must have forgotten it
N this instance"
John Harmon looked steadily for
moment at the young man who had un-
resolved to be his son-in-law
''Wa-al," he drawled, with an imported
Maine accent-"I don't b'lieve y're sech
/ blame fool as We look t. be, after ALL
Jome up tonight to supper, you and
vour ma. I'll get a lot of fireworks, and
f we don't have the biggest family
Fourth of July celebration you ever
aw, my name ism John Harmon"
The next day, John Harmon, who al
Ways wanted to be "fair" man, decided
N undivided half INTEREST," his property
o that Objectionable school-teacher.
''Tom," he asked, two or three days
forwards, unable to control his curl
sity, "where'd you get that $5OO-out
f your salary?"
THAT money Rhoda's aunt left Ter" ]
aid the prospective son-in-law, !
traightforwardly. ;
swell, you're a bird!" 7